MAKKAH: Four suspects have been referred to the Public Prosecution in Makkah after police apprehended them for promoting counterfeit Hajj permits and visas on social media.
The Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday that Makkah police arrested the quartet — two citizens and two Pakistani residents.
Legal action has been taken against the suspects, who were referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigations.
Last month, the General Directorate of Public Security warned citizens in the Kingdom to disregard fraudulent advertisements on social media.
The authorities highlighted adverts that falsely claim to facilitate various aspects of Hajj, including performing Hajj on behalf of others, securing and distributing Adahi (sacrifices), selling Hajj bracelets, and providing transportation, SPA reported.
The department cautioned that severe penalties would be imposed on individuals found to be engaging in such activities.
Any violations should be promptly reported by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Region, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom, the department said.
Four arrested for promoting fake Hajj permits, visas
https://arab.news/jrpqr
Four arrested for promoting fake Hajj permits, visas
- Makkah police arrested two citizens and two Pakistani residents
- The suspects have been referred to the Public Prosecution
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.
