Secure, serene Hajj: King Salman hails interior minister

Agencies
August 27, 2018

Jeddah, Aug 27: King Salman sent a thank-you note to Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, interior minister and chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, congratulating him for Al-Adha and the success of this year’s Hajj.

The king said that the comprehensive security, regulatory and traffic plans for this year’s Hajj allowed 2.3 million pilgrims “to perform their duties with ease, security and reassurance in a serene environment.”

Significant efforts had been made by government and non-government bodies to serve pilgrims, he said.

The king said he prayed for God’s acceptance of pilgrims’ prayers and their safe return to their homelands, and wished success for Islam and Muslims.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a thank-you note to the prince. “We thank your Highness, provincial governors, members of the Supreme Hajj Committee, all participants in serving pilgrims, security personnel of all military sectors, governmental and non-governmental bodies for your congratulations and for what has been achieved thanks to everyone’s efforts and their readiness to serve pilgrims, under the supervision, follow-up and guidance of King Salman,” he wrote.

Earlier, the prince sent a thank-you note to the crown prince on behalf of princes, the Supreme Hajj Committee, provincial governors, members of the Interior Ministry and their co-workers, congratulating them for Al-Adha and the success of this year’s Hajj.

He said: “On my own behalf and on behalf of princes, members of the Supreme Hajj Committee, security personnel and the people who supported them from governmental and non-governmental bodies participating in this year’s Hajj work, I am honored to send you my most sincere congratulations on the pious occasion of Al-Adha, and may you be blessed with good health and wellness,” he wrote.

“I am also honored to congratulate you for the success of this year’s Hajj season, thanks to God, your Highness and King Salman’s care, support and guidance, which enabled pilgrims to perform Hajj with ease, security and reassurance with the services and facilities provided by Saudi Arabia, through an accurate implementation of Hajj’s security, preventive, regulatory and traffic plans with 2,371,675 pilgrims arriving in Arafat on the most important day of Hajj and standing in that mighty site.

“The traffic plan was implemented with accuracy; the arrival to Arafat was completed in record time, mobilization from Arafat to Muzdalifah then Mina was completed with ease and in accordance with careful organization, and the beginning of throwing pebbles, influx to the Grand Mosque to perform Tawaf Al-Ifada and completion of Hajj rituals following the guidance of the Chosen One were also performed with ease.

“The security situation was stable without the occurrence of any incidents, and was in accordance with strict discipline, immediate and careful surveillance of pilgrims’ conditions and all their movements during the performance of Hajj rituals. Health conditions were reassuring, and thanks to the exerted efforts, there was no emergence of epidemics,” he wrote.

The prince said that the success of this year’s Hajj was thanks to the “royal care and directions of King Salman and the crown prince, as well as the dedication of security personnel, members of civilian and military sectors that supported them in this Hajj season to perform this great duty.”

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Agencies
June 22,2020

Riyadh, Jun 22: The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MMRA) in Saudi Arabia has announced the continuation of the ban on providing Shisha (hubble-bubble), and the closure of children's play areas in restaurants as a precautionary measure for protecting the health of citizens and residents from the novel coronavirus COVID-19 infection.

The new stage, in which the Kingdom is beginning to coexist with the virus, focuses on the concept of "social distancing" that has emerged since the start of the coronavirus crisis throughout the world,

It stipulates leaving at least 2 meters between one person and the other in public places to prevent the transmission of infection, in addition to covering the mouth and nose by wearing a facemask.

It also specifies complying with the preventive protocols in workplaces, stores, shops, mosques and tourist attractions, with human gatherings not to exceed 50 people, as a maximum.

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News Network
March 23,2020

Dubai, Mar 23: The United Arab Emirates announced on Monday it will temporarily suspend all passenger and transit flights amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Emirati authorities "have decided to suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the UAE for two weeks as part of the precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19", reported the official state news agency, WAM.

It said the decision -- which is subject to review in two weeks -- will take effect in 48 hours, adding: "Cargo and emergency evacuation flights would be exempt."

The UAE, whose international airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are major hubs, announced on Friday its first two deaths from the COVID-19 disease, having reported more than 150 cases so far.

Monday's announcement came hours after Dubai carrier Emirates announced it would suspend all passenger flights by March 25.

But the aviation giant then reversed its decision, saying it "received requests from governments and customers to support the repatriation of travellers" and will continue to operate passenger flights to 13 destinations.

Emirates had said it will continue to fly to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, the United States and Canada.

"We continue to watch the situation closely, and as soon as things allow, we will reinstate our services," said the airline's chairman and CEO, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

Gulf countries have imposed various restrictions to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, particularly in the air transport sector.

The UAE has stopped granting visas on arrival and forbidden foreigners who are legal residents but are outside the country from returning.

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News Network
April 23,2020

Riyadh, Apr 22: In an extraordinary initiative, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to facilitate the travel of expatriates who have an exit and reentry visa or final exit visa to return to their countries.

This is in line with the order of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

According to the initiative, called “Auda” (return), expatriates can apply seeking permission for travel to their countries through the Absher portal of the ministry.

Announcing this, Saudi's Ministry of Interior said that the initiative will be implemented in cooperation with a number of relevant government agencies.

Requests for travel from expatriates will be received and approved in coordination with the relevant authorities to complete their travel procedures on board international flights.

As per the initiative, a text message will be sent to the beneficiary stating the travel date, ticket number and reservation details, and by which the beneficiary can obtain his travel ticket and complete the travel procedures.

Clarifying the procedures for the travel, the ministry said that the applicant shall select the icon (Auda) after visiting the Absher portal and fill the following fields: iqama (residency permit) number, date of birth, mobile number, departure city and airport of arrival.

It is not mandatory for the expatriate to have his own Absher account for availing of the service, the ministry said, adding that this facility is to enable expatriates to benefit from this initiative.

The departure will be through the following airports: King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Muhammad International Airport in Madinah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

Those expatriates who are outside these cities can benefit from the service through entering airport of departure after completion of their travel procedures in sufficient period of time.

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