Water tanks launched ahead of Hajj

Source: NWC.

HE Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, has inaugurated new Almuaisim tanks with 760,0000 m³ of capacity as part of the readiness plan for Hajj 2016 (1437).

Al Fadhli said that Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) and the National Water Company (NWC) have been working together to ensure nonstop water provision for Makkah and the Holy Masha'ar area (Editor's note: the area where the rituals for the Hajj are held), including through the building of strategic tanks with the capacity of 2.4 million m³, with emergency reserve tanks to be distributed throughout the Masha'ar. 

According to Dr Abdulrahman Al-Ibrahim, SWCC Governor and CEO of NWC, water provision for Makkah and Masha'ar will total more than 18 million m³. Of a daily 650,000 m³ of water, 180,000 m³ will be pumped from Shuwaibah Plant, 460,000 m³ from Shuwaibah station and 2,000 m³ from Wadi Malakan project for feeding the Masjid al Haram toilets. NWC's four tanker filling stations will be working at full capacity around the clock during this Hajj season.

Dr Al-Ibrahim also shared that field inspection tours will be conducted continually throughout Hajj.

The minister additionally visited King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Project for Zamzam, which has doubled staff at sales/distribution points, for the approximate 1.5 million 10l packs which will be sold during Hajj. Sales points were established in all terminals of Jeddah and Madinah airports.

922,292 Hajj pilgrims already in KSA

The number of Hajj pilgrims from outside of KSA since the start of pilgrims' arrival until the end of 31 August numbers 922,292 pilgrims, according to statistics issued by the General Directorate of Passports of KSA, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

Some  877,134 pilgrims arrived by air; 34,456 pilgrims came by land, and 10,702 pilgrims via marine transport.

Tafweej strategy for Hajj 2016 unfurls slowly but surely

Source: Ministry of Haj & Umra, KSA. Workshop on tafweej.

A workshop on this year's 12-stage tafweej (التفويج) strategy has been held in Makkah under the supervision of HE Dr Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Bentin, the Minister of Haj and Umra by the KSA  Ministry of Haj & Umra on August 20 to increase the readiness of the ministry and establishments involved in the current Hajj season.

Tafweej refers to the logistics of moving large numbers of pilgrims from one place to another as part of the rituals of the Hajj, and the strategy has been completely revised as per HE Dr Bentin's instructions. All tafweej procedures have been overhauled, made consistent, and cover crowd management, modelling, and the treatment of statistical data.

Procedures include:
Tafweej schedule preparation
Communication of such schedules to agencies involved
Mapping Hajj pilgrims' exit and return routes;
Monitoring of establishments' performance to ensure they fulfil assigned tasks;
Holding defaulters answerable;
Monitoring crowd flow on different routes; and comparing the crowd flow with Tafweej projections.

New control mechanisms are in place for the teams concerned with overall management, gate monitoring, and route support; in order to fulfill the directions of Custodian of the Two Holy mosques, HRH the Crown Prince, and HRH the Deputy Crown Prince for facilitating all services for pilgrims from their arrival to the KSA, till their safe return to their countries.

The workshop was attended by various representatives from the Ministry of Haj and Umra as well as by chairmen and officials of the National Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims of Turkey, and Muslims of Europe and Australia.

Dr Hussein bin Nasser Al-Sharif, the Ministry Undersecretary for Haj Affairs, stressed that the plans for the current Hajj season are based on a new vision. "For the best implementation of tafweej plans, the Ministry of Haj and Umra branch in Makkah performs many tasks: following up with tafweej schedules; confirming the presence of tafweej members and guides; preparing reports, and interim results; and submitting detailed reports on all violations, at the end of Hajj," he said.

Source: Ministry of Haj & Umra, KSA. Hajj pilgrims.

Workshops are part of phase two of the tafweej strategy, which covers awareness-building for execution plans, organisational constraints, and schedules. The ministry will continue to reach out to other Tawafa establishments and related agencies to ensure that there is awareness of the tafweej strategy this year.

