Sight Ramadan crescent on Tuesday
The Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to sight the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan on Tuesday evening (Shaban 29 corresponding to May 15).
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Makkah water services chief: Proportion of faltering projects have gone down
JEDDAH: Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to King Salman and governor of Makkah, discussed the works and projects of the National Water Co. (NWC) in the region, including 87 projects worth a total of SR6.8 billion ($1.8 billion). Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Ghamdi, director general of water services in Makkah, explained the NWC’s projects to Prince Khaled, notably the Smart Operation
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Two Holy Mosques gear up for Ramadan
The Civll Defense Directorate announced that it is fully geared up to serve the pilgrims and ensure their safety as it implements its general emergency plan for Makkah and Madinah during the holy month. Maj. Gen. Salem Al-Matrafi, director of Civil Defense in Makkah, said at a press conference on Thursday that Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Bin Naif has approved the plan. It will be implemented in cooperation and coordination with 32 government agencies. Brig. Gen. Abdurahman Al-Harbi, director of Civil Defense Department in Madinah, said that the plan will be implemented in two phases – first from Ramadan 1 to 20 and second from Ramadan 21 to Shawwal 1.
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Jeddah hotel occupancy falls amid rising supply
LONDON: Hotel occupancy in Jeddah fell to its lowest level in 14 years in April, with weakening demand combining with a surge in new supply. Occupancy slumped 13.5 percent year on year to 53.5 percent last month, according to hospitality research firm STR. Demand fell 4.8 percent year on year, while the supply of hotel rooms was up 10.1 percent.
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Makkah imam warns against fanaticism
Sheikh Bin Humaid, who is also former president of the Shoura Council, noted that the best way to address such undesirable tendencies is to promote tolerance and moderation in the curriculum so as to inculcate in the younger generation lofty values such as respecting and safeguarding the rights of other people. He also called for enacting regulations that prevent intolerance and fanaticism as well as to formulate clear policies to combat various forms of discrimination and injustice. “All the members of the media have to play a decisive role in this respect,” he said.
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Haj draws French citizens, youth, reveals new study
Dr. Jihan Safar added that the Haj market in France has been deeply transformed. In particular, travel agencies that organize the Haj have mushroomed. These agencies are diversifying their offer by proposing new attractive commercial products.
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Polio Vaccination Made Mandatory For Intending Pilgrims
Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has made polio vaccination, seasonal flu and vaccination against meningitis as mandatory for intending pilgrims of Government Hajj Scheme before departure to Saudi Arabia
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Saudi introduces eye-scan tech to keep track of visitors
The General Directorate of Passports says the system will help identify people that overstay their visa
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Emergency team to serve pilgrims in Ramadan
Meanwhile, Fawaz Badri, the international commercial arbitrator, said that about 3,000 hotels in Makkah have completed all arrangements to accommodate pilgrims and visitors during Ramadan.
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Sea route for Hajj to become operational from next year
Hajj pilgrims of India will be able to travel through sea route from the next year. The central government has begun necessary preparations in this connection. It has floated global tender seeking applications from shipping firms in this regard.
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Provide best services to Umrah pilgrims — King
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture will implement, organize, and invite the public and private sector agencies and environmental associations to participate in the environment week to be held each year in the first week of Spring.
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No Umrah fee for domestic pilgrims: Deputy minister
“We are introducing our new working mechanism to offer investment opportunities for the private sector. Most of the new initiatives related to 2030 Vision must be executed by the private sector. Makkah Economic Forum gave us the opportunity to present some of these investment opportunities.”
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