º£½ÇÖ±²¥

Strict security in Makkah targets Hajj violations

Security patrols in Makkah arrested two Indonesian residents for fraud after they posted deceptive social media ads for fake Hajj campaigns. (@makkahregion)
Security patrols in Makkah arrested two Indonesian residents for fraud after they posted deceptive social media ads for fake Hajj campaigns. (@makkahregion)
Short Url
Updated 25 May 2025

Strict security in Makkah targets Hajj violations

Security patrols in Makkah arrested 2 Indonesian residents after they posted deceptive social media ads for fake Hajj campaigns.
  • Ministry of Interior reminded the public that entering Makkah without a Hajj permit from April 29 to June 10 is prohibited. (@makkahregion)

MAKKAH: Security patrols in Makkah arrested two Indonesian residents for fraud after they posted deceptive social media ads for fake Hajj campaigns, falsely promising accommodation and transportation within the holy sites.

In a separate case, Makkah police arrested two Kyrgyz residents for posting fraudulent ads targeting visit visa holders, misleading them into believing they could perform Hajj without a permit.

The suspects transported 87 visa holders and housed them in two rented locations in Makkah for a fee, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Legal action has been taken against them, and they have been referred to the Public Prosecution. The visa violators were also referred to the relevant authorities for legal penalties.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged all citizens and residents to follow Hajj regulations and report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances also arrested seven residents and eight citizens for transporting 61 individuals without Hajj permits, according to the SPA.

The Ministry of Interior issued administrative decisions against the transporters, accomplices, and those transported.

Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), public naming, deportation of residents, and a 10-year re-entry ban after sentencing.

The ministry also called for the confiscation of vehicles used in unauthorized transport and fines of up to SR20,000 for those attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

It urged full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrim safety and reminded the public that entering Makkah without a Hajj permit from April 29 to June 10 is prohibited.


Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations

Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations
Updated 08 October 2025

Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations

Saudi foreign minister receives letter from Egyptian counterpart about bilateral relations
  • Missive accepted by the deputy minister of foreign affairs during meeting with Egypt’s ambassador to the Kingdom

LONDON: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a letter from his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, about relations between their countries and ways in which they might be strengthened in all fields.

The deputy minister of foreign affairs, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, accepted the written message on Prince Faisal’s behalf during a meeting with Egypt’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Ehab Abu Srei, on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Khuraiji and Abu Srei reviewed Saudi-Egyptian relations and discussed other topics of mutual interest, officials said.


27 weekly flights to AlUla in winter season

From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week. (SPA)
From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week. (SPA)
Updated 07 October 2025

27 weekly flights to AlUla in winter season

From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week. (SPA)
  • With regular flights to more than 90 countries from its global hub at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ AlUla service connects northwest Arabia with potential visitors from every continent

ALULA: AlUla is gearing up for a busy winter season, with an expanded network of international flights providing easier access to the oasis in northwest Arabia through services to major regional destinations and links via global hubs.

From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week, including three weekly connections via Doha operated by Qatar Airways, and the reintroduction of Royal Jordanian’s twice-weekly service between AlUla and Amman.

With regular flights to more than 90 countries from its global hub at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ AlUla service connects northwest Arabia with potential visitors from every continent.

The AlUla-Amman connection helps to strengthen cultural ties between Jordan’s Petra and AlUla’s Hegra, which is º£½ÇÖ±²¥'s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The seasonal increase in flights ensures that visitors from across the region and beyond can easily reach AlUla’s natural landscapes, luxury hospitality, rich heritage, and diverse events and experiences during the cooler months — one of the best times to explore the unique destination.

 


Mongolian falcon sells for SR650,000

The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000. (SPA
The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000. (SPA
Updated 07 October 2025

Mongolian falcon sells for SR650,000

The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000. (SPA
  • The first, a hur farkh (juvenile falcon), opened bidding at SR70,000 and was sold for SR128,000

RIYADH: The most expensive Mongolian falcon to date was sold Monday at the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2025 for SR650,000 ($173,276) following intense bidding. 

The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000.

The first, a hur farkh (juvenile falcon), opened bidding at SR70,000 and was sold for SR128,000. The second, a hur qarnas (mature falcon) started at SR100,000 and was sold for SR650,000, making it the most expensive Mongolian falcon ever sold.

For the first time in its history, the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition dedicated a special zone to Mongolian falcons, which hold a distinguished status among falconers in the Kingdom and the region for their exceptional quality.

The zone showcases elite falcon breeds from Mongolia in East Asia, particularly the Mongolian hur falcon, known for its large size, long wingspan, and strong endurance.

Its colors range from white to dark brown, and these traits give the Mongolian falcon an advantage in falconry, thanks to its resilience to harsh conditions and quick responsiveness to training, making it one of the most sought-after species among both amateurs and professionals.

 


AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair

AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair
Updated 07 October 2025

AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair

AI focus of discussion at Riyadh Book Fair
  • The workshop addressed generative artificial intelligence capable of producing texts in multiple forms and its evolution into so-called “AI agents†that can think, analyze, and make decisions

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence and its growing impact on creative writing were at the forefront of discussion during a workshop titled “Technology: Your Gateway to the World of Writing†at the Riyadh International Book Fair, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

The session began with a discussion of prominent authors who left a distinctive mark on literature through their mastery of language and imagination to build meaning and enrich the creative experience.

Two main types of writing were outlined: functional writing, which follows formal templates, and creative writing, which offers wider room for self-expression through imagery, description, and imagination, emphasizing that creativity requires a combination of talent, technique, and linguistic awareness.

The workshop addressed generative artificial intelligence capable of producing texts in multiple forms and its evolution into so-called “AI agents†that can think, analyze, and make decisions, representing an advanced stage of interaction between humans and technology.

The session concluded with practical demonstrations of digital editing tools, highlighting that technology has become an active element in developing writers’ skills, expanding their creative horizons, and enabling them to reach a global audience across modern writing platforms.

 


Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Jordan’s king

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/SPA/AFP)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 07 October 2025

Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Jordan’s king

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. (File/SPA/AFP)

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Tuesday from Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, they reviewed the most prominent regional developments and discussed ways to enhance joint action and intensify efforts to achieve security and stability.