More than 520 pilgrims with disabilities perform rituals under national initiative

More than 520 pilgrims with disabilities perform rituals under national initiative
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Abdulaziz Al-Enezi, a pilgrim with a mobility disability. (AN photo/Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)
More than 520 pilgrims with disabilities perform rituals under national initiative
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The National Hajj Initiative for Persons with Disabilities was designed to ensure that pilgrims with disabilities can perform Hajj with dignity and ease. (AN photo/Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)
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Updated 07 June 2025
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More than 520 pilgrims with disabilities perform rituals under national initiative

More than 520 pilgrims with disabilities perform rituals under national initiative
  • The National Hajj Initiative for Persons with Disabilities was designed to ensure that pilgrims with disabilities can perform Hajj with dignity and ease

MINA: Some 524 pilgrims with disabilities arrived earlier at the holy sites, embarking on their spiritual journey as part of a pioneering national initiative led by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, now in its fifth consecutive year.

The National Hajj Initiative for Persons with Disabilities was designed to ensure that pilgrims with disabilities can perform Hajj with dignity and ease. It provides a suite of tailored services, including accessible transportation, specialized accommodation and 24-hour escort support for those in need.

The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan, which prioritizes inclusivity and a higher quality of life for all citizens and residents. By expanding access and strengthening support for pilgrims with disabilities, the Kingdom is reaffirming its commitment to equitable participation in all aspects of life.

According to the General Authority for Statistics’ Disability Statistics Publication 2023, released in May 2024 and carried by the Saudi Press Agency, an estimated 1.8 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population lives with some form of disability. These include a range of physical, sensory and communication impairments of varying levels of severity.

Speaking to Arab News, Abdullah Abdulmohsin Al-Harbi, head of the social responsibility and volunteering department at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said that the initiative now encompassed all 13 regions of the Kingdom.

“The initiative was originally conceived to empower persons with disabilities to visit all the holy sites and perform the Hajj pilgrimage with ease and dignity,” he said.

He said that the program welcomed men and women with disabilities from across the Kingdom, selected on defined criteria and classifications.

“We are proud to host pilgrims with various types of disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, have physical disabilities, or amputations. We have mobilized all necessary resources to support them, including a streamlined travel itinerary developed in collaboration with key entities such as Public Security, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development,” he added.

Al-Harbi said that the initiative had matured over the past five years, identifying the full spectrum of needs among persons with disabilities and developing appropriate support mechanisms, including comprehensive access solutions.

He added that the ministry hoped that the program could serve as a model for all services offered to pilgrims with disabilities.

Al-Harbi also emphasized the initiative’s profound impact on pilgrims, particularly the opportunity it gave them to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.

“The spiritual and emotional impact of performing Hajj has been deeply meaningful for them,” he said.

“With the support of the Kingdom’s wise leadership, all necessary resources and facilities have been mobilized to serve the Guests of Allah, regardless of their background. This valued segment of society has been provided with comprehensive services and supports to enable them to perform Hajj.”

Since its inception, the initiative has served nearly 2,000 beneficiaries of both genders, Al-Harbi added.

Among this year’s participants is Abdullah Saif Al-Qahtani, a pilgrim with a mobility disability, who said that his Hajj journey was smoother than he could have imagined.

“I registered and was admitted to the program. I have performed Hajj before, but this year’s organization was exceptionally excellent, and the stoning ritual was so easy,” he said, adding that every person he encountered was willing to help.

Abdulaziz Al-Enezi, another pilgrim with a similar disability, said that he learned about the initiative through a local disability society in Hafr Al-Batin, of which he is a member.

“I applied for the initiative, and they responded promptly. Their support was outstanding. I left Hafr Al-Batin on my own and didn’t need help from anyone. The initiative’s officials provided everything I needed, including medical and food support,” he said.

He said that he did not pay a single riyal for the Hajj. “I left my city with only my clothes and my wheelchair. So far, the services have been excellent. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” he added.


Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector

Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector
Updated 12 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector

Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector
  • Culinary Commission’s latest move is ‘a dream come true’ for chefs

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission has launched a freelance license for chefs via the Abde’a Cultural Licenses Platform.

