JazakAllah Khayr, that's true when there is clear cut evidences against the Anti islam policies and behaviour of MBS, there is no need to present ambiguous ones.
RIYADH —There has been a huge increase in inbound tourism spending in the Makkah region during the year 2023, reaching SR111.49 billion. This figures marks an increase of 3661.54 percent compared to 2021, when the tourist spending stood at only SR2.96 billion, according to a survey, carried out by Okaz daily based on government reports.
The spending of tourists on accommodation accounted for the highest percentage, as the value of spending amounted to about SR38.54 billion, equivalent to 34.57 percent of total spending. Spending on items classified as "other" came second with a value of SR22.27 billion, and spending on shopping came third with a value of SR18.03 billion, equivalent to 16.17 percent of total tourist spending.
The fourth place went to spending on transportation, with a value of SR16.67 billion, equivalent to 14.95 percent of tourism spending in the Makkah region, while spending on food and beverages was worth SR13.57 billion, equivalent to 12.17 percent of total tourist spending, and finally spending on entertainment accounted for SR2.41 billion, equivalent to 2.16 percent.
It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia has jumped 15 places in terms of international tourist spending in the ranking of countries in the world, leading the movement of rising positions among the first 50 countries, achieving the 12th place globally in 2023 compared to 2019, according to the report of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Saudi Arabia topped the list of G20 countries in the number of international visitors by 73 percent. It recorded robust growth in the international tourism revenues by 207 percent based on the latest available data for the period from January to July 2024 compared to the same period in 2019.
The total number of local and incoming tourists to Saudi Arabia reached 109.3 million during the year 2023, and incoming tourists constituted about 25 percent of the total tourists, reaching about 27.4 million tourists who spent SR141 billion during 2023, in various tourism fields in the Kingdom.
Al-Qurayyat records lowest temperature of minus 1 degree on Thursday
The National Center of Meteorology forecast showed that there would be light snowfall on the Tabuk highlands in Jabal Al-Lawz, Al-Uqlan and Al-Dhahr on Friday.
AL-QURAYYAT — The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) revealed that Al-Qurayyat in the northern Al-Jouf region recorded on Thursday the lowest temperatures reaching one degree Celsius below zero, followed by Turaif, which recorded zero degree Celsius. Rafha recorded one degree Celsius, followed by Arar and Al-Qaisumah with three degrees, then Sakaka and Hail with four degrees Celsius, and Tabuk with five degrees.
The NCM forecast showed that there would be light snowfall on the Tabuk highlands in Jabal Al-Lawz, Al-Uqlan and Al-Dhahr on Friday. The center has warned of very cold wave on Thursday in parts of the Northern Borders region, with temperatures ranging from zero to 3 degrees below zero in Arar, Turaif, Rafha, Al-Owaiqilah and Hazm Al-Jalamid.
The NCM noted the possibility of light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by hail showers and active winds that stir up dust and dirt in parts of Makkah, Madinah, Hail, the Northern Borders and Al-Jouf, in addition to parts of Tabuk.
The center did not rule out light snowfall during the night in parts of the Tabuk highlands, including Jabal Al-Lawz, Al-Uqlan and Al-Dhahr, and there is a chance for fog to form in parts of those areas, in addition to parts of Asir, Al-Baha and the southern parts of the Eastern Province.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public on Wednesday to exercise utmost caution and vigil amid forecast of thunderstorms continue hitting most regions of Saudi Arabia until Saturday. People are advised to avoid valleys prone to torrents, including swimming there, and comply with the instructions issued through various outlets of media and social networking sites.
MADINAH — The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah received 6,771,193 Muslims last week, with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque offering a wide range of services to ensure a seamless experience for visitors.
The authority reported that 776,805 visitors greeted the Prophet and his two companions, while 468,963 performed prayers in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif following the crowd management and scheduling procedures.
Key services included multilingual communication assistance provided to 53,952 visitors from diverse nationalities. Sanitation and disinfection efforts involved the use of 30,320 liters of disinfectants, while 1,790 tons of Zamzam water were distributed.
Additionally, 202 water samples were tested and analyzed to maintain quality standards.
The week also saw the distribution of 201,526 iftar meals at designated locations within the mosque, reflecting the continued efforts to cater to the spiritual and physical needs of visitors.
Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains Arab News January 06, 2025
JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.
On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.
The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.
A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.
The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.
The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.
The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.
JEDDAH — The Diriyah Biennale Foundation announced on Wednesday that the upcoming Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will witness the first-ever display of the entire kiswah of the Holy Kaaba outside the Makkah city. Titled "And all that is in between", the second edition of the biennale will take place from January 25 to May 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The display of the kiswah – the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba – will coincide with the first Hijri centenary of the establishment of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba (King Abdulaziz Complex) in Saudi Arabia, which has had the honor of manufacturing the kiswah since 1346 AH (1927).
A new Kiswah is created every year. The kiswah displayed at this year’s edition is the one that adorned the Holy Kaaba last year. The Kiswah and its unique inscriptions and ornamentations are considered to be the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts. Reflecting the importance and value that the kiswah of the Holy Kaaba holds in the lives of Muslims worldwide, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation is proud to be able to highlight and educate people about this significant artifact.
By exhibiting the kiswah, the biennale will present a unique display that introduces the artifact's historical development and its associated craftsmanship. It would enable visitors to admire its intricate weaving and embroidery, featuring silk, gold, and silver threads.
In addition to the kiswah, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will display a remarkable collection of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks. This exhibition aims to inspire visitors to contemplate the richness of Islamic civilization and its creative arts, continuing the success of the 2023 inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale, titled "Awwal Bait" (First House), which attracted more than 600,000 visitors, becoming the world's second most–visited Biennale.
"With the display of the kiswah as a central element of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation seeks to strengthen pride in Islamic cultural heritage and create an exceptional opportunity for public engagement with a significant aspect of Islamic art," the foundation said in a press release.
It added that the exhibition will emphasize Saudi Arabia's central role in serving Islam and Muslims, showcasing the exceptional capabilities and craftsmanship of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba. This presentation aligns with the Kingdom’s custodianship of the Two Holy Mosques and the country’s Vision 2030 objectives of enriching the religious and cultural experiences of pilgrims and preserving the Kingdom's Islamic heritage.
After the conclusion of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in May, the Kiswa will return to the care of the Kiswah Factory.
NEWS: Beginning from 1st February 2025 regardless of visa type those intending Umrah are required to be vaccinated with the “quadrivalent meningitis vaccine”.
For further information kindly contact your airline or travel agent
The #Makkah cinema project in #KSA, valued at SR1.3 billion ($347 million), is being constructed by the local firm Modern Building Leaders (MBL) near Ummul-Qura university
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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