Saudi Arabia Begins Issuing E-Visas for Umrah

Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Begins Issuing E-Visas for Umrah

Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)
Umrah pilgrims will start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19 (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started issuing e-visas for Umrah, as part of its efforts to enable more Muslims to come to the Kingdom to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and facilitate its procedures for them.

This comes along with raising the quality of Umrah services to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The ministry stated that people who seek electronic visas can submit applications at the Nusuk platform, so they can start arriving in the Kingdom by July 19.

The Nusuk platform facilitates the arrival procedures for Muslims worldwide to visit Makkah and Madinah, provides housing choices, residence and transportation services, in addition to easy access to a package of enrichment information and interactive maps in several languages.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah previously announced, in cooperation with the concerned authorities, that holders of tourist visas from the Gulf Cooperation Council of Arab states and holders of Schengen visa can book Umrah appointments via the Nusk application.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry also facilitates procedures for holders of different types of visas.

Facilities provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to the Umrah performers are a part of new legislation that is recently adopted and include reducing the insurance fees for Umrah performers by 63% while maintaining the sustainability of health services for them, issuing the Umrah visa in less than 24 hours, and extending the Umrah visa from 30 days to 90 days, with no health requirements.

The updated procedures of Umrah also permit women to perform the Umrah without a male guardian (mahram). The new rules also allow Umrah performers to visit the unique sites of the Kingdom to learn about the country's cultural diversity and enrich their religious and cultural experiences.



Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from French Foreign Minister

zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from French Foreign Minister

zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot, SPA reported.

During the call, they discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments.


Yemen Presidential Leadership Council President Holds Talks with GCC Sec-Gen

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
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Yemen Presidential Leadership Council President Holds Talks with GCC Sec-Gen

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi met with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi in Riyadh.

According to a press release issued by the GCC General Secretariat, the two sides reviewed GCC-Yemeni relations and discussed the current situation in the Republic of Yemen, with particular focus on recent developments in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. Albudaiwi affirmed that all efforts are being exerted and supported to enhance security and stability in Yemen.

Dr. Al-Alimi commended the stances, leading role, and exceptional efforts made by the GCC states to support Yemen across various fields, contributing to enhancing Yemen’s stability and realizing its development, SPA reported.

Furthermore, Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s steadfast position affirming full support for the Presidential Leadership Council, headed by Dr. Al-Alimi, and its supporting entities, in their endeavours to achieve security and stability in Yemen.

He also underscored the GCC’s support for reaching a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the three references, in a manner that preserves Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.


No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
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No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)

An earthquake struck Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region on Wednesday.

Spokesperson for the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) Tariq Aba Al-Khail said no damage casualties were reported in the 4.0-magnitude quake.

The earthquake resulted from tectonic stresses from the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian geological plates in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, which activated existing faults in the Earth's crust in Eastern Region of the Kingdom, he said.