Kingdom ensures health, safety for Hajj pilgrims

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The authority will monitor and inspect products under its supervision at air, land, and sea ports of entry for pilgrims, the SPA added. (File photo/X: @HaramainInfo)
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The authority will monitor and inspect products under its supervision at air, land, and sea ports of entry for pilgrims, the SPA added. (File photo/X: @HaramainInfo)
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Updated 20 April 2025
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Kingdom ensures health, safety for Hajj pilgrims

  • Saudi authority to oversee food, medicine, medical facilities under comprehensive plan

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of food, medicine, and medical products provided to pilgrims during the Hajj season.

These efforts are being carried out under government directives, reflecting its commitment to serving pilgrims and ensuring their comfort and safety, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority will monitor and inspect products under its supervision at air, land, and sea ports of entry for pilgrims, the SPA added.

It will also oversee food and pharmaceutical facilities and medical sites in Makkah and Madinah, as well as seasonal medical facilities affiliated with Hajj affairs offices, in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

In addition, the authority will monitor products arriving via air freight from Hajj affairs offices at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Its initiatives during the Hajj season include field studies and awareness workshops for staff in approved food preparation kitchens to ensure compliance with health standards to provide safe meals to pilgrims, in collaboration with the municipalities of Makkah and Madinah.

The authority will also deliver multilingual awareness messages and informational programs to pilgrims on food and drug safety, according to the SPA.

The initiatives reflect the authority’s ongoing efforts to deliver optimal regulatory services, enhance coordination with government agencies for a successful Hajj season, and reinforce the Kingdom’s leadership in crowd management.


Al Akaria signs SR1.2bn agreement lease with Amsa Hospitality 

Updated 25 February 2026
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Al Akaria signs SR1.2bn agreement lease with Amsa Hospitality 

  • Project, located in Riyadh Diplomatic Quarters, spans approximately 40,000 sq. meters and includes 240 modern residential units, comprising 176 apartments and 64 villas and townhouses
  • CEO of Amsa Hospitality Muin Serhan: We have a certain commitment to deliver to the community and to the project in particular

RIYADH: The Saudi Real Estate Co., also known as Al Akaria, recently announced the signing of a lease agreement for the Amsa Vue Residential Compound in Riyadh with Amsa Hospitality, with the total value of the project estimated at around SR1.2 billion ($320 million). 

Spread across 20 years, the cost reflects the long-term nature of the investment and its focus on value, sustainability, and operational quality.

The project, located in Riyadh Diplomatic Quarters, spans approximately 40,000 sq. meters and includes 240 modern residential units, comprising 176 apartments and 64 villas and townhouses.

Acting CEO of Al Akaria Khalid Al-Sehaibany stated that the project embodies the company’s approach to developing residential communities that focus on an integrated experience built on quality planning and comprehensive facilities, elevating the standard of living in Riyadh.

CEO of Amsa Hospitality Muin Serhan told Arab News that the core philosophy behind the project is to create a space that focuses both on individuals and community values. 

Serhan pointed out that this strategy is central to a broader ambition to redefine hospitality in Saudi Arabia by embedding the hallmark of Arabian hospitality into the brand’s identity.

“We have a certain commitment to deliver to the community and to the project in particular. Year on year, we're adding value to the landlord and the owners of the assets,” he said. 

He outlined a clear vision for the company’s legacy, aiming to set a new standard for hospitality management in the region. The goal, he said, is to be the go-to partner for developers and asset owners seeking to integrate hospitality elements into their projects.

Serhan confirmed that this vision is currently being brought to life through close collaboration with contractors and designers. 

He emphasized that the process is a “moving journey,” where the designer, the brand, and the location converge to create a product that truly reflects the local narrative.