RIYADH: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have arrested 21 violators of Hajj regulations at the entrances to Makkah after they tried to enter without a valid Hajj permit, the state news agency SPA reported on Saturday.
The Ministry of the Interior announced that the Hajj Security Forces arrested eight residents and 13 citizens on Friday.
The seasonal administrative committees of the General Directorate of Passports issued 21 administrative decisions against them, which included: a prison sentence for a period of 15 days for each violator, and a fine of SR10,000 ($2,666).
The expatriate violators will then be deported and prevented from entering the Kingdom according to the legally specified periods after the execution of the sentence, while three vehicles used in their transportation have also been confiscated.
The Ministry of Interior called on all citizens and expatriates to abide by Hajj regulations and instructions so that pilgirms may enjoy safety, security, comfort and reassurance in performing their rituals.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, stressed the security of the country, pilgrims, and the holy sites was “a red line.”
He said that safeguarding the pilgrims while they perform their Hajj rituals until they return to their home countries is a top priority for the Hajj security forces and that “preventing violators of Hajj regulations and those who have not obtained Hajj permits is central to this endeavor.”
He was speaking during a press conference held by the interior ministry for the commanders of the Hajj security forces in Makkah to brief on the ministry’s security, traffic, and organizational plans for this year’s Hajj season.
Al-Bassami said that the Public Security “has seized 140 fake Hajj campaigns and 64 carriers violating Hajj regulations, in addition to returning 97,664 violating vehicles and 171,587 non-residents of Makkah,” the SPA reported.
Authorities also apprehended 4,032 violators who did not have a valid Hajj permit and 6,105 violators of residency, work, and border security regulations, while those turned away in recent days from the holy city include 153,998 foreigners who held tourist visas rather than the required Hajj visas.
Saudi authorities arrest 21 Hajj permit violators
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Saudi authorities arrest 21 Hajj permit violators
Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement
- Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living
RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.
Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.
Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.
The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.
Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan
- Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.
The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.
In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.
Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class
- Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday.
Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added.
Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation
- The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission
RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.
The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.
The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.
The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.
By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.
Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations
- Several senior ministry officials attended
RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.
The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
