Omar al-Badwi

Omar al-Badwi
Culture More than 1.3 million visitors attended the latest edition of the Riyadh International Book Fair. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)

Initiatives Make Saudi Cultures a Greater Part of Life in the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector continues to expand, with the latest Ministry of Culture figures highlighting progress toward making culture a way of life…

Omar al-Badwi (Riyadh)
Culture The Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Development Fund signed a memorandum of understanding with SDAIA to explore joint AI programs serving the cultural sector. Photo: Ministry of Culture

AI-Powered Cultural Programs to Transform Saudi Arabia’s Creative Sector

Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a new generation of AI-powered cultural initiatives aimed at reshaping innovation, boosting the efficiency of creative…

Omar al-Badwi (Riyadh)
Gulf The holy sites were marked by organization and harmony, in a scene that embodied the combined efforts of the various participating bodies. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Declares This Year’s Hajj an Exceptional Success

Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah region, announced on Friday the “exceptional” success of this year’s Hajj, saying it was…

Omar al-Badwi (Holy sites) Ibrahim al-Qurashi (Holy sites)
Gulf Pilgrims perform the rites of the first day of Tashreeq by stoning the three Jamarat (Photo Credit: Adnan Mahdali)

Pilgrims Complete First Tashreeq Rites, Some Prepare to Leave

Pilgrims completed the rites of the first day of Tashreeq, on Thursday, stoning the three Jamarat in Mina as those in a hurry prepared to leave the holy site…

Omar al-Badwi (The Holy Sites) Ibrahim al-Qurashi
Gulf Pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. (Ali Khamaj)

Hajj Pilgrims Perform Stoning of Devil on First Day of Tashreeq

Hajj pilgrims kicked off on Thursday the day of Tashreeq with the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina. They will stone the devil with three pebbles after…

Ibrahim al-Qurashi (Holy sites) Omar al-Badwi (Holy sites)
Gulf 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

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…

Omar al-Badwi (Holy sites) Ibrahim al-Qurashi (Holy sites)
Gulf Pilgrims flock to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah. (SPA)

Hajj Pilgrims Flock to Mina on Day of Tarwiyah

Hajj pilgrims will complete their arrival to Mina on Monday to complete the Day of Tarwiyah amid an integrated system of services prepared by Saudi authorities…

Omar al-Badwi (Holy sites) Ibrahim al-Qurashi (Holy sites)
Gulf Security commanders are seen at the press conference in Makkah on Friday (Bashir Saleh)

Saudi Arabia Says Will Not Allow Practices That Deviate Hajj from its Objectives

Saudi Arabia said it would not allow the Hajj to be used for any activity that strays from its religious purpose, as more than 1.5 million pilgrims arrived…

Omar al-Badwi (Makkah) Ibrahim al-Qurashi (Makkah)