Latest news with #AlEkhbariya
Gulf Insider
21-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Belgian Cyclist Completes Epic 9-Country Journey To Perform Hajj In Mecca
After nearly three months of cycling thousands of kilometers, 26-year-old Belgian Anas Al Razqi has reached Saudi Arabia to fulfill his lifelong dream of performing the Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj. Starting his journey at the beginning of Ramadan in March, Al Razqi pedaled through nine countries — including Germany, Austria, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina — facing diverse weather conditions and occasional loneliness. Crossing into Saudi Arabia was a surreal moment. 'It's hard to describe,' he said. 'This is a dream. I didn't believe I would be in Mecca,' Al Razqi told Saudi TV channel Al Ekhbariya after arriving at the Halat Ammar border crossing near Jordan. 'I feel blessed to have arrived in the kingdom.' Al Razqi said the sincere prayers and warm smiles of those he met along the way gave him strength. 'They kept me going,' he told Saudi news portal Sabq. Crossing into Saudi Arabia was a surreal moment. 'It's hard to describe,' he said. 'I felt I was approaching a dream I've cherished for years. Now, I just want to reach the closest point to the Kaaba and see it for the first time.'
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Hajj pilgrim from Belgium cycles his way to Makkah in 4,500km journey
In Ramadan, a 26-year-old young man took his bicycle on a journey like no other; it was not to the near grocery store or even to visit a friend living in another city in Belgium where he lives—it was to Makkah to perform Hajj. Many consider the Hajj journey tiring in itself. Millions of Muslims flock to the Saudi city from all around the world during this time of year, gather in white robes under the scorching heat of the sun to complete the annual rituals. But this did not deter Anas Al Rezky from embarking on his bike trip. "It's a dream, a blessing," said the young man after he crossed the borders from Jordan via Halat Ammar Port, a land port on the northern border of Saudi Arabia. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. In Saudi, Anas was welcomed with flowers and Arabian coffee. Upon arrival, he is seen wearing a badge with his Hajj permit and completing the procedures with border security personnel. Anas said his trip spanned 4,500km as he passed through 13 countries from Europe all the way to the Middle East. In footage shared by Saudi news channel Al Ekhbariya, Anas is seen cycling through lush green fields, dressed in a jacket to shield himself from the cold European weather. As he continues his journey and enters a desert region, the landscape shifts dramatically — and he is shown wearing a white T-shirt." #اÙ�إخبارÙ�Ø© — Ù�Ù�اة اÙ�إخبارÙ�Ø© (@alekhbariyatv) May 18, 2025 In one interview, Anas said that he used to cycle for 100km every day. "The route was very difficult. I embarked on the journey in Ramadan and I was fasting. I used in sleep in mosques like in Germany and Bosnia, which is a Muslim country," he added. Pilgrimages have already started to enter Makkah for this year's Hajj. The peak of the Hajj season, Arafa day, falls on the 10th day of the Hijri month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which may fall either on June 7th or 6th, depending on the crescent sighting.
Gulf Insider
19-04-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudis Crack Down On Violating Warehouses Ahead Of Hajj
Saudi authorities have shut down 95 unlicensed warehouses of equipment used for serving pilgrims during the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage due this year in June. The violating warehouses were detected during an inspection campaign launched by municipal authorities in the city of Mecca, home to Islam's holiest mosque. The campaign aims to ascertain the compliance of these facilities, providing tents and air conditioning units during the Hajj season, with regulations, a local official has said. 'We have launched a correctional campaign to monitor the warehouses and check their compliance with the health requirements,' spokesman for the Mecca Municipality, Osama Zaytouni, told Saudi television Al Ekhbariya. The campaign, targeting warehouses in Mecca and affiliated governorates, also aims to set up a database on them, he added. Violations detected in the shut warehouses included failure to have efficient safety systems, poor storage and decline in cleaning standards, Al Ekhbariya reported. Saudi Arabia is maximising preparations for the upcoming Hajj season amid iron-clad measures against violators. Earlier this week, authorities started issuing online permits for residents who will be engaged in the Hajj-related works in and around Mecca. The Saudi General Directorate of Passports said it is receiving applications from such workers to obtain entry permits to Mecca through the Ministry of Interior's electronic platform 'Absher' and the Muqeem portal. Entry permits to Mecca are issued through the Muqeem portal to workers in establishments based in the city, holders of seasonal work visas, and those who have employment contracts with those establishments during the Hajj season.
Khaleej Times
06-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Saudi stock market closes with 5-year record loss after US tariffs
The Saudi stock exchange was down 6.78 per cent on Sunday, official data showed, after sweeping trade tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump sent global markets tumbling. The state-run Al Ekhbariya television reported online that "the Saudi stock index closed trading down (nearly) 7 per cent, losing more than 800 points", calling it "the largest daily loss in five years" since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Arab News
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanese, Syrian defense ministers ink deal after border security talks
RIYADH: Syria and Lebanon signed an agreement emphasizing the strategic importance of demarcating the borders between the two countries, Al Ekhbariya reported early on Friday. The defense ministers of Lebanon and Syria met in Jeddah on Thursday to coordinate and enhance cooperation on security and military issues. The Syrian delegation was headed by Murhaf Abu Qasra and the Lebanese delegation was led by Michel Menassa. The sides will form legal and specialized committees in a number of fields, and will activate bilateral coordination mechanisms to deal with security and military challenges, especially those that may arise on the border area. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who facilitated the talks, said he hoped the agreement marks a new phase in relations between the two neighbors. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the discussion and agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in Saudi Arabia. Border tensions flared up earlier in March after the new authorities in Syria accused Lebanese armed group Hezbollah of kidnapping three soldiers into Lebanon and killing them. The Iran-backed group, which fought alongside the forces of toppled Syrian president Bashar Assad, denied involvement. Cross-border clashes that followed left seven Lebanese dead. In a statement, Saudi Arabia said it supported Syria and Lebanon resolving their differences through political and diplomatic dialogue while upholding sovereignty, stability, and international law, according to Asharq. Saudi Arabia affirmed its full support for all that achieves security and stability in Syria and Lebanon and contributes to preserving security and stability in the region, Al Ekhbariya reported.
