King’s Hajj guests head to Madinah after completing pilgrimage under royal program
Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit departed Makkah for Madinah after completing the Hajj rituals, concluding a key stage of their pilgrimage under a royal initiative that this year hosted 2,500 pilgrims from 104 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The pilgrims completed the […]
Madinah Region Command hosts defense Hajj delegation
The Madinah Region Command welcomed guests of the Ministry of Defense on Saturday following completion of their Hajj. The guests included defense ministers, chiefs of staff, and senior army commanders participating in the ministry’s annual hosting program for military pilgrims from around the world. A specialized itinerary has been prepared for the delegation, including comprehensive […]
Saudi defense minister conveys leadership’s condolences to family of former Yemeni president Hadi
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman conveyed the condolences of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the family of former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi during a meeting in Riyadh on Saturday. Prince Khalid expressed his sympathies to Hadi’s family as well as to the government and people of Yemen […]
Saudi Arabia wraps up successful Hajj 2026, begins planning for next season
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior announced the successful conclusion of the Hajj 2026 season, saying preparations for next year’s pilgrimage have already begun even before the last pilgrims depart for their home countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency. More than 1.7 million pilgrims performed Hajj this year, according to figures released by the General […]
Saudi volunteers reflect on serving pilgrims during Hajj
For many Saudi volunteers, Hajj is not simply about organization, crowd management or guiding pilgrims through the holy sites. It is about witnessing fear turn into relief, confusion into reassurance, and strangers into people they may remain in touch with long after the pilgrimage ends. Across Makkah, Mina and the surrounding holy sites, volunteers work […]
Muslims begin the annual Hajj in sweltering heat against a backdrop of war concerns
The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, officially began Monday. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the country, Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said Friday. The faithful have been pouring into the country for the Hajj against the backdrop of […]
Journey of a lifetime: A look at what pilgrims will be doing over the next few days at Hajj
Saudi Arabia mobilizes vast healthcare, transport, and multilingual services as pilgrims perform Hajj rituals. Here is a look at the Hajj timetable for pilgrims over the next few days at the holy site. 1-MINA 8th of Dul Hijjah – Pilgrims arrive at the tent city of Mina, roughly 8 km away from the Grand Mosque in […]
Hajj pilgrim numbers surpass 2025 arrivals despite Middle East war
Over 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the kingdom for Hajj, according to a Saudi official, exceeding the number of international visitors last year despite the war in the Middle East. The conflict triggered by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February saw Tehran order waves of strikes […]
KSrelief expands Yemen aid efforts with cholera response, market and school rehab projects
The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has expanded its humanitarian operations in Yemen with new health, education and livelihood support projects, according to reports carried by the Saudi Press Agency. In the latest health initiative, KSrelief said its emergency cholera response project in Yemen provided medical services to 7,155 people between April 15 and 21. The […]
Global investors’ interest in Saudi startups is accelerating
A record-breaking number of venture capitalists are investing in Saudi Arabia’s thriving business environment, with the technology sector proving especially attractive, industry leaders have told Arab News. According to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s latest annual report, 2025 saw the Kingdom reach its highest record of venture capital investment — SR6.4 billion ($1.7 […]