Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims
The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience
Updated 18 February 2025
Arab News
MAKKAH: The Nusuk app, the official guide for pilgrims visiting the holy sites, has introduced new services to enhance the visitor experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The updates include features that allow users to explore unique historical destinations, a tasbih service, a Hisnul Muslim guide for daily prayers and supplications, and Haramain Qur’anic recitations.
Additionally, the app offers awareness cards, interactive maps, an event calendar, and a comprehensive digital guide with multilingual instructions.
It also provides health information and services. Moreover, service providers can showcase their offerings electronically to Umrah pilgrims and visitors, according to the SPA.
The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience.
Integrated with 25 government bodies and 10 business sector entities, the app aligns with the Kingdom’s digital transformation efforts to enhance technology use.
Jeddah Book Fair set to showcase rising Saudi literary scene
This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops
Updated 09 December 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is preparing to host the Jeddah Book Fair from Dec. 11 to 20 at Jeddah Superdome, bringing together more than 1,000 local and international publishing houses and agencies from 24 countries across 400 booths.
Held under the slogan “Jeddah Reads,” the fair is part of the commission’s “Saudi Reads” campaign, which seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.
Jeddah Book Fair’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage. (Supplied/@saudibookfairs)
Dr. Abdullatif Al-Wasil, CEO of the commission, said the Jeddah Book Fair reflects the leadership’s continued commitment to cultural development and the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s literature, publishing and translation sector.
He highlighted the fair’s interactive programs for publishers, authors, translators and the public, which are designed to enhance content quality, support creative development and foster knowledge partnerships.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Jeddah Book Fair seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.
• It will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events.
• The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers.
The event also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a cultural hub attracting major publishers, content creators and investors.
This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops. A dedicated children’s zone will feature literary and entertainment activities tailored to young visitors, along with competitions to inspire reading and creativity.
The fair will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events.
Book-signing stations will give readers the chance to meet their favorite authors, while cultural organizations, community groups and universities will present their latest publications and initiatives.
A manga and anime zone will highlight collectibles from the genre, alongside specialized books. A discounted books section will also be available to promote wider access to reading.
The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers, where hundreds of titles across literary and cultural fields will be showcased, underscoring the fair’s role in nurturing local talent and enriching the Kingdom’s evolving literary scene.
