2025 Islamic Arts Biennale is accepting visitors

Source: Image by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. View of the outdoor exhibition spaces at the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale.

The 2nd Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That Is In Between, has opened in Jeddah.

The Islamic Arts Biennale is the world's only biennial exhibition dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilisation. The global project highlights the contemporary relevance of tradition through the presence of historical objects and new artistic commissions. By juxtaposing historical objects from Islamic cultures with contemporary art, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making.

The 2025 edition of the Biennale brings together loans from over 30 of the world's leading institutions, including the Vatican Apostolic Library (Vatican City), the Louvre Museum (Paris), and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), as well as collections devoted specifically to Islamic arts and cultures, such as the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Timbuktu), the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha), and the Manuscript Institution of Türkiye (Istanbul). 

Additionally, the Biennale has partnered with institutions from across KSA, offering visitors a chance to see objects and works of art from Makkah and Madinah.

The show spans five exhibition halls and outdoor areas with 100,000 sq m of exhibition space, and Opresents more than 500 objects in dialogue with contemporary artworks. Over 30 artists from KSA, the wider Gulf region, and around the world are represented. Of note is the first-ever display of the entire kiswah—the cloth that covers the Ka'aba (كسوة الكعبة)—outside of Makkah.

Details

The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport. The exhibition ends May 25, 2025.

KSA announces first Hajj pilgrims' arrival, domestic e-portal enhancements

The Director of the Branch of Ministry of Haj and Umra in Jeddah, Abdullah Mohammed Marghalani, has received the first Hajj pilgrims in Jeddah, KSA on behalf of HE Dr Mohammed Saleh Bentin, the Minister of Haj and Umra for the 2016 season as part of the annual official receptions of Hajj pilgrims and visitors to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque).

The first flight of 260 Hajj pilgrims arrived on August 4 (1/11/1437, Islamic calendar) in Jeddah. Six batches followed that day, and are expected to continue until the arrival season ends on 4 Dhul-Hijjah, which should be around 6 September depending on when the new moon is sighted.

According to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), this year's pre-Hajj operations begin August 4 and end on September 5. Post-Hajj operations start from September 17 and last till October 16. Around 50,000 hujjaj will be transported on PIA flights this year. In the umrah season this year PIA reported that it transported 254,803 passengers on its flights, which included 375 extra flights in addition to regular flight operation. For umrah season 2015, 150,740 passengers were transported on PIA flights.

The Ministry separately began accepting domestic pilgrims' applications for Hajj permits for the current Hajj season through the e-portal that was launched last year. The e-portal is designed to simplify the procedures for requesting permits by Hajj domestic pilgrims, both citizens and residents. Registration and contracting for the domestic Hajj pilgrim services may only be carried out via the e-portal in accordance with the ministry's new strategy towards improving the services provided to domestic pilgrims.

This year, new services added to the e-portal include the ability to select the service provider, package and pricing. For the 2016 (1437) Hajj season, the KSA Ministry of Haj and Umra provides seven packages:

• The first service segment at the towers (currently established in Mina on the foothills, and inside its shari'ah space);
• The first service segment at the camps;
• The first service segment* at the camps, along with housing service in Makkah;
• The second service segment at the camps;
• The second service segment* at the camps, along with housing service in Makkah;
• The third service segment at the camps; and
• The third service segment* at the camps, along with housing service in Makkah.

In addition to these programmes, low-cost Hajj and affordable Hajj packages are provided. The e-portal will also allow the purchase of optional services provided by third parties. 

A new cancellation policy is also available on the e-portal. Terms and conditions apply, including the fees payable for cancellation, depending on the date cancelled, and how much of the package amount may be refunded. Cancellations requested on or after 7 Dhul-Hijjah, for instance, will require additional fees payable but no money from the package will be refunded.

The ministry stresses that with its adoption of the domestic pilgrims' e-portal, contracts made by and between the parties to such contracts, after paying the package fees will be valid, without physically signing the same contract. In addition, paying any other amount that is not included in either the e-portal contract or through the approved payment mechanism, is a violation of the agreement. More than 2,000 companies are currently serving domestic pilgrims. This includes 10 companies providing an affordable Hajj, which retains basic rights with regards to accommodation, food and beverage but excludes residence at Mina.

The e-portal was most recently been updated with two services. The Yakeen service allows verification of the portal visitor's data, confirming the applicants' personal data is correct, and reduces the amount of information that needs to be entered. Sadad is a payment system that accepts booking payments and provides payment confirmations.

Interested?

