Riyadh, March 05, 2026, SPA -- The Ministry of Tourism has intensified its inspections of hospitality facilities, including hotels and serviced apartments, in Makkah and Madinah during the first half of Ramadan. In Makkah, teams conducted 1,166 inspections, identifying 762 violations, while in Madinah, they carried out 426 inspections and found 128 violations. Additionally, the ministry conducted 887 awareness visits in Makkah and 367 in Madinah to promote compliance with quality standards and licensing requirements. The ministry monitored over 1,420 facilities in Makkah and more than 573 in Madinah to enhance service quality for visitors and pilgrims. Common violations inclu ......read full article

Riyadh, March 03, 2026, SPA -- The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has launched the Saudi strawberry season in local markets, partnering with major retailers to showcase domestic produce through innovative packaging and display, aiming to bolster the quality and reliability of national crops while meeting increasing consumer demand. Recognized as a promising sector, strawberry cultivation has expanded significantly under ministry initiatives focused on agricultural sustainability and the diversification of local production sources. To reduce reliance on imports, the ministry provides high-quality tissue culture seedlings, and cultivation is currently widespread across Qa ......read full article

Madinah, March 06, 2026, SPA -- Since the beginning of the Saudi era, the Prophet’s Mosque has undergone a series of major expansions aimed at facilitating the movement of worshippers and visitors, providing larger spaces for prayer while preserving the mosque’s Islamic architectural character and spiritual atmosphere. The first Saudi expansion began in 1952 (1372 AH) and continued until 1955 (1375 AH). During this period, around 16,326 square meters were added to the mosque, increasing its capacity to nearly 28,000 worshippers to accommodate the growing number of visitors. The second expansion, launched in 1985 (1406 AH) and completed in 1994 (1414 AH), encompassed the main ......read full article

Mumbai, March 06, 2026, SPA -- The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the Religious Attaché at Saudi Embassy in India, implemented the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques's iftar program in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Maldives during the month of Ramadan. The program, implemented in cooperation with 35 prominent Islamic centers and associations across the four countries. The program benefited around 50,000 fasting Muslims, with the participation of scholars, preachers, and several religious figures. Beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership, commending the Ministry of Islamic Affairs' efforts in serving Muslim commun ......read full article

Arar, March 03, 2026, SPA -- The skies over Northern Borders Region this evening are witnessing the appearance of the full moon of Ramadan, globally known as the "Worm Moon," in a striking astronomical scene that adds a special beauty to the night atmosphere and draws the interest of stargazing enthusiasts and those keen on astronomical phenomena. The name is traditionally given to the full moon in March, which coincides with the reappearance of earthworms in the soil after winter, symbolizing the approach of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The full moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse that began at 14:34 Saudi Arabia time. However, the phenomenon will not be visible ......read full article

Al-Baha, March 05, 2026, SPA -- Activities of the Ramadan Nights Festival, organized by the Al-Baha Municipality at Souq Al-Balad in the center of Al-Baha city, continue to offer visitors diverse Ramadan experiences full of vitality, blending a heritage atmosphere with social activities and entertainment events that attract residents and visitors throughout the holy month. Among the highlights of the festival is the “Basta Khair” initiative, which has enriched the festival's atmosphere by providing producer families, entrepreneurs, and small business owners with the opportunity to showcase their diverse products to visitors, reflecting the spirit of social solidarity and s ......read full article

Riyadh, March 02, 2026, SPA -- The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in coordination with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), announced today the match schedule for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, to be held from January 7 to February 5, 2027, across three host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. Riyadh will host matches at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, the tournament's largest venue with a capacity of 72,000 spectators, which will stage the opening match and the final, as well as Saudi national team matches, group-stage fixtures, and the Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches. Riyadh will also host matches at King Saud University Stadium, Kingdom Arena, Imam Mohammed i ......read full article

Riyadh, March 05, 2026, SPA -- Boulevard City hosted a special ceremony yesterday to distribute 155 cars from Riyadh Season—provided by its partners and sponsors—to winners of the raffle draw, as part of initiatives the season is keen to offer to share moments of joy with its audience. During the event, the winners' names were announced, and they were presented with the keys to their cars in a festive atmosphere attended by media representatives and large crowds, highlighting the strong engagement that Riyadh Season continues to generate. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh recently announced an initiative in w ......read full article

