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Kuwait Amir Congratulates King Salman on Successful Hajj Season | Photography: SPA KUWAIT, May 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the success of this year’s Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported. In a message to King Salman, Sheikh Meshal praised the care provided by the King, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi government during the 1447 AH Hajj season. He comme

Pilgrims Perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah at Grand Mosque | Photography: SPA MAKKAH, May 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Pilgrims performed Tawaf Al-Ifadah at the Grand Mosque on Wednesday after standing at Arafat, spending the night in Muzdalifah and stoning Jamrat Al-Aqaba. The ritual took place amid organizational, health and security services aimed at ensuring smooth movement and pilgrim safety. The Grand Mosque witnessed a large influx of pilgrims performing Tawaf Al-Ifadah und

Saudi Defense Health Services Deploys Four Air Ambulance Aircraft for Hajj | Photogrphy: SPA RIYADH, May 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s air medical evacuation department is participating in this year’s Hajj season with four fully equipped aircraft dedicated to emergency medical care for pilgrims. The department operates under the General Directorate for Health Services at the Ministry of Defense. The aircraft are assigned to provide advanced emergency medica

Grand Mosque imam urges pilgrims to follow Hajj permit rules | Photography: SPA MAKKAH, May 22 — Grand Mosque Imam Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly urged pilgrims to comply with official Hajj regulations and warned against performing Hajj without a permit during Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque. Sheikh Al-Muaiqly said violating Hajj regulations causes harm to others and disrupts the organisation and safety of the pilgrimage. He also highlighted the spiritual significance of the firs

Saudi interior minister reviews Hajj security forces readiness in Makkah | Photography: SPA MAKKAH, May 22 — Saudi Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif reviewed the readiness of Hajj Security Forces to implement operational and organisational plans for the 1447 AH Hajj season. The review took place during the annual ceremony of participating Hajj security forces in Makkah. Director of Public Security and Chairman of t

Saudi Civil Defense urges safe use of electrical appliances during Hajj RIYADH, May 20 — Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense urged pilgrims and Hajj campaign operators to use electrical appliances safely in accommodation facilities at the holy sites, SPA reported. The directorate warned against overloading electrical circuits, saying it could cause short circuits or fires. Civil Defense urged pilgrims and operators to follow safety instructions issued through

Saudi Arabia says visit visas do not authorize Hajj. (Photography: SPA) RIYADH, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior said visit visas of all types and categories do not authorize holders to perform Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ministry stressed that an official Hajj permit is mandatory to perform the ritual. It urged the public to comply with regulations for the 1447 AH Hajj season and cooperate with authorities to ensure the

Saudi Arabia warns against transporting visit visa holders to Makkah during Hajj season RIYADH, May 14 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah or the holy sites during the Hajj season will face fines of up to SAR100,000, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The penalty applies from the first day of Dhu Al-Qidah until the end of the 14th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah. The mini

Zain KSA launches AI-powered Smart Hajj Platform across 450 5G towers and deploys 1,240-strong workforce for 1447 AH season (Photography: Supplied) RIYADH, May 14, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi telecom operator Zain KSA has completed its technical and workforce preparations for the 1447 AH Hajj season, anchored by the launch of its Smart Hajj Platform – an AI-powered network management system designed to deliver intelligent, end-to-end connectivity across the Hajj

RIYADH, May 7 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned that citizens and residents who transport people without Hajj permits will face penalties including fines of up to SAR50,000 and imprisonment for up to six months, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ministry said authorities may also request court-ordered confiscation of the vehicle used in the violation. Expatriate violators will be deported after serving their penalties and banned from

RIYADH, May 7 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health and the Public Health Authority (Waqaya) have launched a comprehensive health guide for the Hajj season 1447 AH, available in eight languages – Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Persian, Indonesian, Turkish and Malay – to reach pilgrims of diverse nationalities. The guide covers health prevention across all stages of the pilgrim’s journey, with dedicated sections on protection against heat exhaustion

RIYADH, April 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia said any foreign national who remains in the kingdom after the expiry of an entry visa will face a fine of up to SAR50,000, up to six months in prison and deportation. The Interior Ministry called on the public to comply with regulations governing this year’s Hajj season and to cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims. It said violations would be subject to legal penaltie

📷 | SPA RIYADH, April 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior warned Saturday that holders of visit visas are not entitled to perform Hajj, announcing fines of up to SAR 20,000 for violators. The penalty applies to visit visa holders who enter, attempt to enter, or remain in Makkah and the holy sites between the first day of Dhul-Qi'dah and the end of the 14th day of Dhul-Hijjah. Residents and overstayers who attempt to perform Hajj without auth

SABN RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Public Security said arrangements requiring residents wishing to enter Makkah to obtain official permits took effect on Monday, with those lacking entry permits barred from entering the city. The measures apply to residents who do not hold a permit issued by the relevant authority to work in the holy sites, a resident identity document issued in Makkah, or a Hajj permit. Public Security said entry permits for resident

SPA RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior said residents wishing to enter Makkah will be required to obtain official permits starting Monday, April 13, as the Kingdom begins implementing arrangements for the 1447 AH Hajj season. The ministry said residents without the required permits would be denied entry to Makkah. Exemptions apply to holders of residency permits issued in Makkah, those holding a Hajj permit, and individuals wit

SPA Riyadh, March 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it has opened the Hajj package booking phase for citizens and residents within the Kingdom for the 1447 AH season. The ministry said applicants who registered their data can select and book packages via the Nusuk application or website, with payments processed through the SADAD system. It said the payment deadline is 72 hours until Dhu Al-Qadah 27, 1447 AH, after which it will be reduced