Latest news with #MinistryofIslamicAffairs
Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Islamic Affairs Ministry greets 500 Palestinian pilgrims as King's guests
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has welcomed the first group of 500 Palestinian pilgrims from the West Bank, comprising families of martyrs, prisoners, and the wounded. They came for Hajj under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. This is in line with a generous directive from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to host a total of 1,000 pilgrims from these Palestinian families at his own personal expense. Upon their arrival in the Kingdom, the ministry's field committees provided comprehensive services, including escorting them to their accommodations in Makkah, organizing their transportation, and ensuring all their needs were met. These efforts aimed to enable the guests to perform their Hajj rituals in an atmosphere of peace and comfort.
Middle East
a day ago
- Politics
- Middle East
Mecca: 500 Palestinian pilgrims from families of martyrs, prisoners, wounded arrive to perform Hajj, Umrah
MECCA AL-MUKARRAMAH, June 1 (MENA) - The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in Saudi Arabia received Sunday the first group of Palestinian guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit implemented by the ministry. The group including male and female Palestinians from the West Bank who are members of the families of martyrs, prisoners and wounded performing Hajj and Umrah this year 1446 AH. The pilgrims are among the first group of guests from the Palestine to arrive at the kingdom in implementation of directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to host 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims at his own expense. (MENA) S A S/D A E
Al Etihad
a day ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Blind pilgrim fulfills Hajj dream through Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests program
1 June 2025 14:24 Makkah (SPA)A blind Yemeni pilgrim and Imam of a mosque in Taiz, Sheikh Majid Al-Khudairi, expressed profound joy upon his arrival in Makkah to perform Hajj as the pilgrimage was facilitated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, which is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. The program is operated in accordance with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and under the direct supervision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Sheikh Al-Khudairi shared his journey, which began with a television interview where he voiced his aspiration to perform Hajj, leading to an immediate invitation to the program. "I never saw the Kaaba with my own eyes, but I felt its majesty touching my heart," he remarked. "My tears preceded my steps as I arrived at the two holy mosques. My feelings of faith overflowed within me as I sensed the sanctity of the place and the magnificence of the rituals."He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Kingdom, its leadership, and its people for their dedicated efforts in serving Islam and Muslims."I am deeply grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for this great generosity and generous care."I never expected to be able to perform Hajj due to my health condition, but the Kingdom, with its wise leadership, opened the door of hope for me," he stated. Al-Khudairi also lauded the comprehensive services provided by the ministry to the program's guests.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
200 shuttle trips daily to facilitate movement of King's guests
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance dedicated its full resources to serve pilgrims under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit. The comprehensive support includes an integrated system of services, notably 200 daily shuttle trips operating around the clock to transport pilgrims from their Makkah residences to and from the Grand Mosque. The arrangement is part of the operational plan implemented by the ministry to facilitate the performance of rituals and prayers for the guests and to enhance comfort and ease of movement, ensuring a safe and organized transportation experience that contributes to achieving the aspirations of the wise leadership in serving the pilgrims. The ministry affirmed that the service contributes to alleviating traffic congestion in the central area of Makkah and enhances the efficiency of movement and transportation, especially during peak times during the Hajj season.
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims flock to Saudi Arabia from all over world, with their number crosses 1.25 million by Wednesday
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports announced that a total of 1,255,199 pilgrims have arrived from abroad through all of the Kingdom's entry ports by the end of Wednesday. Of these, 1,186,810 pilgrims entered via airports, 63,301 through land ports, and 5,088 arrived by sea. The directorate reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating smooth and efficient entry procedures for the pilgrims by equipping its platforms with the latest technological systems, operated by qualified personnel fluent in multiple languages. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance announced the arrival of the second batch of guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit for the year 2025, totaling 1,053 male and female pilgrims from 76 countries around the world. Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and General Supervisor of the Program Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al-Sheikh welcomed the guests, emphasizing that hosting them in Saudi Arabia embodies the wise leadership's keenness to care for delegations from the Islamic nation and to present a civilized model of warm welcome, generous hospitality, and integrated organization. The Acting Director General of Passports Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba inspected the passports department at the Jadidat Arar border crossing to assess the services provided to pilgrims and facilitate their entry procedures. Maj. Gen. Al-Murabba urged the border crossing staff to provide exceptional service and do their utmost to serve the guests of God. The visit is part of an inspection tour to ensure the readiness of land, sea, and air ports to receive the guests of God. The Saudi authorities are making finishing touches to their preparations at the holy sites to facilitate the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. Acting CEO of the General Authority for Roads Eng. Badr Al-Dulaimi inspected the innovations of flexible rubber roads and road cooling at the holy sites on Wednesday. These are among the most important innovations offered to serve pilgrims at the holy sites. The flexible rubber roads innovation provides flexible roads made from recycled tires, which contributes to providing highly flexible roads that absorb shocks and stresses for pilgrims. The road cooling innovation reflects sunlight, thus reducing road surface temperatures. During his tour, Eng. Al-Dulaimi inspected a number of road projects in the Makkah region that contribute to serving pilgrims, ensuring their safety and quality. The Ministry of Tourism revealed a huge increase in the number of hospitality facilities that have obtained the necessary licenses to operate in Makkah to serve the pilgrims. The number of licensed facilities has reached more than 1,160, recording a growth rate of 54 percent during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
