RIYADH: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has held several initiatives and events in celebration of Saudi Arabia’s 90th National Day.
The have been running since Tuesday and will go through to Saturday.
A massive airshow, described as the largest to take place in the Kingdom’s history of national days, saw about 60 military and civilian aircraft participate.
The GEA also launched an initiative through the Twitter hashtag #nanshod lel watan or #Sing_National_Anthem, where the participant will post a short video clip in which he/she sings the Saudi national anthem. All the clips contributed will be combined to produce an artistic work that reflects national joy.
It also organized a “National Day” coloring guide, through which it would precious attractions in the Kingdom and various administrative provinces were lit or decorated in green and white, the colors of the Saudi flag. Roads and building walls were decorated as an expression of national pride too.
Photographers also have an opportunity to mark the National Day by participating in an initiative titled “Share a photo of the Country.”
The GEA is holding all these events under the motto Himma Hatta Al-Qimmah (Passion to the Top), which it launched at the end of
last month, in a bid to create a special identity to the 90th Saudi National Day.
GEA holds huge airshow, events in celebration of Saudi National Day
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GEA holds huge airshow, events in celebration of Saudi National Day
Saudi scouts survey pilgrims’ accommodation in Mina
- The survey is part of the ministry’s efforts to support pilgrims and guide those who are lost
MAKKAH: A total of 800 members of the Ministry of Sports’ scouting team began surveying pilgrims’ accommodation in Mina on Monday.
The surveys include collecting field information about pilgrims’ housing, landmarks, pedestrian paths and the headquarters of government agencies taking part in serving pilgrims.
It is part of the ministry’s efforts to support pilgrims and guide those who are lost, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The Ministry of Sports has five scout camps in Mina, located in Al-Mu’aisam 1-2, Al-Rabwa, Wadi Muhsar and the Operations Camp.
A preparatory course for the scouts was also held before their departure to Mina.
The four-day program aimed to prepare them to serve the guests of God, focusing on areas including teamwork, leadership and crowd management.
Thousands of volunteers every year assist the pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, which sees about 2 million worshipers visit over the five days.
Volunteers work to support healthcare, provide meals, manage crowds and assist with transport.
Makkah Region mayor reviews Saudi Red Crescent’s preparedness for Hajj
- Mayor was briefed on the command and control system, medical evacuation procedures, and the extensive network of deployment centers located across Makkah
RIYADH: Makkah Region Mayor Musaed bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood visited the Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s command and control center and medical evacuation department in Makkah on Monday, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance field readiness for the Hajj season.
The mayor was briefed on the command and control system, medical evacuation procedures, and the extensive network of deployment centers strategically located across Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He reviewed coordination with relevant authorities, aiming to ensure efficient and high-quality emergency services.
He also observed operational progress at the center, approved emergency response plans, the readiness of ambulance teams, and the advanced technologies used for monitoring, dispatching reports, and directing field teams in real-time throughout the Hajj season.
Al-Dawood emphasized the importance of seamless coordination among all service sectors and praised the SRCA’s vital role in delivering rapid emergency response to pilgrims.
KSrelief expands aid efforts across 4 nations
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The organization has concluded several medical projects in Damascus in the Syrian Arab Republic after offering specialized surgeries across various fields to 1,539 individuals.
The 10-day campaign included pediatric and adult cardiac surgery, cardiac catheterization, general surgery, deformity and plastic surgery, and specialized clinics.
The KSrelief-supported Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Hatay province in Turkiye provided medical services to 169 amputee beneficiaries in the course of one month.
This support is part of the Kingdom’s broader humanitarian efforts to strengthen health systems and ease the suffering of those in need.
KSrelief also distributed 825 food baskets in Blue Nile State in Sudan, aiding 3,986 individuals in a single day.
Some 1,020 food baskets were distributed across several governorates in Lebanon, helping 5,100 people.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,438 projects worth more than $7.9 billion in 107 countries, in partnership with more than 318 organizations.
Saudi Red Crescent deploys 11 air ambulances, 120 ground units for Hajj
- Moves ensure rapid emergency response throughout pilgrimage sites
RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has activated its air ambulance service for the 2025 Hajj season, deploying 11 aircraft from 13 strategically located helipads to transport critical medical cases from the Grand Mosque and holy sites.
This is to ensure rapid emergency response throughout pilgrimage areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Air ambulances play a vital role in supporting the seasonal emergency network by ensuring the rapid transportation of patients and injured individuals; facilitating medical evacuations between healthcare facilities; and deploying specialized medical teams to high-density areas or critical emergencies.
Simultaneously, SRCA has enhanced its operational capacity with over 120 ambulance units operating continuously, supported by more than 100 vehicles across Makkah. Strategic distribution includes 45 units in the northeast and western sectors, 15 units covering southern zones, and 20 units in central areas.
Advanced mobile resources include more than 160 emergency medical technicians; 12 motorized emergency vehicles; and three golf carts fitted as portable ambulances for restricted-access zones. These assets ensure comprehensive preparedness for potential emergencies.
More than 30 emergency units have been strategically stationed at the Grand Mosque. These include seven teams in the Masa’a and Saudi Corridor, eight teams across the Masa’a and eastern courtyards, 10 teams covering western and southern courtyards, and two in the third Saudi expansion zone.
These units are staffed by more than 60 paramedics and reinforced by 16 medical golf carts for rapid response in high-density areas.
The service is supported by more than 120 highly qualified physicians and emergency technicians who work around the clock to provide urgent medical care to pilgrims.
Supporting these operations are over 550 volunteers from the authority’s teams, distributed across more than 200 units operating continuously. These specialized teams provide emergency medical coverage across all high-traffic pilgrimage routes.
This integrated system forms a fundamental pillar of the Hajj emergency plan, significantly contributing to reduced response times.
It reflects the Kingdom’s high level of preparedness and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare to pilgrims. This initiative aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services for all pilgrims.
These measures form part of a coordinated government-wide system involving multiple entities focused on improving medical transport, safety and service quality for pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia outlines security strategies for Hajj
- Authorities seize 252 fake Hajj campaigns and arrest 1,239 transporters breaching Hajj regulations
- Almost 110,000 unauthorized vehicles turned back, as were 269,678 people not residing in Makkah, 75,943 people without Hajj permits, and 11,610 in breach of various regulations
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.
