More than 220 Saudi girl scouts help Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, holy sites

More than 220 Saudi girl scouts help Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, holy sites
Over 220 members from the Saudi Girl Scouts Committee assist pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, and holy sites. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 June 2024
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More than 220 Saudi girl scouts help Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, holy sites

More than 220 Saudi girl scouts help Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, holy sites

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association has enlisted more than 220 members from the Saudi Girl Scout Committee to assist pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season.

This initiative is part of the public service camps organized by the association in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.

Abdulrahman Al-Mudaires, deputy chairman of the association, emphasized its commitment to increasing the participation of girl scouts in such camps.

“The aim is to empower young girls, harness their energies and abilities, and broaden their opportunities for volunteer work,” he said.

The participation of Saudi girls in national development has been steadily growing, with female youth now playing pivotal roles in various sectors, including volunteering and community service. This initiative is a step toward ensuring equal opportunities for both male and female youth in Saudi society, Al-Mudaires said.

Commending the efforts of Princess Sama bint Faisal bin Abdullah, chairwoman of the Saudi Girl Scout Committee, Al-Mudaires emphasized the crucial role of girl scouts in the progress and development of the country.

“Princess Sama’s dedication to ensuring the presence of girl scouts in diverse volunteer activities has proven instrumental in their achievements and contributions,” he said.

In the 2023 Hajj season, the public service camps of the Saudi Arabian Scout Association included the participation of 150 girls from the Saudi Girl Scouts Committee, who volunteered to service pilgrims at King Faisal Hospital in Makkah, and in guiding pilgrims in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The initiative reflects the commitment to empower and support Saudi girls, enabling them to excel and contribute meaningfully to society.


Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah

Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah
Updated 45 sec ago
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Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah

Saudi minister inspects key healthcare facilities in Makkah
  • Two helipads open in Grand Mosque for emergency medical evacuations of worshippers

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel inspected several healthcare facilities in Makkah to ensure they continue to provide high-quality medical care during the peak Umrah season in Ramadan.

Al-Jalajel visited Ajyad Emergency Hospital, which specializes in emergency and intensive care, Jiwar Medical Services Center, and the Al-Haram Emergency Centers.

He reviewed all services for the swift handling of urgent cases, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Al-Jalajel said a top priority of his ministry was to ensure comprehensive healthcare for pilgrims.

He highlighted the ministry’s continued efforts to ensure the readiness of medical facilities and the integration of healthcare services during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons.

This aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare services, reflecting the leadership’s commitment to this sector, the SPA reported.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority has opened two helipads on the grounds of Makkah’s Grand Mosque for emergency medical evacuations.

The aim is to enhance healthcare services for those performing Umrah, and prepare for the Hajj season.

The helipads will enable the rapid transport of critical patients to hospitals in Makkah and Jeddah, the SPA reported.

The Grand Mosque’s emergency hospital is equipped with intensive care units, medical laboratories, radiology services, an in-house pharmacy, and isolation units for infectious diseases.

Al-Jalajel had previously conducted similar field visits to several healthcare facilities in Makkah, where he reviewed plans to enhance capacity during the Umrah season.

He had also assessed the readiness of emergency teams and the integration of services provided to pilgrims.


KSA cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport

KSA cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport
Updated 25 March 2025
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KSA cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport

KSA cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority, in collaboration with relevant authorities, has apprehended several violators for transporting Umrah performers using non-compliant buses as part of a field control initiative it conducted.

The authority clarified that this campaign is part of its ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure that transport facilities comply with regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The initiative aims to enhance the safety and security of Umrah performers, and the authority has urged all establishments to adhere to the approved regulations.

It emphasized that these campaigns are designed to enhance compliance, elevate service quality, and ensure the safety of transport service users, SPA added.

Recently, the Transport General Authority fined over 400 foreign trucks in several regions of the Kingdom for regulatory offenses.


Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style

Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style
Updated 25 March 2025
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Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style

Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style
  • The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity

RIYADH: Al-Safa Mosque, a 13th-century landmark in the Baha region, has been restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques aims to revitalize Baha’s architectural heritage and highlight its cultural significance.

The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity while enhancing its structural and aesthetic elements.

The restoration in Baljurashi governorate prioritized the use of natural materials. Sarawat Mountain stone and locally sourced wood were used for the ceilings, columns, windows and doors, maintaining the structure’s authenticity.

The mosque’s footprint, at 78 sq. meters, and its capacity, accommodating 31 worshippers, was unchanged by the restoration.

Built about 1,350 years ago, Al-Safa Mosque is situated within a network of buildings and narrow passages typical of the region’s high mountain villages.

The structure is notable for its stone construction and limited openings. Distinctive juniper columns support the mosque, and the restoration includes preserving and redeveloping these columns, incorporating traditional staircase carvings.

Historical accounts suggest that the mosque was established by the Prophet’s companion Sufyan bin Auf Al-Ghamdi. Historically it served as a vital social hub, facilitating communal gatherings for resolving disputes and discussing village affairs, especially between Maghrib and Isha prayers.

It is one of 30 mosques in 13 regions in phase two of the project, which includes six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan. The Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim each have one mosque in the scheme.

Phase two follows phase one, completed in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions. Saudi companies and heritage restoration experts are leading the development efforts, according to the SPA.

The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.

Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.

The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.


KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones

KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones
Updated 25 March 2025
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KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones

KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In Pakistan, 4,790 packages were distributed to families in need across Balochistan, Kashmir, and Punjab as a part of the Etaam Ramadan project, benefiting 32,631 individuals. 

In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,550 packages to vulnerable families in Baidoa, benefiting 6,930 people. 

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million). 

Additionally, KSrelief provided 600 packages in Port Sudan, benefiting 3,057 impoverished and displaced people. 

In Lebanon, the Saudi Arabia aid agency distributed 800 packages to needy families in Sidon, benefiting 4,000 individuals.


Saudi Arabia gears up for Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27

Saudi Arabia gears up for Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27
Updated 25 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia gears up for Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27

Saudi Arabia gears up for Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27

Riyadh: As Saudi Arabia prepares to mark Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.

The national event highlights Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat climate change while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In the lead-up to the occasion, the Saudi Green Initiative launched several interactive campaigns during Ramadan to encourage public participation in sustainable practices.

Social media users can still contribute by sharing their photos on the Saudi Green Initiative Day Photo Board, a show of the community’s dedication to eco-friendly initiatives.

The initiative’s mascot, Nomoor, continues to engage youth and children through the “30 Positive Steps to Protect the Environment” challenge, promoting sustainable habits across all age groups.

Three winners of the challenge will be announced on Saudi Green Initiative Day in recognition of their contributions.

With the submission deadline approaching, participants are encouraged to highlight their sustainable Ramadan practices and join the challenge. 

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Green Initiative Day underscores the Kingdom’s ambitious sustainability goals, calling for collective action in climate efforts and environmental awareness.