Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
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Saudi Launches Major Operational Plan to Serve Hajj Pilgrims

Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on Sunday launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, which mobilizes 10,000 male and female employees and workers to serve the worshippers.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, launched the plan in the presence of the minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and the director of the General Directorate of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Bassami.

Al-Sudais pointed to the plan being based on ten main axes related to strategic goals stemming from Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

Moreover, he said that the presidency has allocated King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, and Bab Al-Salam Gate for the entry of pilgrims and visitors, adding that the presidency has allocated a total of 144 gates for the entry of worshippers to the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that the presidency had launched smart applications and electronic platforms that would facilitate and enrich visitors’ experiences, revealing that the number of beneficiaries of this digital service had reached more than 160 million.

Al-Sudais said that all services and programs were being followed up minute by minute to ensure the highest quality, through a set of indicators supervised by the presidency around the clock.

In addition, the presidency is working on distributing 3 million Zamzam water bottles a day in the Grand Mosque.

Al-Sudais said that 2,000 electric vehicles had been provided to serve the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to providing 500 engineering staff, and that the sermon of Arafah would be translated into 10 different languages.

He noted that this year’s Hajj season follows two exceptional seasons in which Saudi Arabia showed resounding success in crisis management under the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.



Saudi Arabia Urges Security Council to Adopt Firm Stance on Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Security Council to Adopt Firm Stance on Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil (United Nations file photo)

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the terrorist and criminal attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthis against civilian and economic facilities in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, which injured 73 civilians, including women and children.

This came in a speech delivered by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil during an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened to discuss the Houthi militia’s attacks against the Kingdom.

Alwasil warned of the seriousness of the Houthi escalation and its repercussions for regional security. He stressed that the attacks threaten not only the Kingdom’s security, citizens, and assets, but also international navigation and trade in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

He called on the UN Security Council to adopt a clear, firm stance on these attacks and fulfill its responsibility to maintain international peace and security.

He also stressed the need to ensure the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and to halt all forms of support that enable the Houthi militia to continue its hostile actions and attacks, which threaten regional security and international shipping lanes.

Alwasil reaffirmed the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself and protect its security, sovereignty, citizens, residents, and national assets, in line with the UN Charter and international law.

He stressed the Kingdom’s steadfast position regarding Yemen, based on preserving its unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

He stressed the Kingdom’s continued support for a comprehensive, sustainable, Yemeni-led political solution to the Yemeni crisis that achieves security and stability and fulfills the aspirations of the Yemeni people.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister's Illegal Entry into Syria

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli prime minister's illegal entry into Syria in a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a blatant breach of international law, SPA reported.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of halting Israeli violations and transgressions against Syrian territory and adhering to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region.

The Kingdom also reiterated its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.


OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia
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OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

OIC Permanent Human Rights Commission Condemns Houthi Militia’s Terrorist Attacks on Civilians in Saudi Arabia

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the continued cross-border terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia.

The commission said the attacks deliberately target civilians, including women and children, as well as civilian assets and critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

The commission expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people, stressing the need to protect the safety and security of civilians at all times. It described the Houthi attacks as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, SPA reported.

It also warned that repeated attacks endangering civilians have serious implications for fundamental human rights, particularly the rights to life, security, and physical integrity, and threaten regional peace and stability.

The commission reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right and responsibility under international law to protect its population and civilian infrastructure from unlawful terrorist attacks. It stressed the need to hold the Houthi militia accountable for its grave violations of international law.

The commission also called on the international community, the United Nations, and relevant international and regional mechanisms to unequivocally condemn Houthi attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent their recurrence and escalation.