Enhancements to the tafweej strategy include:

• Immediately implementing evaluation and performance indicators in the field
• Using the tools and technologies aimed at treating tafweej as an organised, seasonal activity and 
• Applying goals real-life constraints to tafweej schedules, such as crowd flow, routes, the necessity of adhering to schedules, the Hajj pilgrims' desires with respect to the Jamaraat ritual (stoning of the devil), locations of Haj pilgrims' camps and exits, schedule preparation times, and information from e-portals. 

In addition, the Tafweej Executive Committee also plans to utilise e-control systems and surveillance cameras to monitor crowd flow, to analyse the field data, and finetune tafweej practices accordingly this Hajj season. Other procedures in place include the immediate detection of violations through technologies and mobile apps; prompt reports of such detection to the ministry's servers; data analytics; identification of problems; and reporting of such issues to the ministry's control unit, tafweej teams, observation and followup committees, and operating tafweej units round the clock from the Hajj season till 15/1/1438, roughly 5 October 2016.

Source: Ministry of Haj & Umra, KSA. Hajj pilgrims on the move.

The Tafweej Executive Committee consists of the Public Security Department, Civil Defense, the Development Commission of Makkah Al Mukarramah and Mashaaer (DCOMM), The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (Holy Makkah Municipality), and The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umra.

The first phase included preparing the implementation plan for tafweej to the Jamaraat facility, and to the train stations at the holy sites:

• Establishing goals and constraints on preparing tafweej schedules to the Jamaraat facility, and to the holy sites train stations
• Crowd management plans drawn up for Mina.
• Adopting a method for schedule control at the Tawafa establishments, domestic Haj companies and related establishments; 
• Commissioning tafweej members and their support teams 
• Installing surveillance cameras and the e-control system to monitor routes, and to accept reports submitted by route leaders and field control units.

In the third and final phase of the strategy, the committee will supervise the accuracy of plan implementation, measuring performance levels, document procedures, and evaluate all stages of activity. A joint room of operations has been set up for critical decision-making in response to circumstances in the field and real-time feedback of the implementation, as well as for crisis management.

KSA MOH opens health control centres to limit import, outbreak of communicable diseases

The KSA Ministry of Health (MOH) has allocated 15 centres for Hajj pilgrims’ health control at the kingdom’s land, sea and air ports to protect the country against the importation and outbreak of communicable diseases. The centres run around the clock and became operational at the beginning of Dhul Qa'adah (early August 2016).

The health control centres ensure that all pilgrims coming to KSA, especially from countries with high epidemiological rates of some diseases, have their international travel documents certified, including that for vaccination in their countries. All means of transport are also inspected and their compliance with health requirements is verified. The relevant authorities examine all food items which pilgrims have brought with them. These centres also conduct health education, including the distribution of educational brochures and broadcasting awareness programmes in various languages on display screens at lounges.

Ambulances are on standby to transfer cases and provide them with advanced healthcare at the nearest hospital. Isolation rooms have been set up to house suspected cases at the health centres before transfer.

Earlier in August the MOH strengthened crisis management mechanisms in partnership with the British Bournemouth University, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the British National Health Service (NHS). Laws and procedures for crisis management were discussed with the university; an assessment of health risks and of the communication system were performed in conjunction with the WHO, while the NHS evaluated the pre-hospital triage system. The Hajj Emergency Committee has organised activities into regions, with the three regions being the central area, sites in Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah; and Makkah.

In Hajj 2015 MOH health facilities provided services to more than 405,542 patients among Hajj pilgrims, in addition to screening more than 1,300,000 pilgrims coming through 15 health control centres at land, air, and maritime entry points. During the same Hajj season, the MOH conducted 22 open-heart operations, 668 cardiac catheterisation operations, 2,213 dialysis sessions, and 31 gastrointestinal endoscopy sessions.

Awqaf UAE outlines facilities available for Hajj pilgrims this year

Awqaf's Pilgrims Affairs offices and the UAE's pilgrims' camps in KSA have been furnished with e-gates that will require e-card for entry and exit, said Dr Mohammed Matar al Kaabi, Chairman of the General Authority of Religious Affairs and Endowments in the UAE (Awqaf). Awqaf will set up the camps in accordance with the highest standards in terms of ventilation and air-conditioning, Dr al Kaabi added, noting that top-quality split unit air-conditioning systems will be installed in all tents.