The commission’s CEO, Mayada Badr, told Arab News: “The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.”

The newly introduced license will enable Saudi nationals aged 18 and above — and who hold certified culinary training and valid food safety or health certifications. (Supplied)

Abde’a, an e-platform developed to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, is operated under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture.

The newly introduced license will enable Saudi nationals aged 18 and above — and who hold certified culinary training and valid food safety or health certifications — to legally provide freelance culinary services, paving the way for wider freelance opportunities in diverse venues and events across the Kingdom.

The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.

Mayada Badr, Saudi Culinary Arts Commission CEO

The initiative will “support skill development and career growth in the sector, as well as recognition and credibility by reinforcing adherence to professional standards in the culinary field,” according to a statement.

Chef Rawan Al-Harthi, a Jeddah-based pastry chef, said: “This license gives us the freedom to showcase our culinary identity while working independently and legally. It’s a dream come true for chefs who want to grow their brand without being tied to a restaurant.”

Another chef, Faisal Al-Malki, echoed Al-Harthi’s sentiments. “Being recognized as a licensed freelance chef adds value to our profession and pushes us to raise the bar in terms of quality and creativity,” he said.

The launch of this initiative “underscores the commission’s commitment to expanding opportunities for local culinary talent, while fostering a culture of creativity and professionalism,” a press release stated.

 


Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik

Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik
Updated 12 July 2025
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Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik

Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik
  • They reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests

DUBROVNIK: Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi was received by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the Dubrovnik Forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the “latest developments in free trade agreement negotiations and a proposal to hold a joint Gulf-European conference on energy security,” the General Secretariat said in a report.

They also reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests.

 


Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha
Updated 12 July 2025
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Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha
  • Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people

RIYADH: The Baha branch of the Ministry of Sports, together with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation, organized a hiking program as part of the “Color Your Summer with Sports” campaign.

The event was held in cooperation with the region’s municipality and health cluster as part of the Baha Summer Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people. The event took place in natural locations that reflect the region’s landscape, he added.

Baha’s mountains, valleys and dams offer suitable areas for various sports, including mountain and water activities, he said. These features support the region’s role in sports tourism in the Kingdom.

Al-Ghamdi added that the program is part of a plan to develop the sports sector in Baha and build partnerships with sports federations.

The initiative aims to support the local economy and attract sports and tourism visitors, from the Kingdom and beyond, Al-Ghamdi said.


Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition
Updated 12 July 2025
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Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition
  • Event highlights smart projects, training initiatives, and global partnerships in the sector

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority, held an international exhibition in London to showcase its key initiatives and achievements in supporting the maritime transport industry.

The event was attended by senior officials and saw broad participation from International Maritime Organization member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar and Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, along with government officials, embassy representatives, and maritime attaches.

The event highlighted the Kingdom’s role as an active partner in the international maritime system and a key contributor to developing global maritime regulations and practices, the SPA added.

It also reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued influence within the International Maritime Organization and its efforts to promote sustainability and improve the efficiency of maritime supply chains.

The exhibition showcased the academies and specialized centers established by the Kingdom, as well as initiatives to localize talent and train seafarers, officers, and marine engineers.

It also featured smart projects that support automation in the sector, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, according to the SPA.

Prince Khalid said that the exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation, highlighting the Kingdom’s hospitality and pursuit of sustainable, collaborative maritime partnerships.

Al-Jasser said that the Kingdom is steadily moving toward leadership in maritime transport, driven by Vision 2030 and investments in talent and technology to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub.

In recent years, the Saudi maritime sector has grown rapidly, with the number of Saudi-flagged vessels reaching 409, totaling more than 100,000 gross tons and more than 16.5 million deadweight tons.

The number of registered Saudi seafarers has risen to 3,000, supported by specialized programs and regulatory initiatives that empower national maritime capabilities, the SPA reported.

These efforts build on Saudi Arabia’s active role in the International Maritime Organization, advancing the maritime transport industry through a vision that goes beyond fleet development or regulatory modernization.

It includes creating an advanced global maritime system based on operational excellence, human capital investment, and cutting-edge technology for a promising, sustainable future.


Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors
Updated 12 July 2025
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Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.

Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.

Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.

Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.

Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.

The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.