
Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Madinah Welcomes 1st Pilgrims from Egypt, Indonesia
A total of nine buses brought over 200 pilgrims, who were received with organized procedures, facilitated movements, and comprehensive care from the moment they arrived until their departure to subsequent destinations.
Field teams were on hand to distribute awareness and guidance materials. Many pilgrims expressed their appreciation for Saudi Arabia's dedicated efforts in serving Hajj pilgrims.
This initiative forms part of a broader, integrated system put in place by the ministry to ensure high-quality services and a well-managed environment. The goal is to help pilgrims perform their rituals with ease, comfort, and peace of mind, in alignment with the ministry's mission to support and serve all visitors undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage.
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Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Pakistan's national airline concludes month-long post-Hajj flight operation
KARACHI: Pakistan's national flag carrier announced concluding its month-long post-Hajj flight operation on Thursday, saying it had repatriated 41,500 pilgrims since June 10 from Saudi Arabia. Pakistan concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation in May, transporting more than 115,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under both the government and private schemes for the annual Islamic pilgrimage. The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) began its post-Hajj flight operation on June 10. The final post-Hajj flight operated by PIA arrived in Islamabad from Madinah at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, the national airline's spokesperson said in a statement. 'In total, over 41,500 pilgrims were repatriated to Pakistan via 147 flights operated by PIA,' the spokesperson said. 'PIA maintained an on-time departure rate of over 90 percent for its Hajj flights.' The airline said its post-Hajj operation was conducted from Pakistan's Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Multan and Peshawar cities. The airline used its Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 aircraft for the operation. 'Pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by PIA,' the airline's spokesperson said. Pakistan has already started the registration process for Hajj 2026, with over 313,000 individuals completing the process. Intending pilgrims can register for the annual Islamic pilgrimage next year through the religion ministry's online portal and 15 designated banks. Pakistan has extended the deadline to register for Hajj 2026 till July 11.


Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Reimagining the road ahead in Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: As cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah grow at an unprecedented pace, they face mounting pressures that come with rapid urban expansion: increased traffic, infrastructure demands, and changing mobility patterns. These challenges have sparked new conversations — and innovations — to support evolving everyday life. Among the latest digital tools to emerge is Balady+, a Saudi Arabia-developed navigation app that is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play according to the app's listing. Launched in May, the app offers a locally tailored alternative to global platforms such as Google Maps and Waze to address navigation needs across Saudi cities. Developed by Balady, a subsidiary of NHC Innovation, the app's features include real-time traffic updates, indoor navigation in malls and multistory buildings, and alerts for roadworks and speed bumps with accurate spatial and timing information. Balady+, a Saudi-developed navigation app, is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play. A notable moment for the platform came during this year's Hajj season, when Balady+ collaborated with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites to support pilgrims with an interactive mapping system. Over 11,000 key landmarks — including mosque entrances and exits, surrounding streets, hospitals, Red Crescent stations, restrooms, fountains, and more than 160 critical facilities — were updated in real time to ease the flow of people through dense and high-pressure areas. 'Navigation apps aren't just tools anymore; they're daily essentials,' said Abdulrahman Al-Babtain, a Riyadh-based commuter who has been using Balady+ for the past two months. 'What makes this app more useful for me is how it reflects the real condition of roads, especially when it comes to closures or construction zones.' Built with an artificial intelligence-powered search engine, the app has generated a mix of enthusiasm and thoughtful critique from users on app stores. Many have praised its realistic 3D mapping, with comments including 'extraordinary' and 'custom made' to better visualize surroundings. Some reviews highlight standout features such as the 'snap and send' municipal reporting tool, with one user noting that a damaged road was fixed within 12 hours of being reported. While one review described the app as a 'decent alternative to Google Maps,' others note a learning curve for new users and hope for future updates that make the interface more user-friendly and inclusive. According to Al-Babtain, speed-bump alerts and government data integrations are particularly helpful in avoiding unexpected delays during his daily commute. 'The GPS is smart, but what really matters is having the most current local info — and that's where Balady+ wins,' he said. If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life. Adel Alzahrani, ROSHN executive director of community development charters For Adel Alzahrani, executive director of community development charters at ROSHN, the app is part of a larger conversation about urban design and mobility. 'We're not just developing real estate — we're influencing how people move, live, and interact. Mobility behavior starts with design. I often say the cities of the future won't be shaped by concrete alone — they'll be sculpted by intelligence, data, and empathy,' he said. While international apps dominate global markets, Alzahrani — who has used them all — sees Balady+ as an attempt to address local needs through an initiative that is 'culturally aware, government-backed, and citizen-focused.' 