Latest news with #AlRajhi
Arab News
19 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
‘Ghar Se Ghar Tak': Pakistan Hajj pilgrims to be facilitated through designated administrators
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's government has introduced an ambitious plan for the first time through which a designated 'nazim' or administrator will assist a group of 188 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims during the peak days of the pilgrimage as they travel from Mina to Muzdalifah and back to Makkah, state-run media reported on Monday. 'Mashair days' is a term used to refer to the dates from 8 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. These are the peak Hajj days when pilgrims from all parts of the world move between Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and then return to Mina, performing religious rituals at sacred sites in Makkah. Pakistan's Coordinator Facilitation Makkah Sajjad Haider Yaldram said that as per the government's 'Ghar Se Ghar Tak' (Home to Home) plan, each nazim or Hajj administrator will assist a group of 188 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims throughout the Mashair days this year. 'The nazim will accompany the group from Mina to Arafat, Muzdalifah to Jamarah and back to Makkah,' Yaldram was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan. Each nazim will be assisted by two assistants, along with three personnel from the Saudi Tawafa company Al-Rajhi during these days. He said the Punjab Information Technology Board has also developed an online mobile application, 'Pak Moavin,' which enables real-time monitoring of all Hajj support staff personnel from their place of deployment. Speaking about the 'Pak Hajj 2025' app, he said it provides essential information, including the personal details of pilgrims, group information, building locations and other services. 'We have received great feedback from pilgrims about the app,' Yaldram said. 'It's a source of satisfaction and motivation for us. All the information is centralized, notifications are integrated, and maps help locate missing pilgrims.' This year, Hajj rituals will commence on June 4, with the Day of Arafah on June 5, and Eid Al-Adha to be observed on June 6 in Saudi Arabia.
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet Saudi billionaire, sold palm dates as a child, worked as cook in Riyadh, now has net worth of Rs...; no match for Mukesh Ambani, Adani
Sheikh Sulaiman bin Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi (File) There is a widespread myth about Saudi billionaires that a majority of them are oil tycoons who made their fortune selling the liquid gold which is abundant in the desert Kingdom. However, this cannot be farther from reality as there are many self-made billionaires in Saudi Arabia, and indeed entire Middle East, who have started from modest backgrounds, and earned their riches through innovation and sheer business acumen. One such individual is Sheikh Sulaiman bin Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi, a Saudi businessman who built his business empire from scratch, and sold palm dates for a living as a 12-year-old. Let us delve into the inspiring journey of this remarkable entrepreneur: Who is Sheikh Sulaiman bin Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi? Born in a low-income household in Al Bukairiyah in Saudi Arabia's Al Qassim province, Al Rajhi's childhood was devoid of luxuries and basic education. Growing up in the harsh Nejd desert, Sulaiman and his brother earned a livelihood by ferrying Hajj pilgrims on camel caravans across the desert to reach the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. From an early age, Sulaiman Al Rajhi had developed an enterprising outlook, and worked as a a porter, carrying shopping luggage for shoppers at the Al Khadra market in Riyadh when he was just nine years of age. Later, as a 12-year-old, he began collecting palm dates for a living, a job that fetched him a paltry monthly salary of six Saudi Riyals, barely enough to eat. In an interview, Sulaiman Al Rajhi recalled how he often slept on gravel at his workplace, and wore the same clothes at work as well as afterwards, because he lacked money. From rags to riches- How Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi made his fortune Growing up as a teenager during the early 1940s, Al Rajhi worked several odd jobs, including as a cook at a smalltime Riyadh hotel, and wholesaler of imported kerosene, as he looked for a breakout opportunity to change his circumstances. Later, Al Rajhi worked as a waiter for a Saudi contracting company for a mere 60 Saudi Riyals, and then established his own grocery shop, which he forced to sell to spend on his marriage. Rajhi was 15 at the time. Afterwards, Sulaiman started working at a currency exchange business established by his brother Saleh Al Rajhi, and in 1956, the Al Rajhi brother expanded the enterprise by opening a second branch. However, Sulaiman's groundbreaking opportunity arrived in 1970, when he opened his own currency exchange firm after separating his business from his brother. Over the years, Sulaiman expanded his business, opening more than 30 branches across Saudi Arabia, and later took the enterprise to other nations across the Arab world, including Egypt and Lebanon, where he made massive gains. Today, Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi holds the largest individual stake Al Rajhi Bank, which he co-founded with his older brother Saleh Al Rajhi, and has consistently reported the most profitable operations amongst all of Saudi banking groups. Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi net worth At one point, Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi was ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the world, with Forbes estimating his net worth at around $7.7 billion in 2011. However, Al Rajhi later donated a major chunk of his vast fortune to charity, by transferring his shares in the family-owned Al Rajhi Bank, his poultry farm, and other assets to a charitable endowment that bears his name to fund anti-hunger efforts and education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to a Forbes report. Currently, Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi has a net worth of around $2.2 billion, as per Forbes, enough to live a life of luxury which he has undoubtedly earned.
