Travelore News: Saudi Arabia Shelves Mukaab 'The Cube' Project, World's Largest Skyscraper

Saudi Arabia has suspended planned construction of a colossal cube-shaped skyscraper at the center of a downtown development in Riyadh while it reassesses the project's financing and feasibility, four people familiar with the matter said.

The Mukaab, at the center of Riyadh's New Murabba development, is the latest fantastical gigaproject linked to Saudi's Vision 2030 to be curtailed or delayed as the kingdom's $925 billion sovereign wealth fund scales back ambitions to manage costs and prioritize spending.

The kingdom is pivoting from heavy expenditure on futuristic projects that have dominated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030, such as NEOM's The Line, to initiatives seen as more pressing and potentially profitable.

Projects in focus now include infrastructure for World Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup, the sprawling $60 billion Diriyah mixed-use cultural zone and the Qiddiya tourism megaproject, five people familiar with the matter said.

The repositioning also reflects mounting fiscal pressures as oil prices remain well below levels needed to fund the ambitious transformation agenda.

WORK BEYOND SOIL EXCAVATION, PILINGS SUSPENDED

The Mukaab was planned as a 400-metre by 400-metre metal cube containing a dome with an AI-powered display, the largest on the planet, that visitors could observe from a more than 300-metre-tall ziggurat - or terraced structure - inside it.

"When you enter Mukaab, you enter another world," CEO Michael Dyke told attendees at a Riyadh conference in December, acknowledging difficulties realizing the project. "Trying to solve for something that doesn't exist today, that's quite challenging," he said.

Its future is now unclear, with work beyond soil excavation and pilings suspended, three of the people said. Development of the surrounding real estate is set to continue, five people familiar with the plans said. The sources include people familiar with the project's development and people privy to internal deliberations at the PIF.

Officials from PIF, the Saudi government and the New Murabba project did not respond to requests for comment.

PIF SHIFTING FOCUS TO LOGISTICS, AI, MINING

Reuters reported in October that the PIF was shifting strategy to focus on logistics, mining, AI and other sectors promising better near-term returns, as pressure mounted following an $8 billion writedown on gigaproject investments at the end of 2024.

The kingdom is currently conducting a comprehensive review of several Vision 2030 mega projects.

Saudi Economy Minister Faisal al-Ibrahim told Reuters last week: "We're very transparent. We're not going to shy away from saying we had to shift this project, delay it, re-scope it," without mentioning a specific project.

Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia said it would indefinitely postpone hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games set to take place at Trojena, another NEOM megaproject that has faced delays.

But the Mukaab is the first project in the Saudi capital reported to be reassessed for feasibility.

The structure was billed as large enough to fit 20 Empire State Buildings, and feature around 2 million square meters of interior floor space, making it the world's largest single-built structure.

NEW MURABBA WOULD COST $50 BILLION, SAYS KNIGHT FRANK

Real estate consultancy Knight Frank estimated the New Murabba district would cost about $50 billion - roughly equivalent to Jordan's GDP - with projects commissioned so far valued at around $100 million. Initial plans for the New Murabba district called for completion by 2030. It is now slated to be completed by 2040.

The development was intended to house 104,000 residential units and add 180 billion riyals to the kingdom's GDP, creating 334,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030, the government had estimated previously. The Mukaab's design drew some social media criticism when it was unveiled for its resemblance to the Kaaba, the sacred structure at the center of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca that serves as Islam's holiest site, towards which Muslims pray.

Reporting by Timour Azhari in Riyadh, and Hadeel Al Sayegh and Federico Maccioni in Dubai; Editing by Bernadette Baum

Saudi Arabia’s New Alcohol Policy: Only Millionaire Expats Need Apply

In a move that has stunned international observers and sparked heated debate about economic inequality, Saudi Arabia has quietly implemented what critics are calling the world’s most exclusive alcohol policy, limiting legal purchases to wealthy expatriates while maintaining strict prohibition for everyone else.

Image Credit: Depositphotos

A Kingdom’s Calculated Gamble

The policy, which emerged through leaked internal documents from the kingdom’s regulatory authorities, establishes minimum income thresholds that effectively restrict alcohol access to the top 1% of Saudi Arabia’s expatriate population. Sources familiar with the regulations indicate that legal alcohol purchases require proof of annual income exceeding $500,000 USD, along with membership in select private clubs catering to multinational executives and diplomatic personnel.

This represents a dramatic shift for a nation that has maintained some of the world’s strictest alcohol prohibitions since the kingdom’s founding. The new regulations appear designed to attract high-net-worth individuals to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification program while avoiding domestic backlash from conservative religious groups.

