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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.

  • Expo 2030 Riyadh: Construction Progress and Saudi Ambitions

    Expo 2030 Riyadh: Construction Progress and Saudi Ambitions

    RIYADH — Expo 2030 Riyadh hosted a strategic site walkthrough and executive progress review, bringing together senior leadership from key delivery partners involved in the development of the Expo 2030 Riyadh site. Construction activity continues to scale across the Expo 2030 Riyadh site as preparations advance for one of the world’s largest and most ambitious World Expos. The site walkthrough was led by senior officials from Expo 2030 Riyadh, including Chief Executive Officer Talal AlMarri and Chief Delivery Officer Murad AlSayed. Participating partners included Nesma & Partners CEO Rami Al-Tu

  • Safety of Pilgrimage: A Priority for Saudi Arabia

    Safety of Pilgrimage: A Priority for Saudi Arabia

    The Council of Ministers reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia will never hesitate to take all measures necessary to protect its security, preserve its stability, and ensure the safety of its citizens and expatriates.

  • Cultural Rise of Saudi Arabia: New Experiences and International Cooperation

    Cultural Rise of Saudi Arabia: New Experiences and International Cooperation

    What will Saudi Arabia’s new cultural sector offer to its audiences? While vistas of cranes and pile drivers sketch the scale of new infrastructure, does recent programming offer a taste of the future experiences? From the pulsating Tunnel of Calvin Harris’ DJ set at Sound Storm to the wonder of the Islamic Arts Biennale (with loans from the V&A), to Noor Riyadh (featuring Random International), and Thikra (with Manal AlDowayan). And who could forget Sir Anthony Hopkins’ composition, ‘Life is a Dream’, staged for a live broadcast with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under a floating dream

  • Heat and Dusty Winds in Makkah During Hajj 2026

    Heat and Dusty Winds in Makkah During Hajj 2026

    MAKKAH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has forecast dusty winds and temperatures reaching up to 47 degrees Celsius in Makkah and the holy sites during the 2026 Hajj days. The NCM announced the anticipated weather conditions in Makkah and the holy sites, expecting hot to extremely hot weather accompanied by strong surface winds that may raise dust and sand, particularly during daytime. The CEO of the NCM Dr. Ayman Ghulam stated that the period from the beginning of Dhul Hijjah until the Day of Tarwiyah (Dhul Hijjah 8) is expected to witness maximum temperatures ranging between 44 an

  • How to Avoid Fraud When Booking Hajj Services

    How to Avoid Fraud When Booking Hajj Services

    MAKKAH — Security patrols in Makkah arrested an Egyptian man and woman for committing fraud and deception by publishing fake and misleading advertisements for Hajj services via social media platforms. They were referred to the Public Prosecution after taking the necessary legal measures. The Public Security called on Saudi citizens and expatriates to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions, and to promptly report violations by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.

  • 141 million passengers at Saudi Arabia's airports in 2025

    141 million passengers at Saudi Arabia's airports in 2025

    RIYADH — The total number of passengers, who traveled through the Kingdom’s airports, reached 140.9 million during the year 2025, a 9.6 percent increase compared to 2024. According to the 2025 air transport statistics bulletin, released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), international flights accounted for 75.8 million arriving and departing passengers, up 9.4 percent, while domestic flights recorded 65.1 million passengers, marking a 9.8 percent increase year-on-year. King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah ranked first among the Kingdom’s airports with 53.5 million passen