JEDDAH: Buses carrying 500 pilgrims from families of Palestinian martyrs within the guests of King Salman for Hajj and Umrah program, on Sunday evening departed from the Gaza Strip heading to Cairo airport in Egypt.
The head of the Committee of Pilgrims of Palestine, Mohammed bin Saad Al-Dossari, revealed that this number represents the first batch of 1,000 pilgrims, which includes pilgrims from the Palestinian governorates of North Gaza, Gaza, central Gaza, Khan Younes and Rafah.
“Following the intensive follow-up of officials of the Committee of Pilgrims of Palestine, coordinating with the King Salman program for Hajj and Umrah, buses carrying pilgrims from the families of martyred Palestinians headed to the Cairo airport,” Al-Dossari said.
The head of committee said that according to the approved plan for the pilgrims, the point of gathering pilgrims was located near the Rafah border crossing, to leave the Gaza Strip for Egyptian territory.
There is coordination with the Egyptian government to facilitate the procedures of entry to Egypt and until their arrival at Cairo International Airport.
500 Hajj pilgrims of families of Palestinian martyrs enroute to Saudi Arabia
500 Hajj pilgrims of families of Palestinian martyrs enroute to Saudi Arabia
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.
