JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah concluded his official visit to Turkiye on Friday.
Al-Rabiah was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including government officials, partners of the Hajj and Umrah system, and representatives of the private sector and entities related to serving pilgrims.
The visit aimed to enhance cooperation and international communication and highlight the services provided by the Kingdom to facilitate the visit of additional Turkish pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques.
During his meeting with the Turkish President of the Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbas, Al-Rabiah stressed the keenness of the Kingdom’s government and all its sectors to develop the services provided to pilgrims and digitalize the Umrah procedures, which will significantly enrich the pilgrims’ experience and achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Al-Rabiah said that the efforts between both countries contributed to the arrival of more than 406 Turkish pilgrims during the 2022-2023 period, while the number of Turkish pilgrims since the beginning of the 2023-2024 Umrah season has exceeded 50,000 — a 60 percent increase compared to last year.
Saudi Hajj minister concludes visit to Turkiye
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Saudi Hajj minister concludes visit to Turkiye
- Al-Rabiah was accompanied by a high-level delegation
- The visit aimed to enhance cooperation and international communication
Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan
- Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.
The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.
In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.
Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class
- Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday.
Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added.
Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation
- The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission
RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.
The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.
The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.
The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.
By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.
Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations
- Several senior ministry officials attended
RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.
The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Restoration for Jouf’s Al-Saidan Mosque in crown prince’s project
- Mosque is second oldest in region of northern Saudi Arabia
- It will be expanded to accommodate 68 worshippers
RIYADH: The Al-Saidan Mosque is undergoing a restoration as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.
The site is a significant landmark in Dumat Al-Jandal, the location of several battles in early Islamic history. It is the second oldest mosque in the Jouf region in northern Saudi Arabia, after the Omar bin Al-Khattab Mosque.
It is currently undergoing expansion and restoration as part of the project, which focuses on preserving historic sites in the Jouf region.
Its area is to be extended from 179 to 202 sq. meters to accommodate 68 worshippers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The mosque was constructed by the Saidan tribe and features the Aba Al-Jibal well and an elaborate staircase leading to the ablution area. It used to be a place for Friday prayers, a courthouse, and a school for Qur’anic studies.