Buraidah, March 03, 2026, SPA -- President of Qassim University Dr. Mohammed Al-Sharekh and CEO of South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Dr. Thulani Dlamini signed an executive program agreement on Sunday covering scientific research and innovation. Qassim University’s vice presidents attended the signing, which took place at the university campus. The agreement aims to foster cooperation in research, development, and innovation projects in advanced technologies prioritized by both sides. It also provides for the exchange of researchers and experts in various areas, particularly in the space and defense sectors, and the activation of the space an ......read full article

Madinah, March 04, 2026, SPA -- The Prophet’s Mosque Library is one of the oldest endowment libraries in the Islamic world and serves as a prominent knowledge center supporting scholarly and cultural activity in Madinah through specialized services for researchers, scholars, and students of knowledge. The library houses a rich collection of rare manuscripts and scholarly works, including around 4,000 original manuscripts, nearly 60,000 digitized and reproduced manuscripts, approximately 4,600 manuscripts preserved on various media, and more than 250 rare handwritten copies of the Holy Quran, making it one of the most significant repositories of Islamic manuscript heritage. Its fa ......read full article

Madinah, March 03, 2026, SPA -- Madinah welcomes March 2026 with a diverse calendar of events as part of the Madinah Winter Season. This program includes culture, entertainment, adventure, sports, shopping, and Ramadan activities, providing an integrated experience for visitors and residents. Key highlights include the 14th Cultures and Peoples Festival from March 29 to April 6 and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) Ramadan activities until March 19. Tourism experiences include the Mount Uhud experience, the free Madinah city sightseeing tour, and hiking and camping. Entertainment events are held at various locations, while attractions such as the Prince Mohammed bin Sal ......read full article

Madinah, March 04, 2026, SPA -- The Children’s Nursery Center at the Prophet’s Mosque is providing a diverse range of comprehensive services for young visitors during Ramadan, with various educational programs offered by specialized trained staff. The center, run by the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, is part of a broad system of services designed to help worshippers perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind. The center is located in the northeast section between the mosque courtyards exits 339-340, covering an area of 268 square meters. It operates year-round, offering educational and awareness program ......read full article

Madinah, March 02, 2026, SPA -- Dates of Madinah hold a special religious significance due to the palm tree’s association with the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the city, while the Kingdom has maintained its focus on developing and advancing their cultivation and production, making Madinah one of the largest date-producing regions today, with production nearing 347,000 tons of some of the finest varieties in the Kingdom. According to the National Center for Palms and Dates, dates are preferred products during Ramadan because of their high nutritional value and health benefits, as they contain many essential nutrients. This increases their consumption during th ......read full article

Jeddah, March 02, 2026, SPA -- Assistant Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Branch in Makkah Region Ambassador Ahmed Qutb received today in Jeddah Consul General of Malaysia Tengku Mohd Dzaraif bin Raja Abdul Kadir. During the meeting, the consular exequatur was handed over, and topics of mutual interest were discussed. ...read full article

Jeddah, March 03, 2026, SPA -- Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Saleh Al-Jasser inspected the facilities of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Monday. He was accompanied by GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej; CEO of Matarat Holding Raed Al-Idrissi; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Airports Company Eng. Raed Al-Mudaiheem; and CEO of Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO) Eng. Mazen bin Mohammed Johar. The minister’s tour began at the Welcome Hall, where he viewed the hall’s facilities and the services provided to travelers. He inspected the el ......read full article

Barcelona, March 03, 2026, SPA -- The Global AI Summit (GAIN), in its fourth edition, showcased its ambitious strategy during its participation in MWC Barcelona 2026, one of the world’s largest and most prominent advanced technology conferences, which commenced today in Barcelona and will run until March 5, ahead of the summit’s convening in Riyadh from September 15 to 17 Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the summit is organized by SDAIA in partnership with HUMAIN. GAIN’s participation featured a ......read full article