Dr al Kaabi also stressed that the official UAE Hajj mission will ensure enough washrooms, ablution corners and prayer rooms for pilgrims. The number is increased as necessary in ongoing efforts to improve service quality every year, he said.

Dr al Kaabi further highlighted that 13 committees are focused on various services for pilgrims and staffed round the clock. The committees support pilgrims throughout the entire Hajj, starting with preparations for travel, through to performing Hajj rites and returning to the UAE, he added.

Special care is also given to women's camps.

Dr al Kaabi added that pilgrims should take the compulsory vaccinations and undergo the necessary medical checks at the Ministry of Health before heading out on the Hajj. Other requirements pertaining to residents include possessing passports valid for at least six months. The same applies for their residency permits, he added.

Dr al Kaabi explained that such information should then be entered into the Awqaf's electronic system which will then forward the data to the electronic systems used by KSA. Following that, Hajj permits will be issued to citizens while residents will obtain the Hajj visa. Amongst other important regulations, Dr al Kaabi stressed the need for each pilgrim to sign a contract with the Hajj operator of their choice. Those contracts cover air tickets in addition to transportation, accommodation and supplies in the holy sites, Dr al Kaabi added.

He also underscored that Awqaf will conduct workshops and religious, medical and introductory lectures via various media outlets. Such workshops and lectures will start at the beginning of Dhul Qa'adah (early August 2016) and are aimed at promoting pilgrims' awareness about Hajj affairs and safety procedures before heading to the holy sites.

A preparatory mission departs for KSA ahead of pilgrims to take responsibility for the locations allocated for the UAE pilgrims, set up the camps and furnish them with all services necessary for the pilgrims and the mission. Medical services, including clinics, pharmacies, physicians, nursing teams, medicine and medical devices, are delivered free of charge and offered at all Hujjaj Affairs' offices in Makkah, Madinah, Mina and Arafat as well as at all Hajj campaign premises across the UAE, Dr al Kaabi concluded.

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.

Food retail market in KSA to pass US$54 billion by 2020

Technavio analysts expect the food retail market in Saudi Arabia to exceed US$54 billion from 2016 to 2020, a CAGR of around 5% by 2020. KSA accounts for around 51% of the total food retail sales in the GCC region.

The report lists cereals, dairy, fruits and vegetables, meat, and other foods as the five major product segments for the food retail market in Saudi Arabia, and outlines four driving factors:

Increasing urbanisation

Urbanisation has led to busier lifestyles, driving people to seek convenience, especially with regard to foods and beverages. The cereals segment will continue its dominance in the market during the forecast period and is expected to occupy more than 49% of the total market revenue by 2020, Technavio said. The growing population and surge in urbanisation are driving the demand for cereals, especially breakfast cereals, among consumers. Factors such as demand for convenient products that can be consumed on-the-go are expected to boost the growth of this segment during the forecast period.

It is estimated that by 2025 the rate of urbanisation in Saudi Arabia will be about 88%. In 2014, supermarkets and hypermarkets had a market share of 56.5% in food retail sales, as compared to 45% in 2013, as consumers can provide an outing for families at the same time. An increasing number of entertainment facilities in hypermarkets are improving the shopping experience of customers.


Technavio also shared that there is increasing use of private-label brands, often seen in Saudi supermarkets. Saudi Arabian supermarkets and hypermarkets chains import their products such as cheese products, nuts, fresh fruit, condiments and sauces, cereals, ketchup, fruit juices, and vegetables from the North American and European countries. Saudi importers then repackage products locally using their label. Private-label brands with Arabic brand names attract more Saudis and other Arabs in the country, Technavio said. For instance, one of the largest importers in Saudi Arabia uses the brand name Al-Alali for its products to appeal to Saudi nationals.
 
Visitors to Makkah also indicate that demand for packaged food will see tremendous growth, Technavio adds.

