Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
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Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah
Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Saudi authorities on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for this year’s Hajj season, assessing operational plans and readiness indicators as officials called for intensified coordination ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

The permanent Hajj and Umrah committee, chaired by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, examined scenarios already implemented and others planned to ensure full readiness, in a meeting held under directives from Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Saud bin Mishaal thanked agencies involved in the Ramadan Umrah season, citing extensive logistical and human support from the Saudi leadership that helped deliver smooth operations for visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Officials reviewed Ramadan performance across transport, ambulance and healthcare services, reporting no epidemics or incidents.

The meeting also covered the departure phase of Umrah performers via King Abdulaziz International Airport, and progress on upgrading the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, with its first and second phases completed.

In Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz chaired a parallel meeting of the regional Hajj and Umrah committee, attended by his deputy, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, to review government preparations for the upcoming season.

Prince Salman congratulated agencies on the success of Ramadan operations, saying coordinated plans enabled visitors to perform rituals in a calm and secure environment.

He said the results reflect sustained leadership support for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, highlighting oversight by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz to enhance services and ensure safety.

He stressed the need for full readiness across government, service and volunteer sectors, calling for proactive planning and stronger coordination to reinforce facilities and services in line with the care provided to pilgrims.

The Madinah meeting issued recommendations to support relevant entities and ensure high-quality services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during Hajj.

Prince Salman was also briefed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah, accompanied by Pilgrim Experience Program CEO Mohammed Ismail, on a digital dashboard designed to track the readiness of Hajj projects and improve coordination.

Al-Rabiah said the platform enables continuous monitoring through daily updates, including readiness plans and performance indicators, project progress in the holy sites, alignment of operational plans, and integration with a central database.

Prince Salman also reviewed the Hajj and Umrah sector’s indicators platform, which presents real-time data and analysis on services provided to pilgrims. The platform supports decision-making by delivering timely, precise data, enhancing monitoring efficiency and strengthening system-wide readiness within an integrated institutional framework.



Emir of Qatar, President of Iran Discuss Regional Developments, De-Escalation

27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)
27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)
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Emir of Qatar, President of Iran Discuss Regional Developments, De-Escalation

27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)
27 October 2026, Russia, Moscow: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his residence in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). (Emiri Diwan Office)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday on regional affairs, particularly the latest developments in negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz and energy supplies.

The leaders met ahead of the eighth summit of heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) at the World Trade Center in Moscow.

Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other officials attended the meeting.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry ‌told a ‌press briefing that Iran should ‌stop ⁠threats against Arab ⁠Gulf states and open the Strait of Hormuz to show good intentions.

Iran needs to show good intentions for mediation efforts to succeed, he said.

Qatar, along with Pakistan, has been mediating between Washington and Tehran in an effort to end the US-Israeli ⁠war on Iran that has ‌disrupted global shipping ‌and oil supplies, and spilled over across ‌other parts of the Middle East.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have sharpened recently, with President Donald Trump saying on Friday the US may strike Iran again.


Saudi Arabia, US Boost Travel Facilitations via the ‘Trusted Traveler’ Program

This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)
This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia, US Boost Travel Facilitations via the ‘Trusted Traveler’ Program

This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)
This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the inclusion of Saudi citizens in the Trusted Traveler program, thereby facilitating travel and accelerating entry procedures through US ports of entry.

The move allows eligible citizens to benefit from expedited passport and customs processing, significantly reducing waiting times at participating arrival points.

The benefits also include access to the "TSA PreCheck" program, which provides eligible travelers with faster, more seamless security screenings at participating US airports, enhancing the travel experience and reducing departure processing times.

This step reflects the growing cooperation between Riyadh and Washington in facilitating traveler movement, boosting the efficiency of border procedures, and ensuring a smoother travel experience for Saudi citizens heading to the US.


Saudi Arabia, Italy Discuss Efforts to Establish Int’l Security, Peace

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Italy Discuss Efforts to Establish Int’l Security, Peace

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto meet in Riyadh in April. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held telephone talks on Tuesday with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto.

The ministers reviewed defense cooperation between their countries and discussed regional and international developments, particularly the latest developments in the region and efforts to promote international peace and security.