黑料社区

Makkah鈥檚 Mashaer metro transports 1.87m passengers during Hajj

Makkah鈥檚 Mashaer metro transports 1.87m passengers during Hajj
With a fleet of 17 eco-friendly electric trains, each capable of carrying 3,000 passengers, the metro system has significantly reduced traffic congestion and carbon emissions by replacing about 50,000 passenger buses during the Hajj season. (SPA photo)
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Updated 12 June 2025

Makkah鈥檚 Mashaer metro transports 1.87m passengers during Hajj

Makkah鈥檚 Mashaer metro transports 1.87m passengers during Hajj
  • Mashaer completes 2,154 trips between Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat
  • Dedicated to serving Hajj pilgrims, it runs for only 7 days every year

MAKKAH: A total of 1.87 million passengers used the Mashaer Metro Train to travel between Makkah鈥檚 holy sites during this year鈥檚 Hajj, according to 黑料社区 Railways.

From Dhul Hijjah 7 (June 3) until the end of the Days of Tashreeq (June 9), there were 2,154 trips between the stations of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, the railway agency said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

The operational plan for the Mashaer transport system during Hajj 2025 had five main phases, with the first one from June 3 to 4 transporting over 27,000 passengers across all stations.

The second phase moved 282,000 pilgrims from Mina to Arafat, the third transported 294,000 from Arafat to Muzdalifah, and the fourth moved over 349,000 from Muzdalifah to Mina.

鈥淭he final phase, which lasted until sunset on the last day of Tashreeq, recorded the movement of over 920,000 passengers to and from Mina 3 (Jamarat) station,鈥 the SPA said.

黑料社区 Railways CEO Bashar AlMalik attributed the successful completion of the operational plan to extensive preparatory work, including simulation exercises and trial runs by the agency in coordination with operational and security agencies.




Traveling at 80 km per hour, the train can move passengers from Mina to Arafat in just 20 minutes. (SPA)

Also known as the Al-Mashaer Al-Mugaddasah Metro, or The Sacred Sites Train Line, it consists of nine stations across the holy sites, connected by an 18-km double-track railway. It can accommodate 72,000 passengers per hour in one direction.

Traveling at 80 km per hour, the train can move passengers from Mina to Arafat in just 20 minutes, giving pilgrims ease and comfort and allowing them to concentrate on their Hajj rituals.

Opened in 2010, the line is used exclusively as a shuttle train for pilgrims between holy sites in Makkah, Mina, Mount Arafat and Muzdalifah.

With a fleet of 17 eco-friendly electric trains, each capable of carrying 3,000 passengers, the metro system has reduced traffic congestion and carbon emissions by replacing about 50,000 passenger buses during the Hajj season.


More than 18,600 residency, labor, border offences recorded across 黑料社区

There are currently 31,015 expatriates, 29,172 men and 1,843 women, undergoing procedures to enforce regulations. (SPA)
There are currently 31,015 expatriates, 29,172 men and 1,843 women, undergoing procedures to enforce regulations. (SPA)
Updated 05 October 2025

More than 18,600 residency, labor, border offences recorded across 黑料社区

There are currently 31,015 expatriates, 29,172 men and 1,843 women, undergoing procedures to enforce regulations. (SPA)
  • Authorities apprehended 1,479 individuals trying to cross into the Kingdom illegally, of these, 59 percent were Yemenis, 40 percent were Ethiopians and 1 percent were from other nationalities

RIYADH: In inspection campaigns across 黑料社区 between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1, the Ministry of Interior recorded 18,673 offences, including 10,673 related to residency, 3,822 to border security, and 4,178 to labor laws.

Authorities apprehended 1,479 individuals trying to cross into the Kingdom illegally, of these, 59 percent were Yemenis, 40 percent were Ethiopians and 1 percent were from other nationalities. They also arrested 52 people for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

Also arrested were 17 people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing offenders.

There are currently 31,015 expatriates, 29,172 men and 1,843 women, undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.

Meanwhile, 25,478 individuals were detained for breaching regulations and were instructed to contact their countries鈥 embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documents. In addition, 2,139 were advised to make travel arrangements, and 11,544 were repatriated.

 


黑料社区鈥檚 Breastfeeding Association hosts second international conference in Riyadh

黑料社区鈥檚 Breastfeeding Association hosted its second international conference on Sunday in Riyadh. (AN photo)
黑料社区鈥檚 Breastfeeding Association hosted its second international conference on Sunday in Riyadh. (AN photo)
Updated 05 October 2025

黑料社区鈥檚 Breastfeeding Association hosts second international conference in Riyadh

黑料社区鈥檚 Breastfeeding Association hosted its second international conference on Sunday in Riyadh. (AN photo)
  • Running from Oct. 5-7, the conference aims to educate the public on breastfeeding practices, emphasizing the health and well-being of mothers and children worldwide

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Breastfeeding Association hosted its second international conference on Sunday in Riyadh, bringing together global lactation medicine specialists and industry experts for the three-day event.

Running from Oct. 5-7, the conference aims to educate the public on breastfeeding practices, emphasizing the health and well-being of mothers and children worldwide.