Increasing disposable income

With the recent economic growth of the country, the per capita disposable income of consumers has increased, as a result of which consumers are able to spend more money on high-quality food products at retail outlets. Disposable income has increased from US$20,267 in 2008 to US$25,400 in 2014, leading to a rise in consumer spending on food. It is estimated that consumers in Saudi Arabia spend about 27% of their income on food products.

Increase in number of retail outlets

The number of food retail outlets in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase to 50,000 by 2020. Food retailers are trying to increase their store numbers so as to gain a larger market share and also access more consumer segments. Food retail outlets in Saudi Arabia carry a wide range of options for consumers such as domestically processed foods, imported specialty food products, and organic food products. The Panda supermarket chain plans to add 10 stores by 2020, to a total of 250. Al Sadhan Supermarkets also plans to increase its number of stores by 18 over the next 10 years.

Foreign direct investment (FDI)

Another important growth driver for food retail in Saudi Arabia is the move by the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA) to allow foreign investors to have 100% ownership in Saudi retail and wholesale sectors from the present 75%. In September 2015, SAGIA announced that it will lay out the rules and regulations that the foreign investors need to follow in order to invest in the retail and wholesale sector in the country starting in 2016.

“This move will attract foreign players such as Walmart, Tesco, and Sainsbury's to the retail market in Saudi Arabia. It will also help in increasing productivity, efficiency, and economic growth as well as providing training and employment opportunities for young Saudis,” says Arushi Thakur, one of Technavio's lead analysts for food research.

Besides Panda, key vendors in the report include Carrefour, NESTO, Othaim, and Tamimi. Other prominent vendors in the food retail market in Saudi Arabia include Al Raya Supermarkets, Al Sadhan, Balsharaf Supermarkets, Bin Dawood Supermarkets, Farm Supermarkets, Lulu Hypermarket, Manual Hypermarket, Marhaba Supermarkets, Sarawat Supermarkets, and Star Hypermarkets.Vendors in the market are aiming for better market positions through competitive pricing, weekly promotional offers, and by offering advertisement support to the customers, Technavio said.

Interested?

Buy Food Retail Market in Saudi Arabia 2016-2020

Ministry of Haj and Umra, KSA launches new control centre for Hajj and umrah

HE the Minister of Haj and Umra in KSA, Dr Mohammed Saleh Bentin, has launched the Ministry of Haj and Umra's control centre as part of the ministry's e-transformation in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. The new system will contribute to the enhancement of Hajj and umrah performance, shorten the duration of current procedures, and achieve information transparency, the ministry said, against a backdrop of an increase in the numbers of pilgrims. The KSA has hosted a record umrah season, receiving nearly 6.5 million umrah pilgrims.

The system is expected to improve field coordination, accelerate decision-making, and ensure information is updated in real-time. A dashboard is made available 24x7 for all the government agency stakeholders involved in the Hajj and umrah ecosystem and also connected to the Hajj and umrah pilgrims' service centres in Makkah and Madinah. The service centres field enquiries from pilgrims, provide directions and take feedback on services.

In conjunction with the launch Dr Bentin announced that the Hajj pilgrim e-bracelet programme would start this year. E-bracelets will help authorities recognise pilgrims quickly; provide access to data of Hajj pilgrims, especially non-Arabic speakers or the unidentified; and provide a unique identifier to help guide the lost and follow up with complaints.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the e-bracelet programme

Over 600,000 umrah pilgrims arrived via Jeddah during Ramadhan

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region and Chairman of Central Hajj Committee has been briefed on a report on the umrah season during Ramadhan, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

It was found that King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (JED) receives the largest number of umrah pilgrims. According to the report, 645,000 umrah pilgrims arrived in Ramadhan, while 265,000 departed as of 22 Ramadhan 1437 (28 June, 2016), on 2,400 incoming flights and about 1,500 departing flights.

The report indicated that Jeddah Islamic Port received 11 ships as of 22 Ramadhan and 11 ships left the port during the same period. Jeddah port facilitates procedures for the arrival and departure for umrah pilgrims.