The VIP-Only Loophole

The alcohol sales occur within designated “diplomatic quarters” in Riyadh and select compounds in the Eastern Province, areas already operating under modified regulations for international residents. However, unlike previous informal arrangements that simply overlooked alcohol consumption in these enclaves, the new system creates an official, government-sanctioned market with strict eligibility requirements.

Wealthy expatriates report receiving discreet invitations to private purchasing events where premium spirits, wines, and champagnes are available at luxury hotel prices. These exclusive sales reportedly generate substantial revenue for the Saudi government while maintaining plausible deniability about widespread alcohol availability.

Economic Incentives Trump Religious Tradition

Industry analysts suggest the policy reflects Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s pragmatic approach to balancing religious sensitivities with economic necessities. By restricting access to ultra-wealthy foreigners, the kingdom can claim it maintains Islamic principles while creating powerful incentives for international executives to relocate to Saudi Arabia.

“This isn’t really about alcohol,” explains Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a Gulf politics expert at King’s College London. “It’s about signaling to global business leaders that Saudi Arabia offers Western amenities for those who can afford them, while maintaining legitimacy with conservative domestic constituencies.”

A Two-Tiered Society

The policy has created visible tensions within Saudi Arabia’s expatriate community, where income disparities now determine basic lifestyle privileges. Mid-level professionals and technical workers, who form the backbone of many international companies operating in the kingdom, find themselves excluded from legal alcohol access despite contributing significantly to Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.

Local business leaders worry the policy could damage Saudi Arabia’s reputation among international companies seeking to relocate regional headquarters to the kingdom. Many multinational corporations rely on diverse teams of executives and specialists, not all of whom meet the new income requirements for legal alcohol access.

Regional Implications

Image Credit: Depositphotos

The Saudi approach stands in stark contrast to neighboring UAE, where alcohol remains legally accessible to most non-Muslim residents regardless of income level. This difference could influence corporate location decisions as companies weigh regulatory environments against business opportunities in the Gulf region.

Qatar and Kuwait, both maintaining strict alcohol prohibitions, are closely watching Saudi Arabia’s experiment. Success in attracting wealthy expatriates without triggering domestic unrest could inspire similar policies across the region, potentially reshaping social dynamics throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

International Business Response

Early reactions from international chambers of commerce suggest mixed responses to the new regulations. While some luxury goods companies see opportunities in serving Saudi Arabia’s restricted alcohol market, others worry about the precedent of income-based legal restrictions and their impact on employee equality.

Several multinational corporations have reportedly begun adjusting compensation packages for Saudi-based executives to ensure key personnel meet the income thresholds for legal alcohol access. This has created internal tensions as companies grapple with providing equal benefits across their workforce.

The Future of Selective Liberalization

Saudi Arabia’s alcohol policy represents a broader trend of selective social liberalization designed to attract international investment while managing domestic political concerns. Similar income-based restrictions may emerge for other previously prohibited activities as the kingdom navigates its ambitious economic transformation.

Critics argue the policy creates dangerous precedents for income-based legal privileges, while supporters contend it offers a pragmatic path toward gradual social change in conservative societies. The success or failure of Saudi Arabia’s exclusive alcohol experiment could influence social policy decisions across the Middle East for years to come.

As Saudi Arabia continues implementing Vision 2030, the kingdom’s ability to balance religious tradition with economic modernization will face increasing scrutiny from both domestic and international observers watching this unprecedented social experiment unfold.

By Steve Cummings

Inside The $30 Billion Mega Airport Being Built That Will Be Crowned World's Biggest

The new King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be the biggest airport in the world when it opens in 2030 - and will serve 120 million passengers every year.

King Salman International Airport in Riyadh is scheduled to open in 2030(Image: Foster and Partners )

Travelers who have journeyed internationally are well aware that some airports are colossal, but a new travel hub under construction in Saudi Arabia might just outshine them all.

Slated for completion in 2030, this airport is projected to cost an estimated $30 billion to construct, and with its six expansive runways and opulent terminal, it's easy to see why.

The King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is set to become the world's largest airport upon its opening. It will cover an impressive 57 square kilometers, with 12 square kilometers allocated for retail space.

Fosters and Partners are the architects behind the airport design, which is predicted to be the equivalent of 14,000 football fields. This new travel hub is also expected to generate 150,000 jobs across the logistics and commercial sectors.

The airport is designed to accommodate 120 million passengers annually, a number that could potentially rise to 185 million by 2050.

In a statement, the Saudi Press Agency said: "The airport project is in line with Saudi Arabia's vision to transform Riyadh to be among the top ten city economies in the world and to support
the growth of Riyadh's population to 15-20 million people by 2030."

Currently, Saudi Arabia already boasts the world's largest airport - Dammam Airport - and is undertaking several ambitious projects as part of its Vision 2030.

Construction has already begun on what will be the world's largest building, also located in Riyadh.

The building will tower at an impressive 1,300 ft high and 1,200 ft wide.

