Visa rules, Nusuk and Rawdah changes, transport and season dates — short, with what it means for your trip.
The Saudi Ministry of Health's announcement that the 2026 Hajj season was free from any epidemic outbreaks or health threats affecting public health received widespread praise from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Al Huda Park has entered a new phase of activation as Hamat commences its first tenant handovers at the upcoming flagship retail and lifestyle destination in Makkah, ahead of its planned Q1 2027 opening. The first unit has been handed over to Panda Retail Company, marking the beginning of tenant fit-outs and operational readiness at the project. The milestone comes as Al Huda Park continues to gain momentum alongside Makkah’s wider economic and urban transformation, signaling increasing market confidence in the city’s next generation of retail and lifestyle destinations. With construction now
Saudi Arabia started issuing Umrah visas and the entry of pilgrims into Saudi Arabia from Sunday, Dhul Hijjah 14, corresponding to May 31 for the new Umrah season.
In Saudi Arabia, the results of the "Sustainable Ihram" initiative aimed at recycling ihrams used by pilgrims during Hajj have been summarized. Over the past year, more than 5,000 new products were made from collected fabrics, including bags, pillows, covers, and souvenirs. The project has prevented over 211 tons of textiles from going to landfills, contributing to reduced carbon emissions. The initiative also created 30 seasonal jobs and provided employment for 25 seamstresses from family production projects. More than 200,000 people participated in the information campaigns accompanying the program. According to the National Waste Management Center, the project is supported by 22 governmental, private, and non-profit organizations. 🌴 @SaudiaUAE
RIYADH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has called on pilgrims, who performed Hajj this year, to share their views and suggestions to help enhance services in future Hajj seasons. The initiative underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to continuous improvement in the management and delivery of Hajj services. Al-Rabiah issued the invitation through his official account on the “X” platform, highlighting the importance of listening to pilgrims’ experiences and drawing upon their feedback and recommendations as a vital source of development and improvement. He noted that such insight
TABUK — The first birth of onager (Equus hemionus) on Saudi soil in more than 100 years was recorded at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, thanks to the intensive Saudi wildlife conservation efforts. These efforts mark the return of a species that had disappeared from the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula for over a century. The reserve noted that the male onager was born in June 2025 as part of the Arabian rewilding program launched to reintroduce 23 native species to their former natural habitats. The birth has only now been announced after the onager successfully completed its first 1
The National Center for Wildlife in Saudi Arabia has launched new ecotourism projects, including: 🟢 safari zones in Taif and Tadhik 🟢 special birdwatching sites on the Farasan Islands and in other regions of the country The projects aim to develop sustainable tourism linked to nature conservation and biodiversity. Particular attention is paid to the Farasan Islands Reserve in the Red Sea, known for its marine ecosystem, migratory birds, and rare Arabian gazelles. 🌴 @SaudiaUAE