Latest news with #CustodianOfTheTwoHolyMosques
Asharq Al-Awsat
12 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Program Guests Visit Kiswa Complex, Revelation Exhibition
Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation toured the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa and the Revelation Exhibition at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah, as part of a program implemented and supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. Guests learned about the stages of Kiswa production, from fabric preparation to embroidery. They were also introduced to the raw materials used in the weaving process and participated in a symbolic experience of stitching a section of the new Kiswa, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday. The guests also toured the diverse halls of the Revelation Exhibition, where they viewed displays narrating the stories of the prophets and highlighting the prophetic features from the life of Prophet Muhammad. The guests expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership for its great dedication to preserving the Prophet's biography and the history of Islam. The number of guests hosted under this year's program has reached 2,443 pilgrims from over 100 countries. All services are provided to the guests through an integrated system overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Maldives president hails Makkah Route Initiative as symbol of Saudi Arabia's leadership
RIYADH: President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has hailed Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative as a symbol of the Kingdom's service to Islam and Muslims. 'Their leadership of the Islamic world represents an exemplary model of giving, unity, and service, not only at the two holy mosques but throughout the entire Islamic world, confirming the Kingdom's pivotal role in leading with wisdom and mercy in serving Islam,' he said at the launch of the initiative in his country recently. Muizzu added: 'For the first time, Maldivian pilgrims will benefit from this pioneering initiative, designed by Saudi Arabia under its wise leadership and generously provided within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program emerging from Saudi Vision 2030,' he explained. The initiative enables the completion of all passport, customs and health screening procedures from the departure point — Velana International Airport. Muizzu thanked Saudi Arabia's ministries of interior, Hajj and Umrah, as well as other organizations for their assistance. 'We renew our great gratitude and appreciation for the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia, and look forward to enhancing cooperation and joint work under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his crown prince for the good of the entire Islamic nation.' The initiative is now operating in eight countries, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco and the Ivory Coast.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Umm Al-Qura University: Training students to work with millions of Hajj pilgrims
MAKKAH: As part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve the experience of Hajj, a specialized institute at Makkah's Umm Al-Qura University is training thousands of professionals to work with the millions of pilgrims expected to travel to the two holy cities. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research plays a significant role in national development efforts under Vision 2030. Director Khalid Al-Ghamdi spoke to Arab News about how the institute is working to improve the experience of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. 'The institute remains a key driver in enhancing the pilgrimage experience through applied research and strategic capacity building,' Al-Ghamdi told Arab News. 'As an advanced scientific arm, it plays a vital role in improving the efficiency and safety of services at the Grand Mosque and the holy sites.' The institute also trains thousands of field personnel annually to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers, in roles including security and healthcare staff, drivers and volunteers. Training is delivered through immersive rehearsals that closely mirror real-world conditions in the field. The institute is a globally unique research center dedicated to serving a gathering of unparalleled scale and significance. One of the institute's most important contributions is its seasonal field studies, Al-Ghamdi said. Carried out annually during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, these studies document and analyze real-time challenges in key areas such as crowd movement, transport flow, environmental hazards, emergency response and overall efficiency. He added that the outcomes of these studies serve as a vital technical reference for authorities, offering data-driven recommendations that support more effective planning for future seasons — a crucial function as crowds throng at holy sites in high temperatures. The institute also trains thousands of field personnel annually to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers, in roles including security and healthcare staff, drivers and volunteers. Training is delivered through immersive rehearsals that closely mirror real-world conditions in the field. The institute also operates in close coordination with various government entities, including the Ministry of Interior, Civil Defense and the Transport Authority, to align its training with official guidelines. Al-Ghamdi also discussed the institute's advisory role in shaping regulatory and operational frameworks for Hajj and Umrah services. The advisory role includes evaluation studies and environmental impact assessments, which inform strategic decisions on infrastructure development and service quality enhancement. The institute is a globally unique research center dedicated to serving a gathering of unparalleled scale and significance. Its research priorities are uniquely tailored, setting it apart from its international counterparts through a specialized focus on the Hajj, the holy sites, the two holy cities and related areas including urban planning, environmental sustainability and humanitarian services. Additionally, Umm Al-Qura University offers academic programs in medicine and administration, specifically designed to prepare students for managing the unique operational demands of the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Saudi Press
5 days ago
- General
- Saudi Press
Islamic Affairs Minister Assigns 300 Scholars for Hajj Guidance
Islamic Affairs Ministry Receives First Group of Pilgrims Under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Hajj Program
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
King Salman issues royal order to host 1,000 Palestinians to perform Hajj this year
RIYADH: Saudi King Salman has ordered on Monday the hosting of 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims to perform Hajj this year, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The gesture is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, which is supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance.
