Saudi Arabia’s Mashaer Train transports more than 2.2m Hajj pilgrims 

The Mashaer Railway operated 2,206 frequency trips during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, transporting over 2.2 million pilgrims. (File/SPA)
The Mashaer Railway operated 2,206 frequency trips during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, transporting over 2.2 million pilgrims. (File/SPA)
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Updated 19 June 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s Mashaer Train transports more than 2.2m Hajj pilgrims 

Saudi Arabia’s Mashaer Train transports more than 2.2m Hajj pilgrims 

RIYADH: Saudi Railways on Wednesday hailed the success of the Mashaer Train operation at this year’s Hajj season, saying the metro service had transported more than 2.2 million passengers between the nine stations in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, operating 2,206 trips.

More than 29,000 worshippers were transported on the first day of the pilgrimage, while more than 292,000 pilgrims were carried from Mina to Arafat, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Mashaer Train then transported over 305,000 people during the pilgrimage from Arafat to Muzdalifah, and more than 383,000 worshippers from Muzdalifah to Mina.

During the days of Tashreeq, the train carried more than 1.2 million pilgrims from stations Mina 1, Mina 2, and Muzdalifah 3 to Mina 3 station (Jamarat), which offered easy access to the Jamarat Bridge.

Bashar Al-Malik, CEO of SAR, said that the success of the operating plan was built on unlimited support for the railway sector from the Saudi leadership.


Najdi designs dazzle visitors at Tyn Festival in Diriyah

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, special adviser to King Salman speaks at the event. (Supplied)
Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, special adviser to King Salman speaks at the event. (Supplied)
Updated 02 February 2025
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Najdi designs dazzle visitors at Tyn Festival in Diriyah

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, special adviser to King Salman speaks at the event. (Supplied)
  • Located in the At-Turaif World Heritage Site in Diriyah, the event highlights the history of the city and the legacy of its mud architecture

RIYADH: Diriyah Season is welcoming visitors to explore the region’s rich history and traditional architecture through the Tyn Festival, held until mid-February.

Located in the At-Turaif World Heritage Site in Diriyah, the event highlights the history of the city and the legacy of its mud architecture, a milestone of innovation and sustainability in urban development.

The event is attracting a diverse audience, including art lovers, creatives, architects, designers, and people from all age groups who are seeking to discover Diriyah and the authentic heritage of sites such as At-Turaif.

Various forms of art are on display, as well as the materials used to build Najdi houses in the past, including clay, rocks, and wicker.

In addition, visitors at Tyn will have the opportunity to watch clips of architects explaining the steps involved in designing a Najdi home, learn about 3D-printing in design and engage in a clay workshop at the end of the tour.

“Clay is the material of the Arabian Peninsula,” noted Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, special adviser to King Salman and founder and chairman of the nonprofit Al-Turath Foundation.

During the opening of the event, Prince Sultan gave a speech on the importance of preserving heritage such as the traditional (mud) buildings that are an essential part of Saudi and Najdi culture.

“Diriyah during the 80s was an abandoned area,” he said, elaborating on the development efforts over the years to present Diriyah as the historical city that people are familiar with now.

Tyn Festival is one of many programs and activities offered by Diriyah Season to draw attention to historic sites and monuments and create a gathering place for lovers of history, culture, and art.


Saudi crown prince discusses ways to support Syrian Arab Republic with president during trip to Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Riyadh.
Updated 2 min 59 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince discusses ways to support Syrian Arab Republic with president during trip to Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Riyadh.
  • Leaders discussed aspects of relations between their countries and opportunities to enhance them in various fields
  • They also reviewed developments in regional situations and efforts made in regard to them

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed ways to support the security and stability of the Syrian Arab Republic during interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s first foreign trip since taking office.

The leaders discussed aspects of relations between their countries and opportunities to enhance them in various fields. They also reviewed developments in regional situations and efforts made in regard to them.

The crown prince congratulated Al-Sharaa on his recent appointment and wished him success in achieving the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian people.

The interim president said Saudi Arabia was committed to supporting his country after meeting Prince Mohammed: “We held a long meeting during which we felt and heard a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future,” Al-Sharaa said in a statement on Telegram.

Military commanders appointed Al-Sharaa interim president weeks after militant forces overran Damascus.

Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and said the Kingdom was engaged in talks with the US and European partners to help lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic that have left the country’s economy decimated.


Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha

Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha
Updated 02 February 2025
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Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha

Tihama’s climate boosts honey production in Baha

RIYADH: The moderate climate and abundant flowering trees in the Tihama area of the Baha region attract thousands of beekeepers with hives, creating an ideal environment for honey production from seasonal and mountainous blossoms.

Beekeeper Mohammed Al-Zahrani said that migration from the Sarawat Mountains to Tihama is driven by favorable climate, rainfall, and tree diversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He added that this move revitalizes bees after the ziziphus spina-christi season when their population drops, offering fresh pastures for reproduction.

Beekeeper Ali Al-Ghamdi explained that relocating to the governorates of Qalwa, Al-Hujrah, and Wadi Al-Ahsabah provides bees with a year-round food supply and protection from the cold mountain temperatures that can be fatal.

He stressed that beekeeping requires endurance, knowledge, and experience but remains an important and valuable industry, the SPA reported.

Beekeeper Saleh Al-Omari highlighted the coordination among beekeepers in choosing apiary sites, ensuring proper spacing to prevent crossbreeding, promote nutrition, and avoid disease.

Mohammed Al-Shadwi, chairman of the Beekeepers Cooperative Association in Baha, said around 3,000 beekeepers are registered with the association, including professionals with over 1,000 hives and amateurs with about 100. They represent 16 percent of the Kingdom’s total beekeepers.

The region produces 20 percent of Saudi Arabia’s honey annually, totaling around 1,000 tonnes across 15 varieties, according to the SPA.


Saudi Arabia strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair

Saudi Arabia strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair
Updated 02 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair

Saudi Arabia strengthens cultural ties at Delhi book fair

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is taking part in the New Delhi World Book Fair, being held at Pragati Maidan from Feb. 1-9.

Its involvement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural cooperation between the Kingdom and India, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

The commission aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s role in the global cultural and literary landscape, raise awareness of its heritage and highlight its publications and contribution to the international literary scene. It also seeks to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between the two countries.

The commission’s pavilion features its literary and cultural initiatives, including “Tarjim” which supports Saudi Arabia’s translation movement. It also hosts sections dedicated to the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language and the King Fahd National Library.

Saudi Arabia was previously guest of honor at the 2024 New Delhi World Book Fair, where it organized various programs and events reflecting the Kingdom’s cultural and creative landscape.


KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue

KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue
Updated 02 February 2025
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KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue

KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian and relief efforts continue with the distribution of food, hygiene supplies as well as the provision of emergency transport services.

In in Ma’arrat Misrin of Syria’s Idlib Governorate, KSrelief handed out 672 food boxes and 672 hygiene kits as part of the second phase of the food aid and hygiene kit distribution project for populations affected by the earthquake in 2025.

In Lebanon’s Akkar Governorate and Miniyeh district, the aid agency during the past week distributed 175,000 bags of bread to Syrian and Palestinian refugees as well as residents of host communities. The initiative was part of the fourth phase of Al-Amal Charitable Bakery Project in the country.

In the Battagram and Buner districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as well as the Sukkur district in Sindh province of Pakistan, 2,160 food packages were given to families in flood-affected areas as part of the Food Security Support Project 2025

Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered 125 tonnes of dates to Sudan as a gift from the Kingdom.

In north Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded ambulance service of Subul Al-Salam Social Association in the Miniyeh district carried out 61 missions during the past week, including transporting patients to and from hospitals and treating burn injuries.