Syrian pilgrims arrive at Jeddah airport

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The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for 2025 Hajj season arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
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The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for 2025 Hajj season arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
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The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for 2025 Hajj season arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
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The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for 2025 Hajj season arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
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Updated 20 May 2025
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Syrian pilgrims arrive at Jeddah airport

  • This Hajj season is the second since pilgrimage for Syrians resumed in 2024 after a 12-year hiatus
  • The General Directorate of Passports has eased entry procedures by utilizing multilingual personnel to assist pilgrims from around the world

RIYADH: The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for the 2025 Hajj season have arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

This Hajj season is the second since pilgrimage for Syrians resumed in 2024 after a 12-year hiatus, and the first following the implementation of a new regime under the leadership of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in January, marking a new era of relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

All entry procedures were completed in an orderly and trouble-free manner, a reflection of the Kingdom’s continuous efforts for providing a safe journey for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The General Directorate of Passports has eased entry procedures by utilizing multilingual personnel to assist pilgrims from around the world, and supplying advanced technologies at entry points.

The directorate has reaffirmed its preparedness to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims at all of the Kingdom’s international airports, land border crossings, and seaports.

It has also stressed that it is working in cooperation with all relevant authorities in the Kingdom to guarantee a smooth and honorable pilgrimage for all.


KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

Updated 09 February 2026
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KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah meets UN Yemen coordinator for aid reviews
  • German lawmakers praise KSrelief for humanitarian projects globally

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief held a briefing session at its headquarters in Riyadh on the UN’s 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview, which is a diagnosis of the support needed by communities in crisis across the world. 

The session was organized in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

The session included senior officials from KSrelief and the UN, as well as representatives from Saudi government agencies and nonprofit organizations. 

The participants discussed mechanisms for preparing the 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview and highlighted key differences from previous years.

The participants also addressed the need for funding in crisis-hit areas including Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Afghanistan.

These measures aim to strengthen focus on critical priorities, enhance the efficiency of humanitarian responses, support localization efforts, and promote work based on humanitarian principles.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of KSrelief, met with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Julien Harneis in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed relief and humanitarian affairs, as well as updates on projects in Yemen. Harneis praised the efforts provided by the Kingdom through KSrelief to support communities in Yemen. 

Separately, Al-Rabeeah also held a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed Belal, managing director of the UN Common Fund for Commodities, to discuss relief issues. 

Belal commended Saudi Arabia for assisting those affected around the world, highlighted the center’s strong international reputation. 

Meanwhile, a delegation from Germany’s parliament, headed by Alexander Radwan, a member of the nation’s foreign affairs committee, visited KSrelief’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the visit, the German lawmakers met with several KSrelief officials to discuss relief efforts.

The German officials praised KSrelief for planning and implementing relief projects worldwide, and highlighted the agency’s reputation globally in the field.