黑料社区

Saudi transport minister tours Hajj shuttle service for pilgrims

Saudi transport minister tours Hajj shuttle service for pilgrims
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, second left, visits the shuttle station. (SPA)
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Updated 07 June 2025

Saudi transport minister tours Hajj shuttle service for pilgrims

Saudi transport minister tours Hajj shuttle service for pilgrims

RIYADH: As Hajj rituals continue to take place in the holy sites in Makkah, 黑料社区鈥檚 transport minister on Friday night toured a shuttle bus service used to move pilgrims from Mina to the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser inspected the shuttle station west of the Jamarat complex, as pilgrims attempt to complete the Tawaf Al-Ifadah inside the holy mosque in Makkah.

The services uses a dedicated lane to transport about 20,000 passengers an hour on 100 buses on the short 20-minute journey northward to the Grand Mosque.

The minister鈥檚 visit is part of 黑料社区鈥檚 efforts to ensure the quality of services provided to pilgrims, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

More than 1.6 million pilgrims are taking part in this year鈥檚 Hajj, which is an annual event and a key pillar of Islam.

Saudi authorities have said that the event has been a success with various ministries and state institutions taking part in ensuring the safety and timely provision of services to pilgrims.

In an address on Friday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said: 鈥淭he continued success we witnessed today in serving the Guests of God is the result of our blessed country鈥檚 efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques, the holy sites and their visitors.鈥

The pilgrims, who are affectionately referred to as the Guests of Allah, are encamped in the tent city of Mina and will be performing the 鈥渟toning of the devil鈥 ritual at the Jamarat over the next few days.

They spent Thursday standing at the plain of Arafat, an act considered as the climax of Hajj, supplicating and asking forgiveness from Allah.

On Friday, Muslims across the world marked Eid Al-Adha, which is always celebrated the day after Arafat.


Flynas to begin direct Jeddah-Moscow flights from Dec. 23

Flynas to begin direct Jeddah-Moscow flights from Dec. 23
Updated 09 October 2025

Flynas to begin direct Jeddah-Moscow flights from Dec. 23

Flynas to begin direct Jeddah-Moscow flights from Dec. 23
  • Opening comes 6 months after Flynas started Riyadh-Moscow route

RIYADH: Flynas is set to launch direct flights between Jeddah and Moscow, expanding on its Riyadh-Moscow route that opened in August.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday, the low-cost airline said it would operate three flights a week between Moscow鈥檚 Vnukovo International Airport and Jeddah鈥檚 King Abdulaziz International Airport, starting Dec. 23.

The route is being undertaken in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Air Connectivity Program, Flynas said.

The ACP was launched in 2021 to develop new routes that would help expand the Kingdom鈥檚 tourism sector.

The plan is in line with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to have national air carriers connect 黑料社区 with 250 international destinations.

The goal is for national air carriers to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030.

黑料社区 also wants to ensure access to the two holy mosques under the Pilgrims Experience Program.

Established in 2007, Flynas is now the largest budget carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, connecting 72 destinations across the region, Europe and Asia, and it has a strong presence in the domestic market.

The airline has been recognized as the Middle East鈥檚 Leading Low-Cost Airline by the World Travel Awards, and achieved a four-star score by APEX rating.


AlUla to hold astronomy seminar

AlUla to hold astronomy seminar
Updated 08 October 2025

AlUla to hold astronomy seminar

AlUla to hold astronomy seminar
  • AlUla is renowned for its dark skies, considered among the clearest in the world

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla will organize an educational seminar as part of the 鈥淛ourney Through the Stars鈥 series on Oct.12 at 5 p.m.

The event will be staged in collaboration with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the team from AlUla Manara, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The seminar will be presented by specialist in physics and astronomy Dr. Thamer Al-Refay and will cover the fundamentals of astronomy and methods for identifying its components.

The 鈥淛ourney Through the Stars鈥 series is an educational initiative launched by the RCU to raise awareness of astronomy, in collaboration with several entities, including KACST.

The series features seminars and educational sessions in Arabic, focusing on astronomy, stars, and space science concepts, with an emphasis on connecting astronomical knowledge to the local environment.