The massive development will also house 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 1 million square feet of office space and 2 million square feet for retail.

A theater and a university will also be located within the building.

https://www.irishstar.com/authors/brigid-brown/

Saudi Crown Prince MBS Plans To Build A $4 Billion Bridge Over The Red Sea To Connect His Futuristic Neom City With Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is charting his own path, and one of his most audacious milestones is the Red Sea Bridge that will connect Egypt and Saudi Arabia. With a $4 billion budget, the monumental 32-kilometer span, popularly dubbed the Moses Bridge, will link Ras Al Sheikh Hamid in Saudi Arabia to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt by way of Tiran Island.

Now in its advanced planning phase, the transcontinental link will create a direct land crossing between the two nations, stitching two pivotal centers of the Arab world together. On the Saudi side, the bridge will plug directly into NEOM, the kingdom’s $500 billion flagship development, while the Egyptian approach will connect to the New Administrative Capital, located 45 kilometers east of Cairo, according to Parametric Architecture.

As the first project of its kind in the Red Sea, the causeway aligns with Vision 2030, promising to accelerate tourism, infrastructure growth, and economic diversification while reshaping regional geopolitics. Officials estimate the crossing could quadruple annual Saudi tourist visits to Egypt, from about 300,000 to more than 1.2 million, by making road trips to Sinai’s resorts effortless.

At highway speeds, the drive between the two countries could drop to roughly 30 minutes, a dramatic improvement over current ferry routes. Speaking to Reuters, Egypt’s transport minister, Kamel al-Wazir, said, “We are ready to implement it at any time, whether as a bridge or a tunnel.” The Moses Bridge is poised to stand as a testament to cultural, architectural, and engineering prowess.

https://luxurylaunches.com/author/neha-tandon/

Travelore News: Saudi Official Denies Reports Alcohol Ban Will Be Lifted

A Saudi official denied on Monday media reports saying the kingdom, the birthplace of Islam, would lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol, which is prohibited for Muslims.

The report, which was picked up by some international media after it appeared on a wine blog last week, said Saudi authorities planned to allow alcohol sales in tourist settings as the country prepares to host the 2034 soccer World Cup. It did not give a source for the information.

The once ultra-conservative kingdom has eased some restrictions to lure tourists and international businesses as part of an ambitious plan to diversify its economy and make itself less dependent on oil.

While alcoholic drinks are still off limits, both Saudis and foreigners can take part in activities that were once unthinkable in the Gulf country - from dancing at desert raves to watching models at fashion shows or going to the cinema.

The report about alcohol rules sparked a vigorous online debate in the kingdom, whose king also holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - Islam's most revered places in Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, has pushed a series of reforms, which included ending a prohibition on allowing women to drive in 2017, easing some rules on sex segregation in public spaces and reducing the power of the religious police.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only Gulf countries that prohibit the sale of alcohol.

A minor move to allow alcoholic drinks to be consumed in the kingdom was the opening of the first alcohol store in the capital, Riyadh, last year serving exclusively non-Muslim diplomats. Prior to that, alcohol was available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.

Reporting by Maha El Dahan; Writing by Nayera Abdallah and Andrew Mills Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Helen Popper

Construction Of World’s Tallest Skyscraper Resumes After Years-Long Hiatus

Construction of Saudi Arabia’s kilometer-high Jeddah Tower, which will become the world’s tallest skyscraper upon completion, has resumed almost seven years after work ground to a halt amid a kingdom-wide anti-corruption purge.

An architectural render of the Jeddah Tower. After construction was halted in 2018, building work has officially resumed. Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

At a ceremony held on the site Wednesday, the development consortium behind the project, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), announced that the tower is now scheduled to finish in 2028.

The 1,000-meter-tall (3,280-foot) skyscraper was around a third complete when, in 2017, several key figures — including the chairmen of both the main contractor and a conglomerate that co-financed the project — were detained in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s anti-graft campaign, which saw hundreds questioned on accusations of corruption.

Work continued after the arrests, though it came to a standstill in early 2018. In January of that year, with growing concern about the purge’s economic fallout, JEC told CNN that construction would still go ahead, but a years-long hiatus ensued. Disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic also reportedly delayed plans to resume work.

This week’s ceremony was attended by one of the previously detained officials, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who is the chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, one the project’s main backers. Alwaleed, the Crown Prince’s cousin, was freed nearly three months after his arrest, though it is not known why and under what circumstances he was released.

Following yesterday’s ceremony, Alwaleed posted a video to X showing a digital rendering of the gleaming tower with the caption: “We’re back.”

