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News for pilgrims

Visa rules, Nusuk and Rawdah changes, transport and season dates — short, with what it means for your trip.

  • Arabian Oryx: The First Species to Return from 'Extinct in the Wild'
    Nature

    Arabian Oryx: The First Species to Return from 'Extinct in the Wild'

    RIYADH — The Arabian oryx is the first species to recover from “Extinct in the Wild” to “Vulnerable”, following conservation breeding and reintroduction efforts in Saudi Arabia. In 2011, the Arabian oryx’s classification on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List improved from Endangered (EN) to Vulnerable (VU), marking a three-category improvement for a species previously classified as Extinct in the Wild (EW). After the species disappeared from the wild in the 1970s, Saudi Arabia embarked on a long-term effort to restore the Arabian oryx and return it to its histor

  • Uzbekistan Hosts International Qur'an Calligraphy Competition

    Uzbekistan Hosts International Qur'an Calligraphy Competition

    TASHKENT — The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan announced an international calligraphy competition to create a unique copy of the Holy Qur’an. This initiative is part of the International Media Forum with the theme of "Islamic civilization: A new perspective and new discoveries," held in the Uzbek capital city of Tashkent. The competition falls under the "World of Qur’an: From the traditions of Arabic calligraphy to the heritage of the future" project. Its aim is to create a unique copy of the Holy Qur’an that embodies the most prominent traditions of Islamic calligraphy, distinct from various cultures.

  • The Star Suhail: An Ancient Sign of the End of Summer Heat on the Arabian Peninsula

    The Star Suhail: An Ancient Sign of the End of Summer Heat on the Arabian Peninsula

    RIYADH — The rising of the star Suhail on the southern horizon at dawn Monday, Aug. 24, heralds the signs of the end of summer season in the Arabian Peninsula. The Suhail star is the most-anticipated star in the Arab world as it finally signals the end of summer and the gradual beginning of cooler days in the desert regions. Residents of the Arabian Peninsula are awaiting the appearance of the Suhail star in one of the most well-known celestial signs associated with seasonal change in the region. Majed Abu Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, said that with Suhail rising shortly b

  • Saudi Arabia Leads in Global ICT Development Index

    Saudi Arabia Leads in Global ICT Development Index

    Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in the International Telecommunication Union's ICT Development Index (IDI), one of the key national achievements highlighted in the fifth edition of the 2026 Sustainability Report in the Communications, Space and Technology Sector.