Saudi Arabia News

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Welcomed Pilgrims On 7,000 Flights From 238 Cities

As the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws to a close, Saudi Arabia has revealed that more than 7,000 flights from 238 cities worldwide brought pilgrims to the Kingdom this year, in what is being described as one of the most integrated and technologically advanced Hajj operations to date. Speaking at the annual reception for distinguished Hajj guests hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah emphasized the unprecedented levels of coordination and efficiency that marked the 2025 pilgrimage. Dr. Al Rabiah announced the enhancement of the Nusuk app, which now provides more than 130 digital services to pilgrims from visa facilitation to guidance for every stage of the journey, including their safe return home. The Minister also cited the expansion of shaded areas to more than 300,000 square meters, including 170,000 square meters along pilgrim routes and the planting of 23,000 trees to improve comfort and reduce heat exposure at key sites. Saudi authorities boosted the electric grid’s capacity at the holy sites by 95 percent, a project costing over 3 billion riyals, and distributed more than 7 million cubic meters of water across Mecca and the pilgrimage sites. Transportation saw similar upgrades: over 4,700 Haramain train […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 11,500 Violators Of Laws, Deports 9,215 In One Week

Saudi authorities has arrested11,657 illegal residents were over the past week as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing crackdown on residency and labour law violators, the Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday. The arrests were made during the joint campaigns carried out by the security forces between May 29 and June 4, in collaboration with the relevant government agencies. According to the ministry, the detainees included 6,981 violators of the Residency Law, 3,190 violators of the Border Security Law, and 1,486 violators of the Labour Law. Of these, 9,215 violators were deported while 12,122 were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 1,435 were referred to complete their travel reservations. Some 17,018 illegal residents, including 15,991 men and 1,027 women, are currently undergoing various phases of legal procedures as part of punitive measures against them. The ministry reiterated its warning that any person, who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalised with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transportation or houses used for giving shelter will be confiscated. The […]

1 year ago

Rare ‘Strawberry Moon’ To Light Up Saudi Skies On June 11

Skywatchers around the world including Saudi Arabia can witness on Wednesday, June 11, a rare astronomical phenomenon known as the “Great Lunar Standstill,” which occurs approximately once every 18.6 years. This phenomenon occurs when the tilt of the moon’s orbit reaches its maximum north-south deviation, causing the moon to rise and set at the farthest points of the horizon. The Astronomy and Space Club explained that this phenomenon will coincide this year with the rise of the “Strawberry Moon” from the farthest southern point, in a striking astronomical spectacle that can be seen with the naked eye under clear skies. This phenomenon is a rare astronomical event, and will not occur again until 2043, making it a unique opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts, photographers, and skywatchers to document this unique event.

1 year ago

Interior Ministry Penalizes 49 People For Transporting 197 Unauthorized Pilgrims

The Ministry of Interior has penalized as many as 49 people for violation of Hajj rules and regulations. The ministry said that the Hajj Security Forces have arrested 18 expatriates and 31 Saudi citizens at the entry points to Makkah while transporting 197 individuals who did not hold permits to perform Hajj. The ministry issued administrative rulings through the seasonal administrative committees against the transporters, accomplices, and unauthorized pilgrims. Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000, publicizing names of the violators in the local media at their own expense, deportation of expatriates with a 10-year re-entry ban after serving of the sentence, and legal proceedings for the confiscation of vehicles used in the violations. Unauthorized pilgrims face fines of up to SR20,000. In a related incident, Hajj Security Forces arrested 58 individuals for violating Hajj regulations by attempting to enter the city of Makkah without the required permits to perform the pilgrimage. They were referred to the competent authorities to slap the prescribed penalties. The ministry urged all citizens and residents to strictly adhere to Hajj regulations in order to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during the performance of their rituals.

1 year ago

Over 1.67million Pilgrims Performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia: GASTAT

1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj 1446 AH in Saudi Arabia, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). According to GASTAT, 1,506,576 pilgrims arrived from outside Saudi Arabia, while 166,654 pilgrims are from within the Kingdom, including both citizens and residents. Hajj 2025 by the numbers: Hajj in Saudi Arabia How pilgrims arrived: These figures were compiled using administrative records from the Ministry of Interior, part of a standardised statistical model that GASTAT has successfully implemented over the past five years. This method ensures high accuracy, reliability, and consistency in Hajj statistics reporting. As the Kingdom’s official statistical authority, GASTAT is the exclusive provider of official statistics in Saudi Arabia and is entrusted with overseeing all national statistical activities, including technical supervision, conducting field surveys and research, data analysis, and managing the documentation, preservation, and tabulation of statistical information across all sectors of life in the Kingdom. Also read: Saudi Arabia: AI-Powered ‘Saqr’ Drone Deployed For Firefighting And Rescue Missions During Hajj