At a ceremony held on the site Wednesday, the development consortium behind the project, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), announced that the tower is now scheduled to finish in 2028. Kingdom Holding Company

Another key figure embroiled in the anti-corruption drive was Bakr bin Laden, chairman of the skyscraper’s main contractor, Saudi Binladen Group. The construction mogul, who is the half-brother of Osama bin Laden, was reportedly released in 2021, three years after his arrest. His family’s firm, which also owns a stake in the Jeddah Tower project, has been rehired to complete the construction work.

According to an announcement published via the Saudi stock exchange, Saudi Binladen Group’s new contract is worth 7.2 billion riyal ($1.9 billion), of which around 1.1 billion riyal ($290 million) has been already paid for completed work. At present, 63 of the tower’s 157 stories have been built.

While Wednesday’s ceremony marked the first official announcement that construction is resuming, satellite images provided to Newsweek by US firm Maxar Technologies two months ago suggested that work was already taking place on the site. In September 2023, Dubai-based magazine MEED reported that JEC had invited contractors to bid for the project, though the developer declined to confirm plans to CNN at the time.

Designed for extremes

Formerly known as Kingdom Tower, the skyscraper broke ground in 2013 and was initially expected to be completed by 2020. It will stand more than 500 feet above Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building.

Overlooking the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia’s commercial capital, Jeddah, the skyscraper is expected to contain office, retail and residential space. Original plans, first unveiled in 2011, included a hotel, shopping mall and the world’s highest observation deck.

The Kingdom Holding Company did not respond to CNN’s request for confirmation that the design and building specifications had remained unchanged throughout the hiatus.

The tower was designed by US architect Adrian Smith, who used the building’s “three-petal” footprint and tapered aerodynamic shape to overcome the huge technical challenges of building at such heights. The architect’s Chicago-based practice, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, has said the tower’s shape “evokes a bundle of leaves shooting up from the ground.”

Work halted on the unfinished Jeddah Tower in 2018. Amel Pain/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Plans also include 59 different elevators, in what the firm called “one of the world’s most sophisticated elevator systems.”

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on the resumption of work.

Jeddah Tower will be the crown jewel of a wider 57-million-square-foot, $20-billion development dubbed Jeddah Economic City. Speaking to CNN in 2018, JEC’s then chief development officer Hisham Jomah said the project was “changing the mindset” of Jeddah, which has traditionally acted as a gateway to the holy cities of Medina and Mecca.

“Before (the tower) was here, this was not considered a place that people would live,” said Jomah, who has since passed away. “We are creating an independent city… so that you don’t have to leave here.”

By Oscar Holland, CNN

Everything You Need To Know About Hegra, Saudi Arabia's First World Heritage Site

When Saudi Arabia opened up its door to non-Muslim international tourists in 2019, the world discovered Mada’in Saleh. This archeological site, consisting of the 2,000-year-old remains of a Nabatean city, is also known as Hegra. Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO heritage site, is not dissimilar to the wonders you’ll see in Petra, Jordan, but on a smaller and much less-crowded scale.

Where is Hegra and how to get there?

The archeological site of Hegra (also known as Mada’in Saleh) is located in the Medina Province in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. The site is 26 miles from the city of AlUla (a 35-minute drive), where there is an international airport with flights to and from Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Damman. Hegra is only 11.6 miles to the world-famous Maraya Concert Hall, the largest mirrored building in the world.

HowAre Petra and Mada’in Saleh Different?

Petra and Mada’in Saleh (also known as Hegra) are two different archeological sites located in two different countries. Petra is located in Jordan, while Mada’in Saleh is in Saudi Arabia. However, the two sites present many similarities. Both Petra and Mada’in Saleh were built in desert environments by the previously nomadic Nabateans, a pre-Islamic Arab people who dominated the caravan trade on the Arabian Peninsula. Petra was initially the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom and its largest city, while and Mada’in Saleh was its second-largest city. Moreover, both sites feature extremely similar and uniquely Nabatean rock-hewn monuments, including highly decorated tombs, of which there are 111 in Mada’in Saleh and more than 600 in Petra. Both sites also bear proofs that the Nabateans were expert in water management with structures such as wells, water tunnels, cisterns, reservoirs, and more.


What is the significance of Hegra or Mada’in Saleh?

Mada’in Saleh, also known as Hegra, is an immense and extremely well-preserved archeological site located in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest preserved sites of the Nabatean civilization. Little is known of the Nabateans who were an ancient nomadic people until they settled in Jordan during the fourth century BC and built Petra. At its height, the Nabatean Kingdom covered parts of Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

While Mada’in Saleh used to be a city, it became a necropolis, i.e a large cemetery. Today, the beautiful rock-cut structures in Mada’in Saleh are tombs (there are 111 of them) built between the first century BC and the first century AD. The most famous tomb on the site is the stand-alone 72-foot-tall Qasr al-Farid (the Lonely Castle.) Some rock-hewn water wells also remain, proving again that the Nabatean were experts on how to harvest and conserve water in the desert.

