Health and safety tips for Muslim pilgrims

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Pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SPA)
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Umrah pilgrims pose for a souvenir picture at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SPA)
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A night scene at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. (SPA)
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Muslims take some rest after Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on May 25, 2018. (REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah)
Updated 28 May 2018
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Health and safety tips for Muslim pilgrims

  • Moving personal belongings to the Grand Mosque and its squares is prohibited.
  • Observe these tips for a hassle-free pilgrimage

Performing Umrah and praying at the Grand Mosque during Ramadan leads to a much greater movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the roads leading to the central area surrounding the Grand Mosque. This requires exceptional organizational procedures for transporting pilgrims and worshipers and managing their movements inside the Grand Mosque and on the roads leading to it.
Our goals are to maintain your safety and to facilitate your Umrah rituals with ease, tranquility and placidity.

How to reach?
The density of pedestrian traffic is very high on all roads leading to the Grand Mosque and continues for hours before, during and after prayers all the time.
To keep your safety and facilitate your way to the central area surrounding the Grand Mosque, the roads in the central area surrounding were specified for the pedestrian movement during the time of prayers. Pilgrims and worshipers are transported to the central area around the Grand Mosque and their accommodation using public transport buses from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and 13 parking spaces to nine other public transport stations around the Grand Mosque. 




Buses used for Umrah have designated loading and unloading areas in the holy sites. (SPA file photo)


Vehicles driven by drivers seeking to perform Umrah must park at the parking areas at entrances to Makkah and use public transport to their destination.
Traffic men are stationed at 34 locations on the roads leading to the Grand Mosque to follow up on the traffic status and take all necessary measures to keep pedestrians safe. They compel the vehicles used to transport worshipers and pilgrims to Makkah to go to public or private parking spaces. They prevent all types of vehicles from parking on the roads and in locations affecting pedestrian safety. They prevent motorbikes and bicycles from using roads in the central area, and to be used for charge-paid transportation.

You can reach the Grand Mosque using one of the following options:
Using public transport buses from King Abdulaziz International Airport to public transport stations around the Grand Mosque.
Using transport services between parking spaces inside the Holy Places and the public transport stations in the central region.
Using taxis to the nearest site of the Grand Mosque or to your place of accommodation.
Using private cars driven by non-pilgrims to the nearest site of the Grand Mosque or to your place of accommodation.
Walking from your place of accommodation in the central area and adjacent neighborhoods.

What you should know before heading to the Grand Mosque
The absorptive capacity defines the number of visitors who can perform prayers in the Grand Mosque and in its precincts. This capacity decreases when performing the “Taraweeh” and “TaHajjud” prayers to enable pilgrims to perform “Tawaaf” and “Saa’i,” requiring the evacuation of the “Mataf” and the “Masa’a.”.
Because of the large turnout of pilgrims and worshipers and with the view of maintaining their safety, all roads leading to the Grand Mosque are reserved for pedestrians before prayers and one hour or more after, according to the number of pedestrians. This period is extended to two hours during Friday prayers, and for prayers during the last 10 days of Ramadan and Fitr prayers.

How to move in the Grand Mosque and the surrounding area:
The external and internal area of the Grand Mosque is equipped with pedestrian corridors that cannot be used for sitting, waiting or praying.
Illuminated signboards: When you enter the gates you will find signboards. When they light up in green it means that you have access to the Grand Mosque through this gate, but when it lights up in red, there is no access through this door owing to congestion.




The external and internal area of the Grand Mosque is equipped with pedestrian corridors that cannot be used for sitting, waiting or praying. (SPA photo)


Safety tips:
Move calmly, abide by traffic directions, pay attention to the elderly and other worshipers and pilgrims, and follow the instructions of the security personnel.
Move slowly when heading to public transport stations immediately after the prayer. Maintain your calm and abide by the instructions of security personnel.
Avoid obstructing pedestrian traffic by gathering in the external areas of the Mosque or by stopping by street vendors.
Pilgrims cannot perform their prayers at the doors of the Grand Mosque, near the entrances and exits of escalators, on the pedestrian corridors, on the roads and streets leading to the Mosque, on the entrances and exits of car tunnels and in front of toilets.

General instructions:
Some children who are taken to the Grand Mosque lose their parents, thus there is a dire need to monitor and take good care of them. 




Parents should make sure not to leave children alone while in crowded areas where they can easily get lost. (SPA file photo)


Pilgrims and worshipers must stay away from work or maintenance areas inside and outside the Mosque. 
Smoking, begging, taking pictures, or selling goods are prohibited inside the Mosque and surrounding areas.
Electrical plugs reserved for maintenance work cannot be used for personal purposes to avoid any electrical short-circuit that may affect the signboards in the Grand Mosque.
It is prohibited to play with escalators, regular stairs or carts inside the Grand Mosque.
It is prohibited to tamper with any of the firefighting tools such as the fire extinguishers, firefighting water hoses or fire alarms.

