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Tag: Saudi

  • All GCC residents can apply for Saudi tourist visas regardless of profession

    All GCC residents can apply for Saudi tourist visas regardless of profession

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    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib announced on Thursday, that all expatriate residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will be allowed to obtain a tourist visa for the Kingdom, regardless of their profession, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

    The requirement of specific professions for granting a tourist visa to residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was abolished.

    “Saudi Arabia’s visa application is now simpler, more convenient and straightforward for residents of GCC states, regardless of their profession,” Al-Khatib tweeted.

    Al-Khatib said that the tourist visa will allow holders to visit the various regions of the Kingdom and perform Umrah

    The ministry said that all residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will be able to enter the Kingdom with an electronic tourist visa obtained by applying through the “Visit Saudi” platform, provided that their residence permit is valid for at least three months and a passport for six months at least. the least.

    Also, all first-degree relatives of residence visa holders and domestic workers who wish to visit along with their sponsors are allowed to obtain a tourist visa.

    The visa fee is 300 Saudi riyals (Rs 6,554), in addition to the value of medical insurance.

    e Visa application process

    • Upload the required documents.

    In 2022, Saudi Arabia launched a tourist visa for residents of the Gulf countries, which included people with specific professions.

    Earlier, Al-Khatib said that the Kingdom will compete with 100 international tourist destinations after the completion of the Red Sea projects, and that it aims to receive 100 million visitors by 2030.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Saudi sets rules to offer Iftar services in Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah

    Saudi sets rules to offer Iftar services in Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah

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    Saudi set conditions to offer Iftar services in Prophet's Mosque in Madinah

    As the holy month, Ramzan 1444 AH is around the corner, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced the requirements for providing iftar services for those fasting in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

    This came in a statement issued by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque, which it published on its Twitter account.

    Here are the requirements

    • Licenses and commercial records must be valid of the catering contractors for Haj and Umrah
    • The space and area of ​​the facility in the affiliated facilities shall not be less than 600 square metres
    • Each facility must have a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
    • License for minimum of 3 refrigerated food transport vans, equipped with 4 stainless steel trolleys per vehicle
    • Experience in this field without obtaining relevant comments affecting product and service quality
    • Specialized cooling centers with an area of ​​not less than 45 square meters for storage before and after packaging
    • Providing dedicated and equipped sites for packaging, the area of ​​which is not less than 65 square meters.

    The agency also confirmed that iftar service providers in the Prophet’s Mosque are allowed to distribute meals themselves or through catering companies.

    It also pointed out that the distribution of breakfast meals through catering companies will only be for people who will receive a license from them according to the conditions listed in the license and in compliance with the general specifications approved by the Food and Drug Organization.

    It is necessary for Iftar service providers to update their information through the agency website after receiving SMS update request messages. They must also abide by the dates, places, and amounts specified for them in the permit.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Saudi: Embroidered cloth pieces around Black Stone replaced

    Saudi: Embroidered cloth pieces around Black Stone replaced

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    Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has completed the replacement of the embroidery surrounding the Kaaba’s Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad) in the Grand Mosque, Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

    The Agency for the Affairs of the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba at the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has finished replacing the embroidered pieces surrounding the Black Stone, and Rukn Al Yemani, the Yemeni Corner.

    The work of replacing the embroidered pieces with golden reed threads was carried out by six employees and skilled seamstresses from the compound.

    The project took 20 days to complete, considering the increasing number of pilgrims performing Umrah.

    The works were done without affecting the practice of pilgrims to greet and kiss the Black Stone, and to touch the Yemeni Corner.

    About Black Stone

    The Black Stone is located in the southeastern corner of the Kaaba or the House of God from the outside, and it is the starting and ending point of performing the Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba. It has an oval shape and is reddish-black in colour, and is 30 centimeters in diameter.

    The Black Stone is part of the four pillars of the Holy Kaaba, which is the point from which the circumambulation begins and ends, and Muslims took that ritual from the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

    The Black Stone consists of eight pieces from the remainder of it its face, grouped together in varying shapes.

