
Saudi Railways Advances Hajj 1446 Preparations to Serve Pilgrims
The Al-Mashaer Train is set to transport over two million pilgrims between the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. Operating along an 18-kilometer route with nine stations, the service will deploy 17 fully equipped trains capable of carrying 72,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Trains will travel at speeds of up to 80 km/h, making the journey between Mina and Arafat in just 20 minutes. More than 2,000 trips are scheduled, supported by over 7,500 trained Saudi personnel.
In parallel, the Haramain High-Speed Railway will conduct around 4,700 trips, providing over two million seats—an increase of more than 400,000 compared to the previous Hajj season.
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Arab News
8 hours ago
- Arab News
Designated banks stay open today as Pakistan receives Hajj applications on final day
ISLAMABAD: Designated banks across Pakistan are open today for the receipt of Hajj applications from intending pilgrims under the government scheme, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims. Of this, 129,210 seats have been allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators. The religious affairs ministry this week said it had received 91,000 applications under the government scheme. The religious affairs ministry said the State Bank of Pakistan accepted its request and issued orders to keep open branches of 14 designated banks for the receipt of Hajj applications on the final day. Pakistan began receiving Hajj applications on Aug. 4. 'Bookings will be closed once the required number of applicants is reached,' the ministry said. 'Hajj applications received on a first-come, first-served basis will be considered valid.' It urged Hajj applicants to obtain a computerized receipt from the bank and check their details on the ministry's online portal or Pak Hajj 2026 app. 'In case of any mistake, get it corrected immediately by the concerned bank,' the ministry added. Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long Hajj package (38–42 days) and a short package (20–25 days). The estimated cost of the government Hajj package ranges between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 (approximately $4,050 to $4,236). 'It is mandatory to submit the first installment of Rs500,000 or Rs550,000 along with the application according to the package,' the ministry said this week. 'The second installment of Hajj dues will be collected from November 1.' Saudi Arabia approved the same overall quota for Pakistan in 2025, but a significant portion of the private allocation went unused due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its share of over 88,000 pilgrims. Private operators blamed the shortfall on technical issues, including payment processing and communication problems.


Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Visual Arts Commission set to launch Art Bridges Cultural Programs in Scotland, Japan, Korea, and Spain
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Visual Arts Commission (VAC) announced the launch of the Art Bridges 2025–2026 Cultural Trips initiative, starting in September. The first program, in collaboration with the British Council, will take place in Scotland from September 22 to 27, 2025. Additional programs will be held in Japan from October 31 to November 7; South Korea from November 19 to 27; and Spain from March 2 to 9, 2026. Applications for these three programs opened on Wednesday. The application window for Japan will close on August 21, while applications for Korea and Spain will remain open until August 31. The initiative features four distinguished programs designed to advance professional development and international cultural exchange for Saudi and Saudi-based visual artists, cultural practitioners, creative professionals, and cultural producers. The programs will be implemented across four international destinations, underscoring the commission's commitment to professional development, global connectivity, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The commission CEO Dina Amin said that these professional programs offer Saudi and Saudi-based cultural practitioners a unique opportunity to share their creative voices with the world, reflecting the depth and diversity of Saudi Arabia's artistic landscape. Each Art Bridges program is tailored to the distinctive cultural and creative context of its destination, incorporating engagement with thought-leaders, leading cultural centers, museums, galleries, and artists' studios. Participants will engage in workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and dialogues with prominent figures from the local art scenes, fostering meaningful exchange and strengthening professional expertise. Thematic focuses for the 2025–2026 programs include: Japan—Art and the Environment: Exploring how artists and art practitioners respond to natural, urban, and traditional surroundings through material, scale, and site; South Korea—Identity through Art and Community: Examining grassroots cultural movements, artist-led spaces, and collaborative platforms; Spain—Heritage and Collectivism: Highlighting how collective practice, heritage, and social purpose converge in both contemporary and historic cultural spaces. Applicants must be over 21 years of age, possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in their field, and present a strong portfolio demonstrating their contributions to the cultural sector. Proficiency in English and full commitment to the program schedule are mandatory. The full criteria are detailed in the application form. The Art Bridges initiative represents a cornerstone of the Visual Arts Commission's mission to expand Saudi Arabia's cultural voice on the global stage, cultivate sustainable creative ecosystems, and build enduring international partnerships.


Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Pakistan receives over 91,000 Hajj applications, intending pilgrims may apply till Aug. 16
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received 91,300 Hajj applications under the government scheme, while intending pilgrims may apply for the remaining seats till Aug. 16, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said on Tuesday. Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims for 2026, with 129,210 seats allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators. Applications for the remaining more than 37,000 seats under the government scheme can be filed through online portal or branches of 14 designated bank. 'The receiving of Hajj applications will be immediately stopped as soon as the available seats are filled,' the religious affairs ministry said in a statement. Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long Hajj package (38–42 days) and a short package (20–25 days). The estimated cost of the government Hajj package ranges between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 (approximately $4,050 to $4,236). 'It is mandatory to submit the first installment of Rs500,000 or Rs550,000 along with the application according to the package,' the ministry said. 'The second installment of Hajj dues will be collected from November 1.' Saudi Arabia approved the same overall quota for Pakistan in 2025, but a significant portion of the private allocation went unused due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its share of over 88,000 pilgrims. Private operators blamed the shortfall on technical issues, including payment processing and communication problems.