Saudi ministry sets deadline for international offices to complete Hajj service contracts

The ministry requested Hajj offices to educate their pilgrims about the necessity of following Hajj regulations and instructions. (File photo)
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Updated 20 January 2025
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Saudi ministry sets deadline for international offices to complete Hajj service contracts

MAKKAH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that Feb. 14 will be the deadline for Hajj affairs offices in various countries to finalize their contracts for services related to this year’s Hajj season.

The ministry said that these contracts must be completed through the Nusuk Masar platform, designated for Hajj pilgrims from abroad, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

To ensure the best services for pilgrims, the ministry highlighted the importance of adhering to regulations set by the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia, including requirements for air and ground transportation.

It also urged compliance with security, health and procedural guidelines outlined in the Hajj agreement between the ministry and the pertinent offices in various countries, the SPA added.

The ministry said that after the deadline, no additional contracts will be accepted, and the actual quotas for pilgrims from various countries will be determined.

The visa issuance process will commence immediately afterward, the SPA reported.

The ministry requested Hajj offices to educate their pilgrims about the necessity of following Hajj regulations and instructions, ensuring that they obtain visas and permits through official channels.

Pilgrims also need to carry identification documents, such as the Nusuk Card, from the moment of their arrival in the Kingdom.


Saudi wildlife authority releases predatory birds in Al-Soudah Park

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Saudi wildlife authority releases predatory birds in Al-Soudah Park

  • Aim to reintroduce, breed threatened wildlife
  • Birds were acclimatized to area’s environment

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife has released several predatory birds into the wild under the Kingdom’s Green Initiative and the National Environment Strategy to breed and reintroduce threatened species.

On Wednesday, the NCW released them in Al-Soudah Park in collaboration with the Soudah Development Co. They included three griffon vultures, a black kite, Arabian scops owl, and a Eurasian sparrowhawk, all of which had been rehabilitated.

The birds underwent acclimatization to ensure they were ready to adapt to the area’s environment. Their release aims to enhance ecological balance and restore biodiversity in Al-Soudah Park, one of the Kingdom’s most prominent mountainous environmental zones.

They will help stabilize local species in mountain ecosystems by regulating food chains and maintaining habitat health, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The NCW will track the movement and behavior of the birds. It noted that this initiative is a part of ongoing programs across Saudi Arabia.