    It is noteworthy that a few years ago a new line of embroidery was added to the Kiswah (Ghilaf-e-Kaaba) for the first time to embellish its Rukn Al-Yemani.

    What is the Kiswah?

    The term Kiswah in Arabic means clothing made for covering the body, but it is also used as a term for the silk covering of the Kaaba. It is made of high-quality black velvet backed by a heavy-duty lining.

    The covering of the Kaaba is made of 47 pieces of natural silk, each 98 cm by 14 metres. The outer layer of the Kiswah consists of 670 kg of pure silk. The lining on the inside is a strong cotton lining, which helps keep the silk on top.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Saudi Arabia approves hiring female drivers; 12 new professions added

    Saudi Arabia approves hiring female drivers; 12 new professions added

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    Saudi Arabia approves hiring female drivers, 12 more new jobs

    Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has permitted the hiring of female drivers as part of new professions allowed for recruitment designated for domestic labour.

    The Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has approved hiring domestic labour services in 13 new professions available for recruitment via Musaned electronic platform.

    The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said on Twitter that new jobs can be recruited through its online platform, Musaned, as part of efforts to develop the domestic labour sector and meet the needs of the country.

    Among the new professions available to domestic workers are driver, personal care worker, home tailor, home manager, private tutor and home farmer.  

    13 new professions are:

    • Private speech and hearing specialist

    The number of domestic workers in Saudi Arabia reached 3.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of nearly 193,000 against the second quarter of 2022, Arabic daily Al Eqtisadiah reported.

    About Musaned platform

    As part of its efforts to regulate the labour market, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources has created a Musaned platform to help clients learn about their rights and duties and related services including issuance of visas, employment applications and the contractual relationship between employers and workers.

    The ministry has made the contracting process mandatory through Musaned, being the official recruitment platform in the Kingdom.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Saudi Arabia begins issuing Umrah permits for Ramzan; Here’s how to apply

    Saudi Arabia begins issuing Umrah permits for Ramzan; Here’s how to apply

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    Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has started issuing Umrah permits for the holy month of Ramzan 1444/2023 via an electronic platform aimed to facilitate services for rituals.

    The Ministry of Haj and Umrah stated that those who want to perform Umrah in the month of Ramzan can get permission through the Nusuk platform.

    The Eatmarna app previously used for Umrah bookings has been cancelled.

    “Issuing of permits for Ramzan Umrah is open now. For easy and smooth Umrah, make your reservation via the Nusuk app,” the ministry tweeted on Wednesday.

    Those who wish to perform Umrah during Ramzan this year should start booking their places as soon as possible. Time slots are limited so it is essential to remember that they may be taken quickly.

    The time map showed that there is severe crowding during the first three Thursdays of Ramzan, which corresponds to the second, ninth and sixteenth day of the month.

    While the remaining 20 days of Ramzan showed slight crowding. It is to be noted that the last ten days of Ramzan are still not available for booking in Nusuk.

    Ramzan is usually the peak of the Umrah season.

    Umrah is a pilgrimage to Islam’s two holiest sites in the cities of Makkah and Madinah and can be performed at any time of the year. It is distinct from the Haj, which takes place once annually.

    Ramzan is expected to start this year on March 23, although the exact date is likely to be announced on the night of March 22 by the country’s moon-sighting committee.

    About Nusuk platform

    Nusuk is a platform that aims to simplify the process of planning the pilgrimage to Makkah, Madinah and other holy sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    People can complete many activities related to Haj, from applying for an e-Visa to booking flights and hotels. In the future, Nusuk plans to include scheduling visits to holy sites, making custom plans, etc.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Saudi plies over 9K EVs for Umrah pilgrims, Grand Mosque visitors

    Saudi plies over 9K EVs for Umrah pilgrims, Grand Mosque visitors

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    Saudi: Over 9K electric vehicles for Umrah pilgrims, Grand Mosque visitors

    Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has provided more than 9,000 electric vehicles (EV) for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

    The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet’s Holy Mosque has provided electric vehicles (EVs) round the clock for elderly and disabled Umrah performers and pilgrims.

    The move helps them to perform the needed rituals with ease.

