
250 pilgrims arrive in Madinah under guest program
Saudi Gazette report
MADINAH — A fourth batch of pilgrims hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit has arrived in Madinah.
The current batch of guest pilgrims includes 250 men and women from 14 countries from South Asia, Central Asia and Australia. They represent India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia. The program comes in implementation of the Saudi government's directives to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries. They will be hosted in 4 groups during 2025.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has prepared a religious and cultural program, such as visiting the Rawdah Al-Sharifah, Quba Mosque, the Martyrs' Cemetery, Uhud Martyrs, and the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an. They will also vies the exhibits at the International Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization, before moving to Makkah Al-Mukarramah to perform the Umrah rituals.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Leaders
4 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Welcomes 116 mln Visitors in 2024
Saudi Arabia welcomed nearly 116 million domestic and inbound tourists in 2024, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's tourism sector, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The ministry also released its 2024 Annual Statistical Report on Saudi Arabia's tourism sector to highlight key indicators of tourism activity and review the sector's growth during the year. Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb stated that the report focuses on the efforts of the ministry and all stakeholders in Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem. According to the report, total tourism spending for domestic and inbound travel recorded approximately SAR284 billion, marking an 11% year-over-year growth. Furthermore, the Kingdom reached its highest-ever number of inbound tourists, with almost 30 million visitors in 2024, marking an 8% rise compared to 2023. Meanwhile, inbound tourism spending in 2024 surged to SAR168.5 billion, up 19% from the previous year. The Ministry of Tourism noted that this remarkable success was mainly driven by the efforts and support of the Saudi leadership in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. As for domestic tourism, the ministry reported noticeable growth with 86.2 million domestic tourists in 2024, representing a 5% increase compared to 2023. The domestic tourism spending also reached SAR115.3 billion in 2024. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Sets Ambitious Target: 70 Million Tourists by 2030 Eid Al-Adha Brings Influx of Tourists to Haql's Scenic Beaches, Parks Saudi Arabia Targets Over 5M Chinese Tourists by 2030 Short link : Post Views: 19


Saudi Gazette
10 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Tourism Ministry: Saudi Arabia tops 100 million visitors for second year in a row in 2024
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia welcomed around 116 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2024, and this figure marks an increase of six percent compared to 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism. In its 2024 Annual Statistical Report on Saudi Arabia's tourism sector, released on Sunday, the ministry stated that total tourism spending for domestic and inbound travel during the last year reached approximately SR284 billion, reflecting an 11 percent year-over-year growth. The ministry noted that Saudi Arabia recorded its highest-ever number of inbound tourists, with approximately 30 million visitors in 2024, marking an 8 percent rise compared to 2023. Inbound tourism spending in 2024 totaled SR168.5 billion, up 19 percent from the previous year. Domestic tourism also experienced solid growth with 86.2 million domestic tourists in 2024, marking a five percent increase compared to 2023. Moreover, domestic tourism spending reached SR115.3 billion in 2024. The ministry's annual report highlighted key indicators of tourism activity and underscored the sector's continued growth following the significant progress made in 2023. Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb stated that the strong performance reflected in the 2024 report was achieved through the guidance and support of the Kingdom's leadership. He highlighted that tourism has become a key enabler of Saudi Vision 2030, with the report shedding light on the sector's accelerated growth, driven by the efforts of the ministry and all stakeholders in Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem. The ministry invited investors and stakeholders to view the full 2024 Annual Statistical Report, available on its official website.


Leaders
11 hours ago
- Leaders
SDAIA Facilitates Departure of Iranian Pilgrims via Jadidat Arar Tech
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has deployed advanced technologies and smart systems—coordinating with relevant authorities—to facilitate the departure of Iranian pilgrims through the Jadidat Arar border crossing toward Iran. This initiative follows the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the recommendation of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to ensure the provision of all necessary services and support for Iranian pilgrims until they return safely to their families. SDAIA field teams began operations before and during the pilgrims' arrival by executing a comprehensive technical plan. This included testing both primary and backup systems and ensuring the readiness of communication networks to guarantee continuous service. Routine preventive maintenance was carried out, and workstations were equipped with cutting-edge technologies and digital infrastructure. These efforts, in close coordination with government agencies, enabled streamlined procedures to maximize operational efficiency and enhance the pilgrims' experience. SDAIA remains committed to empowering government entities with data- and AI-driven solutions to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers. Through the use of digital platforms, emerging technologies, and skilled personnel, SDAIA continues to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by boosting government service performance and accelerating procedural efficiency. Related Topics: SDAIA President Reviews Smart Makkah Center Operations to Enhance Pilgrim Services SFDA, SDAIA Sign MoU to Boost Data, AI Collaboration Saudi Interior Min.: Tourism Companies Deceive Pilgrims, Encourage Hajj Violations Riyadh Global Health Exhibition to Bring Together Int'nal Healthcare Experts Intensive Preparations for Smooth, Safe Hajj Season: Mecca Deputy Governor Short link : Post Views: 21