Hira Cultural District wraps up agreements to boost pilgrim experience

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The Hira Cultural District project in Makkah aims to enrich the religious and cultural experience of visitors. (AN Photo: Magdy Mohammed)
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The Hira Cultural District project in Makkah aims to enrich the religious and cultural experience of visitors. (AN Photo: Magdy Mohammed)
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Updated 27 October 2023
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Hira Cultural District wraps up agreements to boost pilgrim experience

  • The program aims to enrich the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims in the district

MAKKAH: Hira Cultural District has concluded additional agreements within the Partners Program by including several hotels as well as Hajj and Umrah, tourism and transportation companies, in the presence of Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.

The program aims to enrich the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims in the district.

Fawaz bin Abdullah Al-Mehrej, CEO of Samaya Investment, the operating company behind the Hira Cultural District, told Arab News that “in the Partners Program, we engage with the competent authorities in Hajj and Umrah to enrich the experience of pilgrims and visitors, which is one of the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”

“We aim to introduce pilgrims to the importance of the historical sites in Makkah. In this context, we are establishing distinguished partnerships through the Partners Program, which allows us to talk about these sites through the interaction of our success partners. At the end of the day, we all aim to enhance the cultural status and historical richness of our holy capital,” he said.




The Hira Cultural District project in Makkah aims to enrich the religious and cultural experience of visitors. (AN PhotoMagdy Mohammed)

Al-Muhrij said that the cultural message was clear, necessary and effective to enhance the knowledge of all visitors.

“We strive to ensure that the cultural information is clearly presented while focusing on the cultural vision enhancing the historical richness of Makkah. In addition to clarity, Hira Cultural District strives to ensure that the message of qualitative benefit provides visitors with knowledge, meets their passion, connects them to this place, and engraves the experience in their memory.”

Al-Muhrij said that visitors were keen to expand their cultural perceptions by learning about a number of historical sites using reliable sources. Those in charge of the Hira Cultural District worked on developing the historical site of Mount Hira while providing all the technical tools for translation, in addition to qualified and competent multilingual tour guides.

Samaya Investment based its preparation of cultural content and information on three main pillars. The first pillar includes not wasting time on long programs that do not keep up with the pace of change. The second pillar includes historically reliable sources of information, while the third pillar includes using the latest technological means, such as display tools and models.

The Partners Program was established to integrate cultural projects in Makkah and Madinah, implemented by investment companies on one hand and Hajj and Umrah, transportation, tourism and hotel companies on the other.

The program aims to emphasize the role of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Pilgrims Experience Program, and the Nusuk platform in facilitating visitors’ journeys and enriching their religious and cultural experiences.


Saudi defense minister receives Mukalla port director, thanks him for heroic role

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman poses with the director of the Port of Mukalla Salem Basamir on Tuesday.
Updated 13 January 2026
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Saudi defense minister receives Mukalla port director, thanks him for heroic role

  • Prince Khalid thanked Basamir for his heroic and humanitarian role in ensuring safety and protecting lives and property at the port

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman received the director of the Port of Mukalla Salem Basamir on Tuesday.
In a post on social media platform X, Prince Khalid thanked Basamir for his heroic and humanitarian role in ensuring safety and protecting lives and property at the port.
The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen carried out a limited airstrike in December targeting foreign military support at the Port of Mukalla in the Hadramaut governorate, where calm has been restored after a period of tension.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency following the strikes, coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said two ships coming from the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates entered the Port of Mukalla without obtaining official permits from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition.
“The crews of the two ships disabled their tracking systems and unloaded a large quantity of weapons and combat vehicles to support the Southern Transitional Council forces in the eastern governorates of Yemen (Hadramaut and Al-Mahra) with the aim of fueling the conflict. This is a clear violation of the truce and the pursuit of a peaceful solution, as well as a violation of UN Security Council Resolution No. 2216,” said the spokesman.