    More than 9,000 electric vehicles are at the service of visitors to the Grand Mosque and can be pre-booked through the Tanaqol (transport), which aims to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers through the latest technological developments.

    The application helps in the purchase of tickets and pre-booking of electric vehicles and reduces overcrowding at points of sale and delivery.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Who are the five women ambasaadors represent Saudi

    Who are the five women ambasaadors represent Saudi

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    In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has taken great steps to empower women and give them more opportunities. These efforts are part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s transformative Vision 2030 which aims to elevate the status of women in the kingdom and provide equal opportunities.

    Saudi Arabia has so far chosen five Saudi women as ambassadors of the Kingdom to countries around the world.

    Here are the five women who represent the Kingdom

    Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud

    Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan was sworn in as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States in April 2019, becoming the kingdom’s first female ambassador.

    The royal role model followed her father, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who was also Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005.

    Previously, she held the position of Deputy Planning and Development at the Saudi General Sports Authority and Vice President of the Authority for Women’s Affairs.

    She also served as president of the Mass Participation Federation and was the first woman to lead a multi-sports federation in the Kingdom.

    Amal Yahya al-Moallimi

    In 2020, Amal Yahya al-Moallimi was appointed Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Norway, making her the kingdom’s second female ambassador.

    Al-Moallimi holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University and a graduate degree in Mass Communication and Media from the University of Denver in the United States.

    In 2019, she held the position of Director General of International Organizations and Cooperation at the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission, and before that, she was the Assistant Secretary General at the King Abdulaziz National Dialogue Center of Saudi Arabia.

    Inas bint Ahmed Al-Shahwan

    Inas al-Shahwan was sworn in as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Sweden and Iceland in April 2021. She is the third Saudi woman to be officially appointed to represent the Kingdom.

    Al-Shahwan holds a master’s degree in international relations from an Australian university, as well as a degree in the Emerging Leadership Program from Harvard University.

    In 2007, Al-Shahwan joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, making her the first woman to become an ambassador in the diplomatic service. He has also held several positions in this ministry, including political adviser to the deputy minister of foreign affairs.

    She was also the first woman to hold the position of department manager in the deputy political and economic affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Nisreen al-Shibel

    Nasreen bint Hamad Al-Sheibel was appointed as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Finland on January 3 at al-Yamamah Palace. She swore an oath in front of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

    Haifa al-Jadea

    On January 3 Haifa al-Jadea was appointed as the Ambassador and Head of the Royal Delegation to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC).

    Al-Jadah holds a master’s degree in conflict resolution and negotiation from Columbia University and a master’s degree in international relations from Syracuse University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University.

    She is one of the eight members of the Saudi Media and Research Group (SRMG) executive team and was the CEO of SRMG Think.

    She was also the representative of the Kingdom in the United Nations Security Council and supervised the General Department of International Relations in the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Meet Hyderabad’s Indira Eegalapati, metro pilot in Saudi Arabia

    Meet Hyderabad’s Indira Eegalapati, metro pilot in Saudi Arabia

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    Jeddah: Saudi Arabia was once known for being the only country in the world that does not allow women to drive vehicles. A common stereotype once prevailed that “Women cannot drive”. However, women have been breaking stereotypes with vision 2030 women’s power in Saudi Arabia is in full effect.

    Not only vehicles, but women are also now steering trains in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Indian woman loco pilot Indira Eegalapati deserves special attention from the Indian community on International Women’s Day.

    She is the pilot on Riyadh Metro Train, hailing from Guntur and settled in Hyderabad. Before coming to pilot trains in Saudi Arabia, Indira worked in Hyderabad Metro for over 3 years and she logged 15,000 km total.

    An IT engineering post-graduate whose friends settled in the software field yet she chose to be different by driving trains not only at home but also abroad.

    PHOTO 2023 03 07 18 24 48 2

    “While I was a child I used to assist my mechanic father by giving him tools and spare parts and now I am driving one of the most advanced trains in the world”, said Indira.

    “We are three sisters and our father has given utmost importance to the education of girls, though some of our relatives oppose spending on education instead of saving for dowry as we don’t have brothers,” she recalled.

