Latest news with #holySites
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
UAE condemns Israeli plan to seize control of Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron
The UAE has strongly condemned plans by the Israeli government to seize control of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron city, in the occupied West Bank. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the move to transfer control from Palestinian authorities to the Jewish Religious Council in the Kiryat Arba settlement represented a 'grave violation' of the mosque's historic and legal status. The ministry emphasised the importance of respecting the status quo of holy sites and called for an immediate halt to all 'unilateral and provocative actions that risk destabilising the occupied Palestinian territories and undermining international efforts towards de-escalation'. Israeli media reported this week that the directive would be undertaken by the Israeli Civil Administration, which operates under the Ministry of Defence and governs the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Ibrahimi Mosque is currently under the authority and administration of the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the Hebron Municipality. The mosque is one of the most revered sites in both Judaism and Islam. It was designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2017, while also being placed on a list of sites considered in danger by the UN cultural body. The Permanent Delegation of the State of Palestine to Unesco on Wednesday described the Israeli plan as 'dangerous and illegal'. The UAE has called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities in safeguarding holy sites and preserving their religious and historical status. The ministry underlined the need to support all regional and international efforts to advance the peace process in the Middle East and end illegal practices that undermine the two-state solution.
Arab News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan to restrict Iraq pilgrimages to organized groups from 2026, no solo travel allowed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Shiite pilgrims will not be able to individually travel to Iraq from next year to visit holy sites, the country's interior minister announced on Monday, following his meeting with counterparts from Iran and Iraq. Naqvi said this after attending a tri-nation conference, requested by Islamabad, in Tehran to discuss issues relating to thousands of Pakistani Shiite Muslims, who travel annually to Iran and Iraq. The conference concluded with an agreement to establish a joint working group to oversee coordination and operational matters, ensuring safe and seamless travel of the pilgrims to the two countries. 'From January 1, 2026, we will not be allowing any Pakistani to leave for Iraq without zaireen [pilgrims] group organizer, which means that we will register people who will be allowed to take the groups to Iraq,' Naqvi said in televised comments after the conference. Last month, Pakistan evacuated over 260 nationals from Iraq and another 450 Pakistanis who had been stranded in Iran during the Tehran-Israeli conflict, according to the country's foreign ministry. There was no confirmation of the number of evacuees who had traveled legally and those who had been staying in the two countries illegally. The group organizers will be bound to bring back all pilgrims going with them, according to the Pakistani interior minister. The move is aimed at discouraging overstay of Pakistani pilgrims in Iraq. 'The people who are overstaying there, the people who have started working there, we need to stop this,' Naqvi said, adding they would need support from Iran and Iraq to implement the decision.
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-06-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
International Media Delegations Visit Hajj Command and Control Center in Holy Sites
International media delegations covering this year's Hajj season visited the command and control center in Saudi Arabia's holy sites. The visit provided them with an in-depth look at the integrated security and technical efforts dedicated to managing the Hajj season. They were received by Director General of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami. During their visit, the delegations were briefed on the coordination mechanisms that operate under a unified operational umbrella, bringing together various security and technical agencies. This robust system is supported by the latest monitoring, analysis, and live surveillance technologies, all of which significantly enhance the national system's readiness to serve pilgrims. The media representatives also learned about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in supporting efficient crowd management and the proactive dispatch of pilgrims.
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Electricity Company boosts Haj grid capacity by 75%
The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has significantly increased the electrical grid capacity in the holy sites for this Hajj season by over 75% compared to last year, investing more than SAR3 billion in development projects. This enhancement, guided by government directives and Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, stems from a thorough review of past Hajj seasons and anticipated needs, reported SPA. SEC stated that projects were implemented early, ensuring full load connectivity for network reliability. The operations and management center in the holy sites is now equipped with advanced, AI-supported technical applications for comprehensive system monitoring, with equipment connected via fiber optics for rapid information flow and timely decision-making by trained national cadres, said the report. SEC has also developed a robust emergency plan, deploying over 2,200 engineers, technicians, and specialists across 57 strategically located centers to ensure a response time of under five minutes anywhere in the holy sites, it added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
04-06-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Saudi Electricity Company boosts Hajj grid capacity by 75%
The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has significantly increased the electrical grid capacity in the holy sites for this Hajj season by over 75% compared to last year, investing more than SAR3 billion in development projects. This enhancement, guided by government directives and Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, stems from a thorough review of past Hajj seasons and anticipated needs, reported SPA. SEC stated that projects were implemented early, ensuring full load connectivity for network reliability. The operations and management center in the holy sites is now equipped with advanced, AI-supported technical applications for comprehensive system monitoring, with equipment connected via fiber optics for rapid information flow and timely decision-making by trained national cadres, said the report. SEC has also developed a robust emergency plan, deploying over 2,200 engineers, technicians, and specialists across 57 strategically located centers to ensure a response time of under five minutes anywhere in the holy sites, it added.
