MINA: Agencies involved in Hajj preparations are ready to serve more than 2 million pilgrims, a senior Saudi official said.
Pilgrims have arrived in preparation for the “Day of Tarwiyah,” which falls today, said Interior Ministry Spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki.
He said the Hajj plan would serve over 2 million pilgrims, including 1,747,440 who have already arrived from abroad and another 200,000 from inside Saudi Arabia, including citizens and residents.
Al-Turki stressed the efforts made at the entrance to the holy sites to detect any violations of Hajj regulations. He said more than 400,000 people have been turned away for lacking Hajj permits.
A total of 208,236 cars driven by those without the correct permits were turned away, while another 3,296 vehicles were seized at the entrances to Makkah, officials said.
Hatim bin Hassan Qadi, adviser to the minister of Hajj, announced the completion of the first phase of the pilgrim-receiving plan through the entry points in Makkah and Madinah.
He said 19,500 buses transported pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah while another 38,000 buses transported pilgrims from other areas. Pilgrims will later be transported to Mina by 9,000 buses.
Qadi affirmed the readiness of camps in Mina to receive pilgrims and said that both public and private sectors are working to serve the pilgrims.
The Hajj plan also includes myriad medical facilities for pilgrims.
Ahmad bin Rayan Barayan, general supervisor of public relations and media at the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA), said the facilities include 133 ambulance centers run by 78 physicians and specialists and 2,500 administrative employees and technicians.
He said there are 25 teams assigned for advanced response that will support field-ambulance teams, in addition to other ambulance teams.
There are four well-equipped air ambulances while 500 male and female volunteers will serve at the Grand Mosque and Arafat sites.
Health Ministry Spokesman Mishaal Al-Rabian announced the completion of the ministry’s preparations for the current Hajj season through the preparation of 25 hospitals and 155 medical centers at the holy sites. These are supported by 100 small ambulances working as mobile intensive-care units, which are capable of reaching crowded areas to attend to the injured.
Al-Rabian said 21 pilgrims who were earlier admitted to hospitals in Madinah were on Tuesday transferred to Arafat General Hospital to allow them perform the Arafat Day ritual.
He said the ministry prepared more than 285 special rooms to receive cases of heat stress and sunstroke, while medial teams carried out free-of-charge operations including open heart procedures, cardiac catheterization, dialysis and other medical services.
Civil Defense Spokesman Col. Abdullah Al-Harthi said the first phase of the emergency plan of the current Hajj season had been completed without any incident that could have adversely affected the safety of pilgrims.
He said the number of agencies involved in the emergency plan had increased from 19 to 32, with five mock incidents carried out to prepare them.
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj agencies ‘ready to serve over 2m pilgrims’
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj agencies ‘ready to serve over 2m pilgrims’
SDAIA Academy opens registration for quantum computing boot camp
- 5 hours of daily training offered, from Jan. 11-15
RIYADH: The SDAIA Academy has opened registration for a five-day quantum computing boot camp aimed at building national capabilities in one of the world’s most advanced and complex computing fields.
The boot camp will run from Jan. 11 to 15, offering five hours of daily training, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It is organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and targets professionals and specialists in computer science and related disciplines.
According to the SDAIA, the program is designed to equip participants with a foundational understanding of quantum computing and its potential applications, as Saudi Arabia steps up investments in advanced and emerging technologies, aligned with Vision 2030.
Quantum computing differs fundamentally from classical computing by relying on quantum mechanics rather than binary logic.
While still an emerging field, it is widely expected to reshape areas such as cybersecurity, optimization, advanced simulation and data-intensive research.
The boot camp will introduce participants to the physical and mathematical principles that underpin quantum computing, including the behavior of qubits, quantum superposition and entanglement.
It will also examine how quantum systems differ from traditional computing architectures and where quantum approaches may offer advantages.
In addition to theory, the program places a strong emphasis on applied training.
Participants will receive hands-on exposure to designing and running quantum algorithms using industry-recognized tools and platforms, including Qiskit and CUDA-Q.
These tools are currently used in research and early-stage development environments worldwide.
Organizers say the practical component aims to prepare participants to engage with real-world quantum computing workflows rather than limiting training to conceptual knowledge.
The goal is to build early-stage technical readiness among Saudi professionals, as global interest in quantum technologies accelerates.
The collaboration with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals reflects a broader push to link national digital initiatives with academic and research expertise.
KFUPM has played a central role in developing technical talent in engineering, computing and applied sciences, fields closely connected to quantum research.
The SDAIA has increasingly focused on capability-building programs that support Saudi Arabia’s long-term digital and data strategy.
Training initiatives in artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and emerging technologies are viewed as essential in reducing reliance on external expertise and strengthening local innovation ecosystems.
Officials say the quantum computing boot camp forms part of this wider effort to develop specialized skills that may not yet be widespread in the local labor market but are expected to become strategically important in the coming decade.
The program also aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030 related to human capital development and the transition toward a knowledge-based economy, particularly in high-value technology sectors.
Registration for the boot camp is open until Jan. 6. Applicants can register through the SDAIA’s official training platform.