    “When I was selected for Riyadh Metro, most of our relatives were apprehensive as to how a single woman can go to Saudi Arabia to work as train pilot, my determination didn’t deter me and I made my way to Saudi”, added Indira.

    Indira also operated the train in Doha during the world cup where she was sent by Saudi Arabia.

    She is full of praise for her Saudi female colleagues and impressed with women empowerment in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. It is noteworthy to mention that Saudi women pilots constitute a major part of metro train pilots in the Kingdom.

    Indira is married and her husband also works as a loco pilot in Qatar.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Saudi Arabia bans imams from collecting donations during Ramzan

    Saudi Arabia bans imams from collecting donations during Ramzan

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    photo 6069115559406057243 y

    Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has warned imams and muezzin in mosques that collecting financial donations for fasting people or other iftar projects during Ramzan is prohibited.

    This came in a statement issued by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, which it published on its Twitter account.

    According to the statement, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, issued a circular to all the Ministry’s branches about the need to prepare mosques to serve the worshipers, in preparation to receive the holy month of Ramzan 1444.

    Here are the ten points for imams and muezzin to follow during Ramzan:

    • The imams and the muezzin must adhere to complete regularity in their work, and avoid being absent during Ramzan except for extreme necessity.
    • The imams and the muezzin must abide by the calendar of Umm al-Qura, raise the call to prayer for the isha prayer in its time in Ramzan, and establish the prayer according to the approved period for each prayer.
    • It is also necessary to take into account the circumstances of the people in Tarawih prayers, and to complete the Tahajjud prayer in the last ten days of Ramzan in sufficient time before the dawn call, so that this will not be hardship for the worshipers.
    • The imams and the muezzin were also asked to abide by the Prophet’s guidance in supplicating qunoot in Tarawih prayers, not to prolong and confine themselves to supplications and mosques, and to stay away from hymns and intonations.
    • Reading some useful books on the mosque group.
    • It is forbidden to use mounted cameras for the purpose of photographing the imam and worshippers while performing the prayer, and it is also forbidden to transmit or broadcast prayers in the media of all kinds.
    • The imam is responsible for authorizing the i’tikaf, checking that there are no violations from it, and knowing the data for the i’tikaaf. The imam must seek the approval of the approved sponsor for non-Saudis wishing to perform i’tikaaf.
    • Not collecting financial donations for breakfast projects for fasting people and others.
    • Iftar is served for the fasting person – if any – in the places prepared for that in the courtyards of the mosque, under the responsibility of the imam and the muezzin. The person in charge of breaking the fast for the fasting person should clean the area immediately after breaking the fast. It is important not to set up any temporary rooms, tents, etc. to keep breakfast in.
    • The ministry urged worshipers not to take children, as that would disturb the congregation and cause them to lose reverence.
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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • First batch of Saudi businesswomen graduates

    First batch of Saudi businesswomen graduates

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    First batch of Saudi businesswomen graduates

    WIn (Women Innovators) Fellowship program celebrated the graduation of the first batch of Saudi businesswomen at Georgetown University in the United States, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

    The ceremony was held in the presence of Crown Prince Musab bin Muhammad bin Farhan on behalf of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.

    The program is part of the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Empowerment Initiative in collaboration with Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business with support from the US Embassy in Riyadh, UPS, PepsiCo, and the Women in Business Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia.

    Atlantic Council’s Middle East took to Twitter and wrote, “The WIn fellowship celebrated the graduation of its inaugural cohort today. These Saudi fellows’ inspiring journeys are testimonies of women’s true potential in the MENA region.”

    The first batch included Rawan Al-Kharboush who is a CEO of a biotechnology company, Renad Al-Jifri who is also a CEO of a company that specializes in creating job opportunities for people with disabilities in the healthcare industry, and Sarah Bin Laden who is an entrepreneur and data analytics specialist.

    The program lasted for a year. Participants enhanced their expertise, increased their practical knowledge, and developed their relationships between individuals and commercial relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. It will help them expand their business locally, regionally, and globally.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )