黑料社区

黑料社区 outlines security strategies for Hajj

黑料社区 outlines security strategies for Hajj
黑料社区's Ministry of Interior outlined comprehensive security and organizational strategies for the Hajj season 2025 during a press conference on Sunday. (SPA)
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Updated 02 June 2025

黑料社区 outlines security strategies for Hajj

黑料社区 outlines security strategies for Hajj
  • Authorities seize 252 fake Hajj campaigns and arrest 1,239 transporters breaching Hajj regulations
  • Almost 110,000 unauthorized vehicles turned back, as were 269,678 people not residing in Makkah, 75,943 people without Hajj permits, and 11,610 in breach of various regulations

RIYADH: 黑料社区's Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational strategy to ensure an incident-free 2025 Hajj season.

The ministry held a press conference with Hajj security force commanders on Sunday at the Unified Security Operations Center. Briefing attendees included key officials such as Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the director of public security, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari, commander of special emergency forces at the presidency of state security, Maj. Gen. Hamoud Al-Faraj, director-general of civil defense, and Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Marba, the acting director-general of the general directorate of passports.

Al-Bassami affirmed 黑料社区鈥檚 commitment to prepare a safe, secure, and organized environment for pilgrims.

He said the efforts aligned with the directives of the minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, who has endorsed extensive security and organizational plans for the 2025 Hajj season.

These plans, he said, encompass all facets of security, public order, crowd management, traffic flow, and emergency response, implemented through an integrated framework that spans the pilgrims鈥 entire journey, from arrival to departure.

Al-Bassami said that any attempts to disrupt security or violate regulations would be met with strict and uncompromising action.

He further emphasized the readiness of the Grand Mosque and the holy sites to manage large crowds, aiming to alleviate congestion and maintain safe capacities on all roads and holy sites.

Seasonal traffic management plans are also in effect for routes leading to Makkah and Madinah, as well as central area entrances, to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims.

The General Directorate of Public Security reported significant enforcement actions.

Authorities seized 252 fake Hajj campaigns and apprehended 1,239 transporters violating Hajj regulations.

Additionally, 109,632 unauthorized vehicles were turned back, as were 269,678 people not residing in Makkah, 75,943 people without Hajj permits, and 11,610 people who disobeyed residency, labor and border security regulations.

Furthermore, the number of visit visa holders who arrived for the purpose of Hajj reached 205,713.

Al-Omari reiterated the forces' commitment to ensuring protection and maintaining order during the Hajj season.

He detailed the implementation of precise field plans, focusing on preventing infiltrators and unauthorized individuals from accessing the holy sites.听

The plans include managing and organizing crowd movement at the Jamarat stoning facility and the southern courtyard of the Grand Mosque to ensure smooth flow and pilgrim safety.

In a notable development, Al-Faraj announced the first use of the Falcon drone for firefighting and rescue operations, a new addition to the General Directorate of Civil Defense鈥檚 Hajj operations this year.听

He emphasized the sector's readiness to implement its approved plan in service of the pilgrims.

Al-Marba outlined the directorate鈥檚 integrated plan within the Ministry of Interior鈥檚 security framework.听

This plan is built upon four pillars: ensuring full readiness to receive pilgrims at air, land, and sea ports, including those under the Makkah Route Initiative; enforcing regulations against illegal pilgrim transporters through seasonal administrative committees at Makkah鈥檚 entrances; providing support to security and service agencies in the holy sites through field presence; and organizing and overseeing the departure of pilgrims post-Hajj.


Production at hydroponic farm in Madinah tops 2m kg

Production at hydroponic farm in Madinah tops 2m kg
Updated 18 August 2025

Production at hydroponic farm in Madinah tops 2m kg

Production at hydroponic farm in Madinah tops 2m kg
  • The farm has many environmental and economic advantages over traditional agriculture, including reducing fertilizer use by up to 60 percent and water use by as much as 90 percent

RIYADH: A hydroponic farm in Madinah is becoming a model for sustainable crop cultivation after generating more than 2 million kg of produce.

Using 20 air-conditioned agricultural halls spanning 183,000 sq. meters, the facility grows mostly lettuce, celery, rosemary, wild thyme and basil, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Ayman Al-Sayed said that modern agricultural technologies were helping to improve production efficiency and quality while supporting food security and the National Agricultural Strategy. (SPA)

The farm has many environmental and economic advantages over traditional agriculture, including reducing fertilizer use by up to 60 percent and water use by as much as 90 percent.

These qualities are in line with the National Water Strategy 2030 and the nation鈥檚 broader drive to improve environmental sustainability.