AlUla is the site of several pioneering projects in this field, most notably the AlUla Manara observatory project, the first of its kind in the region, as a research and astronomical center that opens new horizons for scientific discoveries.

AlUla is renowned for its dark skies, considered among the clearest in the world.

The RCU obtained DarkSky accreditation for the AlUla Manara observatory site and the Gharameel Nature Reserve, making them the first certified dark-sky locations in 黑料社区 and the Gulf region.

The recognition reflects the RCU鈥檚 commitment to promoting astro-tourism and stargazing, as well as supporting space sciences and scientific discoveries.


Arabic Language education held at Riyadh Book Fair

Arabic Language education held at Riyadh Book Fair
Updated 08 October 2025

Arabic Language education held at Riyadh Book Fair

Arabic Language education held at Riyadh Book Fair
  • This approach emphasizes enabling learners to use the language effectively in real-life situations

RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, held a workshop on Arabic language teaching techniques.

The session was led by professor of Applied Linguistics at King Saud University, Dr. Bandar Al-Ghmaiz, and attended by specialists and enthusiasts of Arabic language instructors for non-native speakers, both from within the Kingdom and abroad.

Al-Ghmaiz outlined several compelling reasons behind the growing global interest in learning Arabic, such as the desire to understand the Holy Qur鈥檃n, engage with Arab and Islamic cultural heritage, and the language鈥檚 increasing relevance in economic, political and cultural spheres.

He addressed the use of modern technologies in teaching Arabic.

This approach emphasizes enabling learners to use the language effectively in real-life situations.

He discussed the importance of cultural immersion, which integrates language learning with a deeper understanding of the culture and context of its native speakers.

Al-Ghmaiz also highlighted 黑料社区鈥檚 pioneering role in Arabic language education through specialized university institutes and the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, which serves as a model for developing high-quality content and curricula, as well as launching impactful initiatives to promote the Arabic language globally.


Zakat, Tax, Customs Committees wins big

Zakat, Tax, Customs Committees wins big
Updated 08 October 2025

Zakat, Tax, Customs Committees wins big

Zakat, Tax, Customs Committees wins big

RIYADH: The General Secretariat of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Committees has been recognized as the 鈥淏est Workplace for Women鈥 for 2025 in the medium-sized enterprises category across the Gulf states, according to the annual list issued by the global organization Great Place to Work.

This achievement reflects the general secretariat鈥檚 efforts to create an attractive and distinguished work environment for its female employees, founded on collaboration, respect, excellence, and innovation, the SPA reported on Wednesday. 

It also highlights its commitment to empowering national female talent and enhancing their professional participation, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, to increase women鈥檚 contribution to national development.

The general secretariat reiterated its commitment to continuously developing the work environment and empowering women through qualitative initiatives and programs that enhance employee satisfaction, creativity, and performance, in support of the aspirations of the Kingdom鈥檚 leadership and vision.


黑料社区 to host tourism conference in November

黑料社区 to host tourism conference in November
Updated 08 October 2025

黑料社区 to host tourism conference in November

黑料社区 to host tourism conference in November
  • Participants will gather for an international dialogue that charts a roadmap for a more sustainable and prosperous future for global tourism

RIYADH: 黑料社区 will host the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh from Nov. 7- 11, under the theme 鈥淎I-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.鈥

The session coincides with the 50th anniversary of the agency鈥檚 founding.

Represented by the Ministry of Tourism, 黑料社区 is set to welcome delegations from more than 160 member states participating in the session, alongside representatives of international organizations and key players in the tourism sector.

Participants will gather for an international dialogue that charts a roadmap for a more sustainable and prosperous future for global tourism. They will also celebrate five decades of cooperation and progress under the UN Tourism framework.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb invited the world to come to Riyadh to participate in this historic gathering for global tourism diplomacy.

Al-Khateeb stated that the Kingdom looks forward to hosting the UN Tourism General Assembly, organizing a session that will redefine joint global action in tourism and amplify its impact across other sectors.

The 26th session will feature the election of the secretary-general of the organization.

The program includes several meetings for the General Assembly, in addition to meetings for specialized committees and a thematic session exploring the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on tourism.

The 124th and 125th sessions of UN Tourism鈥檚 Executive Council will also take place.