Bangladeshi pilgrims grateful for hassle-free journey under Makkah Route

Bangladeshi pilgrims grateful for hassle-free journey under Makkah Route
The first batch of Hajj 2023 pilgrims from Bangladesh arrives in Jeddah on May 21, 2023. (AN Photo) 
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Updated 27 May 2023
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Bangladeshi pilgrims grateful for hassle-free journey under Makkah Route

Bangladeshi pilgrims grateful for hassle-free journey under Makkah Route
  • More than 125,000 Bangladeshis are traveling to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj
  • Saudi authorities have been working round-the-clock since last week to assist them

DHAKA: Bangladeshi pilgrims departing for Hajj are grateful for Makkah Route facilities, which they say streamline the immigration process and remove the burdens of traveling abroad.

More than 125,000 Bangladeshis are traveling to Saudi Arabia this year for the pilgrimage that is one of the five pillars of Islam. Most are departing from the capital, Dhaka, and are assisted by Saudi authorities, who have been working round-the-clock since last week, when the special Hajj flights started under the Makkah Route initiative.

The flagship pre-travel program was launched by the Kingdom in 2019 to help pilgrims fulfill all the visa, customs and health requirements at their airport of origin, saving them long hours of waiting before and on arrival in Saudi Arabia.

“All the pilgrims are boarding their planes with comfort and smiles. This initiative is being highly praised by the people at home and abroad,” Saiful Islam, director of the Hajj Office Dhaka, told Arab News.

“The pilgrims are enjoying the journey like a domestic flight. After landing in the Kingdom, they just board a bus and reach their hotel.”

Some of those who have already reached Saudi Arabia to perform the pilgrimage this year are amazed how smooth traveling is under the Makkah Route program.

“All my immigration formalities were completed at Dhaka airport before taking the fight to the holy land. It took only one minute to get the things done,” Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, 63, told Arab News as he arrived in Jeddah.

“To me, it’s like a blessing. It was unimaginable even a couple of years back. My heartfelt thanks to the Saudi authorities for offering us this beautiful opportunity.”

Mohammed Solaiman, 59, said he did not have to worry about anything and could focus on the spiritual dimensions of the pilgrimage.

“Everyone from the pre-immigration at Dhaka airport and here in the Kingdom was so cordial and always helpful,” he said.

“I can imagine how difficult a task it is to manage thousands of pilgrims from around the world. Hundreds of people are working round-the-clock to take care of the pilgrims. I am grateful to the Kingdom’s authorities for offering us these beautiful services.”

The hospitality the pilgrims receive even before arriving in Saudi Arabia is appreciated by all.

Latifa Begum, 56, told Arab News that she was initially worried how she would communicate, as her English was not good, but that ended up being no problem at all as all officers were kind and accommodating.

“Since landing in the Kingdom, everyone has treated us like distinguished guests,” she said.

“There is nothing that could be better than this. I pray from the bottom of my heart for the well-being of the Kingdom’s authorities who offered us such a smooth journey.”


Flynas launches operation base at Madinah, announces 6 new international, domestic destinations

Flynas launches operation base at Madinah, announces 6 new international, domestic destinations
Updated 02 December 2023
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Flynas launches operation base at Madinah, announces 6 new international, domestic destinations

Flynas launches operation base at Madinah, announces 6 new international, domestic destinations

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline Flynas on Friday launched its newest operation base at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The airline also inaugurated six destinations and routes, including two domestic flights to Abha and Tabuk, and four in the international category — to Dubai, Amman, Istanbul, and Ankara — to be operated alongside the other four existing destinations, from Madinah to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Cairo.

It brings to 10 the total destinations that are now served by Flynas from the new operation base at Madinah.

Flynas, the leading low-cost carrier in Saudi Arabia, has now become the only airline with four bases across the Kingdom, in line with its expansion and growth plans and in parallel with the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques, and the National Civil Aviation Strategy.

The strategy will enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting 250 international destinations to the Kingdom, as well as reaching 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million tourists annually by 2030.

Bander Al-Mohanna, CEO and managing director of Flynas, said: “Launching our newest operation base and inaugurating the new routes come in response to the high demand for Madinah, notably from pilgrims and visitors to the holy mosque.”

He added that more new destinations and routes will be announced in the future.

Al-Mohanna said: “Operating 10 routes from the new base as a start was made possible as a result of more than 100 percent upscaling of our all-Airbus fleet in less than two years, in line with the growth and expansion plan launched early last year under the slogan ‘We Connect the World to the Kingdom’.”

One of its key features was signing an agreement with Airbus for 30 new A320neo aircraft last June, as part of an order of 120 Airbus aircraft and approval to increase new orders to 250, he added.

Flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1,500 weekly flights and has flown more than 60 million passengers since its launch in 2007. It aims to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.


24th Saudi relief plane heads to Gaza Strip

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center sends 24th relief plane to Gaza. (SPA)
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center sends 24th relief plane to Gaza. (SPA)
Updated 01 December 2023
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24th Saudi relief plane heads to Gaza Strip

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center sends 24th relief plane to Gaza. (SPA)

RIYADH: The 24th Saudi relief plane, operated by the Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), arrived in Egypt on Friday carrying 31 tons of aid, including food and shelter materials, the official SPA news agency reported.
The assistance, which was dispatched on Thursday, is to be transported to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
The aid efforts are in keeping with Saudi Arabia’s historic role in supporting the Palestinian people in times of crisis, the SPA statement said.


