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Weather Alert Issued for Makkah as Rain, Hail and Flash Floods Forecast MAKKAH, September 25, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology issued an alert for Makkah on Friday, forecasting moderate rain, hail, thunderstorms and possible flash floods, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The center also warned of strong winds and visibility falling to near zero. It said the conditions were expected to last until 11 p.m. Source: SPA

Saudi Arabia Condemns Houthi Drone Launch Toward Makkah RIYADH, September 16, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia condemned the launch of a drone that its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said was sent by the Houthis toward Makkah on September 15. The ministry praised the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces for intercepting and destroying the drone before it entered Makkah’s restricted airspace. It described the incident as the second attempt to target Makkah, following an

Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Houthi Drone South of Makkah, Coalition Says RIYADH, September 16, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone south of Makkah on Tuesday evening before it entered the city’s prohibited airspace, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said. Official Spokesperson for the Coalition Major General Turki Al-Malki said the drone was launched by the Houthi militia and was intercep

Hira Cultural District in Makkah to Launch Cultural Program on Monday | 📷SPA MAKKAH — Hira Cultural District in Makkah will launch a new cultural program on Monday, offering visitors a range of educational and entertainment activities through August 28, 2026. The program, part of the district’s cultural and enrichment initiatives, aims to strengthen visitors’ connection with the site and deepen understanding of its historical and cultural significance. Activities will run da

Makkah commission maps 20,000 sites, analyses nine million traffic images during Hajj | 📷spa MAKKAH, July 30 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Makkah authorities used geospatial technology to manage data for more than 20,000 landmarks and services and analyse nine million traffic images during the 1447 AH Hajj season. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites deployed the data to track movement, monitor roads and crowds and provide updated information to operational t

Holy Kaaba Aligns with Sun on Thursday in Rare Astronomical Event | Photography: SPA MAKKAH, May 25 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The sun will align directly over the Holy Kaaba on Thursday, May 28, at about 12:18 p.m. Makkah time, in an astronomical phenomenon used to determine the Qibla direction. Jeddah Astronomy Society Director Majed Abu Zahra described the alignment as a precise astronomical event that allows people to verify geographical and astronomical calculations

National Guard Minister inspects Hajj 1447 forces in Mina, inaugurates upgraded Al-Sharaie camp in Makkah | Photoraphy: SPA MINA, May 24 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz reviewed the military readiness of National Guard forces participating in this year’s Hajj mission. The forces are assigned to security and health-related duties in Makkah, the holy sites and Madinah during the 1447 Hajj season. Prince Ab

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

Photography | Courtesy of SPA RIYADH, May 3 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah offers visitors an overview of the history of the Holy Quran, its sciences and the development of its transcription through rare manuscripts and artifacts, state media reported. Among the exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating to the 12th century AH, or 18th century CE, reflecting the craftsmanship of Islamic arts an

📷 | 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

SPA MAKKAH, April 18 — Makkah marked World Heritage Day on Friday by highlighting efforts to preserve its historical, cultural and architectural legacy. Authorities continue to support initiatives aimed at protecting both tangible and intangible heritage through restoration and rehabilitation programs, as well as cultural events and interactive exhibitions. The city is home to historic districts, sites linked to early Islamic history, and museums and cultural centers that hel

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

Riyadh, March 23, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s National Center of Meteorology issued a red alert on Monday warning of heavy rain in the governorates of Adham and Al Lith in the Makkah region, including Bani Yazid, Jadhm and Yalamlam. The alert also covers open areas and highways, with expected impacts including strong winds, near-zero visibility, hail, flash floods and thunderstorms. The center said the weather condition is expected to begin at 10 a.m. o

SPA MAKKAH, March 18, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites reported that more than 64 million passengers were transported via shuttle bus services to and from the Grand Mosque during Ramadan, one of the busiest periods of the year. The shuttle transport system operated over 1.5 million trips using more than 2,600 buses across seven central stations, helping ease congestion and improve access to the Grand Mosque dur

SPA Riyadh, March 8, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – More than 31 million passengers used transport services in Makkah during the first third of Ramadan 1447 AH, the General Transport Center in the holy city said. The center said shuttle transport services to and from the Grand Mosque and the Makkah bus network carried the passengers as part of efforts to manage movement and facilitate access for residents, visitors and Umrah performers. More than 700,000 trips were opera

SPA Makkah, February 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Grand Mosque in Makkah has 13 minarets ranging in height from 98 to 137 meters, forming a skyline shaped by traditional Islamic design and modern engineering, with the towers positioned across major entrances. Each minaret follows a five-part structure consisting of a base, a primary balcony, a slender shaft, a secondary balcony and a crowning cap topped with a crescent moon. The minarets serve the religious fun

SPA Makkah, Jan 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Holy Quran Museum in Makkah’s Hira Cultural District is showcasing a rare quarter of the Holy Quran, featuring part 25 and estimated to date back to the 9th century AH (15th century AD). Written in Levantine Naskh script, the manuscript is marked by intricate decorative elements and gilding. The piece is preserved at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, with the display forming part of a collabora