MAKKAH: The Houthis have obstructed the departure of thousands of Yemeni pilgrims from areas under their control on their way to Makkah to perform Hajj, said Yemen’s Ministry of Endowments and Guidance.
The ministry’s undersecretary for Hajj and Umrah, Mukhtar Al-Rubash, said Houthi militias have seized the passports of more than 2,000 pilgrims and obstructed hundreds of others. In a statement carried by the Yemeni News Agency, he condemned the obstructions.
In Makkah, Dr. Ahmed Atiyah, Yemeni minister of endowment and guidance, received the first batch of pilgrims from his country.
He expressed appreciation for the coordination between Saudi and Yemeni officials in assisting pilgrims.
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Houthis obstruct Yemeni Hajj pilgrims
Houthis obstruct Yemeni Hajj pilgrims
King Abdulaziz Foundation reveals rare images from king’s 1916 Basra visit
- Photographs form part of a wider collection documented by British photographer Gertrude Bell
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation has revealed archival photographs documenting King Abdulaziz’s tour of the outskirts of Basra in 1916, a visit that came at an early stage of his efforts to build regional relationships.
One of the photographs, taken by British photographer Gertrude Bell, shows King Abdulaziz standing with his men in the Basra desert, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The image reflects his early political and diplomatic engagement in the region, as he sought to strengthen ties with neighboring areas and engage with the wider Arab and international community, SPA added.
The photograph forms part of a wider collection documented by Bell, which records key developments and transformations across the Arabian Peninsula during the early 20th century.
The Basra visit holds particular significance in King Abdulaziz’s journey as a unifying leader.
Rather than crossing borders in pursuit of power, the visit reflected an approach focused on stability, cooperation and long-term regional harmony, laying the groundwork for a leadership style defined by pragmatism and openness, SPA said.
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