One health leader assigned for every 50 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj
28 July 2020

One health leader assigned for every 50 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj

In an unprecedented move, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has assigned a health leader for every 50 pilgrims during this year's exceptional Hajj to ensure the implementation of all preventive measures in the aftermath of the global outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

Read article
Maintenance work completed on 491km of roads leading to Makkah in preparation for Hajj
28 July 2020

Maintenance work completed on 491km of roads leading to Makkah in preparation for Hajj

In preparation for this year’s Hajj, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Transport has completed the maintenance work of 491 kilometers of roads leading to the holy city of Makkah and has assigned buses for each pilgrim group with full precautionary measures.

Read article
Hajj continued uninterrupted throughout Islamic history, says study
28 July 2020

Hajj continued uninterrupted throughout Islamic history, says study

The results of a recent scientific study showed that the annual pilgrimage of Hajj was never interrupted or suspended throughout Islamic history.

Read article
Hajj symposium stresses importance of public health rules and their application
27 July 2020

Hajj symposium stresses importance of public health rules and their application

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Muhammad Saleh Benten inaugurated on Monday 45th annual Hajj Symposium titled "Public health rules and their scientific applications in the light of prophetic guidance and practices."

Read article
'Hajj is the best birthday gift for me'
27 July 2020

'Hajj is the best birthday gift for me'

Fawziya Mohamed, the 38-year-old Malaysian expatriate, couldn't believe her ears when she received a call from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia telling her that she was one of those chosen as pilgrims this year.

Read article
Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for downsized hajj amid coronavirus pandemic
27 July 2020

Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for downsized hajj amid coronavirus pandemic

Muslim pilgrims have started arriving in Mecca for a drastically scaled-down hajj, as Saudi authorities balance the kingdom's oversight of one of Islam's key pillars and the safety of visitors in the face of a global pandemic.

Read article
Violators fined SR160,000 for illegally entering holy sites
27 July 2020

Violators fined SR160,000 for illegally entering holy sites

Sixteen people have been caught and fined SR10,000 ($2,666) each over the past week for illegally trying to enter the holy sites, a Saudi Public Security spokesman was quoted by Saudi Press Agency (SPA) as saying.

Read article
Exceptional calm grips Jeddah Hajj terminal for first time in 40 years
27 July 2020

Exceptional calm grips Jeddah Hajj terminal for first time in 40 years

An exceptional calm pervades the Hajj terminal of King Abdulaziz International as it is not witnessing the roar of overhead planes for the first time during a Hajj season in the last 40 years.

Read article
Afghans missing out on Hajj focus on helping poor at home
27 July 2020

Afghans missing out on Hajj focus on helping poor at home

An Afghan man is using his time and Hajj savings to help poor people in his home country, following Saudi Arabia’s decision to severely restrict pilgrim numbers to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Read article
Saudi rulers have development of holy sites close to their heart
26 July 2020

Saudi rulers have development of holy sites close to their heart

Since King Abdulaziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, the country's dedication to Islam is demonstrated by its superb maintenance and continued expansion of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and other holy sites, enabling a greater number of Muslim pilgrims to perform the Hajj and Umrah (the minor pilgrimage).

Read article
Saudi medical cadres prepare for Hajj
26 July 2020

Saudi medical cadres prepare for Hajj

Field hospitals, medical staff and clinics are set up and ready at the holy sites ahead of the 2020 Hajj pilgrimage.

Read article
Grand Mosque readies for Hajj with intensified disinfection and sterilization
26 July 2020

Grand Mosque readies for Hajj with intensified disinfection and sterilization

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has intensified disinfection and sterilization at the Grand Mosque and its courtyards.

Read article