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Arab News
2 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia outlines security strategies for Hajj
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational strategy to ensure an incident-free 2025 Hajj season. The ministry held a press conference with Hajj security force commanders on Sunday at the Unified Security Operations Center. Briefing attendees included key officials such as Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the director of public security, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari, commander of special emergency forces at the presidency of state security, Maj. Gen. Hamoud Al-Faraj, director-general of civil defense, and Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Marba, the acting director-general of the general directorate of passports. Al-Bassami affirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to prepare a safe, secure, and organized environment for pilgrims. He said the efforts aligned with the directives of the minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, who has endorsed extensive security and organizational plans for the 2025 Hajj season. These plans, he said, encompass all facets of security, public order, crowd management, traffic flow, and emergency response, implemented through an integrated framework that spans the pilgrims' entire journey, from arrival to departure. Al-Bassami said that any attempts to disrupt security or violate regulations would be met with strict and uncompromising action. He further emphasized the readiness of the Grand Mosque and the holy sites to manage large crowds, aiming to alleviate congestion and maintain safe capacities on all roads and holy sites. Seasonal traffic management plans are also in effect for routes leading to Makkah and Madinah, as well as central area entrances, to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims. The General Directorate of Public Security reported significant enforcement actions. Authorities seized 252 fake Hajj campaigns and apprehended 1,239 transporters violating Hajj regulations. Additionally, 109,632 unauthorized vehicles were turned back, as were 269,678 people not residing in Makkah, 75,943 people without Hajj permits, and 11,610 people who disobeyed residency, labor and border security regulations. Furthermore, the number of visit visa holders who arrived for the purpose of Hajj reached 205,713. Al-Omari reiterated the forces' commitment to ensuring protection and maintaining order during the Hajj season. He detailed the implementation of precise field plans, focusing on preventing infiltrators and unauthorized individuals from accessing the holy sites. The plans include managing and organizing crowd movement at the Jamarat stoning facility and the southern courtyard of the Grand Mosque to ensure smooth flow and pilgrim safety. In a notable development, Al-Faraj announced the first use of the Falcon drone for firefighting and rescue operations, a new addition to the General Directorate of Civil Defense's Hajj operations this year. He emphasized the sector's readiness to implement its approved plan in service of the pilgrims. Al-Marba outlined the directorate's integrated plan within the Ministry of Interior's security framework. This plan is built upon four pillars: ensuring full readiness to receive pilgrims at air, land, and sea ports, including those under the Makkah Route Initiative; enforcing regulations against illegal pilgrim transporters through seasonal administrative committees at Makkah's entrances; providing support to security and service agencies in the holy sites through field presence; and organizing and overseeing the departure of pilgrims post-Hajj.
Arab News
a day ago
- Health
- Arab News
Saudi interior minister reviews Hajj infrastructure, honors security forces
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif has opened a field hospital in Arafat, which is operated by the ministry's General Administration of Medical Services. The 100-bed facility is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by specialized teams to deliver rapid emergency care for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Prince Abdulaziz has also launched a smart health bracelet system for security personnel, enabling real-time monitoring of vital signs and giving automatic alerts to command centers to enhance medical readiness. The minister also attended a ceremony honoring Hajj Security Forces and was briefed on operational readiness during field exercises featuring specialized vehicles, aviation units, and crowd control systems. Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the director of public security, said the Saudi leadership had mobilized all resources to ensure the safety of pilgrims, noting strong coordination had led to outstanding results. The minister also reviewed infrastructure upgrades at the holy sites, including phase two of the Mashaer pathway which boasts eco-friendly rubber flooring to ease movement and reduce heat. He inspected new shading and cooling systems at Namirah Mosque designed to improve comfort during prayers. His tour concluded at Mina's new emergency hospital, which has expanded urgent care capacity, with its services meeting global standards. Prince Abdulaziz also visited the Hajj Media Operations Center with Salman Al-Dossary, the minister of media, and received briefings on unified media coverage. He viewed the Hajj media hub's Hajj Window and Transformation Exhibition, which showcases the services of 11 public and private entities.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Interior Minister Oversees Annual Ceremony for Hajj Security Forces
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, inspected the preparedness of the Hajj Security Forces to carry out their field duties in maintaining the security and safety of the pilgrims. The inspection took place during the minister's patronage of the annual ceremony organized by the participating forces for the 1446 AH Hajj season. In a speech during the ceremony, Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Lieutenant-General Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, Director of the Security Committee, affirmed that the wise leadership has mobilized all capabilities and resources to prioritize services for the Hajj and well-care of the pilgrims. He noted that these significant efforts have produced exemplary outcomes in crowd management, coordination, planning, and integration among various sectors, achieving the desired results and ensuring the pilgrims experience the highest levels of security and safety. Al-Bassami also emphasized that the Hajj Security Forces are at the highest level of readiness and fully capable of responding firmly and effectively to any threats to pilgrims' security or disruptions to their rituals, ensuring a safe environment for them to perform their rites. The ceremony included field exercises simulating various security scenarios, displays of security vehicles and advanced equipment, in addition to showcasing security aviation and specialized vehicles used during the Hajj season. The ceremony was attended by several princes and officials.
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud meets citizens of Taif Governorate
TAIF: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the citizens of Taif governorate. It came during his recent meeting with several citizens from the governorate, in the presence of Deputy Gov. of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar. Taif is fast becoming a major tourist hub in the Kingdom, with visitors arriving from around the world, including the Gulf, to enjoy its pristine environment and natural attractions during holiday celebrations. The region is home to spacious valleys and ample water courses.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Interior Minister Meets with Security Leaders in Makkah Region
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz has met with Makkah Region's security leaders at the regional police headquarters in Jeddah Region. Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Makkah's security leaders and the personnel within their respective sectors. During Wednesday's meeting, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud commended the Makkah security personnel for their efforts in enhancing the safety and security of pilgrims, citizens, residents, and visitors. He stressed the importance of this work, especially with the growing numbers of Hajj and Umrah performers in Makkah and the significant increase in tourists across Saudi Arabia. Prince Abdulaziz was briefed on the Makkah security sectors' key achievements and their efforts to execute security tasks with professionalism, efficiency, and full integration with other government and service entities. Also Wednesday, the Minister visited the Makkah Route Initiative's hall at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah, accompanied by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz. During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud was briefed on the key achievements of the Makkah Route Initiative, launched by the Ministry of Interior as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under the Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative provides the highest level of service and convenience for pilgrims by completing their entry procedures into the Kingdom at airports in their home countries and transferring them directly upon arrival to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah. Since its launch, the initiative has served over one million beneficiaries and has expanded to include 12 airports across 8 countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Türkiye, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Maldives.
