Saudi Arabia Welcomes First Group Of Indian Pilgrims In Medina
The first group of Indian pilgrims arriving for Hajj 2025 was warmly welcomed at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina today as Saudi Arabia begins implementing a comprehensive logistical and service framework to accommodate millions of worshippers arriving for the annual pilgrimage.
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
4 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Welcomed Pilgrims On 7,000 Flights From 238 Cities
As the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws to a close, Saudi Arabia has revealed that more than 7,000 flights from 238 cities worldwide brought pilgrims to the Kingdom this year, in what is being described as one of the most integrated and technologically advanced Hajj operations to date. Speaking at the annual reception for distinguished Hajj guests hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah emphasized the unprecedented levels of coordination and efficiency that marked the 2025 pilgrimage. Dr. Al Rabiah announced the enhancement of the Nusuk app, which now provides more than 130 digital services to pilgrims from visa facilitation to guidance for every stage of the journey, including their safe return home. The Minister also cited the expansion of shaded areas to more than 300,000 square meters, including 170,000 square meters along pilgrim routes and the planting of 23,000 trees to improve comfort and reduce heat exposure at key sites. Saudi authorities boosted the electric grid's capacity at the holy sites by 95 percent, a project costing over 3 billion riyals, and distributed more than 7 million cubic meters of water across Mecca and the pilgrimage sites. Transportation saw similar upgrades: over 4,700 Haramain train journeys, 2,500 trips on the Mashaer Metro, and a fleet of more than 20,000 buses moved crowds efficiently between sacred locations. Healthcare capacity also reached new heights, with a more than 60 percent increase in hospital beds, the opening of a new emergency hospital, and the deployment of 71 rapid-response medical points throughout the holy sites.
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
Philippines Grants Visa-Free Entry To Indian Tourists From June 8
Indian nationals can now enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days under new immigration rules coming into effect on June 8, 2025, according to an advisory issued by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai. Under the revised visa policy quoted by the Filipino missions in the UAE, Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines without a visa for tourism purposes for up to 14 days, provided they meet the following requirements: a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, confirmed hotel accommodation or booking, proof of financial capacity and a return or onward ticket to another country. The 14-day stay is non-extendible and non-convertible, meaning tourists must exit the country before the end of the two-week period. However, Indian nationals holding valid and current visas or residence permits from the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen states, Singapore or the United Kingdom (collectively known as AJACSSUK countries) are eligible for a visa-free stay of up to 30 days. This 30-day stay is also non-extendible, and travellers must present a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. Both categories require that the individual have no derogatory immigration record with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI). The advisory clarifies that the visa-free entry privileges apply only to short-term tourism. 'Indian nationals transiting in the Philippines or entering the country for long-term visits and non-tourism activities are required to apply for an appropriate Philippine visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin, place of legal residence, or any country that requires entry visas for Indian nationals,' the advisory pointed out. The relaxed immigration policy is expected to benefit several Indian expats in the UAE.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Nearly 2 Million Pilgrims Enter Final Stages of Hajj with Ritual Stoning at Mina
Nearly two million Muslim pilgrims began the final phase of the Hajj pilgrimage on Saturday by performing the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina. The sacred ritual marks one of the final rites of the pilgrimage before worshippers return to the Grand Mosque in Mecca for the farewell circumambulation, known as Tawaf al-Wada. According to local Saudi media reports monitored by Anadolu Agency, early groups of pilgrims made their way to the Jamarat complex in Mina at dawn, where they participated in the stoning ritual, which symbolizes the rejection of evil. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior emphasized the importance of crowd control and safety, urging pilgrims to adhere to designated pathways to and from the Jamarat complex to ensure smooth movement and avoid congestion. The Saudi General Authority for Statistics confirmed that the total number of pilgrims performing Hajj this year — 1446 according to the Islamic calendar — reached 1,673,230. Of those, 1,506,576 arrived from abroad, while 166,654 were domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents. This year's turnout mirrors the growing global enthusiasm for the spiritual journey, following last year's figures, where over 1.8 million pilgrims from 200 nations participated in the sacred rites. With meticulous planning, expansive infrastructure, and coordinated efforts by Saudi authorities, the Kingdom continues to deliver a seamless and spiritually enriching Hajj experience, reinforcing its commitment to hosting the Guests of Allah with unwavering dedication.
