Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Delivers Statement on Palestine at Security Councilhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5235356-saudi-arabia%E2%80%99s-permanent-representative-un-delivers-statement-palestine-security
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Delivers Statement on Palestine at Security Council
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil delivered the Kingdom's statement before the Security Council session in New York on "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
The meeting was held under the auspices of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Alwasil stated that Saudi Arabia has recently signed the accession document to the Peace Council, led by the United States under the chairmanship of President Donald Trump, in support of the Council’s role as a transitional body in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2803.
He reiterated the Kingdom’s demand for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in all its phases and provisions, along with the opening of crossings to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Alwasil emphasized the Kingdom's rejection of Israel's flagrant violations of international and humanitarian norms and laws and condemned the targeting of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the obstruction of its operations.
He stressed that the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace is through the consolidation of the ceasefire, the prevention of displacement, the rejection of any attempts to divide Gaza or undermine the unity of the Palestinian territories and ensuring a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Hajj Pilgrims Head to Muzdalifah after Arafat, as Mina Prepares for Their Returnhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5277513-hajj-pilgrims-head-muzdalifah-after-arafat-mina-prepares-their-return
Muslim pilgrims pray on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage early on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
Hajj Pilgrims Head to Muzdalifah after Arafat, as Mina Prepares for Their Return
Muslim pilgrims pray on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage early on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
Hajj pilgrims began heading to Muzdalifah at sunset on Tuesday, the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, to spend the night there after standing on the plain of Arafat and completing the greatest pillar of the Hajj.
The move came after pilgrims spent the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed.
Saudi security and service teams were deployed across the holy sites to manage the movement from Arafat to Muzdalifah, where pilgrims will remain until dawn on Wednesday, the first day of Eid al-Adha.
They will then head to Mina to stone Jamarat al-Aqaba, sacrifice their animals, shave or shorten their hair, and stay there for the remaining days of the pilgrimage.
In a solemn scene, about 1.7 million pilgrims, according to the General Authority for Statistics, poured into Arafat from the early morning hours of the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah to perform Hajj’s central rite.
Dressed in white, they chanted the talbiyah and prayed for forgiveness and mercy on one of the most solemn days of the Hajj.
Muslim pilgrims gather at Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in the Arafat region near Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 26 May 2026. (EPA)
Their hearts were united by one purpose, seeking pardon, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. Their colors, nationalities, and languages differed, but their prayers rose as one, pleading for mercy and deliverance from hellfire.
The pilgrims performed the noon and afternoon prayers combined and shortened, with one call to prayer and two iqamahs, at Al-Namirah Mosque in Arafat, in keeping with the Sunnah of the Prophet.
They listened to the Arafat sermon, delivered this year by Sheikh Dr. Ali Al-Hudhaifi, imam and preacher.
Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of the Makkah Region and deputy chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, said at Arafat that the Kingdom’s leadership gives great attention to serving pilgrims and harnessing all technical and human resources so they can perform their rituals safely and smoothly from arrival to departure.
He said Saudi Arabia had been honored with the responsibility of serving the Grand Mosque and its visitors, and had made serving pilgrims a deeply rooted mission passed down through generations and supported by the care of its leadership.
Speaking on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Saud welcomed the pilgrims and said the Day of Arafat embodies the highest meanings of unity and equality.
Saudi Arabia had mobilized all its capabilities and resources to develop projects, prepare facilities, deploy modern technologies, and harness national talent and human expertise to help pilgrims perform their rituals with ease, he stressed.
He said the Kingdom would continue developing the Hajj system and improving services for pilgrims, guided by its noble mission toward Islam and Muslims.
Prince Saud praised pilgrims for their cooperation and adherence to instructions, urging them to maintain awareness and discipline to help ensure the best services and complete their spiritual journey in comfort and calm.
He also commended workers from various sectors serving pilgrims, saying their sincere efforts reflect the noble values and humanitarian principles of Saudi citizens, as well as the honor of serving pilgrims in pursuit of divine reward.
Muslim pilgrims make their way to Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in the Arafat region near Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 26 May 2026. (EPA)
Carefully planned security operation
The movement of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifah was smooth and flexible, with convoys monitored directly by security teams to organize them according to movement and grouping plans, guide them, and ensure their safety.
The security plan was designed to ease the flow of crowds through the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro line, buses, and pedestrian routes, as part of an integrated service system for pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry is tracking pilgrim movements across the holy sites through an advanced digital system that has improved field decision-making, crowd management, service efficiency, and pilgrim safety.
The system uses advanced technologies and smart operating systems to monitor crowd density, pedestrian movement, and transport in key locations. It analyzes live operational indicators using artificial intelligence to improve movement and respond to field developments.
Security operations and control centers linked to the digital system strengthen coordination among security, service, and health agencies at the holy sites through real-time monitoring.
They also help improve performance, maintain services during the Hajj season, forecast crowd density, and manage pilgrim movement.
Saudi Arabia Says over 1.7 Million Pilgrims Performed this Year’s Hajjhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5277497-saudi-arabia-says-over-17-million-pilgrims-performed-year%E2%80%99s-hajj
Muslim pilgrims gather at Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in the Arafat region near Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 26 May 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Says over 1.7 Million Pilgrims Performed this Year’s Hajj
Muslim pilgrims gather at Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in the Arafat region near Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 26 May 2026. (EPA)
Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced on Tuesday that 1,707,301 pilgrims were preset at this year’s Hajj.
International pilgrims totaled 1,546,655, while domestic pilgrims, comprising citizens and residents, reached 160,646.
A total of 893,396 male and 813,905 female pilgrims were tallied.
Regarding international pilgrims, GASTAT said that 1,485,729 arrived through air entry points, 54,429 arrived through land crossings, and 6,497 arrived through sea entry points.
GASTAT relied on the Ministry of Interior's administrative records as its primary source for this year's Hajj, utilizing a unified, register-based model adopted over the past six years to ensure highly accurate and reliable statistical data.
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks during a panel session at the Munich Security Conference. (dpa)
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks during a panel session at the Munich Security Conference. (dpa)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Tuesday a telephone call from Qatari Prime Minister and FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
They discussed the latest developments in the region and bilateral coordination and consultation over them.
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