Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved
Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved/node/2604189/saudi-arabia
Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the authorities involved in organizing the 2025 Hajj season, praising the efforts that contributed to its success. (SPA)
Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved
The king and crown prince sent separate cables to Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef
Updated 11 June 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the authorities involved in organizing the 2025 Hajj season, praising the efforts that contributed to its success, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In separate cables sent to Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, both leaders thanked the minister, regional governors, committee members, and all security, civil, and government personnel who took part in delivering a smooth and safe pilgrimage for nearly 1.7 million worshippers.
King Salman described the season as a success by the grace of God and the coordinated execution of comprehensive security, health, organizational, and service plans.
He highlighted the pilgrims’ ability to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind, in a secure and spiritual atmosphere.
“We followed with pride the great efforts made by all sectors in serving the pilgrims of the house of Allah,” the King said. “We were pleased with the dedication and excellence shown by everyone in attaining the honor of serving the guests of the most Gracious.”
The king also thanked all those involved for their Eid Al-Adha greetings, prayed for the acceptance of the pilgrims’ Hajj, and asked God to grant continued success in serving Islam and Muslims.
Prince Mohammed echoed the sentiments, expressing thanks for the congratulations and for the collective commitment shown throughout the season.
He attributed the successful management of the Hajj to divine support, the leadership of King Salman, and the tireless work of all entities involved in executing the wide-ranging plans.
He also praised the careful monitoring by relevant authorities to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
“We pray to God to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to sustain the blessings of security on our homeland, and to accept the Hajj of all pilgrims,” the crown prince said.
The Hajj season this year saw 1,673,230 pilgrims perform their rites.
Saudi ambassador to Switzerland presents credentials
The president welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his duties
Updated 54 min 7 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Switzerland Abdulrahman Al-Dawood presented his credentials as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter during a reception ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Bern on Tuesday.
During the reception, Al-Dawood conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Swiss people to Keller-Sutter.
The Swiss president asked Al-Dawood to convey her greetings to the Saudi leadership and praised the level of relations between their countries.She also expressed her wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Kingdom and its people.
The president welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his duties, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Cabinet condemns Netanyahu’s ‘Greater Israel’ policy, reaffirms support for Palestine
Members denounce latest Israeli plans for settlements near Jerusalem, call on international community to take action to halt crimes against the Palestinian people
Ministers reiterate Kingdom’s support for diplomatic efforts to resolve war in Ukraine, welcome US president’s meetings with Russian, Ukrainian and European counterparts
Updated 19 August 2025
Arab News
NEOM: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday strongly condemned remarks by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding his vision for a so-called “Greater Israel,” and rejected what it described as expansionist settlement projects that violate the rule of international law and undermine Palestinian rights.
During a meeting in NEOM chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Cabinet members reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm stance on the historical and legal right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent, sovereign state on their lands.
Ministers also denounced recent approvals for new Israeli settlements in areas around occupied Jerusalem, and called on the international community, particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to take immediate action to halt what they described as crimes against the Palestinian people and ensure that Israeli authorities comply with UN resolutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
After the meeting, the acting minister of media, Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, said the Cabinet had addressed other regional and international issues, and reiterated Saudi support for diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Members welcomed US President Donald Trump’s recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
Tuesday was World Humanitarian Day, and to mark the occasion the Cabinet highlighted Saudi Arabia’s longstanding commitment to aid efforts, noting the Kingdom’s prominent position among the ranks of the world’s largest donor nations.
On the domestic from, members reviewed achievements in the education sector ahead of the start of the new academic year, including curriculum development, the integration of artificial intelligence, expanded technical training, and support for innovation and the development of talent.
They also approved several cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with international partners in a variety of fields including sports and tourism, customs, health, and the development of small and medium enterprises. Agreements with the US, Spain, Syria, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Grenada and the Maldives were endorsed.
In addition, Cabinet members approved the introduction of new systems governing handicrafts, environmental coordination, and promotions and transfers within senior government ranks, the SPA added.
Salma Shaker has taken her passion and turned it into record-setting dives
Updated 19 August 2025
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: At just 25 years old, Saudi freediver Salma Shaker has ensured her name features in the sporting halls of fame.
When she took place at the elite, invite-only Vertical Blue competition in the Bahamas this year — the first athlete from the Kingdom to be asked — she broke four Saudi national records — 55m free immersion, 62m constant weight with fins, 42m constant weight no fins and 66m deep constant weight bi-fins.
