In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi in Makkah on Tuesday. The meeting was confirmed by Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and focused on improving ties and regional peace. According to the SPA, both ministers discussed current developments in the Middle East, […]
Makkah
Missile defense system installed in Makkah to protect hajj pilgrims
Saudi Arabia has installed a surface-to-air defense missile system in Makkah. This step is taken to protect the pilgrims visiting for Hajj. The Saudi Ministry of Defense shared photos of the missile system. The ministry said the main goal is to guard the guests of God. Pilgrims’ safety remains a top priority for the Saudi […]
Under scorching heat, over a million pilgrims gather in Makkah for hajj 2025
MAKKAH — More than 1.3 million Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Makkah ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, braving extreme desert heat as Saudi authorities intensify efforts to ensure a safe and orderly experience. The pilgrimage officially begins on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to soar beyond 40°C (104°F) this week. To prevent a repeat of […]
Makkah records heaviest rainfall in Saudi Arabia with 64mm in Sarar area
Makkah saw the highest rainfall in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with 64mm recorded in the Sarar area of Taif. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture reported the rainfall as part of their monitoring across 10 regions. The data came from 129 stations that tracked precipitation over the past 24 hours. Other areas in […]
Despite rising prices, millions of pilgrims travel to Makkah for Hajj
Minimum cost for Hajj soars to $7,000 this year. Massive crowds likely to break attendance records. Chance to “see Kaaba” worth spending everything. MAKKAH: Over 2.5 million Muslims are anticipated to go to Makkah, one of Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, to make the Hajj pilgrimage, which is projected to be the largest in […]
Pilgrims face severe rains to do Umrah in Makkah around Kaa’ba
Rain is a blessing for pilgrims who go to holy city of Makkah – on Friday, visitors at the Grand Mosque were met with a downpour. A number of social media videos showed gloomy clouds covering the holy site and heavy rain pouring down on Umrah pilgrims. Several people are seen braving the rain […]
20 killed in bus crash in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: A bus ferrying pilgrims to Makkah burst into flames after a collision on a bridge on Monday, killing 20 people and injuring more than two dozen others. The incident in the southern province of Asir highlights persistent challenges to safely transporting worshippers to Makkah and Madina. “According to preliminary information we have now received, […]
Elderly woman from Karchi goes missing in Makkah
Nazeeran Bibi who hails from Karachi went to perform Umrah with her husband, went missing in Great mosque of Makkah. Nazeeran and her husband Muhammad Hanif, had left Pakistan on August 26. Hanif said that he lost track of his wife at the Great Mosque of Makkah after performing Tawaf during the pilgrimage. Despite duly […]
Hajj-flight operations to start from Monday: Aviation Division
ISLAMABAD: The Aviation Division has finalized all arrangements to start almost a month-long Hajj-flight operation from Monday (June 6) aimed at transporting the intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for performing the religious obligation, under the ‘Road to Makkah’ project. The first Hajj flight would take off from Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) at 03:30 a.m. on […]
More than 7,000 teams to serve pilgrims during Hajj 2019
MAKKAH: The operational plan of the General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque is being implemented by 7,720 teams to serve pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season. The agency’s teams are providing their services in all aspects of the plan. These include service, engineering, technical, technological, cultural, information, social aspects, and oversight […]