KSA citizens and residents may access the domestic pilgrims' e-portal till 7 Dhul-Hijjah at 8am, subject to moon-sighting

+View available domestic packages for Hajj (PDF)

Read the Suroor Asia blog posts on umrah 2016 and the domestic e-portal 

Oman Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines codeshare for Muscat and four cities in KSA

Oman Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement covering services between Muscat and four destinations in Saudi Arabia. Customers have been able to book flights through either airline for services between Muscat and Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, or Madinah since the end of June.

Oman Air operates double-daily flights between Muscat and Riyadh, double-daily flights between Muscat and Madinah, up to two flights per day between Muscat and Dammam and daily flights between Muscat and Madinah. The airline deploys Boeing 737s on services to Riyadh, Dammam and Medina, whilst B737s, Airbus 300s, and Boeing 787 Dreamliners are deployed on services to Jeddah.

Saudi Arabian Airlines operates regular flights throughout the week from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah to Muscat, using Airbus 320 aircraft.

Aboudy Nasser, Senior Vice President Network and Revenue Management, at Oman Air said: “This new partnership will deliver even greater choice and convenience for customers of both airlines. Not only can tickets be simply booked via travel agents, www.omanair.com or www.saudiairlines.com, but customers of both airlines can now access two complementary networks of exciting international destinations. Furthermore, Saudi Arabian Airlines shares Oman Air’s commitment to the highest standards of hospitality, service and onboard product, ensuring a consistently enjoyable passenger experience for all. It is a pleasure to be working alongside Saudi Arabian Airlines and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.”

Khalid Albassam, VP, Network & Revenue Management at Saudi Arabian Airlines added: “There is a natural synergy between the national carriers of our respective countries and customers are sure to appreciate the increased choice and convenience that this codeshare offers.

“In addition to beautiful and fascinating domestic destinations, both Saudi Arabian Airlines and Oman Air offer access to very significant international networks, which will delight business and leisure travellers alike.”

The codeshare agreement represents an important element of Oman Air’s strategy to increase the choice, convenience and connectivity that the airline offers its customers. In addition to expanding its network to approximately 75 destinations by 2020, Oman Air has entered into a number of codeshare partnerships, with various reputed international airlines.

Eight mosques in Jeddah to be restored

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah region has laid the foundation stone for the restoration of eight historic mosques in Jeddah.

The ceremony, reported by the Saudi Press Agency, represents the first phase of the Care of historic mosques project being implemented by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in collaboration with Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Jeddah Governorate and Charitable Heritage Foundation.

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Charitable Heritage Foundation, valued the efforts being made by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal in support of Makkah projects and noted that his followup has resulted in the creation of opportunities and major projects in the Makkah region.

posted from Bloggeroid

Haj and Umrah magazine focuses on Jeddah

In the Haj and Umrah magazine published in the Islamic calendar month of Jumada al-Thani 1437 (10 March to 7 April 2016), HH Abdul-Rahman bin Mohammad Al-Sadhan, the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers in KSA, has asked citizens and residents who have performed Hajj before to consider not going again in order to give the space to those who have not yet performed Hajj.

The cover story for the issue is devoted to Jeddah, the gate to the Two holy Mosques, with articles on its ancient history, its lanes and alleys, its ports, and the Mutawifs agents who are the first to receive pilgrims and the last to bid farewell to them.

The magazine was established in in the Islamic calendar month of Rajab in 1366 during the reign of the late King Abdul-Aziz bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Saud. It is published in Arabic and in English, distributed inside and outside the KSA; supervised by HH the Minister of Haj, Dr Bandar Hajjar; and edited by Talal Bin Hussein Qasty.

Interested?

View the magazine (English pages are from page 5 onwards, with Arabic pages in the latter half)

Pakistan International Airlines cuts fares to Jeddah and Madinah

In an effort to facilitate umrah pilgrims, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reduced its fares for Jeddah and Madinah by 10% as of January 24 2016.

Fares from Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan have now been cut to PKR49,100 for Jeddah and to PKR44,100 for Madinah while from Karachi and Quetta fares have been reduced to PKR39,100 for Jeddah and PKR34,100 for Madinah for economy class, exclusive of taxes.

MEA adds flights to Jeddah and Riyadh

MEA will begin a 14th flight on Saturday mornings to and from Jeddah, and another 14th flight on Saturday mornings to and from Riyadh.

This gives MEA passengers the option of two flights per day to each city, one in the morning and the other in the evening. 

