Saudi Arabia

Defying high prices, Muslim pilgrims head to Makkah for Hajj

26 June 2023; MEMO: Palestinian pilgrim, Abu Anas Abu Rahal, was hoping to find cheaper lodgings for a week-long stay in Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, as the minimum cost for the Hajj pilgrimage climbed to 26,000 riyals ($7,000) this year. His options were limited, Reuters reports.

The 65-year-old struggled to pay the bill, despite choosing the cheapest-offered package, which included travelling to Saudi Arabia by land and sharing hotel rooms with other pilgrims.

Saudi launches $320m development projects in Yemen's Hadramout

26 June 2023; MEMO: Saudi Arabia has launched development projects worth 1.2 billion Saudi riyals ($320 million) in Yemen's Hadramout region, a Yemeni official announced yesterday, Anadolu news agency reported.

The Undersecretary of the Yemeni Ministry of Information, Muhammad Gezan, said: "The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has launched a package of development and vital projects and programs in Hadramout, with a value exceeding 1.2 billion Saudi riyals ($320 million)."

Saudi Arabia: Hajj 2023 expected to feature historic capacity of pilgrims

MAKKAH, June 26 (APP):The last daunting three years had witnessed a sharp reduction in the scale of annual pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic but Hajj this year is featuring a historic capacity of pilgrims, gathering in and around the Holy City to begin their lifetime spiritual journey.

More than 2.5 million pilgrims from 160 countries around the world and locals are expected to converge on Islam’s holiest mosque in Makkah.

Saudi interior minister ensures comprehensive measures aligned with pilgrims’ safety

MAKKAH, June 24 (APP): Minister for Interior and Chairman of Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, in a demonstration of his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims embarking on the Hajj journey, personally supervised the readiness of the Hajj security forces as this important task aimed to guarantee consistent security measures throughout the Hajj season.

Prince Abdulaziz’s involvement was evident as he graced the annual ceremony of the Hajj security forces, held to acknowledge their participation in this year’s Hajj season the other day.

Nearly 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia so far for annual Hajj pilgrimage

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Muslim pilgrims streamed into the holy city of Mecca on Friday ahead of the start of Hajj next week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale after three years of heavy restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi officials say close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country so far, the vast majority by air. More are expected, and hundreds of thousands of Saudis and others living in Saudi Arabia will also join them when the pilgrimage officially begins on Monday.

Saudi Arabia: Pakistan Hajj Mission’s Aziziyah Hospital treating over 5,000 pilgrims daily

MAKKAH MUKARMA , Jun 20 (APP):The Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission’s main hospital here at Aziziyah, in collaboration with Saudi authorities, has been providing medical facilities to over 5,000 pilgrims daily.

Besides the main hospital, nine dispensaries manned by some 521 doctors and paramedical staff were providing free of charge medical assistance to the Hajj pilgrims in the holy city, Brig Dr. Shahamad Ali, Director of Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission told APP on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia, Airbus agree to manufacture military, civilian helicopters locally

20 June 2023; MEMO: The CEO of the Saudi SCOPA defence company, Fawaz Al-Aqeel, yesterday announced the signing of an agreement with the French Airbus company to manufacture civilian and military helicopters in the kingdom.

Al-Aqeel said the project will provide more than 8,500 jobs, adding that the company expects investments worth more than 25 billion riyals ($6.67 billion) over 20 years, Saudi state TV Al-Ekhbariya reported.

Biden's top adviser in Saudi Arabia to discuss Israel ties

18 June 2023; MEMO: US President Joe Biden's top adviser Brett McGurk arrived in Riyadh to discuss a possible normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, according to a US news portal, reports Anadolu Agency.

McGurk's talks with Saudi officials "will focus on the administration's efforts to reach a normalization agreement between Israel and the kingdom as well as other issues," Axios reported.

Sudanese Warring Factions Agree To New 72-Hour Cease-Fire

RIYADH, Jun 18 (NNN-SPA) – Saudi Arabia and the United States announced yesterday, in a joint statement that, Sudan’s two warring factions have agreed on a new 72-hour cease-fire.

The cease-fire takes effect from 6:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) today.

The two rival parties agreed to refrain from seeking military advantage and initiating mutual attacks during the cease-fire, said the statement.

They also agreed to allow the unimpeded movement and delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the country, it added.

Iran, Saudi Arabia pleased with reestablishment of diplomatic ties

18 June 2023; MEMO: Iran and Saudi Arabia expressed satisfaction Saturday with the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reports Anadolu Agency.

President Ibrahim Raisi received Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan, who is in Tehran on an official visit, according to Iran's official news agency, IRNA.

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