Arafat’s Namirah Mosque equipped with advanced comfort features for pilgrims

Arafat’s Namirah Mosque equipped with advanced comfort features for pilgrims
Namirah Mosque draws millions of pilgrims for the Dhuhr and Asr prayers on the Day of Arafat. (SPA)
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Updated 05 June 2025
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Arafat’s Namirah Mosque equipped with advanced comfort features for pilgrims

Arafat’s Namirah Mosque equipped with advanced comfort features for pilgrims
  • The mosque features six 60-meter minarets, three domes, 10 main entrances with 64 doors, and a radio room for live satellite broadcasts of the Arafat sermon

RIYADH: Namirah Mosque, a pivotal religious and historical landmark in Arafat, draws millions of pilgrims for the Dhuhr and Asr prayers on the Day of Arafat.

It spans more than 110,000 sq m and accommodates about 350,000 worshippers.

The mosque features six 60-meter minarets, three domes, 10 main entrances with 64 doors, and a radio room for live satellite broadcasts of the Arafat sermon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

For this Hajj season, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has covered the mosque with 125,000 sq. m of luxurious carpets and initiated extensive development projects.

These measures include installing 19 canopies (reducing the temperature by 10 degrees Celsius), applying reflective paint to the floors, and operating 117 misting fans (reducing the temperature by 9C).

The ventilation and air-conditioning system has been upgraded with smart controls, renewing the air completely twice an hour.

Health services now include 70 water cooling units, serving up to 140,000 pilgrims an hour.

A comprehensive restoration also included upgrades to thermal and water insulation, flooring, paint, LED lighting, electrical panels and drainage systems.

The mosque also features an advanced audio system, security cameras, and 72 controlled entry and exit gates, all managed by 24/7 operations teams.

In related efforts, Kidana Development Co., the main developer of the holy sites, has implemented support projects around Namirah Mosque.

These include installing 320 canopies and 350 sprinkler columns, and planting more than 290,000 sq m of greenery (exceeding 20,000 trees) to enhance pilgrims’ comfort and spiritual experience.


Makkah’s Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition unveils 1,400 years of sacred architecture

Makkah’s Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition unveils 1,400 years of sacred architecture
Updated 1 min 3 sec ago
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Makkah’s Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition unveils 1,400 years of sacred architecture

Makkah’s Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition unveils 1,400 years of sacred architecture
  • Immersive experience showcases history, transformation of Islam’s most sacred sites
  • Exhibition fuses traditional and contemporary Islamic design, with rare artifacts, architectural models on display

MAKKAH: Visitors to Makkah are being offered an unprecedented journey through Islamic architectural history, showcasing the remarkable evolution of the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque across 14 centuries of development.

The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition, housed in a renovated 1,200 sq. meter facility in the Um Al-Joud neighborhood, is presenting rare artifacts and architectural models that document the transformation of Islam’s most sacred sites.

The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition, housed in a renovated 1,200-square-meter facility in the Um Al-Joud neighborhood, is presenting rare artifacts. (SPA)

The exhibition building itself exemplifies the fusion of traditional and contemporary Islamic design, with architectural elements deliberately echoing the Grand Mosque’s distinctive style.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, this design philosophy creates an immersive environment in which visitors experience visual and cultural connections to the sacred spaces.

FASTFACT

The exhibition building exemplifies the fusion of traditional and contemporary Islamic design, with architectural elements deliberately echoing the Grand Mosque’s distinctive style.

Following comprehensive upgrades, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched the exhibition’s trial operations phase. The modernization included complete technical infrastructure overhauls, contemporary presentation methods for historical artifacts, and sophisticated lighting systems that illuminate intricate details while enhancing the visitor experience.

The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition, housed in a renovated 1,200-square-meter facility in the Um Al-Joud neighborhood, is presenting rare artifacts. (SPA)

The exhibition’s renewed mission extends beyond simple display, aiming to transmit the Two Holy Mosques’ heritage to both Islamic communities and global audiences, the SPA said.

Through interactive experiences and educational programming, the facility seeks to broaden understanding of Islamic architectural principles, while connecting contemporary visitors with their civilizational roots.

