Male guardians are no longer required to accompany female pilgrims during Hajj, Umrah

Male guardians are no longer required to accompany female pilgrims during Hajj, Umrah
A female pilgrim prays at Namira Mosque on Arafat Day during Hajj 2020. (File/AFP)
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Updated 11 October 2022

Male guardians are no longer required to accompany female pilgrims during Hajj, Umrah

Male guardians are no longer required to accompany female pilgrims during Hajj, Umrah
  • Saudi state provides all facilities for pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah based on Saudi Vision 2030: Writer Faten Ibrahim Hussein

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah announced that women coming to Saudi Arabia can now perform their pilgrimages without a mahram, or male guardian.

This announcement, including others, came during a press conference held at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Cairo, according to state agency SPA.

The event was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Osama bin Ahmed Nugali and senior officials from the ministry and embassy.

Hajj and Umrah Services Adviser Ahmed Saleh Halabi said that it is now permissible for a woman to perform Hajj or Umrah without a mahram, accompanied by “trustworthy women or secure company to perform Hajj or Umrah. This is the view of the Maliki and Shafi’i scholars.”

He continued: “The supervisor of fatwa at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt, Abbas Shoman, declared last March that a woman is allowed to perform Hajj and Umrah without an accompanying mahram,” Halabi continued.

Writer Faten Ibrahim Hussein, former adviser to the Minister of Hajj, said that the Saudi state provides all facilities for pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah based on Saudi Vision 2030.

“Allowing women to perform Umrah without the condition of a mahram makes life easier for them because many have difficult social conditions and may not find a mahram, or it may cost them a lot, while they are eager to perform Umrah,” Hussein said.

“Fortunately, the fight against all forms of social and economic corruption played a positive role in this,” she added.

When corruption is stopped, she explained, security is established.

“Security has extended throughout the Kingdom and in all means of transportation and at ports, giving women full protection. Moreover, strong infrastructure has been established in legislation, including the anti-harassment system,” she said.

“These are deterrent penalties for anyone who may contemplate breaking the law. In addition, surveillance cameras are obligatory in vital areas, including airports, border crossing ports, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque and others. Thus, a woman is safe, especially when she is in good company with other women.

“There are many women who come to the Kingdom to work without a mahram, and there are no significant incidents, thanks to the security we live in…There is no fear for women to come without a mahram because the reason for that no longer exists.”


Saudi defense minister receives Somali counterpart

Saudi defense minister receives Somali counterpart
Updated 22 sec ago

Saudi defense minister receives Somali counterpart

Saudi defense minister receives Somali counterpart

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman received Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, the defense minister of Somalia.

They reviewed issues of mutual interest in the field of defense between their countries and ways to enhance them.
 


Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris

Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris

Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris
  • The forum, hosted by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, had the theme ‘Shaping our future at the tech frontier’

RIYADH: During the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Global Technology Forum in Paris on Tuesday, Saudi experts talked about the Kingdom’s achievements in the tech sector.

Saudi Arabia was represented at the event, which had the theme “Shaping our future at the tech frontier,” by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Its aim was to exchange experiences and ideas relating to developments in the technology sector, policies for the digital economy policies, and innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Daniah Orkoubi, the deputy minister for technology foresight and digital economy, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to create an advanced digital infrastructure that can rival the best in the world, in line with the goals of the nation’s Vision 2030 development and diversification plan.

She also discussed the Kingdom’s pioneering work to empower women, which has helped to increase female participation in the labor force to 33.6 percent.

Orkoubi also highlighted the Kingdom’s continuing efforts to help bridge the global digital divide, including the provision of satellite and non-terrestrial networks.
 


Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference

Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference

Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference
  • The aim of the two-day event, which begins on June 11, is to support and promote strategic collaboration in the fields of economics, commerce and investment
  • Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi minister of investment, said this year’s conference will be the biggest yet, with more than 3,000 delegates from 23 countries set to attend

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will open the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh on Sunday, June 11.

The theme for the two -day event, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is “Collaborating For Prosperity,” and its aim is to support and promote strategic collaboration in the fields of economics, commerce and investment that benefits Arab nations and China.

The event is being organized by the Saudi Ministry of Investment in partnership with the Arab League secretary-general, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Union of Arab Chambers.

It will look at investment opportunities in a variety of industries, organizers said. Key areas for potential cooperation include technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, minerals, supply chains and innovation.

The agenda includes dialogue sessions and bilateral meetings to discuss ways in which Arab nations and China can work together to achieve prosperity and sustainable development.

Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi minister of investment, said the crown prince’s patronage of the event reflects the commitment of the Saudi leadership to efforts to foster strategic partnerships with global economic powers.

He said that this year’s conference will be the biggest yet, with more than 3,000 decision-makers, government officials, investors, business owners and experts from 23 countries set to attend.

It will include eight panel discussions, 18 workshops, and a showcase of high-quality projects and cutting-edge technology. In particular, it aims to strengthen the Arab-Chinese partnerships as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing’s infrastructure-development strategy, in the areas of investment, the economy and trade, organizers said.


Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Thursday the storming and vandalism of its embassy building and attache offices in Sudan by armed groups.

In a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry, the Kingdom also denounced the sabotaging of housing and property of Saudi embassy staff.

The ministry expressed the Kingdom's total rejection of all forms of violence and sabotage towards diplomatic missions and representations.

It reiterated the importance of confronting these armed groups that are trying to undermine the return of security and stability to Sudan and its people. 


Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties

Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties
Updated 07 June 2023

Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties

Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties
  • The two sides exchanged views on a number of issues and matters of common concern

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the state-run SPA news agency announced on Wednesday. 
During the call, they discussed relations between the two countries and means of developing cooperation in various fields. 
The two sides also exchanged views on a number of issues and matters of common concern.