While the archeological site is dominated by impressive Nabatean tombs, UNESCO notes that it is also home to pre-Nabatean inscriptions and cave drawings, proving that the area saw human presence prior to the Nabatean civilization.

Hegra: Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hegra, also known as Mada’in Saleh, became Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.

Today, there are seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Saudi Arabia and 14 sites on the tentative list. Saudi Arabia’s seven UNESCO listed sites are (in order of inscription):

Hegra Archaeological Site

At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah

Historic Jeddah

Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia

Ḥimā Cultural Area

Al-Ahsa Oasis

‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid

The most recent Saudi site to be UNESCO-listed is ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid, which was inscribed in 2023.

What is the history of Mada’in Saleh in Saudi Arabia?

The rock-cut monuments at Mada’in Saleh (or Hegra) date back from the first century BC to the first century AD and were built by the Nabatean people whose empire eventually stretched from across parts of Syria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and northwestern Saudi Arabia. At that time, the country of Saudi Arabia did not exist and the Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by various peoples. Mada’in Saleh is pre-Islamic — the Prophet Muhammad’s revelations in Mecca only took place in the year 610, many centuries later. Islam then spread throughout the world, and in the eighth century, the Islamic Empire stretched from Spain to China. The first Saudi state, the Shaikh, was established in 1727. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia as established on September 23, 1932.

The Nabateans were not the first people to inhabit Saudi Arabia. There is evidence of human presence dating back 15,000 to 20,000 years.

Can Muslims visit Mada’in Saleh?

Mada’in Saleh, and the entire area around AlUla, was reputed to be cursed, and haunted by a jinn, i.e. an ill-intentioned spirit in the Arab folklore. Reuters reports that it was previously believed that even Prophet Mohammad warned against visiting this part of the country. Today, however, with Saudi Arabia is becoming a serious tourist destination with AlUla as one of the main attractions, the curse seems to have been all but forgotten and visitors, Muslim and otherwise, are encouraged to visit in this beautiful part of the country.

Remember, however, that the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, both in Saudi Arabia, are forbidden to all non-Muslim visitors.

by MORGANE CROISSANT

Essentials For The Hajj: From Sun Hats To Shoe Bags, A Guide To Gear For The Muslim Pilgrimage

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Straw hats, cross-body bags, and collapsible chairs: These are just some of the essentials Muslims bring to the Hajj pilgrimage.

Spiritually, the five-day Hajj is awe-inspiring for the faithful, an experience they say brings them closer to God and to the entire Muslim world.

Physically, it’s grueling. Pilgrims walk outdoors for hours in broiling heat around holy sites in Mecca and the surrounding desert. They are caught in unimaginable and overwhelming crowds, all trying to get to the same place. Barriers directing the traffic mean that if you miss your turn, you might walk hours more to get where you want to be.

So the more than 2 million pilgrims don’t just learn the complicated rules of how to properly perform the rituals, which began Monday. They also pick up helpful hints and tricks of the trade to get by, learned from other hajjis — as those who have completed the pilgrimage are known.

Here’s a look at what they say is essential gear.

WHAT TO WEAR

Dress for the heat, since daytime temperatures regularly soar past 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The majority of rituals take place outdoors in the desert, including climbing the Mount of Mercy and stoning the Jamarat, a row of pillars representing the devil.

Sun hats are key. Pilgrims often opt for wide-brimmed straw hats or even cowboy hats. Umbrellas of every color are everywhere. Some balance their prayer mats on their heads or the canopies from umbrellas.

All men are required to wear simple white robes without any stitching, a rule aimed at uniting rich and poor. Women must forego beauty products and cover their hair but have more latitude to wear fabrics from their native countries, resulting in a colorful display of Islam’s multiculturalism.

When it comes to footwear, it’s best to wear something that’s durable for the long walks but that also slips on and off easily, as pilgrims must remove their shoes before entering Mecca’s Grand Mosque.

Sandals are sensible, but some pilgrims say it’s best also to wear socks as the mosque’s marble floor can be surprisingly cold as they walk around the Kaaba seven times.

WHAT TO CARRY

A daypack of some kind is essential for carrying food, water, sunscreen and other sundries. But backpacks can be a hassle when you’re crammed shoulder-to-shoulder.

Far more popular are cross-body bags that you can access without turning around.

Many pilgrims also carry a separate drawstring bag or pouch for their shoes. Usually at mosques, you can leave your shoes with an attendant at the entrance, but with hundreds of thousands at the Grand Mosque, that’s a sure way to lose your shoes, or at best waste a long time getting them back. It would also mean you have to exit the same way you entered, not always possible when the crowd takes you in another direction.

Umaima Hafez, a five-time hajjah from Egypt, packs like a pro.

