SDAIA prepares infrastructure at entry points to ease Umrah visitors procedures

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has prepared the technical infrastructure to ease entry procedures for Umrah visitors following the announcement that Umrah visas will be issued after Hajj. (AFP/File Photo)
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has prepared the technical infrastructure to ease entry procedures for Umrah visitors following the announcement that Umrah visas will be issued after Hajj. (AFP/File Photo)
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Updated 21 June 2024
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SDAIA prepares infrastructure at entry points to ease Umrah visitors procedures

SDAIA prepares infrastructure at entry points to ease Umrah visitors procedures
  • Saudi Arabia has begun issuing Umrah Visa after successful Hajj 

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has prepared the technical infrastructure to ease entry procedures for Umrah visitors following the announcement that Umrah visas will be issued after Hajj.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has started issuing Umrah visas, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The new Umrah season will coincide with the start of the new Islamic year on Muharram 1, and the move aims to streamline the arrival of pilgrims and ensure a smooth and worry-free experience.

The ministry is working diligently to implement the directives of the Saudi leadership and accommodate more Umrah pilgrims, providing services that meet their needs.

As SDAIA works to facilitate the entry procedures for Umrah performers into the Kingdom, this comes in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and relevant government entities across all air, sea, and land entry points in the Kingdom, which are now preparing for the arrival of Umrah performers from around the world.

SDAIA is present at the entry points of Makkah, Madinah, the Eastern Region, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, Najran, and Jeddah Islamic Port. It has equipped these entry points with primary and backup communication circuits. 

These are operated by SDAIA’s national experts, specialising in computing and necessary technical devices. 

Moreover, SDAIA provides round-the-clock technical and logistical support, carries out preventive maintenance for data rooms, network devices, and workstations, and activates the traveller system, which helps expedite the transfer of Umrah performers’ data to streamline their entry procedures. 

SDAIA has also installed biometric capture and registration stations at entry points, configuring and programming the devices. Additionally, it has prepared mobile kits equipped with biometric registration devices and provided backup systems to ensure uninterrupted operations at entry points, facilitating the year-round entry of Umrah performers.

SDAIA is committed to advancing secure digital services and intelligent solutions, particularly for government entities serving visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during the Umrah season. This initiative is part of SDAIA’s broader mandate to utilize data and AI to improve services at these sacred sites.


KSA, South Korea sign deal for film industry growth

KSA, South Korea sign deal for film industry growth
Updated 23 February 2025
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KSA, South Korea sign deal for film industry growth

KSA, South Korea sign deal for film industry growth

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission and the Korean Film Council have signed a strategic partnership to enhance cooperation in the film sector, support cultural exchange, and foster the industry’s growth in the Kingdom and South Korea.

The partnership aims to promote knowledge exchange, production collaboration, talent development, and technological innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It also highlights both countries’ commitment to supporting filmmakers and expanding international opportunities for creative professionals, the SPA added.

The agreement includes training programs, workshops, master classes and mentorship opportunities led by industry experts. These initiatives will help filmmakers refine their skills in production, animation, screenwriting and directing.

The partnership further strengthens film production collaboration, encouraging Saudi and South Korean filmmakers to develop and produce joint projects, the SPA reported.

Both sides will also facilitate cooperation and networking through major film festivals, including the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia and the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.


KSrelief humanitarian works continue

KSrelief humanitarian works continue
Updated 23 February 2025
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KSrelief humanitarian works continue

KSrelief humanitarian works continue

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its philanthropic activities continue in Yemen, Kosovo, Sudan, Bangladesh and Lebanon through the distribution of food and provision emergency medical services.

In Yemen, the Saudi agency on Friday distributed 98 tonnes of food boxes as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to enhance food security and alleviate suffering in Yemen.

In Kosovo, KSrelief handed out 900 food baskets in several cities, benefiting 4,500 individuals.

In Sudan, 227 food boxes were given to vulnerable displaced families in Gezira State as part of the third phase of KSrelief’s 2025 Food Security Support Project.

In Bangladesh, 500 food parcels were distributed in Dhaka, benefiting 2,500 individuals, as part of KSrelief’s humanitarian gesture to ensure food security in many brotherly and friendly countries around the world.

Meanwhile in Northern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ambulance Service funded by KSrelief carried out 71 emergency missions between Feb. 14 and Feb. 20 included administering first aid, transporting patients to and from hospitals and treating burn victims of Syrian and Palestinian refugees as well as members of the host community.

This initiative is part of the project to support emergency services and transportation in refugee areas and host communities in Lebanon.


Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference

Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference
Updated 23 February 2025
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Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference

Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference
  • The conference focused on strengthening Arab parliamentary unity, with a key agenda item dedicated to supporting the Palestinian people

CAIRO: The speaker of the Shoura Council, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh, led Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the 7th Conference of the Arab Parliament and the Presidents of Arab Councils and Parliaments.

The conference, held at the League of Arab States headquarters in Cairo on Saturday, focused on strengthening Arab parliamentary unity.

One agenda item was dedicated to supporting the Palestinian people and rejecting any proposals for their forced displacement. As part of the discussions, participants worked on formulating a unified Arab parliamentary stance to advocate for Palestinian rights. The outcome was the planned issuance of a unified Arab parliamentary action plan outlining concrete steps Arab parliamentarians could take.

Ahead of its official approval, the Presidents of Arab Councils and Parliaments held a closed consultative session to finalize the main aspects of the plan, which will be submitted to the Arab Summit for adoption.

The Kingdom’s conference delegation included the secretary-general of the Shoura Council, Mohammed bin Dakhil Al-Mutairi, along with council members Saad bin Salib Al-Otaibi, Tariq bin Saeed Al-Shammari, Hanan bint Abdullah Al-Sammari, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Aifan and Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Hazani.


King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings

King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings
Updated 22 February 2025
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King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings

King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings
  • The initiative followed a proposal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and coincides with Saudi Arabia’s celebration of Founding Day

RIYADH: King Salman on Saturday issued a directive to name 15 squares in Riyadh after notable imams and kings of the Saudi State, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative followed a proposal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and coincides with Saudi Arabia’s celebration of Founding Day on Feb. 22, SPA added.

The move reflects the leadership’s commitment to honoring the legacy of the rulers who, for more than three centuries, have played a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s foundation, unification, and development.

These leaders safeguarded Saudi Arabia’s resources, ensured its security, and contributed to the prosperity of its people.

The newly named squares, located along Riyadh’s main roads, will commemorate historical figures from the Saudi State, including Imam Muhammad bin Saud, Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz, Imam Abdullah bin Saud, Imam Turki bin Abdullah, Imam Faisal bin Turki, Imam Abdullah bin Faisal, and Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal.

The list also includes modern Saudi rulers King Abdulaziz, King Saud, King Faisal, King Khalid, King Fahd, King Abdullah, and King Salman.


Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day

Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day
Updated 22 February 2025
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Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day

Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day
  • Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha held high-level meetings with senior executives from major global companies at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami

DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in the Syrian Arab Republic held a reception on the occasion of the Kingdom’s Founding Day at its headquarters in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

The celebration was attended by the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Yasser Al-Jundi, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Syria, and a group of businessmen and intellectuals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha held high-level meetings with senior executives from major global companies at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami to bolster partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence, investment and the space sector.