Arab News
5 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Pakistan secures Hajj facilities upgrade through deal with Saudi Al-Rajhi company
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has finalized arrangements for its Hajj pilgrims in coordination with Saudi Arabia's Al-Rajhi company, upgrading tents and amenities at key pilgrimage sites under a new agreement aimed at improving services for those traveling under the Government Hajj Scheme, an official confirmed Thursday. The deal with Al-Rajhi, a licensed Tawafa company responsible for assisting foreign pilgrims in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, marks a significant step in elevating standards traditionally reserved for private tour groups. The move comes as Pakistan seeks to improve the experience for nearly 89,000 pilgrims performing Hajj this year under the state-run scheme. In total, 114,698 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj beginning June 4, including 25,698 under private operators. As of Thursday, 84,638 government-sponsored pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia on 329 flights, while 17,959 private pilgrims had also reached the kingdom. Pre-Hajj flight operations are scheduled to conclude on May 31. 'An agreement was signed with the Tawafa company Al-Rajhi for Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, and all arrangements and facilities at the sacred sites are being finalized for this year's Hajj,' Muhammad Umer Butt, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, told Arab News from Makkah over the phone. He said pilgrims under the Government Hajj Scheme will now benefit from upgraded camp infrastructure. 'Air conditioners and extra fans have been added to the tents along with air coolers,' he informed, adding that modern sofa-cum-beds with partitions on both sides have been introduced to prevent the spread of infections caused by breathing or sweating. Additional improvements include luggage racks, sliding doors in place of traditional tarpaulin sheets, gypsum board tent walls, artificial grass carpeting in corridors, protective sunshades, fans along walkways and designated shoe racks. For the first time, Pakistani medical teams will be stationed at each camp to provide support in addition to Saudi medical services. 'A first aid team will be added to every camp, where doctors and medical staff will be available at all times,' Butt said. He said Pakistan's Hajj mission had also worked closely with Saudi authorities and the Maktab system to implement a transport strategy across the sacred sites, or Mashair, to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims. 'Saudi authorities have issued special instructions to protect pilgrims from the extreme weather conditions, and our mission ensures that these instructions are communicated clearly and understandably to all Pakistani pilgrims,' he added. A dedicated complaint management cell has been set up to address pilgrims' concerns in real time. 'A total of 2,241 complaints were received regarding lost luggage, out of which 2,209 were resolved with the luggage delivered to the concerned pilgrims,' Butt said. 'In Madinah, 636 bags were misplaced during handling, of which 630 were recovered and returned,' he continued. He said that around two dozen pilgrims who had gone missing from their groups in Makkah and Madinah were also successfully located and reunited. More than 39,000 Pakistani pilgrims completed their visit to Riyad al-Jannah — the sacred area in Masjid al-Nabawi believed to be a garden from Paradise — mostly using the official Nusuk app in Madinah. For those unfamiliar with the digital system, special permits were arranged for 14,000 individuals. Butt praised Saudi Arabia's digital Hajj infrastructure and logistical planning, which he said had greatly eased the pilgrimage experience for visitors from around the world.
Argaam
22-04-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Abdullah Al Rajhi: alrajhi bank's profits increased to SAR 5,906 million in the first quarter of 2025, while total assets exceeded SAR 1 trillion
Mr. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Chairman of alrajhi bank, announced that the bank achieved a net profit of SAR 5,906 million for the first quarter 2025, a growth of 34% compared to SAR 4,405 million in the first quarter last year 2024. Total operating income reached 9,200 million, a growth of 27% compared to last year, as a result of the following; growth in net financing and investment income, an increase in banking services fees income, reflecting the success of the "Harmonize the group" strategy by continuing to support the group's ecosystem, towards obtaining sustainable growth and financial objectives. Al Rajhi explained that the bank's financial results for the first quarter of 2025 showed that the shareholders' equity increased to reach SAR 134 billion compared to SAR 108 billion in the first quarter last year, recording an increase of 24%. Total assets also increased to SAR 1,023 billion, an increase of approximately 22%, marking an extraordinary achievement for the bank as it has exceeded the trillion-riyal mark, demonstrating the bank's outstanding performance at all levels, supported by its strategic objectives and exceptional teamwork. This is supported by a 19% growth in the financing portfolio and a 25% growth in the investment portfolio, compared to the same quarter 2024. Meanwhile, customer deposits increased to reach SAR 629 billion. The bank also achieved a return on assets of 2.4% and a 23.1% return on shareholders' equity, while earnings per share stood at 1.41 Saudi riyals at the end of the first quarter of 2025. Al Rajhi confirmed that the growth achieved by the bank in the financing portfolio witnessed a high coverage of non-performing loans at approximately 153%. The Chairman of the Board of Directors also highlighted on the Bank's success in issuing USD 1.5 billion sustainable additional tier 1 sukuks denominated in US dollars, compliant with Islamic Sharia law, during the first quarter of 2025. This sukuk builds on the success of the bank's previous international issuances in 2023 and 2024. This issuance received