Dimensional Latticework Dial Inspired by the Traditional Kigumi Woodwork Technique Dubai, March 02, 2026 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. has released a new MR-G timepiece, adding to the flagship line of the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches. The new MRG-B2100D features a three-dimensional latticework dial inspired by the functional beauty of kigumi,*1 the traditional Japanese art of woodwork joinery, adorned with hanada-iro, a stately blue color. * Kigumi is a traditional Japanese construction method and woodworking technique used for wooden joinery without the use of nails or other metal fittings. Driven by its Purpose — “Through the power to put wonder at hand, ......read full article

Podgorica, March 02, 2026, SPA -- The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the religious attaché at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ programs for date distribution and iftar in Montenegro during a ceremony held in the capital, Podgorica. The iftar program is set to benefit 2,000 individuals across four regions, while five tons of dates have been allocated under the distribution program, benefiting 20,000 individuals. ...read full article

Riyadh, March 02, 2026, SPA -- The Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) has strengthened its international presence in the fields of science, technology, and innovation by announcing its participation in the 29th session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). The CSTD secretariat has been hosted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) since 1993, following the approval of SGBF’s participation in CSTD’s work in an advisory capacity. The CSTD will convene its sessions from April 20 to 24, 2026, in the Assembly Hall at the Palais des Nationsin Geneva, Switzerland, with the participation of representatives from me ......read full article

  Riyadh, March 02, 2026, SPA -- The health sector has delivered comprehensive services to Umrah performers, providing a total of 33,944 healthcare services since the beginning of 1447 AH Umrah season through the tenth day of Ramadan. These efforts form part of an integrated system aimed at facilitating access to healthcare in accordance with the highest standards of quality and safety, enhancing the overall health experience of pilgrims and enabling them to perform their rituals with ease and reassurance. These services align with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, stemming from Saudi Vision 2030. These efforts continue ......read full article

Riyadh, March 02, 2026, SPA -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the Middle East edition of the “BIO / CPHI” Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Development Forum in Riyadh under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and organized by Tahaluf Company from May 11 to 13, at Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham. Hosting the forum underscores the growing international confidence in the Saudi healthcare sector’s investment and regulatory environment and highlights the Kingdom’s readiness to lead regional transformation in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. The event aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in building a thriving innovati ......read full article

Makkah, February 27, 2026, SPA -- stc group is continuing its on-the-ground efforts to serve Umrah performers during Ramadan through an integrated system of technological services and humanitarian initiatives in Makkah. In partnership with several non-profit associations, the group implemented a welcoming initiative that included distributing copies of the Holy Quran and cold water to visitors to the Grand Mosque, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility and volunteerism. Simultaneously, stc is leveraging its advanced digital infrastructure to ensure high-speed connectivity and network reliability in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque, enabling pilgrims to use digital services ......read full article

Jeddah, February 27, 2026, SPA -- Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji met today with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya on the sidelines of the Emergency Open-Ended Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, convened at the level of foreign ministers in Jeddah to discuss Israeli occupation decisions. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and addressed regional developments. ...read full article

Jizan, February 27, 2026, SPA -- Ramadan in Jizan city offers a diverse experience that blends vibrant waterfronts, traditional markets, and modern destinations. Before iftar, locals and visitors gather at the corniche and public parks to enjoy the sea breeze, while the city's markets, including the central fish market and the heritage-focused Al-Awaleen Market, become bustling hubs for authentic local flavors and seasonal delicacies. As sunset approaches, families often share iftar on terraces overlooking the sea, creating a spiritual atmosphere accompanied by the sound of the waves. In the evenings, the city’s energy shifts to coastal cafes and shopping centers, providing so ......read full article

Madinah, February 28, 2026, SPA -- The Prophet's Mosque features 250 advanced retractable umbrellas, each standing 15 meters tall and weighing 40 tons, designed as an engineering masterpiece to enhance the comfort and spiritual experience of worshippers. Operating automatically to open at sunrise and close before sunset, the structures are made of reinforced fiberglass adorned with Islamic geometric patterns and gold-plated copper. Each unit is equipped with misting fans to cool the air and multiple lighting units for nighttime use. Designed for maximum efficiency, a single umbrella shades over 900 people, allowing the entire system to accommodate more than 228,000 worshippers duri ......read full article