Salma Shaker’s freediving journey started when she was 18, inspired by a lifelong love of the sea. (Supplied)
Her freediving journey started when she was 18, inspired by a lifelong love of the sea. Born into a family with deep ties to the ocean — her father being a captain and marine geologist — she grew up exploring the shores and shallow waters of Jeddah’s coast.
Her early training with instructor Mariam Shalan set her on a path that led quickly to competition. She took various national and regional titles including Deepest GCC Woman in 2019 and Deepest Arab Woman in 2024 and 2025, with two dives of 66 meters and 70 meters, respectively.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Salma Shaker’s early training with freediving instructor Mariam Shalan set her on a path that led quickly to competition.
• At the elite, invite-only Vertical Blue competition in the Bahamas this year she broke four Saudi national records.
• She is preparing for the CMAS World Championship in September — but she says freediving is about more than setting or breaking records.
For Shaker, freediving is more than a sport — it’s therapy: “The ocean is my peace,” she told Arab News.
She believes her ability to find calm is the key to her success, especially at Vertical Blue where she described feeling a surreal, almost out-of-body stillness, before each dive.
Salma Shaker, Saudi freediver
“Ever since I started freediving, I’ve always wanted to compete in Vertical Blue,” she said. “I was trying to get my invitation for two years, and when I finally did, it was something I couldn’t believe. I felt so honored that I was the first Arab woman to represent there and raise the Saudi flag.”
Freediving, she added, is about overcoming both physical and mental challenges.
Freediving isn’t just a sport—it’s about connection: to yourself, to nature, and to something greater. I want to show that Arab women can lead in extreme sports, not just compete. I also want to highlight how precious and unique our Red Sea is.
Salma Shaker, Saudi freediver
“The mental challenge that you ideally face is just getting over the fear in your head. It’s a lot to go down while not wearing a mask, not seeing anything around you—and it’s also deep. That’s why you learn to completely relax,” she said.
“The physical challenge for me is equalizing my ears the deeper I go. It just needs practice, new techniques and repetition.”
“Freediving isn’t just a sport—it’s about connection: to yourself, to nature, and to something greater. (Supplid)
She says that, for her, the sport is also about advocacy. Last year, Shaker was featured in “Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals,” a Red Sea Global documentary highlighting marine conservation. She has since partnered with the company to champion coral reef protection and promote sustainable tourism.
“My connection with Red Sea Global actually goes back a long way, and it's been really special. I first visited one of their amazing resorts back in 2021 and honestly, I was blown away,” she said. “Their whole approach — how they link everything to the sea and blend nature so beautifully into their projects — just clicked with me instantly.”
Salma Shaker’s freediving journey started when she was 18, inspired by a lifelong love of the sea. (Supplied)
The company now sponsors her.
“They're exactly who I want by my side as I push boundaries and share stories through the water,” she said. “(They’re not) just building resorts; they're creating something completely new with regenerative tourism.”
Looking ahead, Shaker is preparing for the CMAS World Championship in September — but she says freediving is about more than setting or breaking records.
“After competing in Vertical Blue, I feel pretty happy and ready for whatever’s next. I hope to inspire people to understand the power of silence, breath and inner strength,” she told Arab News.
“Freediving isn’t just a sport—it’s about connection: to yourself, to nature, and to something greater. I want to show that Arab women can lead in extreme sports, not just compete. I also want to highlight how precious and unique our Red Sea is.”
Russia’s Putin briefs Saudi crown prince on Trump talks
Putin reiterated his thanks and appreciation for the Kingdom’s steadfast position and the crown prince’s constructive efforts to achieve peace
Updated 19 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the results of his recent talks with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
During a call, Putin also reiterated his thanks and appreciation for the Kingdom’s steadfast position and the crown prince’s constructive efforts to achieve peace.
The crown prince affirmed the Kingdom’s continued support for diplomatic dialogue as a means of resolving international disputes.
The two leaders also discussed existing areas of cooperation between the Kingdom and Russia in a number of fields and opportunities for strengthening them.
The ambassador visited to say farewell on completion of his tenure in Saudi Arabia
Updated 19 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz received Ambassador of Somalia to the Kingdom Owais Haji Yusuf Ahmed in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The ambassador visited to say farewell on completion of his tenure in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Mohammed praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries and wished him success in his future.
