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.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.