JEDDAH: As many as 9,000 officers and soldiers will be assigned to protect the “Hajj metro” train service and passengers, a security chief said.
The Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, as the transport service is known, operates for one week a year during the main pilgrimage season.
The commander of the Facilities Security Forces, Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Jabari, said that his forces are ready to maintain the security of the train service this year.
Al-Jabari, in an exclusive interview with Arab News, said new military vehicles would be deployed for the first time this season to confront any possible terrorist threat.
Preparations and training of his forces are complete and will help in the smooth running of the train line, Al-Jabari said.
Facilities Security Forces are responsible for protecting public facilities, such as oil, electrical and other vital facilities, Al-Jabari said. The forces are about to take over the administration and protection of new posts, such as the Civil Affairs agency, health centers, Saudi Railway Company train stations, and the security forces’ hospitals in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
New command centers will also be opened for the forces in many regions.
Al-Jabari said that there are currently intensive overseas courses being conducted for 45 officers and 200 soldiers in different countries, and that they will be appointed as trainers upon their return to the Kingdom.
Facilities Security Forces, with direct support from the interior minister, recently received a number of armored vehicles and tactical weapons, which will be used to protect vital facilities in the Kingdom, Al-Jabari added.
Security chief: 9,000 Saudi officers to protect Hajj metro
Security chief: 9,000 Saudi officers to protect Hajj metro
National Water Co. conducts tests throughout Hajj
- Company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources
- Confirmed that it has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard
MINA: The National Water Co. is conducting tests to ensure water quality meets international standards for pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia during Hajj season.
The company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources, operational tanks, strategic storage tanks, and water networks at the holy sites.
It confirmed that it has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard.
Fixed and mobile laboratories in the holy sites conduct tests on samples collected by teams on a continual basis from primary water sources, operational and strategic reservoirs, and water systems in and around Makkah and other holy sites.
The teams consists of highly qualified, specialized staff who conduct over 4,100 tests daily.
Diriyah authority celebrates Eid with artistic performances
- Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations
RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority celebrated Eid Al-Adha by organizing a range of artistic and cultural shows.
Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations, including Diriyah’s parks, squares and neighborhoods, as well as the historic Al-Turaif neighborhood and the Bujairi Terrace.
The four-day events, which kicked off on the first day of Eid, included artistic and cultural programs and live shows in Al-Turaif, in addition to popular arts shows such as Ardah and Samri. About 25,000 gifts were distributed to citizens and visitors enjoying the activities, interactive shows and live music.
Also on the first day of Eid, the authority launched a service to manage the sacrificed animals, in accordance with approved standards and requirements. It supervised the organization and preparation process during the pilgrimage and arranged parking areas and waiting tents, in addition to distributing sacrificial bags to those wishing to perform the ritual.
This year’s events included Arabian horse shows, traditional henna decorations and the distribution of gift. Boxes of sweets were also handed out.
Crowds of people enjoyed Eid Al-Adha events at Bujairi Terrace. These included live musical shows using oud, rababa and qanun instruments, and pavilions where artists drew caricatured portraits of guests and children could have their faces painted.
Neuroradiology saves life of female Iraqi pilgrim
- Iraqi pilgrim received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed
- An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist treated the patient
MINA: A female Iraqi pilgrim suffered a stroke that caused her to lose the ability to speak and move on the right side of her body whilst in Saudi Arabia.
She received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed.
The Makkah Health Cluster said the Red Crescent transported the patient to the facility as soon as the incident was identified. An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist received the patient who immediately underwent the necessary medical examinations.
A CT scan showed a thrombus in the artery supplying the left lobe of the brain and thus, she was referred to the Interventional Neuroradiology Department.
Thanks to the interdisciplinary integration and rapid procedures, the patient was transferred to the catheterization ward in the Radiology Department. The clot was successfully removed using the latest technology and the patient’s blood supply to the brain was restored without major complications.
Saudi crown prince holds annual reception for officials performing Hajj this year
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held an annual reception for officials and dignitaries who are performing Hajj this year.
The reception, held on behalf of King Salman at Mina Palace on Monday, was also attended by the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, several princes, senior scholars, senior GCC officials, ministers, the commanders of military sectors, and scouts who performed Hajj this year.
The crown prince congratulated attendees on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and prayed that God accept the rituals of the pilgrims and help them complete the pilgrimage in safety and with reassurance.
“We thank God for honoring us with serving the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites, taking care of those who visit them, and ensuring their security and safety. We are proud to continue carrying out this great duty, and we are making efforts and harnessing all capabilities to provide comfort for pilgrims from their arrival until their departure,” Prince Mohammed told the gathering.
Talking about the war in Gaza, the crown prince said that “heinous crimes against our brothers in the Strip continue.”
900,000 copies of the Quran for pilgrims at Madinah airports
- Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs has meticulously prepared the Al-Khandaq, Sayyid Al-Shuhada, and Qiblatain mosques with an integrated service system
- Ministry has arranged for the distribution of copies of the Quran — a gift from the Saudi leadership — to departing pilgrims
MADINAH: Osama Madkhali, director of the Madinah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, said preparations are ongoing to assist departing pilgrims, especially those who quickly proceed to visit Madinah and leave through its airports.
He highlighted that coordination with the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran in Madinah has ensured the allocation of more than 900,000 copies of the Quran to the region. These copies have been stored and distributed to locations at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport in Yanbu, where the departure halls at both airports have been prepared to assist pilgrims.
The ministry has also completed its preparations to receive the first group of Hajj pilgrims, especially those departing quickly after fulfilling their Hajj rituals.
The ministry’s branch in Madinah has meticulously prepared the Al-Khandaq, Sayyid Al-Shuhada, and Qiblatain mosques with an integrated service system. This includes thorough cleaning, maintenance, air-conditioning units, water coolers and effective crowd management.
In addition to distributing guidance and awareness books to pilgrims visiting the large mosques, the ministry has arranged for the distribution of copies of the Quran — a gift from the Saudi leadership — to the departing pilgrims.
