FaceOf: Dr. Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail, chancellor of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University

Dr. Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail
Updated 23 August 2018
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FaceOf: Dr. Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail, chancellor of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University

Dr. Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail is the chancellor of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, a faculty member of the Supreme Jurisdiction Institute, and an Islamic scholar who previously served as Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. 

Aba Al-Khail attained a bachelor’s degree in Shariah from the Fundamentals of Religion college at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in 1985, a master’s degree in Dawah and Ihtisab from the College of Shariah from Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in 1987, and a Ph.D. in comparative Fiqh from the Supreme Jurisdiction Institute from Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in 1992.

According to SPA, “Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University has supervised the Hajj Rituals Awareness Program for the guests of King Salman from the US in coordination with the Saudi Embassy in Washington. Aba Al-Khail said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for the US pilgrims includes the Hajj Rituals Awareness Program that includes holding meetings with scholars and sheikhs available at the holy sites.”

His work in education has included gathering and organizing Hadiths, and publishing a number of books from well-known scholars such as Ibn Othaimeen. He has written a number of books in the field of Fiqh, and conducted many types of research and studies, and participated in many Islamic and educational conferences and symposiums. 

His media contributions included as a column writer for Okaz newspaper for five years, a writer for the Islamic page of Arriyadiyah newspaper, and work for the Al-Dawah electronic newspaper. 


Visa holders can’t enter Makkah during Hajj season — Saudi interior ministry

Updated 8 sec ago
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Visa holders can’t enter Makkah during Hajj season — Saudi interior ministry

  • Between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims with Hajj permits can enter Makkah
  • Interior ministry says penalties to be imposed on anyone violating the rules

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced visit visa holders will not be allowed to enter or remain in Makkah during the Hajj season.
Between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims with Hajj permits may do so, with penalties imposed on anyone violating the rules.
The ministry emphasized that visit visas did not give the holder permission to perform Hajj. It also urged visitors currently in Saudi Arabia to avoid travel to Makkah during the specified period.
“Violators will be subject to penalties according to the Kingdom’s regulations,” said a statement from the ministry.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior said it would start imposing fines amounting to $2,666 on anyone, including Saudi citizens, caught entering Makkah without a Hajj permit between June 2-20.


First group of Yemeni pilgrims arrive for Hajj

Updated 8 min 44 sec ago
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First group of Yemeni pilgrims arrive for Hajj

RIYADH: The first Yemeni pilgrims to the Kingdom to perform Hajj this year arrived through Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.

The Saudi government simplified the Yemeni visitors’ travel with immigration officers ensuring entry procedures were carried out smoothly, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports “has exerted every effort to ensure that the entry of pilgrims is facilitated, equipping all international border crossings with advanced technology and trained staff proficient in different languages spoken by pilgrims,” the report added.

Saudi Arabia in 2019 launched the Makkah Route Initiative to help Hajj pilgrims from seven countries — Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye and Ivory Coast — with their visa, customs and passport requirements.

The government program issues visas electronically and collects biometric data, carrying out all travel procedures at the airports of the countries of departure, including ensuring that pilgrims have a clean bill of health. Baggage is coded and sorted to meet the transport and accommodation arrangements while pilgrims are in the Kingdom.

King Salman earlier ordered the hosting of 2,322 Hajj pilgrims, a group that includes 1,000 family members of Palestinians killed or wounded by Israel or held in Israeli prisons.


Visa holders may not enter Makkah around Hajj season

Updated 29 May 2024
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Visa holders may not enter Makkah around Hajj season

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced visit visa holders will not be allowed to enter or remain in Makkah during the Hajj season.

Between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims with Hajj permits may do so, with penalties imposed on anyone violating the rules.

The ministry emphasized that visit visas did not give the holder permission to perform Hajj. It also urged visitors currently in Saudi Arabia to avoid travel to Makkah during the specified period.

“Violators will be subject to penalties according to the Kingdom’s regulations,” said a statement from the ministry.

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior said it would start imposing fines amounting to $2,666 on anyone, including Saudi citizens, caught entering Makkah without a Hajj permit between June 2-20.


Saudi Arabia and Austria sign economic-cooperation pact

Updated 29 May 2024
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Saudi Arabia and Austria sign economic-cooperation pact

  • The pact was inked at the ninth session of the Saudi-Austrian Joint Committee in Vienna
  • The parties aim to encourage cooperation in trade, industry, research and development, tourism, and small and medium enterprises

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Ministry of Economy and Planning has signed a cooperation agreement with its Austria counterpart, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The pact was inked at the ninth session of the Saudi-Austrian Joint Committee in Vienna between the Kingdom’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim and Austria’s Labor and Economy Minister Martin Kocher.

The parties aim to encourage cooperation in trade, industry, research and development, tourism, and small and medium enterprises.

The countries will also organize conferences and seminars featuring experts in their fields.

The parties are committed to protecting mutual intellectual property rights, the SPA reported.

Saudi Arabia and Austria first signed economic, commercial, industrial and technology agreements in 2004.


Saudi Arabia reelected to Global Research Council leadership

Updated 29 May 2024
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Saudi Arabia reelected to Global Research Council leadership

  • The governing board voted unanimously to reelect Vice Chairman Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki at the body’s 12th annual meeting

RIYADH: The Kingdom has retained its leadership position in the Global Research Council, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The governing board voted unanimously to reelect Vice Chairman Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki at the body’s 12th annual meeting in Interlaken, Switzerland this week.

The reelection to this position, for the second time since the body’s establishment in 2012, confirms the council’s confidence in Saudi Arabia, the SPA reported.

The council highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in promoting research, development and innovation in the Middle East North Africa region, the report added.

The council comprises heads of research institutions that fund projects globally.