Sitting on her portable plastic stool, she reaches into her large pack and pulls out a blanket, homemade granola and crackers, a travel towel that she wets and places on her head when it gets hot, an extra-thick prayer mat — for her knees — and some medications. The stool fits into the bag as well. She’ll carry it throughout Hajj, then leave it behind for someone else to use.

She insists her bag isn’t heavy. “Everything is beautiful and easy with God. … And people give out a lot of water and food here.”

Hassan Hussain, a 24-year-old first-time pilgrim from Britain, also went for a maximal approach. His bag holds his phone, charging cable, power bank, sunglasses, water bottle, British and Saudi currency, bank cards, his shoe bag, a prayer mat and hydrating facial mist.

He said his sister, who did the Hajj last year, told him what to bring. His advice to other pilgrims is to overpack.

“You don’t know when you’re going to need things,” he said. “The person next to you might need things. Just take everything and work it out as you go along.”

In contrast, Ali Ibn Mousa, a 30-year-old Russian and father of seven, is going for maneuverability and speed, so he stays light.

His drawstring bag holds only his phone and his pilgrim ID. He’s more interested in what he will bring back from the Hajj, saying that alongside the spiritual journey he’s on the lookout for a second wife.

“If I had a heavy bag, I wouldn’t be able to do some of the things I want to,” he said. “That’s why I take a small bag that is easy to carry, so I can run inside” while circling the Kaaba.

CAMPOUT CHECKLIST

The giant flows of pilgrims move back and forth between holy sites spread out over a length of more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Grand Mosque to the Mount of Mercy, or Mount Arafat, out in the desert. Even within a single ritual site, it can take much of the day to walk from one end to another, like Mina, where pilgrims will stay in one of the world’s largest tent camps and stone the pillars representing the devil.

A pilgrim has to be prepared to be stuck in a spot outside for ages, waiting for a transport to arrive or a crowd to clear, sometimes in the middle of the night.

Ikram Mohammed’s supermarket in Mecca sells camping essentials such as lightweight tents, sleeping mats and collapsible water pouches.

“They buy dried fruit and nuts, biscuits, chips. Anything they can consume easily while they are on the move that doesn’t need refrigeration or utensils,” Mohammed said. A special section specializes in fragrance-free toiletries, in keeping with the prohibition on perfume.

Mohammed also sells souvenirs for pilgrims to take back home with them, everything from chocolate and sweets to water from the sacred Zamzam well near the Kaaba.
Another popular item: Pain relief cream for achy joints.

Saudi Arabia Is Building A $1.5 Billion High Speed Rail Line Connecting The Oxagon And The Line Regions Of Its Upcoming $1 trillion Neom City

When Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the ultra-ambitious $1 trillion Neom City, cynics had a field day, doubting the man’s vision and viability. Neom City is taking shape excellently in only a few years, with the most prominent hospitality brands joining the team. Among the many questions posed by doubters, the one that seemed to make sense was how one travels in a vast city like Neom without cars. Prince MBS had shared the idea of a high-speed rail with an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes, making all daily needs reachable. Putting words into action is a contract worth $1.5 billion to design and build 57km of a high-speed railway in the Neom region along the north Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.

Webuild and Shibh Al Jazira Contracting (SAJCO) have been awarded a contract to construct a 57km, 230km/h passenger and freight line in Neom. The train will connect Oxagon, the region’s industrial center, and The Line, a 105-mile-long desert city. Webuild will spearhead the civil works for two high-speed and two freight railway tracks in a distinct destination after leading challenging industry projects, such as the Terzo Valico dei Giovi between Genoa and Milan.

Neom aims to be a futuristic city that incorporates advanced technologies and sustainable practices. One of the critical aspects of the development plan is establishing an efficient transportation system, including constructing a high-speed rail network. The ultimate goal is to connect Neom with other major cities in Saudi Arabia, such as Riyadh and Jeddah, and potentially extend into neighboring countries. The wealthy nation is also set to launch its first luxury train akin to the Orient Express, taking passengers on a 1300 km journey across the Kingdom.

by Neha Tandon Sharma

Four Seasons Continues Middle Eastern Expansion With Island Resort On Sindalah In NEOM, Saudi Arabia

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality company, and Hotel Development, the NEOM division that is responsible for building a future-centric hospitality ecosystem in the developing region, have announced plans for a new luxury resort as part of the NEOM master project, located on Sindalah Island.

Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square metres (9,041,684 square feet), Sindalah is one of a group of islands in the Red Sea that will be developed in NEOM, each according to its unique vision and design. In addition to the upcoming Four Seasons resort, Sindalah will be home to a luxury marina and yacht club, 9-hole golf course with 18 pin experiences and a vast array of dining destinations. It will also host sophisticated cultural events, grand sporting spectacles and glamorous social celebrations throughout the year.

