MAKKAH: A total of 242,272 Hajj pilgrims have benefited from Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route initiative, which streamlines the travel and entry process for visitors from Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye and, for the first time, Ivory Coast.
The pilgrims arrived on 667 flights into King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
Launched in 2019, the scheme allows Hajj pilgrims to fulfill all their visa, customs and health requirements at their departure airport, saving them hours of time waiting both before and upon arrival in the Kingdom.
The process begins with the issue of electronic visas and individual information collection, followed by streamlined passport procedures before departure.
Stickers are placed on luggage and passports containing information on the flight data and place of residence of each pilgrim. The tagging service is carried out by a specialized team working under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The Ministry of Interior implements the Makkah Route initiative in cooperation with several agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and AI Authority, the Pilgrim Experience Program and the General Directorate of Passports.
Makkah Route initiative serves over 242,000 Hajj pilgrims, including Pakistanis
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Makkah Route initiative serves over 242,000 Hajj pilgrims, including Pakistanis
- The pilgrims arrived on 667 flights into King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah
- The process begins with the issue of electronic visas and individual information collection, followed by streamlined passport procedures before departure
Saudi FM meets with chairperson of African Union Commission
- During the meeting, the two officials reviewed aspects of relations between the Kingdom and the union
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in Riyadh on Thursday.
During the meeting, the two officials reviewed aspects of relations between the Kingdom and the union and ways to strengthen them in various fields. Topics of common interest were also discussed.
Heritage Commission records 53 violations in March and April as oversight efforts continue
RIYADH: The Heritage Commission recorded 53 violations related to antiquities and urban heritage across several regions of the Kingdom during March and April 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
It comes as part of the commission’s efforts to protect Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and address irregular practices that threaten its preservation, SPA added.
In March, 29 violations were identified, including the unauthorized sale of antiquities and the carrying out of archaeological survey and excavation activities without the required permits.
Several violations were also detected via social media platforms.
Two cases were referred to the Public Prosecution, seven were sent to the Violations Review Committee, and 20 were passed on to the relevant security authorities.
In April, the commission monitored 24 violations, including encroachments on archaeological sites in Madinah, the Eastern Province, Tabuk, Hail, the Northern Borders Region and Al-Jouf.
These included unauthorized entry into sites, tampering with fencing or signage, and the unlicensed use of metal detectors. Additional violations were uncovered through digital platforms, involving the possession and display of manuscripts, coins and historical replicas intended for illegal trade.
The commission has initiated legal action in several cases, referring some to the Public Prosecution and others to Public Security. The Violations Review Committee has issued financial penalties ranging from SR5,000 ($1,332) to SR50,000.
The Heritage Commission stressed that monitoring and enforcement efforts are part of a broader strategy to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the Kingdom’s antiquities and preventing actions that could damage their historical or cultural significance.
It also emphasized the vital role of community members and institutions in safeguarding the nation’s heritage.
Citizens and residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity or attempts to trade antiquities through official channels, including the “Archaeological Report” service, the Commission’s social media accounts, or the Unified Security Operations Center at 911.
The commission reiterated that preserving national heritage was a shared responsibility that requires collective action.
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Kingdom’s higher education gaining global prominence
- Taaref bin Yusuf Al-Aama: Higher education in the Kingdom is experiencing a qualitative renaissance and gaining a prominent position within the global academic landscape
WASHINGTON: Taaref bin Yusuf Al-Aama, president of King Abdulaziz University, said that Saudi higher education is gaining prominence around the world.
“Higher education in the Kingdom is experiencing a qualitative renaissance and gaining a prominent position within the global academic landscape,” he said.
“This success is attributed to the unwavering support of the Kingdom’s wise leadership and the strategic vision led by the Ministry of Education in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.”
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency during the university’s participation in the NAFSA 2025 International Education Expo in San Diego, US, Al-Aama said: “Saudi universities, including King Abdulaziz University, have made substantial progress in education, research and innovation.”
He also highlighted achievements in pioneering research and patents. This helps build a robust knowledge economy, he said. Through the expo, the university seeks to exchange expertise with international universities and promote its advanced academic programs, Al-Aama added.
Higher education institutions in the Kingdom now offer study programs that operate in line with top international standards, he said.
Graduation of logistics academy trainees celebrated
- Ceremony, held under the patronage of Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, also featured the inauguration of two new branches of the academy
RIYADH: The Saudi Logistics Academy in Riyadh recently celebrated the graduation of more than 490 trainees from various programs.
The ceremony, held under the patronage of Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, also featured the inauguration of two new branches of the academy in Jeddah and the Eastern Province, and the signing of five agreements with the private sector for training and rehabilitation in the academy.
Moreover, the academy received the final institutional accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, in the presence of ministers, deputies and representatives of logistics companies.
The academy clarified that it granted the entry-level employment associate diploma to 435 trainees in eight training specialities.
This includes supply chain and logistics management, marketing and customer service, shipping brokerage, warehouse management, customs clearance, port operations, procurement, e-commerce, and last-mile delivery.
Deputy governor of Qassim launches ‘World No Smoking Day’ events
- Events were organized by the anti-smoking association Tadarak
BURAIDAH: Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Faisal bin Saad, deputy governor of the Al-Qassim region, launched the “World No Smoking Day” events on Thursday.
Organized by Tadarak, an anti-smoking association, the events were launched during a visit by Ayman Al-Raqiba, director general at the Health Ministry in Qassim, to the deputy governor’s office.
During the meeting, Prince Fahd was briefed on the association’s awareness efforts in collaboration with health authorities. These efforts include high-quality programs focused on smoking prevention, treatment and education, aimed at enhancing quality of life and aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
