Saudi Arabia unveils Haj traffic plan

September 25, 2014

Jeddah, SEP 25: The Traffic Department has sought the assistance of Tawafa organizations for the success of its plan for the Haj season this year.

Jeddah-Makkah“Tawafa organizations are an important partner for the success of the Haj traffic plan,” said Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Muqbil, director of traffic police and assistant commander of Haj security forces.

Addressing a meeting organized by the Tawafa Organization for Pilgrims from Arab Countries in Makkah, he explained the department’s plan for the Day of Arafat and the movement of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifa, as well as for the various divisions of Mina.

“I take this opportunity to advise all Tawafa organizations to follow the traffic regulations, which have been set out for the safety and security of pilgrims,” Al-Muqbil said.

Brig. Mohammed Al-Buqami, head of the traffic command, said a large number of traffic officers would be deployed on the roads to ensure smooth flow of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifa without traffic jams. Speaking at the meeting, Turki Al-Qurashi, head of the transport committee at Haj Ministry, urged Tawafa organizations to encourage their pilgrims to stay in Mina until 13 Dul Hijjah to avoid overcrowding at the circumambulation area around the Kaaba during Tawaf Al-Wida.

“It will also help reduce congestion at the central region of Makkah,” he said, adding that buses leaving Mina with pilgrims before 13 Dul Hijjah would be stopped.

Brig. Khaled Al-Dhubaib, commander of traffic in Arafat, disclosed plans to open the western, eastern, northern and southern ring roads on Dul Hijjah 8, allowing free movement of service vehicles.

“We will not allow any buses without pilgrims to enter Arafat,” the commander said. The parking area for the Tawafa organization for Arab pilgrims can accommodate 8,211 buses, he added.

Maj. Gen. Wasl Al-Harbi, commander of traffic for Muzdalifa, said there would not be any major change for the Haj plan except for the movement of vehicles on western King Faisal Bridge.

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News Network
July 5,2020

Riyadh, Jul 5: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has approved the extension of the validity of the expired iqama (residency permit) and exit and reentry visas of expatriates who are outside the Kingdom for a period of three months without any fee.

The iqama of expatriates inside the Kingdom as well as the visa of visitors who are in the Kingdom of which the validity expires during the period of suspension of entry and exit from the Kingdom will also be extended for a period of three months without any charge.

The validity of final exit visas as well as exit and reentry visas issued for expatriates, who are in the Kingdom, but were not used during the lockdown period will be extended for a period of three months without any fee, the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting an official source at the Ministry of Interior.

The ministry source said that these measures were taken as part of the continuous efforts made by the government of King Salman to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on individuals as well as on private sector establishments and investors, economic activities in the Kingdom, following the adoption of the preventive measures to stem the spread of the pandemic.

The beneficiaries of the King’s order include all expatriates who are outside the Kingdom on exit and reentry visas, which expired during the lockdown period and after lifting of the lockdown.

These expatriates are not in a position to return to the Kingdom due to the enforcement of suspension of international flight service and temporary ban on entry and exit from the Kingdom.

The beneficiaries also include those expatriates who are still in the Kingdom after issuance of final exit visas or exit and reentry visas but could not travel because of the suspension of entry and exit from the Kingdom.

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News Network
January 7,2020

Tehran, Jan 7: Iranian state television says 35 people have been killed and 50 others injured in a stampede that erupted at a funeral procession for a general slain in a US airstrike.

The TV says the stampede erupted in Kerman, the hometown of Gen. Qassem Soleimani where the procession was underway on Tuesday.

A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main thoroughfares and side streets in Tehran.

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Agencies
April 26,2020

Riyadh, Apr 26: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia has issued an order to partially lift the curfew in all regions of the Kingdom, to become from 9am to 5pm, starting Sunday through Wednesday May 13, while keeping a 24-hour curfew in the holy city of Makkah and in previously isolated neighbourhoods, state news agency (SPA) said early on Sunday.

The order also allowed the opening of some economic and commercial activities, which include wholesale and retail shops in addition to malls.

They can operate for two weeks, beginning on April 29 (Wednesday) until May 13 (Ramadan 6-20), however, certain shops within malls like beauty clinics, barber salons, gyms, cinemas, and restaurants will continue to be restricted from reopening.

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