E-bracelets compulsory for Hajj this year

KSA has approved the use of water-resistant e-bracelets with barcodes for all Hajj pilgrims this year, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) has reported, citing the Ministry of Haj and Islamic Affairs (Ministry of Haj and Umra).

KUNA reports that the e-bracelet will acts as a means of pilgrim identification and contain their details and where they stay, which is particularly helpful for  pilgrims who are not Arabic speakers if they are lost. According to the Ministry of Haj and Umra, the bracelets will also include the pilgrim's photo, data on pilgrims' licensed service providers, accommodation details for Makkah, Madinah or other sacred sites, and telephone numbers of those helping them. The ministry has asked Hajj affairs offices worldwide to provide the required data before the pilgrims arrive in KSA, including where the pilgrim entered the country, visa number, and passport number.

HE Minister of Haj and Umra Dr Muhammad Saleh Benten has shared that the e-bracelet is part of the digital transformation drive at the Ministry of Haj and Umra and will help the ministry to improve the efficiency of both Hajj and umrah, enhance information transparency and allow information to be shared across stakeholders involved in providing Hajj and umrah services.

The initiative includes a database of all information which can be accessed by smartphone or iPad by ministry employees, security and other services.

Interested?

The e-bracelets were mentioned when Malaysian senior religious representatives visited the Ministry of Haj and Umra in KSA (then called the Ministry of Haj) in January 2016. Read the associated Suroor Asia blog post

KSA has created mobile apps for Hajj and umrah services for both iOS and Android. Download

KSA Minister of Haj and Umra meets with Yemeni Minister of Waqf and Guidance on pilgrims for 1437

Source: KSA Ministry of Haj and Umra.

The KSA Minister of Haj and Umra Dr Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Bentin has met with the Yemeni Minister of Waqf and Guidance Dr Fu'ad Omar bin Abu-Bakr Al-Sheikh.

As part of the action plan of the Ministry of Haj and Umra, in coordination with the Pilgrims Affairs Office, issues pertaining to pilgrims coming from Yemen to perform Hajj or umrah in the year 1437 AH (approximately from mid October of 2015 to early October 2016) were discussed during the meeting.

The Minister of Haj and Umra highlighted the efforts of Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, to ensure the maximum safety to all pilgrims coming from all over the world. In response, the Yemeni minister credited the KSA government for its keenness on providing high-quality services to all pilgrims.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the blog post about Haj and Umrah magazine, and on the meeting between the Ministry of Haj and Umra, KSA and Iran's pullout from the Hajj this year  

Ramadan Reflections package at Mövenpick Riyadh includes iftar for two

The Ramadan Reflections package at Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh covers an overnight stay in a room or suite, late checkout at 6pm and an iftar meal for two at Horizon Restaurant. Prices begin from SR1,700 per room per night

Source: Movenpick Riyadh website.

Interested?

Book now

*Rates for this promotion are non-refundable. The stay is valid during Ramadhan, from 6 June to 5 July 2016. Iftar is served at Horizon Restaurant. This offer is only available when booking on this website.

All-female Aurora Spa opens at Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh

Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh, in a joint venture with Joelle Mardinian, has officially opened the doors to its all-female Aurora Spa by Joelle. Madinian is a well-known female TV personality in the GCC, as well as an influential fashion and makeup expert in the Middle East.

The Aurora Spa has six individual therapy rooms that provide tailored treatments designed to help guests unwind, re-balance and rejuvenate. The spa features dedicated female-only access from the parking area and hotel, as well as whirlpools and a traditional Oriental hammam.

Philippe Bonnot, General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh said: “The opening of Aurora Spa by Joelle is a fantastic opportunity for female Saudi residents and visitors to experience unique spa treatments. From employing female therapists to creating facilities exclusively for women, our goal is to make the hotel as friendly as possible for ladies.”

The opening of Aurora Spa marks the first spa for Mardinian. She said, "I love to engage with projects that aim to enhance the beauty of women everywhere, hence we have spent a considerable amount of time with designers, architects and a host of other professionals to make sure the spa meets all expectations, with every individual part being of an extremely high standard.”

