Hajj quota for Azerbaijani citizens filled
Some 1,170 people applied for the Hajj pilgrimage, the Caucasian Muslims Office told APA, adding that additional applications may be accepted if needed.
Read article
King to pay fees of first entry visa for Haj, Umrah pilgrims
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Suidais, chairman of the presidency, praised the consummate services being provided to the Haj and Umrah pilgrims by the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and said both the presidency and the ministry would double efforts for the welfare of the pilgrims and visitors.
Read article
Saudi visa will attract more Indonesians if integrated with umrah - halal travel experts
Saudi Arabia’s plan to issue tourist visas this year will not increase the number of Indonesian visitors to the kingdom unless they are integrated with the umrah visa, say Indonesia’s hajj, umrah and halal travel experts.
Read article
Ramadan preparations in place
The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has recruited more than 10,000 male and female employees and seasonal workers to cater to the needs of Umrah pilgrims during the fasting month.
Read article
Three million people in Madinah benefit from shuttle transport
The authority had liaised with the department of traffic to close down a number of roads leading to the central area around the Haram for about an hour after each prayer to ensure a continuous flow of traffic.
Read article
Sight Ramadan crescent on Tuesday
The Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to sight the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan on Tuesday evening (Shaban 29 corresponding to May 15).
Read article
Makkah water services chief: Proportion of faltering projects have gone down
JEDDAH: Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to King Salman and governor of Makkah, discussed the works and projects of the National Water Co. (NWC) in the region, including 87 projects worth a total of SR6.8 billion ($1.8 billion). Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Ghamdi, director general of water services in Makkah, explained the NWC’s projects to Prince Khaled, notably the Smart Operation
Read article
Two Holy Mosques gear up for Ramadan
The Civll Defense Directorate announced that it is fully geared up to serve the pilgrims and ensure their safety as it implements its general emergency plan for Makkah and Madinah during the holy month. Maj. Gen. Salem Al-Matrafi, director of Civil Defense in Makkah, said at a press conference on Thursday that Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Bin Naif has approved the plan. It will be implemented in cooperation and coordination with 32 government agencies. Brig. Gen. Abdurahman Al-Harbi, director of Civil Defense Department in Madinah, said that the plan will be implemented in two phases – first from Ramadan 1 to 20 and second from Ramadan 21 to Shawwal 1.
Read article
Jeddah hotel occupancy falls amid rising supply
LONDON: Hotel occupancy in Jeddah fell to its lowest level in 14 years in April, with weakening demand combining with a surge in new supply. Occupancy slumped 13.5 percent year on year to 53.5 percent last month, according to hospitality research firm STR. Demand fell 4.8 percent year on year, while the supply of hotel rooms was up 10.1 percent.
Read article
Makkah imam warns against fanaticism
Sheikh Bin Humaid, who is also former president of the Shoura Council, noted that the best way to address such undesirable tendencies is to promote tolerance and moderation in the curriculum so as to inculcate in the younger generation lofty values such as respecting and safeguarding the rights of other people. He also called for enacting regulations that prevent intolerance and fanaticism as well as to formulate clear policies to combat various forms of discrimination and injustice. “All the members of the media have to play a decisive role in this respect,” he said.
Read article
Haj draws French citizens, youth, reveals new study
Dr. Jihan Safar added that the Haj market in France has been deeply transformed. In particular, travel agencies that organize the Haj have mushroomed. These agencies are diversifying their offer by proposing new attractive commercial products.
Read article
Polio Vaccination Made Mandatory For Intending Pilgrims
Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has made polio vaccination, seasonal flu and vaccination against meningitis as mandatory for intending pilgrims of Government Hajj Scheme before departure to Saudi Arabia
Read article