Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Umrah and Visit Program thank Saudi Arabia for warm reception, generous hospitality

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The interviewees came from several countries including Albania, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, the UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. (SPA)
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The interviewees came from several countries including Albania, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, the UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. (SPA)
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Updated 10 February 2024
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Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Umrah and Visit Program thank Saudi Arabia for warm reception, generous hospitality

  • A number of Umrah performers in the second batch of the program, which included 250 prominent Islamic female and male figures from European and South American countries, were interviewed by the Saudi Press Agency

MAKKAH: The guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Umrah and Visit Program, which is supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, have expressed thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the generous hospitality and warm reception given to them since their arrival in the country as guests of the program.

A number of Umrah performers in the second batch of the program, which included 250 prominent Islamic female and male figures from European and South American countries, were interviewed by the Saudi Press Agency.

Dr. Nasser Al-Kilani, from the Romanian delegation, praised the facilities, and said: “We feel joy and happiness as we spend great days in Makkah and the holy sites, feeling the holiness of place and time, especially while we are next to the Holy Kaaba.”

Aydin Muhammad Bostanji, who hails from northern Greece, expressed his thanks to the Kingdom’s leadership, and added: “We have seen and felt the best hosting following our arrival until now, and we cannot forget this visit. It is a dream that has come true for us as we found warmth, honor and interest from those in charge of the program, in addition to the treatment of security personnel who provided us with all love and appreciation, whether in Makkah or Madinah.”

Dr. Khaled Lamtairi, a member of the Romanian delegation, praised the development of services provided to guests of the program, and asked Allah to reward the leadership of the Kingdom for its efforts and all it provides to serve Islam and Muslims.

The interviewees came from several countries including Albania, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, the UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.

 

 


Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

Updated 15 December 2025
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Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

  • New milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport 
  • Lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight

JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded a new historic milestone on Sunday with the arrival of the 50-millionth passenger for year 2025.

The 50 million milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport since the launch of civil aviation in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. 

It also placed KAIA among the world’s mega airports in terms of passenger numbers. The figure represents a 1.83 percent growth from 49.1 million passenger arrival recorded in 2024.

“This achievement reflects the qualitative transformation at KAIA and its growing status as a regional hub and national gateway connecting the Kingdom to the world,” the report said.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah. (SPA)

It also underscores the airport’s vital role in enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination and a gateway to the Two Holy Mosques by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

KAIA serves as a gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah.

She was welcomed by JEDCO’s leadership, who greeted her and presented a commemorative gift to mark the occasion.

JEDCO Chief Executive Officer Mazen Johar said that reaching 50 million passengers reflects the airport’s high operational readiness and marks a pivotal milestone in preparations to double this figure in the coming years.