What makes Ramadan in Old Jeddah special
24 May 2018

What makes Ramadan in Old Jeddah special

JEDDAH: Old Jeddah (Al-Balad) is one of the most popular historic landmarks of the city. Locals and non-locals enjoy walking down the old alleys and admiring the remnants of old Hejaz, making it a favorite tourist attraction in the city. According to Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) sources, its existence may date back to the era before Islam. Some of

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FaceOf: Mohammed Salih Bentin, Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah minister
24 May 2018

FaceOf: Mohammed Salih Bentin, Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah minister

During the season of Ramadan, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is considered to be at its second busiest apart from the Hajj season, as many residents and visitors perform Umrah during this sacred time. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s continued efforts are evident with the smooth progress of pilgrims through Makkah. A royal decree appointed Mohammed Salih Bentin as Minister for

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Lowest April Occupancy In Makkah Since 2010
24 May 2018

Lowest April Occupancy In Makkah Since 2010

Makkah experienced its lowest occupancy level during the month of April since 2010, according to figures that have been released by industry analysts STR.

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French star Paul Pogba performs Umrah in Makkah ahead of World Cup
24 May 2018

French star Paul Pogba performs Umrah in Makkah ahead of World Cup

Pogba makes visit to holy city ahead of FIFA World Cup in Russia

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SAMA starts withdrawing SR1 notes from market
23 May 2018

SAMA starts withdrawing SR1 notes from market

In December 2016, SAMA unveiled the sixth issue of Saudi currency, including the new one-riyal and two-riyal coins, in addition to coins in the denominations of 50 halalah, 25 halalah, 10 halalah, 5 halalah and one halalah.

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Special forces ensure pilgrims’ safety
23 May 2018

Special forces ensure pilgrims’ safety

Al-Osaimi urged pilgrims and worshippers not to pray in the pathways inside the mosque as it would obstruct the movement of the worshippers to and from the mosque. “We have introduced a new system to absorb the crowds in the mataf area when worshippers line up for prayers by creating special pathways for their movement to vacant areas,” he said.

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Exhaustion, heat blamed for fatal accidents in Ramadan
23 May 2018

Exhaustion, heat blamed for fatal accidents in Ramadan

The workers, hailing from Nepal, India and Bangladesh, worked in a date farm in Madinah. They were on their way back to Madinah in a bus after performing Umrah on the first day of Ramadan. The bus overturned near Madinah on Friday killing nine people on the spot and injuring 19 others, some of them critically. One of the injured succumbed on the way to hospital.

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Provisionally selected list of pilgrims issued
23 May 2018

Provisionally selected list of pilgrims issued

GreaterKashmir: Executive Officer, State Haj Committee, in pursuance to Hajj Committee of India Circular No. 29 of 21stMay 2018 today said the pilgrims wait-listed from GWL-689 to GWL-814 have been provisionally

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FaceOf: Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, deputy governor of Makkah region
22 May 2018

FaceOf: Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, deputy governor of Makkah region

Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz has been deputy governor of Makkah region since April 2017. He was previously a deputy head of department of the King Salman Youth Center. King Salman Youth Center is a non-profit organization established to build youths into professional leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Prince Abdullah obtained his degree from King Saud

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47 hospitals, health centers in Makkah to serve pilgrims
22 May 2018

47 hospitals, health centers in Makkah to serve pilgrims

Mutair said Ajyad emergency hospital covers the Central Area from the south while the northern area is covered by Al-Haram emergency hospital. The two hospitals have 35 intensive care beds and 51 emergency beds, he added.

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Paul Pogba shares spiritual trip to Makkah on social media
22 May 2018

Paul Pogba shares spiritual trip to Makkah on social media

JEDDAH: France and Manchester United star Paul Pogba is back in Saudi Arabia to make a pilgrimage to Makkah during the holy month of Ramadan. Pogba posted a video to Twitter commenting on the beauty of the holy city. The 25-year-old Muslim told his followers that he hoped they would be able to visit “this beautiful place” as he shot video of the Holy Mosque and the Kaaba.

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8,700 electric cars, wheelchairs for pilgrims arranged in Makkah
21 May 2018

8,700 electric cars, wheelchairs for pilgrims arranged in Makkah

RIYADH: About 8,700 electric cars and wheelchairs will be provided for the elderly, sick and pilgrims with special needs to use free of charge in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has announced. The presidency will also supervise the wheelchair pushers, and provide them with the necessary

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