RIYADH: The minister of Islamic affairs in the Maldives, Ahmed Zahir Ali, and undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance for Islamic affairs, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Samel, visited the construction site of King Salman Mosque — destined to be the biggest mosque in the Maldives — on Saturday.
The mosque is located in the capital Male and, along with the outdoor squares, will accommodate more than 10,000 worshippers.
Al-Samel is visiting the Maldives as it prepares to sign a memorandum of understanding in Islamic affairs with the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.
The minister’s delegation toured the mosque project, which is viewed as a symbol of the strong relationship between the two countries.
Al-Samel also held a meeting at which plans for the next phase of the project were outlined.
When complete, the six-story mosque will cost around SR356 million ($95.2 million), which will be undertaken by Saudi Arabia.
The site will include multi-purpose halls, an international library, a teaching center and conference hall.
Saudi delegation tours $95 million Maldives mosque
Saudi delegation tours $95 million Maldives mosque
- Al-Samel also held a meeting at which plans for the next phase of the project were outlined
Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent for violations
- Company fails to provide housing for Umrah pilgrims
- Actions to ‘safeguard’ rights of visitors, says ministry
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide contracted accommodation for pilgrims.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company violated regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques.
It noted that several pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without mandated accommodation. This prompted immediate action against the company and its overseas agent, the ministry stated.
“The measures are intended to safeguard the rights of affected pilgrims, prevent a recurrence of such violations, and ensure the continued enhancement of service quality,” it added.
Last June, the ministry suspended seven Umrah companies due to deficiencies in providing transport services for pilgrims.
In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, the SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during the month of Jumada Al-Akhirah, corresponding to Nov. 22 to Dec. 20.
