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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.

  • Light as a Guardian of Heritage: How Regions of Saudi Arabia Illuminate Culture

    Light as a Guardian of Heritage: How Regions of Saudi Arabia Illuminate Culture

    RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s landscapes are shaped not only by its geography and heritage, but also by the light that brings them to life. From ancient villages to coastal cities, light plays a role in preserving cultural identity, enhancing tourism, and supporting scientific and artistic development across the Kingdom. For the International Day of Light, observed annually on May 16, the Saudi Press Agency shoe several Saudi regions to highlight how light contributes to culture, tourism, sustainability, innovation, and the arts. Najran’s visual heritageIn Najran, light reflects the spirit of the re

  • Saudi Arabia Launches Naming Rights Project for High-Speed Train Stations

    Saudi Arabia Launches Naming Rights Project for High-Speed Train Stations

    RIYADH — Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) on Saturday launched its naming rights and sponsorship project for the Haramain High Speed Railway stations. The project specifically covers the stations in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah (Sulaimaniyah), and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The initiative — focused on elevating the passenger experience by developing the stations and activating new commercial services — is designed to open new investment opportunities in partnership with the private sector and enhance asset utilization. Operating at speeds of up to 300 km/h, the Haramain High Speed Railway ranks

  • Hajj Visa Requirements: Fines and Compliance Rules

    Hajj Visa Requirements: Fines and Compliance Rules

    RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior emphasized that expatriates overstaying their visas will face fines of up to SR50,000, imprisonment for up to six months, and deportation. The ministry urged all individuals to comply with Hajj season regulations and cooperate with the authorities to ensure pilgrims’ safety and security. Violators of these regulations would be subject to legal penalties. The ministry also urged the public to report violations by dialing 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.

  • The Museum of Light and World Invites Visitors for Free

    The Museum of Light and World Invites Visitors for Free

    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center has announced free entry to the Museum of Light and World from May 16 to 18. The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM and offers visitors an interactive journey through the history and achievements of Islamic civilization. Guided tours are conducted by cultural guides, and the exhibitions are enhanced with multimedia and modern digital technologies. The interactive halls showcase the artistic, scientific, and cultural achievements of Islamic civilization, as well as its connections with other cultures. The exhibition is available in seven languages: Arabic, Russian, English, Chinese, Spanish, French, and Hindi. The museum is divided into five main galleries dedicated to values such as tolerance, worship, creativity, and coexistence. There is also a separate space for families and children. The museum is

  • Expansion of Hospitals in Mina: Caring for Pilgrims' Health

    Expansion of Hospitals in Mina: Caring for Pilgrims' Health

    The expansion of the second emergency hospital in Mina continues in preparation for Hajj. Three additional floors and a new building of 18,000 m² are being constructed, increasing the hospital's capacity to 400 beds. The first phase of the project, completed last Hajj season, occupied 5,300 m² and included 200 beds. The hospital is also connected by a bridge to Mina Emergency Hospital 1 for better coordination of medical services. The expansion aims to enhance the emergency response system for pilgrims in Mina during Hajj. Meanwhile, the Saudi Red Crescent has launched an enhanced operational plan at the Grand Mosque. More than 270 ambulances, including regular ambulances, golf carts for medical staff, mobile rapid response teams, and motorcycles, are stationed in Mecca and the central area.