Government | Monday 20 August, 2018 12:33 am

Saudi Arabia: Safety and security of pilgrims a top priority

More than two million pilgrims have converged in Mina on Sunday on their way to Arafat, the climax of the Haj, on Monday. The Kingdom considers their safety, security and well being a top priority and a red line that should not be crossed. "We are mainly concerned with the comfort and...

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Government | Monday 20 August, 2018 12:28 am

Process to place the Holy Kaaba's new 'Kiswa' begins

Every year, the old black silk cloth that covers the Kaaba is removed and a new one is draped on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hijjah, which falls on Monday Aug 20 this year. Known in Arabic as the “Kiswa,” the black and gold cloth that is wrapped around the Kaaba gets...

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Government | Sunday 19 August, 2018 4:30 am

Haj begins as over 2 million pilgrims converge in Mina

More than two million pilgrims have begun their lifetime spiritual journey by converging on the vast tent city of Mina since last evening. As the night wore on Saturday, all roads and highways leading into Mina were filled with pilgrims, most of whom traveled in buses and other vehicles while some...

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Government | Sunday 19 August, 2018 4:07 am

All eyes on Mina as Hajj begins today

Around 2 million pilgrims arrived in the Holy Land from outside and inside the Kingdom in preparation to set out from Makkah for Mina. They will retrace the noble tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and spend the Tarwiyah Day on Sunday in Mina. Here they will make final preparations...

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Government | Saturday 18 August, 2018 2:36 pm

Pilgrims will start setting out for Mina today

Around two million pilgrims will start streaming into Mina from Saturday evening, to spend the next day in the vast tent city, marking the beginning of this year’s Haj pilgrimage. The pilgrims, who performed Juma prayer Friday at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in...

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Government | Saturday 18 August, 2018 2:35 pm

Saudi Arabia prepares hundreds of mosques for Eid Al-Adha prayer

Nearly 470 mosques have been prepared for the Eid Al-Adha prayer, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Daawah and Guidance in Madinah announced Sheikh Fahad bin Sulaiman al-Tuwaijri,  Director-General of the ministry in Madinah, said that 469 mosques and places of prayer...

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Government | Saturday 18 August, 2018 1:19 am

Over 800 foreign journalists to cover Hajj

More than 800 foreign media workers will cover the Hajj rituals, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, Saudi minister of media, has announced. In addition, facilities have been provided for 151 media institutions and 27 international networks, while six official broadcasts and broadcasts in 10 languages ...

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Government | Saturday 18 August, 2018 12:20 am

More than 7,400 employees to provide telecom services during Hajj

The total number of employees providing ICT services for this year’s Hajj was 7,411, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) data. The 24/7 services are supervised by the Communications and Information Technology Commission in accordance with authorized service...

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Government | Friday 17 August, 2018 3:10 am

Saudi Commission for Tourism completes training for Hajj guides

In a breakthrough initiative for Tawafa institutions, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has completed the training of 135 male and female Tawafa guides — religious guides for Hajj pilgrims — who have obtained tour guide licenses. The training is the first...

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Government | Thursday 16 August, 2018 7:26 am

Coordination among Haj service bodies 'excellent'

Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has said he is extremely impressed by the high level of coordination among various government and private bodies involved in the pilgrimage service. The prince was addressing a press conference at Muzdalifah on Tuesday after inspecting the arrangements made ...

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