Prohibitions:
Carrying and entering weapons and all types of sharp tools into the Grand Mosque and its squares.
Conducting any act that would affect the pilgrims and worshipers’ safety and tranquility or would hinder facilitating the performance of Tawaf, Saa’i and praying.
Entry of motorcycles and bicycles into the areas of the Grand Mosque is prohibited.
Moving personal belongings to the Grand Mosque and its squares, or suspending them on the windows of the Grand Mosque from inside and outside, or leaving them in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque. Such belongings can be kept in the boxes allocated to this end in the courtyards.


Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict during call

Updated 8 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict during call

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday received a phone call from Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed several issues of common interest. 
They also discussed developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts to resolve the conflict.


Ithra Film Production announces new projects at film festival

Updated 29 min ago
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Ithra Film Production announces new projects at film festival

  • The IFP seeks to highlight Saudi stories and discover new voices

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center, or Ithra, announced 15 new film projects this week at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which concludes on May 9.

The Saudi film funding program selected four features and 11 short films from 170 submissions over the past year.

The entries were submitted by emerging Saudi filmmakers vying to take their concepts from the drawing board to silver screens across the globe.

Since its inception six years ago, the IFP has played a vital role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing film industry, by nurturing home-grown talent and fostering cinematic content through commissioning and co-funding opportunities.

The IFP seeks to highlight Saudi stories and discover new voices and creative storytellers with the ultimate goal of having their films showcased on national and international platforms.

After reviewing an unprecedented number of high-quality submissions, the jury ultimately settled on the 15 films that together comprise an array of unique untold stories presented by talented storytellers who tapped into Saudi Arabia’s rich culture for ideas.

IFP also introduced a range of initiatives aimed at providing platforms for film producers, advancing standards of excellence in filmmaking and empowering new talent in the region.

Additionally, they host numerous workshops and seminars in the field of representation and production, writing and directing, among others.

Since its first film in 2018, IFP has funded 20 titles and produced four which have been showcased at 95 film festivals across the globe, winning 34 awards.

This includes “Hajjan” which most recently won three awards at the Gulf Film Festival including best feature, best actor and best cinematography.


Diriyah’s JAX District granted status of industrial heritage site

JAX is home to a striking assembly of large warehouses that once formed an important industrial center in Riyadh region.
Updated 08 May 2024
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Diriyah’s JAX District granted status of industrial heritage site

  • Recognition by Saudi Heritage Commission honors the district for its role in the evolution of industry in the Kingdom and its role in shaping society
  • District, named after the company that established it in the 1970s, contains a striking assembly of warehouses
  • When commercial tenants moved out of the district in the mid-2000s, artists moved in

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has designated Diriyah’s JAX District, near Riyadh, as an industrial heritage site.

Its industrial days behind it, the district is now known as a creative arts hub in the heart of Diriyah, which is also where the UNESCO world heritage site of At-Turaif can be found.

The official recognition of its past role falls under the aims of the Industrial Heritage Preservation Program to protect and celebrate places of historical significance to the industrial sector in the Kingdom.

The designation highlights the district’s unique industrial architecture, officials said, and gives it a place alongside other sites in the Kingdom recognized for their roles in the evolution of industry in the country and its role in shaping Saudi society. Granting it heritage site status pays tribute to its history as a center for large-scale industrial projects and underscores its position as a national cultural landmark, they added.

JAX, named after the company that established the district in the 1970s, is home to a striking assembly of large warehouses that once formed an important industrial center in Riyadh region.

In the mid-2000s, commercial tenants started to move out and a group of graffiti artists began to use the walls of abandoned warehouses as their makeshift canvas. Young artists also established workshops and studios in the vacated spaces. In the years that followed, additional creative spaces, including art galleries, studios and cafes, were established, major cultural institutions opened, and office space was built for creative agencies that set up shop there.

JAX District now hosts numerous events, including the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, MDLBEAST XP Music Futures, the Hia Hub fashion, beauty and style conference, and light art festival Noor Riyadh. The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, the first museum of its kind in the Kingdom, is also located in the district.


European Chamber of Commerce opens in Riyadh

Updated 08 May 2024
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European Chamber of Commerce opens in Riyadh

  • ECCKSA to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation

RIYADH: The European Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia was inaugurated in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The launch event was attended by distinguished guests, including Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, assistant minister of investment; Luigi Di Maio, EU special representative for the Gulf; and Christophe Farnaud, the EU ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.

