The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has finalized its operational plan for the 1447 AH Hajj season, maximizing efficiency and ensuring a safe, seamless experience for pilgrims through advanced technical and logistics preparations. At the Grand Mosque, crowd management has been optimized in the Mataf and Mas’a areas, supported by high-efficiency air conditioning and smart electrical systems in expansion facilities. New guidance measures include interactive 3D maps and multilingual screens, while the engineering command and control center provides real-time monitoring. Logistics have also been bolstered, featuring enhanced Zamzam water…
Author: Editorial Team
The UAE has become the third country to approve Miebo, a new eye drop that treats the dry eye disease, after the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) cleared the medication for use in the country. The treatment, developed by Bausch + Lomb, is aimed at treating the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and can impact visual comfort and quality of life. Miebo contains an active substance called perfluorohexyloctane and is the first prescription eye drop designed to directly target tear evaporation, one of the leading causes of the dry eye disease.…
The craft of making the igal (a doubled black cord accessory worn by Arab men) remains a vital symbol of Arab identity and a cornerstone of heritage in Jazan Region. Ali Al-Anzi, a second-generation craftsman, explained that while fashion styles evolve, the igal persists as a mark of dignity. Modern versions utilize both synthetic fibers and high-quality natural wools, with the latter favored for their stability and sheen. The meticulous 30-minute manufacturing process involves several traditional stages: padding the wooden base, spinning black silk or wool thread over the core, joining the ends, and using a mold and mallet to…
The area surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque features diverse cultural and educational destinations that enrich the experience of pilgrims and visitors. Key among these is the Prophet’s Mosque Expansion Exhibition, which showcases 1,400 years of construction history. Through interactive displays, rare artifacts, and architectural models, visitors can explore the evolution of the mosque from the Prophetic era to the present Saudi era. Nearby, the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, operated by the Muslim World League, uses advanced technologies such as virtual reality and holograms. It features immersive sections such as the Prophet’s Chamber, providing an…
The highly anticipated unveiling of Audemars Piguet X Swatch’s new collection of watches has been cancelled at two malls in Dubai. Swatch UAE cited “public safety considerations” as the reason for the cancellation in a brief statement on social media. “… we have decided not to proceed with the sale of the product at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, and the event has been cancelled. We appreciate your understanding and continued support,” the watch brand said on Instagram. According to comments posted on social media, customers had lined up for hours at the two malls for the May…
The Roads General Authority and the Saudi Automotive Services Company (SASCO) signed a memorandum of understanding today to enhance private sector partnerships and provide high-quality services to pilgrims during the 1447 AH Hajj season. The agreement, valid through the end of July, aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives to improve infrastructure and the overall experience for road users. The memorandum focuses on elevating traffic safety and improving vehicle services on vital roads. Under this partnership, emergency road services can be requested through the 938 call center. The authority highlighted its role as a regulator, establishing policies and legislation to ensure…
Less than 20 minutes after an Air India Express flight took off from Dubai on May 12, panic spread inside the cabin. A 32-year-old passenger collapsed and had become unresponsive. As frightened passengers stood up in confusion, Akilaoviyan Neelakandan, a nurse at RAK Hospital, rushed ahead from the back of the aircraft to help stabilise the man. She used limited medical supplies available onboard, monitoring him continuously for nearly two hours until the flight landed safely in India. Neelakandan was travelling home for her first vacation and was only on her second-ever flight when cabin crew announced that a medical…
The General Directorate of Passports at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah welcomed the inaugural Hajj flight from North Macedonia for the 1447 AH season. The directorate reaffirmed its full readiness for this year’s Hajj, deploying advanced technological resources across all air, land, and sea ports. These facilities are staffed by qualified personnel fluent in the various languages of the pilgrims to ensure a seamless and supportive entry experience into the Kingdom. Source: Riyadh Daily
Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) President Mazen Al-Kahmous led Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the first European Regional Conference of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) held in Budapest, Hungary, where he highlighted the Kingdom’s comprehensive strategic approach to combating transnational corruption under Vision 2030. Al-Kahmous emphasized the country’s focus on transparency, accountability, and international cooperation, noting Saudi Arabia’s pioneering initiative to collect data for measuring corruption objectively. He urged the IAACA Executive Committee to support scientific tools for measuring corruption and praised the Kingdom’s active participation in global mechanisms such as the GlobE Network. The Executive Committee approved the…
Assistant Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hanan Al-Ahmadi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s successful experience in women’s empowerment during the Second Asian Women’s Forum in Uzbekistan. She affirmed that extensive legislative and institutional reforms under Vision 2030 have made women’s empowerment a fundamental pillar of the Kingdom’s transformation, leading to significant rankings in global empowerment indicators. Al-Ahmadi noted that Saudi women have moved beyond empowerment into leadership roles across diverse sectors, including science, culture, sports, and technology, where their participation now exceeds global averages. She specifically pointed to the historic 2013 milestone of women joining the Shura Council, which mandated that…