Interested?

Call +966 11 457 9999

Turkish Airlines adds more flights to Saudi Arabia

Turkish Airlines has launched new flights from the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), Ankara Esenboga and Trabzon airports to key Saudi Arabian cities including Riyadh, Jeddah and Medina.

All three routes - between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)-Jeddah (JED), between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)-Riyadh (RUH) and Ankara Esenboga (ESB)-Medina (MED) - will each operate on a schedule of seven flights weekly.

The SAW-MED route is now operated four times a week and the TZX-RUH route is thrice weekly.

Turkish Airlines flies to seven destinations in Saudi Arabia. From Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), Turkish Airlines currently operates 21 weekly frequencies to Jeddah, and 14-weekly frequencies to both Medina and Riyadh. There are also 10-weekly frequencies (14 as of June 2016) from IST and seven weekly frequencies from SAW to Dammam. The airline flies seven times weekly from IST to Yanbu, five times weekly from IST to Al Qassim and three times weekly frequencies from IST to Taif.

Interested?

Book tickets online, contact the call centre at +90 212 444 0849 or visit any Turkish Airlines sales office

Schedules:

SAW - MED - SAW 

Source: Turkish Airlines. LMT=local mean time

More Indonesian vaccines for Saudi Arabia

The Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) has negotiated an agreement to increase BioFarma vaccine exports to the Middle East, especially to Saudi Arabia. Indonesia is the only Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) country that produces vaccines certified by the World Health Organization (WHO).


Rahman Rustan, Corporate Secretary, BioFarma, a state-owned pharmaceutical company, said that three vaccines are currently exported to Saudi Arabia: the tetanus, diphtheria (DT) vaccine, a vaccine for polio, and Pentabio, a vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (DTP-HB-Hib).

With the help of ITPC, BioFarma can grow and diversify product exports, targeting Islamic countries in general. BioFarma has supplied vaccines to more than 130 countries, including 49 Islamic countries. The company is committed to increasing vaccine expertise for Islamic countries through knowledge-sharing and technology transfer. Indonesia's vaccine exports are worth more than US$114 million annually, while Saudi Arabia vaccine imports are valued more than US$270 million a year.

KSA's Ministry of Haj meets with Kazahkstani delegation

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. Officials
from the Ministry of Haj with the Kazakhstani
and Russian pilgrim delegations.

HE the KSA Undersecretary for Haj affairs, Dr Hussein Al-Sharif has met with the Office of Kazakhstani Pilgrims delegation, headed by the deputy Supreme Mufti (Naib Mufti) of the Spiritual Association of Muslims of Kazakhstan, Serikbai Oraz.

During the meetings, services provided for pilgrims in 2016 (1437) were discussed, including arrangements and preparations to receive the pilgrims on Hajj, to provide them with the best services, and to allow them to perform the rituals easily and conveniently.

Dr Al-Sharif stressed the effectiveness of the electronic portal for pilgrim's services and the importance of compliance with the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Haj. He requested that pilgrims should be aware before their arrival to the KSA of compliance with transportation programmes and scheduled timings for the Jamaraat 'stoning of the devil' ritual, as well as of registering the contracts of pilgrims' housing in the residences licensed by competent authorities.

The Kazakhstani delegation head praised the integrated services provided by the Saudi government to pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites; the enormous expansions at the Two Holy Mosques, including the expansion of the Mataf (the area surrounding Ka'abah); and the continuous achievements executed to serve pilgrims, most notably the holy sites train, and the Two-Holy Mosques train project that is in progress.

The Kazakhstani quota this year is nearly nearly 5,000.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post on the meetings with the Kuwaiti Pilgrim Affairs Offices.

An estimated 8,000 Kuwaiti pilgrims for Hajj 2016

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA. 

HE the KSA Haj Affairs Undersecretary Dr Hussein bin Nasser Al-Sharif has met with HE the Assistant Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Awqaf, Sheikh Mothieb Al-Uthina, and his entourage.