"Four Seasons upcoming resort in NEOM will be a one-of-a-kind project, blending the natural wonders of the Red Sea with the future-forward technologies on which this new, exciting destination is being built," says Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "We are proud to be part of the ambitious vision that our partners at NEOM have for transforming the future of hospitality in the region and look forward to welcoming guests to discover a new part of the Kingdom."

The Resort will feature 225 guest rooms and suites with terraces overlooking the beaches of the Red Sea, as well as 52 villas with one to four-bedroom configurations with plunge pools and beach views, and with the Presidential and Royal Villas offering private swimming pools, gyms and access to private yacht docks. The Resort architecture is being led by LUCA DINI Design & Architecture, with interiors for guest rooms and public areas by RBTA and LW Design respectively.

"Sindalah follows NEOM's vision and purpose of mitigating the impact of unchecked urban development, while protecting and regenerating the rich natural capital of the region. In terms of hospitality, our goal is to shape a new frontier for the industry, and Four Seasons is the perfect partner to work alongside towards this," says Chris Newman, Executive Director, Hotel Development at NEOM. "While NEOM will have something for every kind of traveller, the Resort on Sindalah will be perfect for those looking to rest, relax and explore in the beautiful setting of the Red Sea, while enjoying the service that Four Seasons has built an incredible global reputation on."

While visiting the Resort, guests can choose from four unique culinary experiences, as well as several lounges, in addition to the other dining options on Sindalah. Four Seasons will also offer an expansive spa experience with varying treatment rooms, relaxation lounges, a hammam and vitality pool. For those looking for an active getaway, guests will have access to a fitness centre, multiple indoor and outdoor pools, and a variety of water activities such as water skiing, kite surfing, windsurfing and more. An onsite diving centre will allow guests to explore one of the world's most sought-after diving destinations and discover the abundant marine life and ecosystems that exist within the Red Sea.

For more details, please visit: https://www.fourseasons.com/ and https://www.neom.com/en-us

A Hajj Closer To Normal: 1 Million Muslims Begin Pilgrimage

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — It is a scene that stirs hope — and relief — for Muslims around the world.

A million pilgrims from across the globe gathered on Thursday in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the initial rites of the hajj, marking the largest Islamic pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic upended the annual event — a key pillar of Islam.

The hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey, which takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago. Pilgrims spend five days carrying out a set of rituals intended to bring them closer to God.

That includes praying around the cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam. At the center of the Grand Mosque’s courtyard on Thursday, thousands of unmasked pilgrims circled the Kaaba.

The crowds, visibly thinner than usual, moved counter-clockwise around the granite building in a blur, their hearts tilting toward the structure meant to symbolize the oneness of God in Islam. Wherever they are in the world, observant Muslims face the Kaaba to pray daily.

Pilgrims appeared to throw COVID-19 caution to the wind this year as they thronged the Grand Mosque — in sharp contrast to the social distancing and mask requirements of the past two years.

“This year the number of pilgrims is huge, thank God,” said Mohammad Qabbani, a pilgrim from Sudan. “There are no high numbers of COVID-19 cases. The situation is good.”

But there were still signs of vigilance. Typically, worshippers would fight the crowds for a chance to touch and kiss the black stone on the Kaaba’s eastern corner, but the government has again banned this practice, for the third year. Saudi authorities also distributed bottles of water from the holy Zamzam well instead of allowing pilgrims to drink from cups at the mosque. Thousands of medical workers were on hand to assist those in need.

This year, the hajj is open to just 1 million foreign and domestic pilgrims who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, tested negative for COVID-19 and are between 18 and 65 years old. Authorities estimate 85% have arrived from abroad.

While this year’s attendance is far below the pre-pandemic influx of 2.5 million pilgrims, it represents a significant step closer to normal after the kingdom restricted the event to a small number of Muslim residents for the past two years.

The ritual was almost scrapped in its entirety in 2020, when as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia were permitted to take part. Some 60,000 residents attended last year. The unprecedented restrictions sent shockwaves through the Muslim world and devastated many believers, who often save up and wait for years to make the pilgrimage.

Although no longer in the shadow of the pandemic, this hajj is taking place amid Russia’s war on Ukraine — a conflict that may be thousands of miles from the homes of many Muslims but that has sent the prices of staple foods soaring and spread misery across the world.

This year’s hajj also showcases de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s latest efforts to loosen social restrictions and transform the kingdom. Saudi Arabia officially began allowing women to perform the hajj without a male guardian, or “mahram,” last year.

The hajj in Islam is meant to be a great equalizer and unifier among Muslims. Pilgrims wear simple clothing: For men, it’s typical to wear a white draping garment, while women wear conservative dress and headscarves, forgoing makeup, nail polish and perfume to draw closer to God.

