1.9 million people use Makkah buses in first week of Ramadan

1.9 million people use Makkah buses in first week of Ramadan
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The General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque launched am initiative to distribute umbrellas to pilgrims to protect them from the sun’s rays. (SPA)
1.9 million people use Makkah buses in first week of Ramadan
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The General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque launched am initiative to distribute umbrellas to pilgrims to protect them from the sun’s rays. (SPA)
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Updated 01 April 2023

1.9 million people use Makkah buses in first week of Ramadan

1.9 million people use Makkah buses in first week of Ramadan
  • In the first week of the month, more than 31,000 journeys were made on the 12 routes available to residents and visitors
  • The Makkah bus project operates through 438 stops and 400 buses

RIYADH: More than 1.9 million people used Makkah bus services during the first week of Ramadan, with an average of 271,000 users per day, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites said.
In the first week of the month, more than 31,000 journeys were made on the 12 routes available to residents and visitors.
The Makkah bus project operates through 438 stops and 400 buses on 12 routes connecting the central area and the Grand Mosque with key sites in the city.
Efforts to improve visitor experience include the “Umbrella of Mu’tamer” initiative launched by the General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, which distributes umbrellas to pilgrims to offer protection from the sun.
Khalid bin Fahad Al-Shalawi, undersecretary-general for social, voluntary and humanitarian services at the presidency, said other voluntary efforts, as well as services and facilities, will help worshippers perform their rituals with ease.
The presidency also launched the “explanation and indication” program for the Umrah season.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, Director General Ahmed Al-Dahas said that the program aims to provide field guidance services to pilgrims at the Grand Mosque by the presidency’s employees.
 


Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers meet at Cape Town BRICS event

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers meet at Cape Town BRICS event
Updated 10 sec ago

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers meet at Cape Town BRICS event

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers meet at Cape Town BRICS event
  • The two ministers met on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of BRICS countries in South Africa

CAPE TOWN: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Friday.

The two ministers met on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of BRICS countries in Cape Town, the foreign ministry said.

During their meeting they discussed ways to enhance reltions across many sectors. They also agreed to follow up on steps to implement the agreement of the two countries in the Chinese-brokered deal signed in Beijing, including the intensification of work to promote international peace and security.

Prince Faisal and Amir-Abdollahian both expressed their aspiration to intensify consultative meetings and cooperation in a way that served the interest of the two countries, Al-Ekhbariyah reported.


Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia: State Department

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia: State Department
Updated 29 min 12 sec ago

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia: State Department

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia: State Department

WASHINGTON D.C.: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Saudi Arabia next week, the State Department announced Friday.

Blinken's trip comes as both the Kingdom and US are seeking to broker a durable cease-fire between Sudan's warring generals in ongoing talks in Jeddah.

More to follow...


KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 

KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 
Updated 01 June 2023

KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 

KAUST signs MoU with nonprofit global health group to develop healthcare services 
  • The two will boost cooperation in the public health sector

RIYADH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) signed a memorandum of understanding with PATH, a nonprofit global health organization, to develop healthcare services in Saudi Arabia.

The MoU aims to boost cooperation between the two institutions in the public health sector by utilizing digital services and sharing expertise

Under the agreement,  PATH will provide expertise to assist KAUST in manufacturing vaccines, developing digital health systems and running a research center at the university. 

 

 
 


Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement

Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement
Updated 01 June 2023

Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement

Saudi Islamic affairs minister and Azerbaijan’s SCWRA sign agreement
  • The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in boosting Islamic moderation

JEDDAH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Abdullatif Al-Asheikh signed an agreement on Thursday in the field of Islamic affairs with Mubariz Gurbanli, Azerbaijan’s head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations.

The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries in boosting Islamic moderation, and tolerance and confronting extremist ideology and terrorism.

According to the agreement, the two countries will exchange information and expertise in Islamic affairs within the regulations and systems in force.
 


Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired

Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired
Updated 01 June 2023

Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired

Saudi, Malaysian Red Crescent launches training courses for visually impaired
  • Over 500 trainees took part in a week-long series of courses

RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent, in cooperation with the Malaysian Red Crescent, organized an “Ambassador of Life” course for visually impaired beneficiaries and a training course for teachers at the Saudi Schools in Kuala Lumpur. 

Over 500 trainees took part in a week-long series of courses. 

The Saudi Red Crescent has recently implemented a number of local and international programs aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s worldwide humanitarian standing and promoting human dignity.