First foreign Umrah pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia after COVID-19 ban lifted

A woman pilgrims was greeted with gifts of dates, roses and Zam Zam water on arrival at the Kingdom's airports for Umrah in Saudi Arabia on August 15, 2021. (SPA)
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Updated 16 August 2021
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First foreign Umrah pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia after COVID-19 ban lifted

  • Umrah pilgrims from abroad are required to present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate on arrival
  • The Kingdom has approved vaccines made by Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca

RIYADH: The first group of foreign Umrah pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday after a temporary ban to curb the spread of COVID-19 was lifted.

Pilgrims were greeted with gifts of dates, roses and Zam Zam water on arrival at the Kingdom's airports. 

Umrah pilgrims from abroad are required to present a certificate on arrival that has been validated in their home country and states details of them receiving a COVID-19 jab that is approved by the Kingdom.

They must also adhere to quarantine measures if they are coming from countries where there is a ban on direct entry to the Kingdom.

The deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, said that all Saudi Umrah companies have been preparing to serve foreign pilgrims and are dedicated to providing the best services to the pilgrims from the point of arrival till departure.

The Kingdom has approved vaccines made by Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.


Rare exhibits on display at King Abdulaziz Palace

Updated 30 January 2026
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Rare exhibits on display at King Abdulaziz Palace

  • The piece reflects the precision of traditional craftsmanship and its social symbolism tied to strength and horsemanship

RIYADH: Exhibits on display at the King Abdulaziz Palace in the historic village of Laynah highlight rich aspects of human history and environmental change in the Arabian Peninsula as part of a series of palace activation events organized by the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority during the Darb Zubaida Winter Season.

The exhibits feature rare historical artifacts carrying cultural and scientific significance that document different lifestyles and environmental shifts in the region over the centuries.

Among the most notable pieces is a traditional rifle crafted from natural wood and fitted with a handwoven leather strap, historically used for hunting and protection.

The piece reflects the precision of traditional craftsmanship and its social symbolism tied to strength and horsemanship.

The authority stated that the palace welcomes visitors daily until Feb. 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., as part of unified tourism programs aimed at organizing visitor flow and providing opportunities to explore historical sites in a safe and engaging environment.