The chamber will serve as a platform to facilitate business cooperation, promote trade and investment, and support the alignment of regulatory frameworks, according to a press release from the EU.

In line with the strategic partnership between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council announced in May 2022, the establishment of the ECCKSA is a significant step in strengthening economic ties between the EU and the Kingdom.

Di Maio said that the establishment of the ECCKSA marks an important new chapter in the partnership between the EU and Saudi Arabia.

“I am convinced that this initiative will be key in bringing closer and in integrating our economies. The ECCKSA will certainly become a point of reference for European companies doing business in the Kingdom and Saudi companies looking for partners and markets in the EU.

"It will facilitate joint ventures and boost trade and investments. There is so much untapped potential and space to grow in our economic cooperation and I am confident that the next months and years will bring about more substantive and sustainable progress,” Di Maio added.

Al-Mubarak highlighted the integration of ECCKSA’s initiatives with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, creating the potential for new business opportunities in non-oil sectors.

“The launch of the European Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia marks a pivotal milestone in the flourishing economic partnership between the Kingdom and the EU. With foreign direct investment stock from Europe nearly doubling to SR218.5 billion ($58.26 billion) over the past five years, the establishment of ECCKSA will unlock new horizons for cross-border trade, investment, and collaboration.

“The chamber will be a catalyst for fostering stronger ties between our business communities and supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification journey under Vision 2030,” he added.

The event also featured a panel discussion, titled “ECCKSA: Shaping the Future of EU-KSA Business Collaboration,” where experts discussed strategies for deepening economic ties and explored new opportunities for partnership.

The panel included Leon Delvaux, acting director at the EU; Lama Alghrair, director of investor intelligence at the Ministry of Investment; Thomas Juergensen, head of trade and economic affairs for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar; and Lorcan Tyrrell, ECCKSA chairman. They collectively outlined the anticipated impact of ECCKSA on the European and Saudi business communities.

Also at the launch, ECCKSA’s license was formally handed over by the Ministry of Investment in Saudi Arabia.

Kristijonas Gedvilas, CEO of ECCKSA, said that the chamber is dedicated not only to strengthening economic ties, but also to building a vibrant business ecosystem that supports the shared vision.

“Our immediate focus will be on expanding our membership, engaging businesses actively, and providing them with invaluable resources and opportunities that foster growth and innovation across both regions,” he added.

ECCKSA aims to advance initiatives that support its members while contributing to the economic prosperity of both regions.


Saudi Premium Residency Program hosts workshop in Riyadh

Updated 08 May 2024
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Saudi Premium Residency Program hosts workshop in Riyadh

  • The workshop also included networking and discussions on funding opportunities as well as mentorship

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s residency program attracting top foreign talent and investors hosted a workshop in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The Premium Residency Program, launched in 2019, draws skilled professionals, talented individuals and investors to the Kingdom through five residency categories.

It targets expatriates who wish to gain premium residency in Saudi Arabia.

The categories, announced in January, include special talent, gifted, entrepreneur, investor and real estate residencies.

The “Introduction to Premium Residency Products” at The Garage in Riyadh focused on the entrepreneur category.

The residency includes two sub-categories for entrepreneurs and innovators who contribute to the development of multiple industries in Saudi Arabia.

Category one of the entrepreneur residency provides a five-year premium residency. Applicants must obtain an entrepreneurial license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment and a letter of recommendation from the investing party.

They are required to obtain a minimum SR400,000 ($106,000) investment from a recognized organization and hold at least a 20 percent share of the startup.

After the five-year term, the entrepreneur residency will be renewed if the eligibility criteria is still met.

Category two grants a permanent residency only if the entrepreneur creates a minimum of 10 jobs in the first year and 10 or more in the second year.

The individual must demonstrate a minimum investment of SR15 million and a 10 percent ownership stake in the business.

The advantages of the entrepreneur residency include the ability to nominate two people from the applicant’s work team — such as executives — to obtain exceptional competence residencies.

Among the general benefits are owning and using real estate, issuing visit visas for relatives, and exemption from the financial fees imposed on expatriates and their companions.

Beneficiaries will be able to use the lanes designated for citizens and citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at ports across the Kingdom.

The holder of the premium residency and their family members can leave and return to Saudi Arabia without requiring a re-entry visa. They can also work in private sector establishments.

Sarah Al-Hamad, who attended the workshop, told Arab News: “I truly believe that the Premium Residency Program will drive economic growth and cultural exchange in the Kingdom for years to come.”

The workshop also included networking and discussions on funding opportunities as well as mentorship.