DHAKA: Pre-immigration facilities provided by Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrims in Bangladesh have helped reduce waiting times by several hours after their arrival at airports in the Kingdom, several of them said on Wednesday.
The program is part of Saudi Arabia’s Road to Makkah initiative, whereby pilgrims can complete immigration at airports in their home country instead of doing it on arrival in the Kingdom.
From this year, Bangladeshi pilgrims are enjoying pre-immigration facilities at Dhaka airport.
“Among the 127,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims, this year 60,500 of them will have the opportunity to complete the immigration formalities at Dhaka airport,” Bangladeshi Religious Affairs Secretary Anisur Rahman told Arab News.
“From next year, all Bangladeshi pilgrims will enjoy this pre-immigration system at Dhaka airport.”
Seventy immigration officials from Saudi Arabia are currently in Dhaka to accomplish pilgrims’ immigration tasks. Three Saudi organizations are working at Dhaka airport to accomplish these tasks.
At the airport, Saudi authorities have established 15 booths to serve pilgrims, who have to record 10-finger impressions in the Kingdom’s immigration database.
In addition, at the immigration counter officials take photographs of the pilgrims, Rahman said.
“The pre-immigration system was supposed to be launched from the first Hajj flight on July 4, but due to technical issues we couldn’t do that on the first day. However, things are now running very smoothly,” he added.
Abdul Kayum Bepari, a Bangladeshi pilgrim who completed his Saudi immigration formalities at Dhaka airport, told Arab News: “It’s an amazing experience. All immigration formalities were completed within a minute. When I performed Hajj in 2011, it took more than four hours for me to complete the immigration formalities at the Saudi airport.”
Bangladeshi pilgrim Sadek Ali told Arab News: “Everything is very disciplined. This pre-immigration system has truly eased the hassle of thousands of Bangladeshi pilgrims.”
Pilgrim Bulbuli Begum told Arab News: “My Saudi immigration formalities took only a few seconds to be completed.”
Pre-immigration support for Bangladeshi pilgrims will continue until the last Hajj flight, which is scheduled on Aug. 5.
“We’re trying to ensure maximum support and comfort to the pilgrims,” said a Saudi immigration official at Dhaka airport.
“They don’t even need to worry about luggage. Once the pilgrims land at a Saudi airport, they’ll immediately board hotel-bound buses and will receive their luggage at the hotel.”
Hajj pilgrims praise Saudi support at Dhaka airport
Hajj pilgrims praise Saudi support at Dhaka airport
- Seventy immigration officials from Saudi Arabia are currently in Dhaka to accomplish pilgrims’ immigration tasks
- At the airport, Saudi authorities have established 15 booths to serve pilgrims, who have to record 10-finger impressions in the Kingdom’s immigration database
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief donates tonnes of dates and food aid to families in need
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has donated 40 tonnes of dates to Malaysia and Poland, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
In Warsaw, Poland, 15 tonnes of dates were handed over, while in Malaysia a further 23 tonnes were distributed as part of the agency’s ongoing work to assist those most in need.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance launched the Kingdom’s gift program to distribute dates and iftar meals in Amman, Jordan.
The first stage involves the delivery of approximately 5 tonnes of dates to more than 20,000 people.
The second part of the program aims to provide iftar meals to over 7,000 people.
KSrelief also provided 2,900 food aid parcels to Montenegro, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Benin and Sudan, benefiting 14,275 people.
Crown prince receives governors of Saudi regions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received governors of the Kingdom’s regions following their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The Crown Prince was briefed on the most prominent topics discussed at the annual meeting.
He commended the governors’ efforts to serve the country, citizens and residents, and their work to achieve comprehensive development.
Saudi Arabia to host conference on role of universities in promoting peaceful coexistence
- The event will take place at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University on April 28 and 29
RIYADH: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh will host an international conference next month titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence.” It will take place on April 28 and 29 under the patronage of King Salman.
Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, the president of the university, thanked the king for his support and said the aim of the event is to “highlight the experiences of universities in promoting these lofty values, and to demonstrate the importance of correct doctrine and the approach of moderation,” the Saudi Press agency reported on Wednesday.
The participants will include leaders, dignitaries, scholars and intellectuals from the Kingdom and other countries, he added, who will share their specialist legal, scientific and social expertise during lectures, discussion sessions and workshops.
Weather warnings issued across Saudi Arabia until Monday
RIYADH: Members of the public have been urged to exercise caution over the coming days as weather warnings have been issued in several regions across Saudi Arabia.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense said there could be thunderstorms from Thursday to Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Moderate to heavy rain, leading to torrential rain, hail and high wind, has been forecast for Makkah region, including the Holy Capital, Al-Jumum, Al-Kamil, Bahra, Khulais, Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Ardiyat, Tarbah, Raniyah, Al-Muwayh, and Al-Khurmah.
The Riyadh region will be affected by similar weather conditions, including the capital, Diriyah, Afif, Al-Dawadmi. Al-Quwayiyah, Al-Majma’ah, Thadiq, Marrat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, Rumah, Huraymila, Darma, Al-Muzahmiyah, Al-Kharj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Salil, Al-Aflaj, Hotat Bani Tamim and Al-Hareeq.
The same has been forecast for the regions of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Border, Hail, Al-Qassim, and the Eastern Province.
Some parts of Makkah region, including Jeddah, Rabigh, Al-Laith, Al-Qunfudhah, will be affected by moderate rainfall that may lead to torrential rain, hail and high winds.
Some areas in the regions of Jazan, Najran and the Eastern Province will be affected by light to medium rain and active downward winds that raise dust and dirt, the authority added.
The directorate called on the public to stay safe and away from places which could be affected by floods or become swamped. It urged people not to swim in such places as this would be dangerous, and to adhere to any instructions issued through the media or social media networks.
Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. honors winners of mosque design competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. concluded an architectural design competition for Diriyah mosques, with the participation of a number of talented male and female architects, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday
The Diriyah Mosques Architectural Design Competition aims to showcase their skills and contribute to developing the architectural landscape of Diriyah through their participation in the contest to support local creative talent in Islamic architecture and promote the development of sustainable construction.
The winners were announced during the annual Diriyah Suhoor at the Bujairi Terrace in the heart of the historic Wadi Hanifah.
Participants were invited to submit designs for two mosques in Diriyah in the Najdi style and constructed within the project’s master plan, using traditional building techniques and materials from the region.
Participating students were required to be familiar with traditional construction methodologies and apply them in their designs through this competition, which sought to achieve a set of goals to serve the local community and visitors.
The two mosques reflect the rich cultural heritage that characterizes Diriyah and the authentic architectural style of the region, as the competition is part of Diriyah Co.’s commitment to consolidating the traditions of distinctive Najdi architecture and enhancing community participation in Diriyah development projects.
A total of 170 submissions from groups and individuals were nominated for meeting the criteria set by the competition and the final stage of the competition witnessed the evaluation of the best 11 designs by the jury, which consisted of a number of highly qualified professional architects.
The evaluation criteria focused on the compatibility of the designs with the master plan for Diriyah, the design brief and their integration with the ancient heritage of Diriyah.
Three groups consisting of 12 participants emerged victorious and the winning entries were distinguished by their creativity and sustainability and their highlighting of Najdi culture and heritage.
The two winning designs for first and second place will be used in building the two mosques, which will contribute to developing the urban landscape and enabling the community to participate in the development of Diriyah.
The competition was launched in July and received widespread interest, as 539 male and female students from 31 universities took part, including 27 from the Kingdom, a university from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and three international institutions.
A total of 296 designs were submitted by both individual and groups of three to five students.