Government | Sunday 11 September, 2016 12:30 pm

Pilgrims gather in Arafat for climax of Haj

Around two million pilgrims are spending the day in Arafat at the climax of Haj. The pilgrims chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (Here I am, O Allah, answering Your call) made the trip on Sunday morning from their solidly built white tents in Mina to the plain of Arafat. In Arafat,...

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Government | Sunday 11 September, 2016 9:51 am

After 35 years; Mufti steps down from delivering sermon in Namirah Mosque

After 35 years of delivering sermons and leading prayers in Namirah Mosque, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al-Asheikh, chairman of the Senior Scholars’ Commission and Ifta Council, has apologized from taking the job this year for health reasons. Al-Asheikh used to deliver the...

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Government | Saturday 10 September, 2016 11:48 am

SRCA taps 1,400 volunteers

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) has enlisted the services of 1,400 volunteers to help pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah and other holy sites during Haj this year. Mohammed Al-Qasim, acting chairman of the authority, said the SRCA has adopted a mechanism for the volunteers. “The...

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Government | Saturday 10 September, 2016 11:42 am

Pilgrims in Mina for the start of Haj

Pilgrims, both domestic and foreign, have gathered in the tent city of Mina on Saturday as this year’s Haj begins. With prayers on their lips, beads clutched in their fingers, water bottles in their hands, e-bracelets on their wrists and bags on their backs, they began the first leg of the...

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Government | Friday 9 September, 2016 12:09 pm

26,000 health officials deployed to serve Hajis

The Ministry of Health has fielded 26,000 of its officials to serve the guests of Allah during Haj, a senior official from the ministry said here Thursday. “The officials include medical, administrative and technical teams from different regions of the Kingdom, and they have already occupied ...

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Government | Friday 9 September, 2016 11:14 am

Over 4,500 scouts to assist pilgrims

More than 4,500 scouts will assist pilgrims in Makkah and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Scouts participating in this service are officials of Arab Scout Association Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Haj and Umrah, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Investment, and the Islamic...

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Government | Tuesday 6 September, 2016 10:20 am

King reviews preparations made for Haj

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman stressed the importance of coordinating efforts of government and private agencies to provide the best services to pilgrims. Chairing the Council of Ministers’ session here Monday, the King reviewed the preparations made for this year’s...

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Government | Monday 5 September, 2016 10:32 am

3,000 modern vehicles, 17,000 security men deployed for Haj

 A work force of 17,000 security men besides 3,000 modern vehicles have been mobilized to provide utmost safety to pilgrims. At a press conference held in Makkah, Civil Defense Commander for Haj Maj. Gen. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Mubaddal said that plans and preparations of the Civil Defense...

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Government | Monday 5 September, 2016 10:31 am

Saudi Arabia calls for closer ties between G20 allies

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held wide-ranging talks with several world leaders in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on the sidelines of the G20 summit on Sunday. The deputy crown prince’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Secretary of State John Kerry, British...

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Government | Sunday 4 September, 2016 9:43 am

Prince Muhammad to explain Vision 2030 to G20 leaders

Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, will explain Saudi Vision 2030 at the G20 Summit at the Chinese city of Hangzhou here on Sunday. Prince Muhammad arrived in China on Saturday after wrapping up his official visit to Japan. At the G20...

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