strong demand from regional and international investors, with coverage exceeding 200%, further enhancing the bank's position in global markets. Al Rajhi considered the bank's retention of its position as the most valuable bank in the Middle East and North Africa for the third consecutive year, according to Forbes magazine's list, as evidence of the bank's continued growth across all aspects, with its market capitalization reaching more than SAR 400 billion. In terms of its community role, alrajhi bank has contributed to the employment of 220 qualified employees through the Empowerment Program launched by Human Resources and Social Development. The program aims to qualify and empower social security beneficiaries who are eligible for employment and capable of integrating into the labor market. The bank also launched the "Your impact matters" campaign to encourage customers to donate through the "Quick Donation" service to support national platforms such as the Good Housing Platform, Ihsan, and Forijat. More than SAR 600 million were transferred since the beginning of 2025, facilitating donations to charitable organizations and other community initiatives. Additionally, more than 200,000 customers donated a total of more than 300 million mokafaa reward points. Al Rajhi pointed out that alrajhi bank Orphan Education Program continues for the fourth consecutive year, supporting more than 200 male and female students in their educational journey. He also noted that the national community initiative to perform 91 kidney transplants for kidney failure patients, at a cost of 18 million riyals, for cases referred from the Health Endowment Fund's Shifaa Platform. He expressed that the program has contributed to alleviating the suffering of patients in need. Mr. Abdullah Al Rajhi added that alrajhi bank's Cardiac Catheterization Center at Al Rass General Hospital has performed more than 150 cardiac catheterizations. Al Rajhi stated that alrajhi bank's support for the health sector is ongoing through the support of the blood bank, as King Faisal Specialist Hospital launched a blood donation initiative, in which the bank contributed by providing mobile blood vehicles, which visited more than 50 locations between Riyadh and Medina, with more than 6,000 male and female donors. The bank also cooperated with the Diriyah Association to launch a campaign to donate clothes, in which more than 480 employees contributed to this campaign. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi concluded his statement by emphasizing that the bank will continue to perform its pioneering role and contribute effectively to achieve the goals of "Saudi Vision 2030" as an integral part of the nation's economic process. "We at alrajhi bank are committed to continuously improve the customer experience so that alrajhi bank becomes their first choice." The Chairman of alrajhi bank's Board of Directors extended his thanks and appreciation to the bank's employees for their great efforts during the first quarter, noting that continuing the great efforts will maintain the bank's leadership locally and internationally.
Zawya
18-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman:17 km2 earmarked for Green Hydrogen Zone
MUSCAT: Key public sector stakeholders tasked with fostering the growth of a green hydrogen industry in Oman participated in a recent strategic workshop on the master-planning of a dedicated Green Hydrogen Zone in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) in the southeast of the country. Spanning an area of 17 sq kilometres, the zone will cater to investors and developers operating in the green hydrogen space at the SEZ. The zone will also strengthen SEZAD's role in Oman's clean energy strategy, as well as the achievement of the country's Net-Zero targets, said Ahmed al Rajhi, Renewable Energy Projects Lead at SEZAD. According to Al Rajhi, the strategic workshop was attended by representatives of Hydrom (the master-planner and orchestrator of Oman's green hydrogen industry), as well as Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), Nama Water Services and Nama Distribution — all National Champions with distinct roles to play in the rollout of common infrastructure necessary to sustain a planned pipeline of green hydrogen projects. Also in attendance were representatives of lead consultant Khatib & Alami. The overall goal of the workshop was to ensure that all the stakeholders worked in alignment on the development of the Duqm Green Hydrogen Zone, he noted. 'Covering 17 square kilometres, the plan includes dedicated service corridors connecting upstream and downstream areas, export terminals and consumption zones — laying the groundwork for an integrated infrastructure that accelerates green hydrogen investments and ensures seamless delivery across the value chain,' said Al Rajhi in a post. 'SEZAD is committed to enabling sustainable, future-ready projects, reinforcing its position as a leading green energy hub in the region,' he added. The Duqm Green Hydrogen Zone is expected to host the downstream components and adjacent industries of five of the eight green hydrogen mega schemes confirmed for implementation in Oman to date. The schemes in question are promoted by the following consortiums: (1) Amnah (with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners — CIP, Blue Power Partners and Al Khadra (2) HyDuqm (with ENGIE, POSCO Holdings, Samsung Engineering, PTTEP, Korea East-West Power and KOSPO (3) GEO (with Shell, OQ, InterContinental Energy and EnerTech Holding (4) BP and (5) HyPort Duqm (with BP, OQ and DEME). The upstream components, comprising mainly vast arrays of solar and wind farms, will be laid out across the hinterland of Duqm, spilling into the wider Al Wusta Governorate as well. Envisaged for development within the Duqm Green Hydrogen Zone, planned in the close proximity of the Port of Duqm, are the green hydrogen producing electrolysers of the five mega projects in question, as well as plants producing green ammonia, green methanol and other green commodities derived from hydrogen. Storage infrastructure is envisioned as well. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