Those interested in visiting can schedule appointments through the official booking portal at https://visits.alharamain.gov.sa/

 


Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques launches Umrah season programs

Muslims pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in Makkah early on June 6, 2025. (AFP)
Muslims pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in Makkah early on June 6, 2025. (AFP)
Updated 1 min 10 sec ago
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Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques launches Umrah season programs

Muslims pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in Makkah early on June 6, 2025. (AFP)
  • The presidency will enhance the devotional atmosphere via religious and scholarly initiatives and programs throughout the season

MAKKAH: The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques is preparing to enhance its program for the upcoming Umrah season through an initiative aimed at welcoming pilgrims, worshippers and visitors, and raising awareness about rituals.

The presidency explained that the centers for responding to religious inquiries have been enhanced through both on-site locations and telephone services. These are distributed across 10 sites inside and outside the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in addition to four dedicated offices for phone-based inquiries.

A total of 62 participating scholars, including judges and university faculty members, are available around the clock to respond to inquiries.

The presidency will enhance the devotional atmosphere via religious and scholarly initiatives and programs throughout the season. The plan also seeks to recruit volunteers to serve in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

 


Saudi Arabia re-elected to IGC administrative committee

Saudi Arabia re-elected to IGC administrative committee
Updated 1 min 16 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia re-elected to IGC administrative committee

Saudi Arabia re-elected to IGC administrative committee
  • Saudi General Food Security Authority Chairman Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Fares said that Saudi Arabia’s renewed committee membership confirmed its expanding role in international forums

RIYADH: The International Grain Council re-elected Saudi Arabia as a member of the administrative committee for the 2025-2026 session during its 62nd meeting in London on Thursday, retaining the Kingdom among 16 elected members chosen from 30 countries.

Saudi General Food Security Authority Chairman Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Fares said that Saudi Arabia’s renewed committee membership confirmed its expanding role in international forums and its significant economic influence on both international and regional stages.

Since joining the board on Sept. 1, 2010, the Kingdom has actively contributed to board decisions that enhance global grain market stability.

 


Tabuk Municipality intensifies inspection campaigns

Around 46 kilograms of spoiled raw materials and 54 kilograms of rotten meat were confiscated. (SPA)
Around 46 kilograms of spoiled raw materials and 54 kilograms of rotten meat were confiscated. (SPA)
Updated 1 min 28 sec ago
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Tabuk Municipality intensifies inspection campaigns

Around 46 kilograms of spoiled raw materials and 54 kilograms of rotten meat were confiscated. (SPA)
  • Al-Atwi said that the most prominent violations included the absence of health certificates for workers

TABUK: Tabuk Municipality has launched intensified inspection campaigns aimed at monitoring the compliance of food and commercial establishments with municipal requirements.

Owaid Al-Atwi, deputy mayor for licensing and compliance, said that 1,253 field visits were conducted as part of the campaign, resulting in 184 establishments being issued warnings, and seven others being shut down due to more serious violations.

In addition, 46 kilograms of spoiled raw materials and 54 kilograms of rotten meat were confiscated.

Al-Atwi said that the most prominent violations included the absence of health certificates for workers. He emphasized that these efforts are made to ensure the provision of safe and healthy food services and to enhance establishments’ adherence to approved health standards.

 


Authorities thwart smuggling attempt through Jeddah Islamic Port

​​​The authority’s spokesman Hamoud Al-Harbi said that a shipment containing a grinder arrived through Jeddah Islamic port. (SPA
​​​The authority’s spokesman Hamoud Al-Harbi said that a shipment containing a grinder arrived through Jeddah Islamic port. (SPA
Updated 1 min 32 sec ago
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Authorities thwart smuggling attempt through Jeddah Islamic Port

​​​The authority’s spokesman Hamoud Al-Harbi said that a shipment containing a grinder arrived through Jeddah Islamic port. (SPA
  • Al-Harbi said that the authority then coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control and the intended recipient of the shipment was arrested

RIYADH: The Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 1,719,806 amphetamine pills through Jeddah Islamic Port. The pills were found hidden in equipment sent to the Kingdom through the port.

​​​The authority’s spokesman Hamoud Al-Harbi said that a shipment containing a grinder arrived through Jeddah Islamic port. Upon undergoing customs procedures and inspection using security technology and live detection methods, the pills were found hidden inside the shipment.

Al-Harbi said that the authority then coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control and the intended recipient of the shipment was arrested.

He added that the authority continues to strengthen customs oversight on the Kingdom’s imports and exports, with the aim of safeguarding society and protecting it from harm.