Ayman Al-Sayed, director general of the Madinah branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, said that modern agricultural technologies were helping to improve production efficiency and quality while supporting food security and the National Agricultural Strategy.

He highlighted the ongoing support for farmers through agricultural subsidy programs and development plans aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Saudi agricultural products on local and international markets.

 

 


Riyadh workshop promotes cultural heritage in nature reserves

Riyadh workshop promotes cultural heritage in nature reserves
Updated 18 August 2025

Riyadh workshop promotes cultural heritage in nature reserves

Riyadh workshop promotes cultural heritage in nature reserves
  • The reserve is undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly acacia, across its vast 91,500 sq. km area

RIYADH: The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, organized a workshop on cultural heritage in nature reserves.

It was part of national efforts to integrate cultural and environmental dimensions and promote national identity through the preservation and development of nature reserves, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Attended by various specialists and experts, the workshop explored ways to leverage intangible cultural heritage in nature reserves, emphasizing the vital role of local communities in preserving it and passing it on to future generations.

The initiative reflects the collaborative efforts of national organisations committed to preserving cultural heritage, protecting natural biodiversity, and creating an integrated tourism experience that highlights the richness of Saudi identity in its environmental and cultural dimensions.

The reserve is also undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly acacia, across its vast 91,500 sq. km area.

This restoration aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to revitalize the reserve鈥檚 vegetation and restore ecological balance, the SPA reported.

Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role. They provide grazing, shade and habitat for wildlife while also helping to stabilize the soil and offering a nectar source for high-quality honey.

 


Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan

Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan
Updated 18 August 2025

Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan

Saudi initiative promotes Arabic in Azerbaijan
  • Part of the academy鈥檚 global initiative, the program supports Arabic for non-native speakers, boosts its international presence, and strengthens academic cooperation

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched its Arabic Language Month program in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Part of the academy鈥檚 global initiative, the program supports Arabic for non-native speakers, boosts its international presence, and strengthens academic cooperation.

The launch featured speeches by the academy鈥檚 secretary-general, Abdullah Al-Washmi, and Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Essam Al-Jutaili, highlighting cultural ties and the program鈥檚 role in promoting Arabic under Vision 2030.

Aimed at teachers, students, and language enthusiasts, the program includes competitions, training courses, and a scientific symposium on Arabic education in Central Asia.

Experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Georgia will discuss challenges and opportunities in Arabic teaching.

The event is part of the academy鈥檚 series held in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China, Uzbekistan, France, Spain and Brazil.

 


AI boot camp to develop national talent

AI boot camp to develop national talent
Updated 18 August 2025

AI boot camp to develop national talent

AI boot camp to develop national talent
  • The boot camp aims to build on ongoing efforts to develop national talent and provide future-ready tools in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification

RIYADH: A 鈥淏uilding AI Agents鈥 boot camp, run by the Saudi Data and AI Authority in partnership with American AI hardware company Groq, aims to empower participants in the use of the technology through a hands-on experience culminating in an applied project.

Organizers said the event will combine real-time reasoning and smart-monitoring systems, as participants design voice- and text-based AI agents and create high-performance AI applications using Groq鈥檚 advanced architecture.

The SDAIA said the event is part of its efforts to enhance national AI capabilities and promote the adoption of advanced technology, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The boot camp aims to build on ongoing efforts to develop national talent and provide future-ready tools in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, it added, and help reinforce the Kingdom鈥檚 position as a global data and AI hub.

The boot camp, which features three in-person training days, begins on Sept. 7. Register at sdaia.gov.sa by Aug. 19.

 


黑料社区, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise

黑料社区, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise
Updated 18 August 2025

黑料社区, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise

黑料社区, South Korea sign MoU to boost audit expertise
  • Choe emphasized that the MoU will enhance joint work, boost performance efficiency, and improve auditing quality

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 General Court of Audit and South Korea鈥檚 Board of Audit and Inspection signed a memorandum of understanding in Seoul on Monday to strengthen cooperation in accounting, auditing, and professional practices.

The agreement was signed by Hussam Alangari, president of the GCA, and BAI chair Choe Jae-hae, with Saudi Ambassador to South Korea Sami Alsadhan in attendance.

The MoU aims to exchange expertise, build professional capacities, and develop manuals for financial, compliance, and performance auditing. Joint workshops and training programs will support these goals.

Alangari said the agreement reflects GCA鈥檚 regional and international standing and its role in sharing expertise with member institutions.

Choe emphasized that the MoU will enhance joint work, boost performance efficiency, and improve auditing quality.