Saudi Arabia prepares for inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum

Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 23, 2023. (Reuters)
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Updated 16 April 2024
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Saudi Arabia prepares for inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum

  • Developing Hajj and Umrah services in the Kingdom is a key priority of the Saudi government
  • Forum will showcase initiatives and services aimed at enriching the experience of Umrah performers and visitors

RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is in the final stages of preparation for the launch of the inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, scheduled to convene in Madinah on Monday, April 22, for three days.

Under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Sultan, the governor of Madinah region, the forum will be held at the King Salman International Convention Center.

Developing Hajj and Umrah services in the Kingdom is a key priority of the Saudi government and an extension of the country’s historic role in serving Muslims and Islam worldwide.

The forum will showcase initiatives and services aimed at enriching the experience of Umrah performers and visitors from within and outside the Kingdom. It is part of achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to enable a larger number of Umrah performers to visit Makkah and Madinah and have the best experience they can.

The forum is held in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the programs of Vision 2030.

The event will include dialogue sessions, discussion groups, interactive workshops and an exhibition displaying the latest advancements in the sector.

It will feature participation from government officials and private sector stakeholders, including travel agencies, pilgrimage and tourism companies, and innovators spanning the insurance, healthcare, transportation, and technology industries.

The forum will address opportunities in the Umrah and tourism sectors, and will focus on the quality of projects, services, and products.

Participants in the general sessions and accompanying workshops of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum will showcase their experiences, services and products. During the forum, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will announce new opportunities and innovative work domains.

Moreover, several partnerships and agreements will be signed to enhance services in Makkah, Madinah, and various Islamic, historical, archaeological, and other cultural sites.


Saudi Arabia expresses concern over UAE pressure on STC, warns against threats to its security

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Saudi Arabia expresses concern over UAE pressure on STC, warns against threats to its security

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday expressed regret over what it described as pressure by the United Arab Emirates on Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces to carry out military operations in Yemen’s Hadramaut and Al-Mahra governorates, warning that such actions pose a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security and regional stability.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the reported moves were inconsistent with the principles of the Arab Coalition that supports the internationally recognised government of Yemen and undermined ongoing efforts to achieve security and stability in the country.

 

The ministry referred to earlier statements by the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and the coalition leadership concerning the movement of ships carrying weapons and heavy vehicles from Fujairah port to Mukalla without official authorization.

Saudi Arabia stressed that any threat to its national security constituted a “red line,” adding that it would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to confront and neutralize such risks.

The Kingdom reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s security, stability, and sovereignty, as well as its full backing of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and its government. It also reiterated that the southern issue is a just cause that can only be addressed through dialogue as part of a comprehensive political solution involving all Yemeni parties, including the STC.

Riyadh further emphasized the importance of the UAE responding to Yemen’s request to withdraw its military forces within 24 hours and to halt military or financial support to any Yemeni faction. The statement called for wisdom to prevail in order to preserve Gulf unity, bilateral relations, and the shared goal of regional stability and development.