Saudi Arabia Welcomes First Group Of Indian Pilgrims In Medina
A total of 262 Indian pilgrims arriving from Hyderabad aboard Saudia Airlines were greeted with flowers, commemorative gifts, and an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.
Senior officials were on hand to receive the group, including Dr Abdulaziz Wazzan, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Visit Affairs, and Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, alongside representatives of various government agencies.
Airport procedures were completed smoothly and efficiently thanks to the integrated coordination between service agencies operating at the facility.
This marks the beginning of the seasonal influx through Medina's airport. Saudi Arabia stressed that all operational plans have been activated to manage the growing number of pilgrims expected over the coming days.
These plans include full-scale readiness in healthcare, logistics, guidance, and hospitality services, part of a broader national effort to ensure that pilgrims perform their religious rites with ease, safety, and dignity.
Separately, the Ministry of Interior announced that beginning today, Tuesday, April 29 (1 Dhul Qi'dah), entry to the holy city of Mecca is prohibited for all non-Hajj visa holders.
Authorities also warned visitors against penalties for overstaying visas. Individuals who remain in the Kingdom beyond the expiration of their entry permit may face fines of up to SAR 50,000, imprisonment for up to six months, and deportation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
9 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Advises Pilgrims Against Stopping At Black Stone In Mecca's Grand Mosque
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has advised pilgrims to avoid stopping next to the Black Stone (Al Hajar Al Aswad) during Tawaf, cautioning that lingering can obstruct the ritual, compromise safety, and disrupt the flow of worshippers. Pilgrims are encouraged not to stand for extended periods next to the revered stone in the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site in Mecca. Prolonged pauses near the Black Stone, located in the eastern corner of the Kaaba, can impede the smooth movement of pilgrims in the mosque's central courtyard. The ministry stressed that Tawaf does not require touching or kissing the Black Stone. Instead, pilgrims should maintain a steady pace and simply gesture toward the stone as they pass, focusing on continuous supplication and remembrance. Following this guidance ensures a safer, smother and more organised, as well as spiritually fulfilling experience for all worshippers performing Hajj or the lesser pilgrimage.
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Drinks 36 Million Cups Of Coffee Daily, $320 Million Push To Boost Production
Coffee consumption in Saudi Arabia is booming at a pace that places the kingdom among the world's most caffeinated societies. Saudis now drink an estimated 36 million cups of coffee every day, according to the Saudi Restaurants and Cafés Association, in a market valued between $1.3 and $1.9 billion annually. The surge reflects more than taste. Coffee culture has become deeply embedded in Saudi daily life, powered by a youthful population — nearly 70 per cent of Saudis are under 35 — and by a dramatic expansion of cafés, from sleek international chains to local brands. As of mid-2024, Saudi Arabia's population is estimated at 35.3 million, with 19.6 million Saudi nationals and 15.7 million non-Saudis, providing context for the Kingdom's booming coffee consumption. The Ministry of Commerce said more than 61,000 business licences for cafés have been issued across the country, including 27,000 for traditional neighbourhood coffee shops. Top 10 countries that drink the most coffee per capita Finland: 4 to 5 cups per person daily; light roast filter coffee is most popular, and coffee breaks are legally mandated at work. Norway: Several cups daily, often black 'kokekaffe'; coffee is a staple of morning and social life. Iceland: A strong café culture despite its small population; coffee is drunk throughout the day, especially in colder months. Denmark: Coffee is tied to the lifestyle of hygge ; typically enjoyed with pastries during cozy gatherings. Netherlands: Coffee is served throughout the day, usually black or with a splash of milk, often offered to guests as a sign of hospitality. Sweden: Known for the fika tradition, where coffee is paired with something sweet; an important part of both work and family life. Switzerland: Espresso and café crème dominate; cafés are common gathering places paired with pastries or chocolate. Belgium: A mix of filter and espresso drinks; often served with chocolates or desserts in both social and business settings. Luxembourg: Influenced by French and German coffee styles, ranging from espresso to French press. Canada: The only non-European country in the top ten; coffee is a daily habit, often from Tim Hortons or brewed at home. Ahmed Al Kashqari, chief executive of the Saudi Restaurants and Cafés Association, said cafés now account for 16 percent of Saudi Arabia's food service sector, a space once dominated by restaurants. 