Saudi prince explores areas of cooperation in Moscow

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Acting Riyadh Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdul Aziz explores the smart infrastructure projects in Moscow. (SPA)
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Updated 13 July 2019
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Saudi prince explores areas of cooperation in Moscow

  • Acting Riyadh governor tours electric public transport, smart cities projects

MOSCOW: Electric public transport systems and smart cities were among the projects explored by the acting governor of Riyadh, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdul Aziz, on the sidelines of his official visit to Moscow. During a tour of infrastructure schemes in the Russian capital, Prince Mohammed reviewed the work, support and supervision programs, as well as those related to the use of technology, service utilization and provision of innovative and scientific environments, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Mohammed, accompanied by his delegation and a number of Russian officials, listened to an explanation about the economic, practical and environmental effectiveness of electric public transport systems, and met experts who discussed with him the impact of such projects in Moscow.
Investment

Earlier, the acting Riyadh governor held talks with Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin.
Prince Mohammed expressed his thanks for the hospitality and invitation from Moscow, stressing the importance of exchanging experiences and cooperation between the two capitals.
During the meeting, the governor discussed aspects of cooperation between Moscow and Riyadh in various fields, including investment and infrastructure, in a way that boosts the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan.
The acting governor also visited a number of Moscow landmarks, among them the Luzhniki national stadium complex and other historic city sites.


Saudi Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over contract violations

Updated 29 December 2025
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Saudi Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over contract violations

  • Company failed to provide accommodation for a number of Umrah pilgrims, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs, ministry says

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 accommodation services for pilgrims in line with approved contractual programs.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company’s failure constitutes a clear violation of regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.

It noted that a number of pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without secured accommodation, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs.

This prompted immediate regulatory action against the company and its overseas agent under the established legal frameworks, the ministry said. 

Pilgrims circumambulate the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in this photo taken earlier this month. (SPA)

"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 to pilgrims.

In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone.

Also referred to as Jumada Al Thani, Jumada Al Akhira is the sixth month of the Islamic calendar. For Hijri year 1447, this sixth month ended on December 20, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar.