28 April 2025
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Distributes Nusuk Cards for 1446 AH Makkah
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has commenced the distribution of Nusuk cards for the 1446 AH Hajj season, with over 150,000 cards already issued and a daily production capacity of 70,000. Printed domestically in state-of-the-art facilities adhering to stringent quality and security standards, Nusuk cards incorporate anti-duplication security features, aiding security personnel in identification and verifying pilgrims’ legal status. Each card contains comprehensive pilgrim information, including their accommodation details in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, as well as contact information for their service provider. This aims to streamline pilgrim guidance and reduce instances of pilgrims getting lost. The card also facilitates access to various enrichment services. Nusuk card printing will continue until all necessary Hajj permits and visas have been issued. International pilgrims will receive their cards upon arrival in the Kingdom through their designated pilgrim service company. Domestic pilgrims can obtain their Nusuk cards from their service companies at designated gathering points before the Hajj season begins.
Ministry of Interior Arrests Hajj Fraudsters Advertising Fake Campaigns Riyadh
The Ministry of Interior, through the General Directorate of Public Security, apprehended a group of individuals engaged in fraudulent activities by publishing fake and misleading Hajj campaign advertisements on social media. The deceptive ads claimed to offer pilgrim housing and transportation within the holy sites, perform Hajj on behalf of others, secure and distribute sacrificial animals, and sell Hajj bracelets. The ministry stated that the perpetrators were arrested, legal proceedings commenced, and they were referred to the Public Prosecution. The ministry clarified the official channels for obtaining Hajj permits: domestic pilgrims must use the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s “Nusuk” platform, while international pilgrims obtain Hajj visas through authorized entities in the Kingdom via the “Tasreeh” unified digital platform. Regarding the sale and marketing of sacrificial animal (Hady, Adahi, Fidyah, Sadaqah) bonds, the ministry affirmed that the official Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi (adahi.org, unified number 920020193) is the sole authorized entity for this. The Ministry of Interior urged citizens and residents intending to perform Hajj to comply with all regulations and instructions and to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern Region, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.
Sheikh Salah Al-Budair to Lead Friday Prayer at Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Arzam in Maldives
Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair will lead the Friday prayer at Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Arzam in the Maldives’ capital, Male. This comes as part of the program set for visits of the imams of the Two Holy Mosques to countries around the world, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance in collaboration with the Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The visit is part of efforts to promote the moderate message of the Two Holy Mosques, highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and Muslims globally, and disseminate the principles of moderation and tolerance. It also reflects the Kingdom’s leadership role through its scholars and representatives in supporting Islamic causes and enhancing cultural and religious communication among nations.
Islamic Affairs Minister Discusses Hajj Preparations, Launches Multilingual Guide Jeddah
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Abdullatif Al Alsheikh on Thursday held a meeting in his Jeddah office with ministry officials responsible for Hajj affairs. The meeting addressed the requirements and final preparations for the upcoming Hajj season of 1446 AH, as well as an overview of the ministry’s key initiatives and programs in this regard. During the meeting, Al Alsheikh, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Ministry’s Hajj, Umrah and Visitation Works, launched a new digital Hajj guide available in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Malayalam, and Turkish. It will be distributed in electronic libraries at miqats and mosques at their locations, as well as on Saudi airlines flights, to help educate and guide Hajj pilgrims on the Hajj rituals and regulations. The meeting is part of the ministry’s efforts to monitor the progress of various departmental operations, in line with the leadership’s vision in serving Hajj pilgrims, further supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Tourism Ministry Tightens Hajj Season Booking Regulations for Makkah Riyadh
The Ministry of Tourism has mandated that from April 29, 2025, until the end of the Hajj season 1446 AH, all travel and tourist agencies and accommodation facilities in Makkah must not complete booking or check-in procedures for incoming or resident visa holders, except for those who hold a valid Hajj visa or an official permit for work or residency during the Hajj season. This measure aligns with the Ministry of Interior’s announced arrangements to ensure pilgrim safety, requiring all other visa holders to leave Makkah starting Dhu Al-Qi’dah 1, 1446 AH, corresponding to April 29, 2025. Furthermore, all tourist facilities and online booking platforms must fully comply with this mandate for the specified categories to support a safe and organized Hajj. The Ministry of Tourism also emphasized that all hospitality providers in Makkah and online platforms must comply with the Hajj 1446 AH regulations and cooperate with authorities, warning that non-compliance will result in legal penalties for both establishments and individuals.
Red Sea Global to Soon Open Nammos AMAALA Resort, Blending Saudi, Greek Designs
Red Sea Global announced that the Nammos AMAALA Resort will open its doors this year. The partnership with the Nammos Hotels & Resorts marks their first resort outside Greece, promising a one-of-a-kind experience in the region. Located at the breathtaking Triple Bay in AMAALA destination, Nammos AMAALA Resort features 110 keys with ocean views and 20 residences, supported with a variety of exceptional amenities. The design merges Greek and Saudi aesthetics, with the exterior inspired by traditional Hijazi architecture, while the interiors reflect the Cycladic style in Mykonos. AMAALA destination’s first masterplan is progressing, with a focus on the development of Triple Bay. The resort is expected to welcome its first guests in 2025, with a total of 1,400 keys spread across eight hotels. Looking ahead, Triple Bay will feature 12 resorts and three residential communities. Once completed, AMAALA will boast around 4,000 hotel rooms across 30 hotels, along with around 1,200 luxury villas, apartments, and estate units. The destination will also include vibrant marinas catering to the global yachting community, as well as an array of upscale retail, fine-dining restaurants, wellness centers, and entertainment facilities.
Interior Ministry: SAR50,000 Fine for Sponsors Failing to Report Departure by Visa Expiry Riyadh
The Ministry of Interior has stressed that a fine of up to SAR50,000, imprisonment for up to six months, and deportation if the offender is an expatriate will be imposed on any sponsor who fails to report the departure of those they sponsored by the expiration date of the entry visa. The ministry also emphasized the importance of adhering to the Kingdom’s official Hajj and Umrah guidelines and instructions.
KSrelief Delivers April Allowances to 600 Orphaned Children in Syria’s Aleppo
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed April allowances to 600 orphaned children in Akhtarin, Al-Bab, and Afrin in Aleppo Governorate, as part of the Aman project for orphan care in the Syrian Arab Republic. In addition, special psychological support activity was conducted to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse on physical and mental health. The initiative targeted enhancing social awareness regarding the impact of drugs on families and communities, providing strategies for preventing addiction. Informational brochures discussing the risks of drugs and prevention methods were distributed, along with digital tasbeeh counters for all attendees, who also enjoyed a presentation and an awareness video. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian and relief efforts to support orphans wherever they are and alleviate their suffering.
KSrelief Distributes 3,131 Food Baskets in Al Wadi District of Yemen’s Marib
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) on Sunday distributed 3,131 food baskets to vulnerable groups in Al Wadi District of Yemen’s Marib Governorate, benefiting 21,917 individuals. This initiative is part of the 2025 Food Aid Distribution Project in Yemen.
Kingdom Accelerates Toward Vision 2030: Record Achievements and Promising Indicators Riyadh
Driven by the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is making rapid strides toward a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation, guided by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This transformative journey, built upon the Kingdom’s inherent strengths, realizes HRH the Crown Prince’s assertion that “all success stories start with a vision, and successful visions are based on strong pillars.” Saudi Arabia is witnessing a significant transformation across all sectors, fueled by the remarkable progress in realizing Saudi Vision 2030’s goals through its vision realization programs and integrated national strategies. This progress is underpinned by the Kingdom’s rich human and natural resources, robust investment capabilities, economic strength, prominent Arab, Islamic, and international standing, and strategic geographic location. Saudi Vision 2030 charts a course that integrates culture and innovation, adapting to rapid global changes and creating broader opportunities for citizens, residents, and visitors. Implemented in three five-year phases, each building on the successes of the last, the vision’s initial phase focused on foundational structural, economic, financial, and social reforms. The second phase accelerated progress and maximized the benefits of key sectors. The upcoming third phase aims to enhance the sustainability of this transformation and capitalize on emerging growth opportunities. Marking the ninth year since the launch of this ambitious vision, the Vision 2030 Annual Report 2024 offers a comprehensive overview of the vision’s journey, encompassing past phases, achievements, preparations for the future, and its associated programs and national strategies. The second section of the report details the vision’s performance through first and second-level indicators, showcasing overall progress in its programs and initiatives. It highlights achievements across the three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. The third section provides an in-depth look at key accomplishments in 2024 across four axes: a fast-growing economy, an empowered society, a leading destination, and a sustainable vision. According to the report, 85% of the 1,502 active initiatives are either completed or on track (674 completed and 596 on track). Impressively, 93% of national program and strategy indicators have met, exceeded, or are close to meeting their 2024 interim targets, with 257 exceeding annual goals and eight vision targets achieved six years ahead of schedule. Several 2030 targets have already been met, including exceeding 100 million tourists, registering eight Saudi sites on UNESCO World Heritage List, and reaching 1.2 million volunteers (surpassing the one million goal). Women’s labor force participation reached 33.5%, exceeding the 2030 target of 30%. The Kingdom also achieved its 7% unemployment target. The country’s e-participation ranking soared 32 places since 2016 to seventh globally, surpassing its top-ten target. Similarly, its UN E-Government Development Index ranking climbed 30 places to sixth globally, nearing its top-five ambition. Furthermore, the number of international companies establishing regional headquarters in the Kingdom has already exceeded the 2030 target, reaching over 571. Regarding key indicators related to “vibrant society,” the Kingdom achieved remarkable milestones. A historic high of 16.92 million foreign Umrah pilgrims was recorded, significantly exceeding the 2024 target of 11.3 million. Home ownership among Saudi households reached 65.4%, a substantial increase from 47% in 2016 and already surpassing the 2025 target. Healthcare coverage expanded to 96.4% of population centers, putting the Kingdom within reach of its 2030 goal of 99.5%. Furthermore, the percentage of adults engaging in the recommended 150 minutes of weekly physical activity rose to 58.5%, exceeding the 2024 target, alongside 18.7% of children and adolescents meeting the daily 60-minute recommendation. This progress contributes to an increased average life expectancy of 78.8 years, moving closer to the 2030 target of 80 years. Advanced indicators for “thriving economy” reveal that the Public Investment Fund’s assets under management have more than tripled since Vision 2030’s launch, reaching SAR3.53 trillion and exceeding the 2024 target. The private sector’s contribution to GDP reached 47%, surpassing the 2024 target. The localization of military industries has also seen substantial growth, reaching 19.35%, a notable increase from 7.7% in 2021. In its ninth year, the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 continues its strong momentum, achieving significant milestones. Employment in small and medium-sized enterprises reached 7.86 million, surpassing the 2024 target. Notably, four Saudi universities now rank among the world’s top 500, with King Saud University achieving a global rank of 90th – a first for a Saudi institution in the top 100. The “ambitious nation” goal also demonstrates progress, with 71.67% of large companies offering CSR programs, exceeding the 2024 target. The non-profit sector’s contribution to GDP reached 0.99%, moving towards the 2030 goal of 5%, while employment in this sector increased to 0.64%. Under the report’s “fast-growing economy” axis, the Kingdom has risen to 16th place in the global competitiveness index, maintaining its leading position in venture capital across the Middle East and North Africa with a 40% share. Exceptional achievements within “empowered society” include the Seha Virtual Hospital’s entry into the Guinness World Records as the largest virtual hospital globally. Furthermore, seven Saudi hospitals are now among the top 250 worldwide, with King Faisal Specialist Hospital recognized as the global leader in medical technology utilization. The accreditation of 16 Saudi cities as healthy cities positions the Kingdom as the highest-ranking nation in the region for globally accredited healthy cities. The readiness of health areas to confront health risks has also increased significantly to 92%. By the end of 2024, over 850,000 Saudi families achieved homeownership. The digital transformation of the judicial system saw 98% of litigation sessions conducted electronically, totaling over 2.3 million sessions. Additionally, more than 5.3 million electronic powers of attorney were issued, benefiting over six million individuals. Saudi students excelled internationally, securing 114 medals and grand prizes at the prestigious ISEF 2024 and ITEX 2024 science, engineering, and invention competitions. Efforts to empower national talent continue to yield results, with over 437,000 Saudi citizens joining the private sector workforce in 2024 through Human Resources Development Fund programs. By the end of 2024, around 2.4 million Saudi men and women were employed in the private sector. The Kingdom has made significant strides in empowering women, with the percentage of Saudi women in middle and senior management positions reaching 43.8%. Their participation in the labor market has also seen remarkable growth, increasing to 36% by the end of 2024, a substantial rise from 17% in 2017. Safety and Security have also seen notable improvements. The traffic accident death rate per 100,000 people decreased from 17.6 in 2018 to 12.3 in 2024. Furthermore, the confidence index in the Kingdom’s security services reached an impressive 99.85%. In digital leadership, the Kingdom has secured advanced global positions, ranking first in the internet users index, second globally in both the digital transformation index for companies and the technology development and application index. The sports sector has witnessed considerable growth, with the number of sports clubs covering diverse activities increasing to 128 and the number of sports federations rising to 97 – a growth rate exceeding 200%. The percentage of Saudi women engaging in weekly sports activities has reached 46%. Under the “leading destination” axis, the Kingdom has advanced to 16th place globally in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. Notably, it won the bid to host the largest edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2034, becoming the first nation to host this expanded event independently. The Kingdom also established the Esports World Cup and hosted its inaugural edition. Continuing its efforts to enhance the international competitiveness of Saudi cities, Madinah was listed among the top 100 global tourist destinations for 2024, and AlUla became the first Middle Eastern destination accredited by Destinations International. The electronic visa program was expanded to include 66 countries. Development continues on major tourism projects, with Qiddiya’s Aquarabia reaching an 81% completion rate and Six Flags at 87%. International tourism revenues saw a significant increase of 148% compared to 2019, and entertainment events attracted 76.9 million visitors. The Kingdom also led the G20 in international tourist arrivals. Cultural enrichment saw 16 cultural elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The first specialized college of arts was launched at King Saud University, and the ALLaM model was integrated into IBM watsonx platform as a leading generative AI model in Arabic, bolstering Arabic content on international platforms. In line with the report’s “sustainable vision” axis, significant environmental initiatives have been undertaken, including the planting of over 115 million trees and the rehabilitation of more than 118,000 hectares of degraded land. The agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP reached SAR114 billion, and over 7,800 endangered animals were resettled. The launch of the first hydrogen-powered bus and taxi marked a step towards sustainable transportation, and four additional renewable energy projects were commissioned, driving the cost of renewable electricity production to some of the lowest global levels. The world’s first solar-powered desalination plant was also established. Reflecting on these achievements in its ninth year, the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 has demonstrably matured ahead of schedule, delivering results that have surpassed expectations. This success is attributed to effective planning, dedicated effort, and the ambition of the Saudi people. HRH the Crown Prince affirmed this progress, stating: “Nine years into Vision 2030, we stand proud of what our people have accomplished. They have turned ambition into action and goals into milestones. We have not only met key targets – we have surpassed many. Looking ahead, our resolve is stronger than ever. We will accelerate delivery, embrace every opportunity, and further elevate the Kingdom’s position as a global leader.”
Over 13 Million Visitors Pray at Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa in Past Year Madinah
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque today announced the successful facilitation of over 13 million visitors praying at Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa in the Prophet’s Mosque last year, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to enhance the pilgrim experience. The authority highlighted this success as a result of integrated efforts across government agencies and the leadership’s commitment to providing a reassuring and spiritual atmosphere for religious rituals, utilizing advanced technology and organization to deliver optimal services to visitors. The authority detailed organizational efforts including the development of the Nusuk and Tawakkalna pre-booking system, expanded coordination with security, health, and service entities, and enhanced field personnel operational capacity to ensure smooth visitor flow and organized entries and exits, according to high quality and safety standards. Artificial intelligence was employed to analyze visitor traffic and optimize entry times. Multilingual signage and support services were also provided for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, ensuring an accessible and safe spiritual experience for all. The authority reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to improving services at the two holy mosques, which aligns with the vision’s strategic objectives, notably strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leading global Islamic destination.
Source: Majed Alsaedi – Social Media Bloger @majed_in_Makkah on Instagram