'Coffee has become part of our lifestyle,' he said, noting that the sector continues to grow at an annual rate of more than 5 per cent. With 36 million cups consumed daily, this averages to roughly one cup per person per day, highlighting how deeply coffee culture has taken root across the Kingdom. Behind the explosion in consumption is a parallel push to build a domestic coffee industry. The Saudi Coffee Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has pledged nearly $320 million over the next decade to plant 5 million coffee trees by 2030. The initiative aims to increase local production from 800 tonnes a year to more than 10,000 tonnes, enhancing the country's role in a global coffee market valued at $270 billion in 2024 and projected to rise to $369 billion by 2030. Saudi Arabia's ambition is not only economic but also cultural: A bid to establish itself as a regional hub for specialty coffee while honoring the deep heritage of Arabian beans, particularly the prized Khawlani variety, nurtured for generations in the misty southern highlands. In a nation once wary of public café culture, the shift has been dramatic. Barnes, a Saudi chain, now operates more than 800 outlets, outpacing Dunkin' with more than 600 and Starbucks with more than 450. Other local names such as Kyan and Dr. Café are also expanding rapidly, showing that Saudi brands increasingly rival global giants on home turf. And for many young Saudis, cafés have become more than a place for a caffeine fix; they have become social hubs and cultural venues, hosting art shows, book readings, and business meetings. 'Cafés are no longer just about coffee, they're about community,' Al Kashqari said. How Saudis compare globally While Saudi Arabia's consumption is striking, it still falls short of the world's most avid coffee-drinking nations. In the United States, where coffee is an entrenched daily ritual, Americans consume around 517 million cups a day, roughly three cups per adult, according to the National Coffee Association. Finland, often topping global rankings, averages 4 to 5 cups per person per day, making it the heaviest coffee consumer per capita worldwide. By contrast, Saudi Arabia's 36 million daily cups translate to about 1 to 1.5 cups per person, still significant in a region historically dominated by tea. 'Coffee has always been part of the region's identity,' said Ahmed Al Kashqari of the Saudi Restaurants and Cafés Association. 'What's different today is the scale, and the fact that Saudi Arabia wants to be not just a consumer, but a producer with a voice in the global market.'
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Hajj package prices to soar 20% as new tent rules drive up costs
TDT | Manama Bahraini pilgrims who hoped for more affordable Hajj packages are instead confronting a steep price shock, as campaigns confirmed that 2026 packages will cost up to 20 percent more. The increase comes after last year's unexpected losses, with organisers citing higher operational expenses, particularly new requirements for tents in Arafat and Mina. Rising costs The reversal from earlier savings hopes to rising costs is striking. Campaign operators, who declined to be named, said expenses linked to new service standards had forced them to increase prices by BD200 to BD250. The adjustment translates into a 15 to 20 percent rise across most packages. A source added that the hikes are seen as necessary to prevent a repeat of last year's financial setbacks. Regulatory spotlight The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments has already received 67 applications from Bahraini campaigns seeking approval to operate next season. A meeting between the operators and the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs is expected in the coming weeks to review preparations. Dr. Ali Ameen Al-Rayyes, Director of Religious Affairs at the Ministry and Deputy Head of Bahrain's Hajj Mission, confirmed that new regulations will soon take effect. The rules will prevent campaigns from advertising packages or prices until they receive official approval. Transparency push Campaigns may still hold promotional exhibitions, but only if their content exactly matches the ministry-approved profile published online. Al-Rayyes stressed that the changes aim to build trust by ensuring pilgrims receive accurate and reliable information. The regulations will also prohibit free Hajj offers or competitions that promise packages, closing the door on misleading promotions. For pilgrims, the season ahead will bring clearer safeguards and stricter oversight, but it will also place a heavier burden on families already budgeting carefully for the spiritual journey of a lifetime.