Saudi cultural event aims to put theater, performing arts in spotlight

Saudi cultural event aims to put theater, performing arts in spotlight
Updated 01 December 2023
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Saudi cultural event aims to put theater, performing arts in spotlight

Saudi cultural event aims to put theater, performing arts in spotlight
  • The Argentinian shows, which conclude on Dec. 5., have included circus and magic performances, a jungle show, and classic plays such as “Cinderella” and “Alice in Wonderland”

RIYADH: The Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission organized the eighth Urban Art event as part of a series of Argentinian shows being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

The show, which runs until Saturday in the Blue Hall, aims to increase awareness about the theater and performing arts sector in the Kingdom and around the world.

The show, which runs until Saturday in the Blue hall, aims to increase awareness about the theater and performing arts sector in the Kingdom and around the world. (SPA)

After kicking off with a hip-hop performance, the show has featured acrobatics, bike jumps and skateboards, and showcased football skills to a background of tango music.

An accompanying educational exhibition included dishes presented by local Argentinian and Latin American restaurants. There were also specially designed photo booths and a shop selling Argentinian products and costumes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• An accompanying educational exhibition included dishes presented by local Argentinian and Latin American restaurants.

• There were also specially designed photo booths and a shop selling Argentinian products and costumes.

The Argentinian shows, which conclude on Dec. 5., have included circus and magic performances, a jungle show, and classic plays such as “Cinderella” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

In addition, the shows also help to bolster the Saudi Culture Ministry’s efforts to boost international cultural exchange, one of the goals of Vision 2030.  

 

 

 


Feathers fly at falcon festival

Feathers fly at falcon festival
Updated 01 December 2023
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Feathers fly at falcon festival

Feathers fly at falcon festival
  • The birds and their owners were battling it out in the 400-meter Al-Melwah competition
  • The star performer in the first round of the Gear Pure Category for Professionals was Amin bin Abdullah Al-Mallah

RIYADH: Professional falconers and falcon owners took part in four qualification rounds on Friday on the fourth day of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival.
Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club and held in Malham, north of Riyadh, the birds and their owners were battling it out in the 400-meter Al-Melwah competition.
The star performer in the first round of the Gear Pure Category for Professionals was Amin bin Abdullah Al-Mallah, who took first and third places with his birds 0016 and 0018. Barghash bin Mohammed Al-Mansouri took second place.
In the second round of the Gear Pure Qarnas Category for Professionals, Armizan bin Abdullah Al-Dousari took first place with his bird Mutrib, followed by Amin bin Abdullah Al-Mallah with Duja and Al-Mansouri with Samdan.
Falconer Nour bin Ghazay Al-Mutairi won the third round of the Qarmousha Gear Category for Professionals with Al-Rafiha, followed by Abdulhadi bin Abdullah Al-Mutairi with SM and Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Mansouri with Al-Quri.
In the fourth round of the Qarmousha Gear Qarnas Category for Professionals, falconer Amin bin Abdullah Al-Mallah took all three of the top spots with his birds Al-Qahira, Al-Diriyah and Jim. The winning bird set a best time of 16.987 seconds.


Saudi Arabia wins membership of International Maritime Organization council

Saudi Arabia wins membership of International Maritime Organization council
Updated 02 December 2023
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Saudi Arabia wins membership of International Maritime Organization council

Saudi Arabia wins membership of International Maritime Organization council
  • 143 of the UN-affiliated agency’s 175 members voted for the Kingdom to serve on the 40-member council for the period 2024-2025
  • Saudi transport minister met with counterparts from Jamaica, Nigeria, Indonesia, Sweden and the Philippines as well as IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim

LONDON: Saudi Arabia has earned a place on the 40-member council of the International Maritime Organization for the period 2024-2025. The Kingdom received 143 votes from the agency’s 175 member states in an election at its headquarters in London on Friday.

The UN-affiliated organization is the global maritime authority that sets the international standards designed to ensure the safety and security of maritime transport, reduce pollution from ships, and implement initiatives that help preserve the marine environment and protect nature.

Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority described the Kingdom’s success in the vote as the culmination of the efforts and support of the nation’s leaders to develop maritime transport in accordance with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 development and diversification agenda.

It is “a unique national achievement that propels us toward a promising future,” the TGA said, and “a cause for celebration” that reflects “unwavering commitment toward supporting initiatives aimed at safeguarding the marine ecosystem.”

The success is in recognition of the initiatives the Kingdom has adopted to protect and preserve the marine environment, it added, and it will provide the country with the opportunity to contribute to the development of international regulations and laws relating to global trade and maritime transport.

“The win serves as a confirmation of the Kingdom’s influential position and impact within the (IMO), the significant role of the Saudi naval fleet, ambitious initiatives and projects aligned with the national strategy for transportation and logistical services, and contributions and initiatives in safeguarding the marine environment and empowering seafarers,” the TGA said in a message posted on social media network X.

Under its national strategy for transport and logistics services, Saudi Arabia has adopted a number of initiatives and set ambitious targets that have contributed to the development of the nation’s maritime sector, officials said.

By 2030, the Kingdom aims to handle 40 million containers a year, facilitate clearing and cargo-handling procedures, and develop marine tourism through cruise ships and coastal transportation, taking full advantage of the Kingdom’s strategic location as a meeting point between East and West and the Red Sea’s role as a route through which 13 percent of global trade passes.

Meanwhile, the Saudi transport minister held meetings in London on Friday with several officials on the sidelines of the 33rd session of the International Maritime Organization Assembly, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser met with ministers from Jamaica, Nigeria, Indonesia, Sweden and the Philippines as well as IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.

During the meeting, Al-Jasser also met with the Yemeni, Qatari and Bahraini transport ministers.

They discussed strengthening partnerships and employing innovative technologies in the maritime industry.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Britain was elected as IMO president by its member states. 

The IMO is the UN agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.