RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah honored Ashraqat — which provides guidance and assistance to pilgrims from Arab countries — with the Award for Excellence at the third Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program, attracted nearly 100,000 visitors from around 100 countries to the Jeddah Superdome.
Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, presented the award to Mohammad bin Hasan Maajini, Ashraqat’s deputy chairman.
The conference, according to the SPA, is an “important and inspiring event” that aims to “develop the Hajj and Umrah services ecosystem and elevate performance and efficiency” in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. There were 81 speakers from various sectors at the conference and more than 200 exhibitors at the exhibition. High-level delegations from more than 70 states attended the event, which was held under the theme “A Passage to Nusuk.”
Ashraqat’s new branding was also unveiled by the deputy Hajj minister at the event. The company has already signed agreements with 15 Hajj affairs offices to serve nearly 350,000 pilgrims during next year’s Hajj.
The Ashraqat pavilion, staffed by 115 men and women, reportedly welcomed more than 10,000 visitors and 60 Hajj affairs offices over the course of the event. The company signed 50 memorandums of understanding with government entities to enhance service quality and efficiency.
Ashraqat Hajj company honored at Jeddah forum
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Ashraqat Hajj company honored at Jeddah forum
- The event attracted nearly 100,000 visitors from around 100 countries to the Jeddah Superdome
- Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, presented the award to Mohammad bin Hasan Maajini, Ashraqat’s deputy chairman
Children’s Theater Festival opens in Qassim region
- To develop future ‘cultural architects,’ says CEO Khaled Al-Baz
- ‘Nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and sense of belonging’
BURAIDAH: The Qassim Children’s Theater Festival opened on Tuesday bringing together professionals from across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
The event is being held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of Qassim, at the Science Center in Unaizah governorate.
It has been Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Association and executed by the Unaizah Theater Association, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Running until Jan. 31, it features shows, panel discussions, as well as training workshops to develop children’s theater and strengthen professional skills in the field.
Khaled Al-Baz, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Association, told the SPA the festival forms part of a broader strategy to position children’s theater as a distinct cultural sector.
“Children today constitute genuine audiences — tomorrow’s cultural architects,” Al-Baz said.
Ahmed Al-Humaimidi, president of the Unaizah Theater Association, said it was an investment in young people, noting that it extends beyond performances to include cultural and educational programming.
He said the initiative aims to nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and a sense of belonging, while also identifying emerging talent and encouraging knowledge exchange among theater practitioners.
“Our association recognizes children’s theater as foundational to cultivating aware, creative character,” he said.
The festival serves as both an artistic showcase and a platform for professional dialogue, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding cultural landscape and growing focus on children’s theater as an educational and cultural tool, the SPA noted.
This occurs alongside support for signature initiatives and performing arts promotion as quality-of-life enhancement.