'If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life,' he said. As Saudi cities are increasingly digitized, apps such as Balady+ represent a broader shift in how people interact with their surroundings, not just as commuters but also data contributors and active participants in shaping smart urban systems. Yasser Alobaidan, CEO of the app, told Arab News it was built on a combination of local and global technologies. It was 'created through 3D modelling programs for areas like Hajj camps, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, and key landmarks across cities — and global technologies that convert residential and commercial buildings into 3D visualizations.' 'Work is currently underway to render the main roads across Saudi cities in 3D to provide drivers with a more realistic navigation experience,' he added. Available on Android, iOS, and Huawei Store, it supports both Arabic and English, and features a voice assistant that guides users in both languages. Alobaidan explained the technical challenges of rendering 3D environments, such the Grand Mosque and Hajj camps, on users' mobile devices. 'Managing and optimizing the processing power and battery usage on users' mobile devices when rendering 3D models was not easy.' As the country continues its digital transformation, mobility solutions such as Balady+ are becoming a part of the conversation on how to make urban environments more efficient, accessible and responsive. 'Saudi Arabia stands at a unique moment. We have the chance to leapfrog the mistakes of car-first urbanism and become a global model of people-centered innovation — where design, policy, and technology converge to create cities that breathe, move, and serve with grace,' Alzahrani explained. 'It's not just a digital tool, it's a statement of intent. It tells us that Saudi Arabia isn't just building smart cities — we're designing smarter ways to live in them.' Looking ahead, he said: 'I'd love to see Balady+ connect with multimodal platforms, so users can seamlessly move between metro, bus, walking, or even autonomous shuttles. 'I'd also advocate for opening up APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), so urban developers and municipal agencies can build on top of the platform, creating custom layers for districts or temporary events.' As the Kingdom rethinks how cities function, the role of local digital infrastructure is becoming more central. Balady+ may not be the only tool in that transition, but it points to a growing appetite for locally developed, tech-driven solutions to urban challenges. 'It's not following global models. It's redefining them through a uniquely Saudi lens. And I think that's something worth celebrating,' Alzahrani said.


Leaders
5 days ago
- Leaders
Pilgrim Experience Program Surpasses Targets with 101% Growth in 2024
The Pilgrim Experience Program, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, released its 2024 annual report, boasting a 101% surge in arrivals compared to 2022, driven by streamlined procedures and cross-sector collaboration. This milestone underscores the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing spiritual journeys while aligning with global tourism goals. The report emphasizes the program's accomplishments and those of its affiliated entities in enhancing services for pilgrims and Umrah performers. The Kingdom strives to provide a rich, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling experience from the planning stage to the safe return home. Record Numbers of Pilgrims In 2024, over 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived from abroad, including 16.92 million Umrah performers, surpassing the year's targets significantly. The report highlights that 89 initiatives, implemented with over 40 government entities, achieved an impressive 95 percent compliance rate. These initiatives cover all stages of the pilgrim journey, including transportation, rituals, and visits to historical and religious sites. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, stated that the Saudi leadership prioritizes serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as a key goal of Vision 2030. Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah welcomed more than 13 million visitors in 2024, a significant increase from 4 million in 2022. Visitor satisfaction also rose dramatically from 57 percent to 81 percent, reflecting improved service quality and overall experience. Growth in Volunteer Engagement Volunteer engagement saw substantial growth, with over 153,000 volunteers serving pilgrims in 2024. This number increased from just 15,000 in 2022, demonstrating a stronger culture of social participation within the community. Internationally, the program conducted 33 overseas visits with public and private partners. These visits addressed logistical challenges, opened new routes, increased seat capacity, and eased travel for pilgrims. The Hajj and Umrah minister emphasized that these achievements result from the dedicated efforts of more than 40 partner organizations. Globally, Makkah ranked fifth in international visitor numbers, while Madinah climbed to seventh in the global tourism performance index. These rankings reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a leading spiritual and cultural destination for travelers worldwide. Advances in Digital Services The report also highlights significant advances in digital services, particularly the Nusuk platform. This platform now offers over 100 services designed to streamline travel, booking, and pilgrimage arrangements for users. Meanwhile, the Makkah Route initiative, aimed at expediting travel procedures for pilgrims in their home countries, has benefited over 940,000 travelers since its inception. This initiative showcases the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing the pilgrim experience. The report concludes by emphasizing that these milestones reflect the unwavering support of the Kingdom's leadership and the collaborative efforts of various government agencies. It reaffirms that serving pilgrims remains a top national priority, with ongoing innovation and integration to enhance their religious and cultural journey in alignment with Vision 2030 aspirations. Short link : Post Views: 7