Departure Beirut	Arrival Jeddah	Departure Jeddah	Arrival Beirut
8:55	12:25	13:25	14:55
Departure Beirut	Arrival Riyadh	Departure Riyadh	Arrival Beirut
9:25	12:40	13:40	15:15

Emirates responds to high demand with four more flights to Jeddah a week

Emirates has added four flights per week to Jeddah, starting 14 December 2015. 

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a major market for Emirates and its importance is reflected by the fact that we will now operate three flights per day to Jeddah with our popular A380 aircraft. This is tremendous news for both our business and leisure customers and highlights our commitment to providing travellers in Jeddah with not only the very latest in aircraft innovations but also increased connectivity,” said Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West.

The additional flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, bringing the total number of weekly flights to Jeddah to 21.

Emirates flight EK801 will depart Dubai at 0140 and arrive in Jeddah at 0340 the same day. The return flight, EK802, will depart Jeddah at 0540 and arrive in Dubai at 0930 the same day.

Emirates’ First Class and Business Class passengers will also benefit from a complimentary chauffeured service to and from the airport, along with access to more than 35 dedicated Emirates Lounges around the world.

Passengers in all cabin classes have access to Wi-Fi, more than 2,000 channels of in-flight entertainment and gourmet-chef prepared meals, served by highly trained, multilingual cabin crew. Emirates’ customers also benefit from luggage allowances of 30 kg in economy class, 40 kg in business class and 50 kg in first class.

Emirates has been operating in The Kingdom for more than 26 years, first launching flights to Jeddah in 1989. The airline was the first to introduce an A380 into KSA by upgrading Jeddah to a double decker service in 2010. Today, Emirates serves KSA with 63 flights a week via four gateways; Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Al Medinah al Munawarah (Madinah). This will increase to 67 flights a week from 14 December with the additional services to Jeddah. All flights are non-stop to Dubai.

Etihad adds third daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is increasing capacity to KSA with a third daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah with effect from 10 December 2015.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s flights to the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia, launched in May 2006, are among the most popular of its regional services. Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said: “This new service expands our operation to the kingdom and further strengthens the already strong historic relations and cultural ties between the two Arab states.

“Business, religious and leisure guests flying between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah may now choose from greater schedule options. Abu Dhabi’s geographical location makes it ideal as a gateway for air travellers going to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, connecting easily and quickly across Etihad Airways’ route network.”

Etihad Airways’ third daily service between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah will be served with an Airbus A320 aircraft, configured with 16 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy. The existing double daily flights are operated on two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Etihad Airways currently operates nine daily flights across KSA – including Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah. Recently, Etihad Airways expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia through a new five-times-per-week codeshare between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi operated by codeshare partner flynas.

Flight	Org	Des	Dep	Arr	Aircraft	DOW	Status
EY313	Abu Dhabi	Jeddah	2.00	4.00	B777-300ER	Daily	Existing
EY 314	Jeddah	Abu Dhabi	5.30	9.00	B777-300ER	Daily	Existing
EY311	Abu Dhabi	Jeddah	13.50	15.55	B777-300ER	Daily	Existing
EY312	Jeddah	Abu Dhabi	17.25	21.00	B777-300ER	Daily	Existing
EY333	Abu Dhabi	Jeddah	7.55	10.10	A320	Daily	New
EY334	Jeddah	Abu Dhabi	11.05	14.40	A320	Daily	New

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Etihad partnership with flynas for flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh

Scoot to take over Singapore Airlines routes to Jeddah

From 1 May 2016, Scoot will operate services to Jeddah, taking over from parent company Singapore Airlines.

The transfer of operations to Scoot will result in an increase in capacity to and from the Saudi Arabian city and better optimise the utilisation of the SIA Group’s resources.

Singapore Airlines currently operates three flights per week to Jeddah via Dubai with 285-seat Airbus A330-300s. Subject to regulatory approvals, Scoot will start with thrice-weekly non-stop services between Singapore and Jeddah using 335-seat Boeing 787-8s, with plans to progressively increase frequency.

“Scoot is thrilled to be adding our first Middle Eastern destination to our network,” said Scoot CEO, Campbell Wilson. “We have long wanted to operate to Saudi Arabia. Jeddah, its second largest city, is both a commercial centre as well as the principal gateway for religious pilgrimages to nearby Mecca. With thrice-weekly non-stop services, Scoot looks forward to improving connectivity between Singapore and this important world city.”

Customers who have made advance bookings to or from Jeddah on Singapore Airlines will be re-accommodated on Scoot’s new services, or may opt for a refund.

Details of Scoot’s flight numbers and flight schedules for services between Singapore and Jeddah are as follows :

SINGAPORE – JEDDAH*
Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
TZ 592	4.40pm	8.30pm	Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday

JEDDAH – SINGAPORE*
Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
TZ 591	10pm	12.40am the next day	Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday

* Operations are subject to regulatory approvals. Schedules are correct at time of print and are subject to change. All times listed are local. +1 refers to arrival on the next day.

Qatar Airways launches all-first class service from Doha to Jeddah

Qatar Airways launched a new daily All-First Class service from its hub in Doha to Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on June 17 to coincide with the start of Ramadhan. With the additional daily flight, services to Jeddah have gone from double-daily flights to triple-daily flights.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “The demand for premium group travel continues to grow especially during the Ramadhan season, and therefore we have introduced this All-Premium A319 to Jeddah, further strengthening Qatar Airways’ position as a five-star airline providing the best First and Business Class service in the industry.”

The Airbus A319 aircraft, which is fitted with a single aisle, two-by-two seating configuration with 40 seats, will enable passengers to experience the comfort of a private jet complemented by Qatar Airways’ five-star hospitality. Passengers on the A319 All-First Class flight are eligible to visit the Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Doha’s Hamad International Airport.

Source: Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways’ A319 first-class seats recline into fully-flat beds while the recently-launched Oryx One inflight entertainment system has increased the number of movies and TV shows on board from 950 to up to 2,000. Personal entertainment can be enjoyed with noise-cancelling headphones.

The new daily flights between Doha and Jeddah are scheduled as follows:

Depart Doha QR3002 at 9am. Arrive Jeddah at 11:20am.
Depart Jeddah QR3003 at 12:20pm. Arrive Doha at 2:40pm.

New welcome programme for mu'tamirs arriving in Jeddah

His Highness the Minister of Hajj Dr Bandar ibn Muhammad Hajjar, has launched a new welcome programme for mu`tamirs (pilgrims not on Hajj) who arrive in Saudi Arabia via King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah. 

This programme will be launched on Jumada Al-Thany 10, 1436 (today) with the participation of Saudi umrah companies and establishments. The initiative will be implemented in two phases, the first of which starts immediately after the arrival of the mu`tamirs by plane. Mu`tamirs will receive gifts and experience hospitality in the Arabic tradition, including the serving of Arab coffee, dates, and Zamzam water. Hizaji Majas (special Islamic songs relevant to Hijaz) and other Islamic chants will be performed. 

In the second phase, after the mu`tamirs have finalised arrival procedures and boarded the buses which will transport them to Makkah Al-Mukarramah or Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, each mu`tamir will be offered a rose and chocolate. 

Firefly Millward Brown opens office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Millward Brown, a brand, media and communications research specialist, launched Firefly Millward Brown, its qualitative practice, in Saudi Arabia in mid-September.

The unit develops innovative approaches to discover and illuminate consumer insights and drive brand success. Firefly’s area of expertise includes communications touchpoints, brand equity and positioning, new product development, segmentation, category and target exploration, shopper marketing, channel optimisation and multi and transculturalism.

Commenting on the launch, Charles Foster, Regional Managing Director Millward Brown Africa and Middle East said: “We know marketers seek a better integration of qualitative and quantitative insights. As part of the global Firefly Millward Brown network, our specialist team is designed to collaborate and deliver holistic solutions; partnering with our clients to build effective campaigns and grow great brands.”

Rasha Metwali, Associate Director of Firefly Millward Brown in Saudi Arabia, who will lead the team, added, “We are focused on generating insights about consumers and working with brands to develop appropriate strategies to leverage those insights. Firefly’s unique tools and methodologies uncover the elusive and explain the ‘why’ behind consumer behaviour, choice and preference.”

Historic Jeddah becomes World Heritage Site

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah in Saudi Arabia was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on June 21 in a meeting in Doha, Qatar. The city is on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. From the 7th century A.D. it was established as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channeling goods to Mecca. It was also the gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca who arrived by sea. 

These twin roles saw the city develop into a thriving multicultural centre characterised by a distinctive architectural tradition, including tower houses built in the late 19th century  by the city’s mercantile elites, and combining Red Sea coastal coral building traditions with influences and crafts from along the trade routes.

Tourism is expected to receive a boost with this development. According to a FAQ on Unesco's website, the prestige received from the accolade often helps raise awareness among citizens and governments for heritage preservation, leading in turn to better protection and conservation. A country may also receive financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites. Sites can also be delisted.

The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee began on 15 June and will continue through to 25 June.