First phase of 2024 Hajj security plans completed

First phase of 2024 Hajj security plans completed
Above, pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat before the travel to Muzdalifah. (Basheer Al-Saleh/AN)
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Updated 16 June 2024
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First phase of 2024 Hajj security plans completed

First phase of 2024 Hajj security plans completed

MAKKAH: Col. Talal bin Abdulmohsen Al-Shalhoub, security spokesperson at the Ministry of Interior, announced during a daily press conference for the 2024 Hajj season the successful completion of the first phase of security plans to lead pilgrims from Makkah to subsequent holy sites.

After spending around 12 hours in Arafat on Saturday for the most important part of Hajj, the over 1.8 million worshippers officially moved to the rocky plains of Muzdalifah in preparation for the final stages of their Hajj.

“The second stage of the journey to the holy sites is currently being implemented to transport pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifah, where they will be spending the night before departing to Mina for Eid Al-Adha,” said Al-Shalhoub.

He added that 25 persons found to be violating Hajj regulations were arrested on the night of June 15 for transporting 103 individuals without Hajj permits.

“The Unified Security Operations Centers (911) in Makkah received 52,274 calls from June 14 to 15. These calls varied between security reports, inquiries, and service calls from pilgrims,” he said.

Speaking on the journey to Muzdalifah, Ayed Al-Ghuwaynem, undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj Affairs said: “The tranquility and comfort we witnessed today in Arafat enabled the pilgrims to perform rituals and devote themselves to worship and supplication.”

He added that the smooth operations were the fruit of early planning and collective governmental action.

“This was the result of distinguished cooperation from pilgrims’ affairs offices from all countries, as well as pilgrims’ service providers inside and outside the Kingdom,” said Al-Ghuwaynem.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulali, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, said that over 112,000 pilgrims have received health care from different providers during the Hajj season, including clinics, emergency departments, hospitals, and intensive care units.


KSrelief sends food to Libya, Uganda

KSrelief sends food to Libya, Uganda
Updated 18 February 2025
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KSrelief sends food to Libya, Uganda

KSrelief sends food to Libya, Uganda

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 600 food parcels to 2,907 people in the Libyan town of Suluq, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

This distribution is a part of the urgent food-assistance project for families affected by Cyclone Daniel in Libya, conducted in cooperation with the Libyan Red Crescent.

KSrelief also sent 25 tonnes of dates recently to Uganda.

Saudi Arabia’s government, through KSrelief, continues to provide aid to vulnerable communities across the world.


Saudi crown prince receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh

Saudi crown prince receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh
Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh

Saudi crown prince receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh
  • Rubio arrives in Kingdom after visit to Israel, the first leg of his Middle East tour
  • Russia, US delegates  will hold talks in Saudi Arabia in bid to end Ukraine war 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday.

The crown prince and Rubio discussed aspects of relations between their countries and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The latest regional and international developments and efforts made toward them to achieve security and stability were also discussed. 

The Saudi ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff were among officials present at the meeting. 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Earlier on in the day, Rubio was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, the diplomats reviewed Saudi-US relations and ways to enhance them to serve the interests of both countries.

They also discussed regional and international developments and efforts made in this regard.

Rubio arrived in the Kingdom after a visit to Israel, the first leg of his first Middle East tour in his current position. Next up on his tour will be the United Arab Emirates.


Saudi aid agency sends food to Sudan, clears mines in Yemen

Saudi aid agency sends food to Sudan, clears mines in Yemen
Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi aid agency sends food to Sudan, clears mines in Yemen

Saudi aid agency sends food to Sudan, clears mines in Yemen
  • 30,000 food baskets to Sudan’s Sennar state, 536 mines cleared from war-ravaged Yemen

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has sent 30,000 food baskets to vulnerable people in Sudan’s Sennar state, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The program seeks to support those displaced by the civil war, which is now approaching the two-year mark.

KSrelief’s food-security program helps people returning to their homes in the states of Gezira, Khartoum, Red Sea, Sennar, and White Nile.

Separately, the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance, known as Masam, removed 536 mines from war-ravaged Yemen during the second week of February.

The cleared ordnances included nine anti-personnel mines, 48 anti-tank mines, 478 unexploded ordnance, and one improvised explosive device, the SPA reported.

