JEDDAH: A Georgian man living in Saudi Arabia has spoken of his joy and surprise about being chosen to perform the Hajj this year. Ruslan Margoshvili moved to Saudi Arabia 17 years ago to learn Arabic. He and his wife Milana are among the expats who will be performing the Hajj this year which, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, is being held amid tough measures to contain the spread of the virus. There are severe restrictions on pilgrim numbers and only those pilgrims with permits can enter the holy sites. “I didn’t expect there to be a Hajj this year, with the ongoing circumstances all around the world,” Margoshvili said. “We heard about the website where we can apply for Hajj and we signed up.” Margoshvili expressed his gratitude for the help he received from the moment they signed up. “I can’t describe their cooperation. Every day, we are contacted by operators who help educate and inform pilgrims about the upcoming journey. A person who has performed Hajj is cleansed of all their sins. Imagine how that can feel for a Muslim who is about to embark on the Hajj.” He is completing a doctorate at King Saud University while Milana is completing a degree at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University. The couple are raising their two children in Saudi Arabia, where they were born. Margoshvili said that he had never felt himself to be a stranger in the Kingdom. “Even during vacations when I would travel back home, I miss this country,” he added. Social media users reacted warmly to his heartfelt words. Inssan Karim tweeted: “This is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you shall never feel like a stranger here.” Abdulmajeed Al-Otaibi said: “Such a beautiful statement. ‘I’ve become one of you’ and I truly felt his sincerity. May Allah accept your good deeds.” “He’s got a beautiful way with words and such eloquence. Congratulations to him!” said Abdullah Al-Amoudi. The majority of those performing the Hajj this year are expats living in Saudi Arabia. Margoshvili told Arab News that although he had performed the Hajj, his wife had not because the opportunity had not previously arisen.
Georgian expat on cloud nine after being chosen for Hajj
https://arab.news/cfazh
Georgian expat on cloud nine after being chosen for Hajj
- Ruslan Margoshvili moved to KSA 17 years ago to learn Arabic.
Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs meeting and briefs ministers on his recent meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
- Cooperative efforts includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air transport
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers reviewed a number of domestic and international matters during a session in Jeddah on Tuesday chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent meeting with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which included discussions about regional security and stability, the latest developments in the Middle East, and other topics of importance to the Arab and Islamic world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He also shared with ministers the contents of a letter he received from the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The council discussed progress in cooperative efforts involving Saudi Arabia and other countries including Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Cuba and Kiribati, and approved a number of memorandums of understanding.
The cooperation includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air-transport services, the press agency said. Ministers also approved an agreement between the Saudi General Authority for Awqaf and its Omani counterpart relating to endowments.
They reviewed national initiatives, including one for the promotion of charitable work, and the enhancement of humanitarian and developmental efforts across the country.
A merger of the National Competitiveness Center with the Saudi Center for Economic Business to create a combined Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center was authorized.