1 year ago

Saudi Strike, Bahrain Exit

Al Juwayr and Alobud score as Bahrain’s World Cup dream ends in Riffa Bahrain saw their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup come to an end on Thursday night, losing 2-0 to Saudi Arabia at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa. Musab Al Juwayr’s well-taken volley in the 16th minute opened the scoring, before substitute Abdulrahman Alobud sealed the result with a composed finish in the 78th, effectively extinguishing Bahrain’s already faint hopes of progressing. Early goal sets the tone The match’s telling moment came early. Salem Al Dawsari, one of Saudi Arabia’s most consistent performers, delivered a beautiful cross from the left flank. Al Juwayr, arriving unmarked at the edge of the area, struck it first time with his right foot into the bottom corner. Bahraini goalkeeper, Ebrahim Lutfalla, had no chance. Despite moments of promise from the home side, including a lively display from Humaidan in midfield and flashes from Marhoon up front, Bahrain failed to meaningfully test Nawaf Alaqidi in the Saudi goal. Alobud seals it As Bahrain pushed in search of an equaliser, they were caught out on the counter in the 78th minute. A swift Saudi move down the right saw Ali Majrashi lead […]

1 year ago

Man Jailed For Illegal Hajj Pilgrimage Operation

A Saudi resident has been jailed for a year for setting up an illegal Hajj operation with the intention of obtaining funds through deception via social media. The public prosecution referred the defendant to the criminal court after he was found in possession of receipts connecting him to the criminal operation. A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine, along with the confiscation of all devices and tools used in the crime. The public prosecution said the creation of fake Hajj operations was a major crime punishable by detention and added that it would continue to pursue those who broke Hajj regulations. Meanwhile, Hajj security forces arrested 36 residents who tried to enter Makkah without the correct permits. They were referred to the relevant authority.

1 year ago

Civil Defense Calls On Pilgrims To Familiarize With Emergency Exits Of Their Camps

The General Directorate of Civil Defense has called on pilgrims to familiarize themselves with emergency exits at their accommodations at the holy sites during the Hajj 2025. The pilgrims were also instructed to follow safety rules and guidelines to protect lives and property. The directorate also urged all pilgrims to adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions announced through various media outlets and social media platforms, and to call the number 911 in the Makkah region in case of emergencies.

1 year ago

Is A New Oil Price War Between The West And OPEC About To Break Out?

It is highly unlikely that anyone with even a modicum of intelligence has lost money in the past ten years or so by trading against the predictable thinking of those in charge of Saudi Arabia’s oil policy. Quite the reverse, in fact, with enormous profits available from the failures of the enormously well-flagged and exceptionally predictable strategy of the 2014-2016 and 2020 Oil Price Wars — launched by the Kingdom with the intention of destroying or disabling the U.S. shale oil sector, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. As OPEC members and their toxic companion in the OPEC+ formation, Russia, mull keeping oil production on the high side of recent historical averages, the key question for the oil markets is — surely they are not going to launch another oil price war using the same strategy as failed twice before? It is apposite here to recall the reasons for the failure of the two previous oil price wars since 2014. The first (2014-2016) was based on Saudi Arabia’s belief – shared by many in the oil market at the time, it must be said — that U.S. shale oil producers had a breakeven price […]

1 year ago

Hajj 2025 Goes Hi-tech: 6 Innovations Transforming The Pilgrimage

In preparation for the Hajj season of 1446 AH, Saudi authorities have rolled out a series of innovative services and infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving safety, comfort, and convenience for millions of pilgrims expected to perform the annual pilgrimage. From advanced cooling technologies at the Grand Mosque to AI-powered smart tents and streamlined logistics, Saudi is combining tradition with innovation to ensure a spiritually enriching and smooth experience for all. World’s largest cooling system activated at Grand Mosque To maintain a comfortable environment amid high summer temperatures, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has activated the world’s largest cooling system, boasting a total capacity of 155,000 refrigeration tons. The system will serve the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al Haram), ensuring optimal conditions for pilgrims during the physically demanding rituals of Hajj. The cooling infrastructure is supported by two main stations: the Shamiya Station with a capacity of 120,000 tons, and the Ajyad Station with 35,000 tons. These stations regulate indoor temperatures to a pleasant range between 22°C and 24°C, aided by air purification systems that eliminate 95 per cent of airborne impurities. Smart tents and IoT solutions enhance safety and service […]

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Search Here

Saudi Arabia Welcomed Pilgrims On 7,000 Flights From 238 Cities

Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 11,500 Violators Of Laws, Deports 9,215 In One Week

Rare ‘Strawberry Moon’ To Light Up Saudi Skies On June 11

Interior Ministry Penalizes 49 People For Transporting 197 Unauthorized Pilgrims

Over 1.67million Pilgrims Performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia: GASTAT

Saudi Strike, Bahrain Exit

Man Jailed For Illegal Hajj Pilgrimage Operation

Civil Defense Calls On Pilgrims To Familiarize With Emergency Exits Of Their Camps

Is A New Oil Price War Between The West And OPEC About To Break Out?

Hajj 2025 Goes Hi-tech: 6 Innovations Transforming The Pilgrimage

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