Experts from across the world are participating in the forum.

鈥淲e strive diligently to achieve the targets of Saudi Vision 2030 by reaching 70 percent of breastfeeding mothers, because the right support at the first moment makes a difference that lasts a lifetime, so that we hope this continues with healthier and safer steps,鈥 Dr. Fatima Yousef Al-Juwan, chair of the board of directors and founding member of the Breastfeeding Association, said.

During the opening ceremony of the conference, a video played, highlighting the mission of the association: 鈥淥ur mission is for every mother to receive the support she deserves and for every child to start their life with the best possible care because supporting the mother is not a secondary option; rather, it is the foundation for long-term health and for the community.鈥

The association operates on multiple levels, raising public awareness for mothers, offering professional training for health workers, and promoting institutional development for research and financial stability.

In her remarks, Al-Juwan stated that the association also trains mothers to become experts in breastfeeding and provides licensing in breastfeeding mentoring.

鈥淭his is a program accredited by the World Health Organization and UNICEF and is applied in countries worldwide. The number of mentors has reached more than 500,鈥 Al-Juwan said.

During her opening remarks, she said: 鈥淥ne of the central focuses of the association is offering training and qualification programs for workers in the health sector and accompanying mothers from pregnancy until weaning with practical and distinguished supportive guidance.鈥

The initiatives of the association also align with the global sustainable development goals: zero poverty and hunger, good health and well-being, reduced inequalities, and responsible consumption.

The opening ceremony of the conference also featured an awards ceremony celebrating partners and supporters of the association, and it will hold a specialized award ceremony to honor mothers.

The conference welcomed multiple booths offering products focusing on infants and mothers, including Birth Kuwait, Lansinoh, Enaya Health Society, and more.


Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry holds training course in Ghana

The program seeks to strengthen engagement by promoting a moderate and balanced approach to Islamic teachings. (X @Saudi_Moia)
The program seeks to strengthen engagement by promoting a moderate and balanced approach to Islamic teachings. (X @Saudi_Moia)
Updated 05 October 2025

Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry holds training course in Ghana

The program seeks to strengthen engagement by promoting a moderate and balanced approach to Islamic teachings. (X @Saudi_Moia)
  • In September, the ministry 鈥 through the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center in Argentina 鈥 also organized a Shariah course in Santiago, Chile, in partnership with the Islamic Center of Chile

KUMASI: The three-day program brought together imams, students and others interested in Islamic affairs.The three-day program brought together imams, students and others interested in Islamic affairs. has launched a five-day scientific course in Ghana aimed at training and qualifying preachers, imams and orators.

The program seeks to strengthen engagement by promoting a moderate and balanced approach to Islamic teachings. It forms part of the ministry鈥檚 broader efforts to advance its global mission of spreading the values of moderation to Muslim communities worldwide.

In September, the ministry 鈥 through the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center in Argentina 鈥 also organized a Shariah course in Santiago, Chile, in partnership with the Islamic Center of Chile. The three-day program brought together imams, students and others interested in Islamic affairs.

It aimed to deepen participants鈥 understanding of Shariah law, equip them with the skills to communicate Islam鈥檚 tolerant teachings, and reinforce the values of moderation and coexistence.

These initiatives reflect the ministry鈥檚 commitment to promoting Islamic knowledge internationally and supporting imams and preachers in fulfilling their role of presenting Islam鈥檚 true and compassionate message to the best of their abilities.

 


Deputy minister receives ambassador of Iran in Riyadh

Saud Al-Sati (R) holds talks with Alireza Enayati in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Saud Al-Sati (R) holds talks with Alireza Enayati in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Updated 05 October 2025

Deputy minister receives ambassador of Iran in Riyadh

Saud Al-Sati (R) holds talks with Alireza Enayati in Riyadh. (Supplied)
  • The pair 鈥渞eviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in a manner that serves the aspirations of the two countries

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received the Ambassador of Iran to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati in Riyadh.

During the meeting, the pair 鈥渞eviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in a manner that serves the aspirations of the two countries,鈥 the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Shura Council Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh is heading a delegation an official visit to Pakistan. He stressed the strong strategic depth of relations between the two countries, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

 


New smart system helps blind users navigate with confidence

New smart system helps blind users navigate with confidence
Updated 05 October 2025

New smart system helps blind users navigate with confidence

New smart system helps blind users navigate with confidence
  • Scientific testing has shown the system to be more accurate and efficient than conventional models, with the added benefit of compatibility with mobile and smart devices

ARAR: A research team from Northern Borders University, in collaboration with the King Salman Center for Disability Research, has developed an intelligent navigation system designed to help blind and visually impaired individuals move more independently in a variety of environments.

The innovative system uses Vision Transformer technology and a dual-attention mechanism to analyze images and extract detailed visual information. This enables users to recognize their surroundings 鈥 such as offices, classrooms or stores 鈥 without relying on direct assistance, enhancing both privacy and confidence.

Scientific testing has shown the system to be more accurate and efficient than conventional models, with the added benefit of compatibility with mobile and smart devices.

The project supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to empower people with disabilities, promote their inclusion in society, and ensure equal access to education, employment and mobility opportunities.