The meeting, which came as part of the Ministry of Haj's plans to coordinate with Offices of Pilgrims Affairs around the world, addressed arrangements and requirements of the Kuwaiti pilgrims coming to perform Hajj 2016 (1437). They discussed matters related to organising Kuwaiti pilgrims, their housing and transportation, and the services provided to them by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate.

Dr Hussein Al-Sharif stressed compliance with guidelines on promoting pilgrims' awareness of all instructions prior to arrival. In particular, the safety instructions; use of the electronic portal; compliance with batch plans and schedules, and coordination with the Ministry's on-site units are essential to maintain pilgrims' safety.

The Office of Kuwaiti Pilgrims Affairs head praised the achievements executed at the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites, and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Haj for its cooperation and coordination, and the services it provides to them, and to all Haj offices delegations.

Kuwaiti's pilgrim quota this year is estimated at 8,000 pilgrims.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post on the meetings with the Iraqi and Bruneian Pilgrim Affairs Offices.

Logistics for Hajj pilgrims from Brunei, Iraq discussed in KSA

Source: Ministry of Haj, KSA.

The Ministry of Haj, KSA is continuing its coordination with Haj Office delegations on arrangements and requirements for their pilgrims for Hajj 2016 (1437).

HH the Minister of Haj, KSA, Dr Bandar Hajjar has met with the Sultanate of Brunei's Office of Pilgrims delegation, headed by HH the Minister of Religious Affairs, Dato' Haji Badruddin; as well as with the Office of Iraqi Pilgrims delegation, headed by HH the head of the High Commission of Hajj and Umrah, Sheikh Dr Khaled Abather al-Attiyah; and their entourages.

HH the Minister of Haj prefaced the meetings with an overview of the efforts of the KSA, led by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz; His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Deputy Crown Prince. Such efforts include the expansions of the Two Holy Mosques, the Masaa (the way between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah hills), and the Mataf (the area surrounding Ka'abah); theHoly Sites train, the Two Holy Mosques train project, and continual improvement of efforts to streamline and secure Hajj and umrah pilgrimages. He also stressed the importance of following the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Haj, including promoting pilgrims' awareness before their arrival to the Holy Lands, compliance with transportation programmes in order to maintain pilgrims' safety, and the early expiration of air transport and housing contracts.

Logistics matters discussed including pilgrims' housing and transportation, ritual and procedural aspects; the services provided to them by Arbab Al-Tawaif Establishments, The Unified Agents Office, and General Cars Syndicate; and the mutual cooperation in respect of umrah pilgrims services.

For their part, the minister of Brunei and the Iraqi minister admired the developments and achievements by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' government, in Makkah, Madinah, and the Holy Sites, including the expansions of the Two Holy Mosques, the Mataf, and Al-Masjid An-Nabawī (Prophet's Mosque); and the Holy Sites train. The ministers have also commented on bilateral relationships.

In addition, both the ministers have praised the technical works of the Ministry of Haj, and the pilgrims' electronic portal. They also recognised the organisation and cooperation of the Ministry of Haj, and all related authorities.

Brunei and Iraq will send nearly 400 and 25,000 pilgrims respectively this year.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the Ministry of Haj's overview of Hajj 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the meetings with the Pilgrim Affairs Offices of Afghanistan and Palestine

Ministry of Haj, KSA conducts coordination meetings with multiple Ministry of Interior sectors

In response to directions from HRH Prince Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, the Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Interior, and chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, the KSA Haj Affairs Undersecretary of the Ministry of Haj, Dr Hussein Al-Sharif, met with various sectors of the Ministry of Interior on preparations for Hajj 2016 (1437).

HE Dr Al-Sharif met with the National Information Center, the Civil Status Department, and Passports Department (Jawazat) of the KSA to streamline cooperation on issuing Hajj permits for domestic pilgrims. The meeting tackled ways to facilitate procedures in the light of the domestic pilgrims electronic portal, which will enable citizens and residents to make bookings online, at any time and anywhere they have an online connection.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about Ministry of Haj, KSA's drive to go paperless