“Up to 5 million people are estimated to have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen — many of them displaced by the presence of landmines on their land,” stated the project in a release on Monday.

A total of 481,766 explosive devices have been removed from Yemeni territory since the project’s inception in 2018.


UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center

UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center
Updated 18 February 2025
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UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center

UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center
  • Peter Kyle meets medical team responsible for world’s first fully robotic heart transplant
  • Visit follows global recognition of KFSHRC’s medical standing, groundbreaking innovations

RIYADH: The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology visited the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Peter Kyle was shown the hospital’s cardiac facilities, which have pioneered advancements in cardiac care and medical innovation.

Kyle visited the Heart Center of Excellence, where he observed cutting-edge technologies and medical breakthroughs that have positioned KFSHRC as a global leader in specialized healthcare.

He was received by Dr. Hani Al-Sergani, the center's executive director, and his deputy, Prof. Feras Khaliel.

The British official met with the medical team responsible for the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant, a landmark achievement led by Khaliel.

Kyle also reviewed the latest advancements in minimally invasive organ transplantation, which reduce surgical risks and improve patient recovery times.

His visit follows the international recognition of KFSHRC’s medical milestones, particularly after the groundbreaking robotic heart transplant.

KFSHRC ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and 15th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for the second consecutive year.

It was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East by Brand Finance 2025, and was included in Newsweek’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2025 list.


Canadians helping to deliver Vision 2030, says ambassador

Canadians helping to deliver Vision 2030, says ambassador
Updated 17 February 2025
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Canadians helping to deliver Vision 2030, says ambassador

Canadians helping to deliver Vision 2030, says ambassador
  • Saudi reform program ‘will be a tool to bring peace, stability in the broader Middle East,’ says Jean-Philippe Linteau
  • Envoy will lead a delegation of Canadian companies working in the Kingdom’s smart and green cities on visit to Madinah  

RIYADH: Canadian expatriates are helping Saudi Arabia to deliver Vision 2030 at various levels, as the two countries continue to enjoy closer ties, according to the Canadian ambassador to the Kingdom.

Jean-Philippe Linteau underlined the growth in relations between the two countries, describing these as the “core” of diplomatic ties, during celebrations for National Flag Day of Canada in Riyadh on Sunday.

The ambassador told Arab News that more than 14,000 Canadians are now living and working in the Kingdom.

“These Canadians are working in the private sector, they are CEOs, they are in mid-management, they work in government, in universities — you find them everywhere,” he said.

“The Canadians are here helping to deliver on the Vision.”

Linteau expressed how proud he is to see Canadians supporting Vision 2030, saying that it will deliver “a bright future for all Saudis, and will also be a tool to bring peace and stability in the broader Middle East.”

During his interview, the ambassador also extended a message to the “tens of thousands of (Saudi) alumni” of Canadian universities saying: “Canada is your second home and you are always welcome there.”

The ambassador gave the opening remarks during Canadian Flag Day, speaking about how relations between the two countries are growing, adding that many Saudis have a connection to Canada and vice versa through education, work, and tourism.

Saudi Arabia and Canada restored ties in May 2023 following talks between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Bangkok in November 2022.

During his remarks, Linteau also announced that he will lead a delegation of Canadian companies working in the Kingdom’s smart and green cities on a visit to Madinah.

“Following my earlier visit to Madinah we decided to take them to see how the holy cities are changing and becoming a tourist hub and a tourist attraction, and how much there are opportunities to work together to make these cities more green and sustainable,” he said.

As a part of Flag Day festivities, the Embassy of Canada hosted a photo exhibition titled “Unceded” celebrating the culture, heritage, and lives of the indigenous peoples of Canada.

“As Canada comes to grip with its colonial past, this exhibition is about our commitment to reconciliation, cultural preservation, and fostering deeper understanding across nations,” Linteau said.

Flag Day also celebrates the national symbol of Canada, the maple leaf, which was adopted on the flag and raised for the first time 60 years ago over Parliament Hill.

“Flag Day is about celebrating our national symbol, the maple leaf. In 1965, Canada adopted the maple leaf in the flag that you know today,” the envoy said.

The maple leaf “is a symbol that unites Canadians and reflects their common values of democracy, inclusion, and equality,” he added.