But even Mecca cannot escape the world’s wealth gaps: The well-heeled may pay some $3,000 a night for five-star hotels overlooking the Kaaba. For most people, however, the pilgrimage means sleeping in simple accommodations or on the ground around the mosque to perform daily prayers ahead of the hajj.

With many more people applying to perform the hajj each year than the kingdom can accommodate, the Saudi government controls the flow of visitors through annual quotas based on each nation’s Muslim population.

The visa regulations have grown stricter after deadly incidents in recent years. In 2015, several thousand pilgrims were crushed to death in a stampede. This year, those quotas were sharply reduced. Indonesia sent just over 100,000 people, the world’s largest contingent. The United States sent over 9,500.

Shiite powerhouse Iran, Saudi Arabia’s regional foe that in 2016 barred its citizens from making the pilgrimage amid an escalating sectarian rivalry, sent 39,000 worshippers — less than half of its attendance in 2019. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s special envoy for the hajj did not receive a visa because he is over 65, Iranian media reported.

As tensions eased between the rivals amid regional negotiations and a cease-fire in Yemen, hajj officials from the countries met last month for the first time in years.

Although the pandemic is far from over, with hundreds new infections a day in the kingdom, the government is glad of the influx. The event is a critical source of prestige and tourism for Saudi Arabia.

By Thursday evening, most pilgrims were arriving in Mina, a small village east of Mecca, where they will spend the night in a sprawling tent city grouped according to the part of the world they come from. On Friday, they rise at dawn to march to the sacred hill of Mount Arafat, where they ask for forgiveness for their sins.

Saudi Arabia To Hold ‘Very Limited’ Hajj Due To Virus

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that because of the coronavirus only “very limited numbers” of people will be allowed to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage that traditionally draws around 2 million Muslims from around the world.

The decision comes after weeks of speculation over whether Saudi Arabia would cancel the pilgrimage altogether or allow the hajj to be held in symbolic numbers. It’s unclear why the government waited until just five weeks before the hajj to announce its decision, but the timing indicates the sensitivity around major decisions concerning the hajj that affect Muslims around the world.

Saudi kings have for generations assumed titles as custodians of Islam’s holiest sites, and their oversight of the hajj is a source of prestige and influence among Muslims globally. The hajj also generates around $6 billion in revenue for the government every year.

Saudi Arabia has never canceled the hajj in the nearly 90 years since the country was founded.

The government said its decision to drastically limit the number of pilgrims was aimed at preserving global public health due to the lack of a vaccine for the virus or a cure for those infected, as well as the risks associated with large gatherings of people.

The hajj is one of the biggest gatherings on earth, with pilgrims staying in close confines and walking and praying shoulder-to-shoulder. A stampede in 2015 caused more than 2,400 deaths.

“This decision was taken to ensure hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective,” the government statement said.

The kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj said only people of various nationalities already residing in the country would be allowed to perform the large pilgrimage, which is set to begin this year at the end of July.

The government did not specify how many people would be permitted to take part.

The hajj centers around five intense days of worship and rituals in Mecca, however pilgrims typically begin arriving to Saudi Arabia through its main gateway city of Jiddah weeks and even months in advance.

Saudi Arabia said its “top priority is to always enable Muslim pilgrims to perform the hajj and umrah rites safely and securely.”

It defended its decision on religious grounds, as well, saying that the teachings of Islam require the preservation of human life. Saudi Arabia’s top council of clerics swiftly issued a statement saying the decision is line with Islamic Shariah law.

Low Hajj attendance expected due to coronavirus

Saudi Arabians make up less than a third of the annual hajj. The country said it will allow only “very limited numbers” to perform this year's pilgrimage that traditionally draws around 2 million Muslims from around the world.

Saudi Arabia

Outside SA

3,500,000

X

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

989,798

1,099,522

1,408,641

600,718

696,185

567,876

537,537

600,108

612,953

634,379

1,799,601

1,828,195

1,752,932

1,379,531

1,389,053

1,384,941

1,325,372

1,752,014

1,758,722

1,855,027

2020 figures are expected to be released on Aug. 19.

Performing the hajj is central to Islam and one of the religion’s five pillars. All able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the hajj once in their lifetime, with many saving money their entire lives to afford the journey.

The hajj is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and start fresh. Pilgrims shed symbols of materialism, as women forgo makeup and perfume and wear loose-fitting clothing and a head covering, while men dress in seamless, white terrycloth garments meant to emphasize the equality of all Muslims before God.

Despite taking early and unprecedented measures to control the spread of the virus domestically, Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of coronavirus infections in the Middle East, with more than 161,000 total confirmed cases and 1,307 deaths.

The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most people, who recover within a few weeks. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death, particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems.

Saudi Arabia had already suspended the smaller year-round umrah pilgrimage earlier this year and closed the Grand Mosque in Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest site, to the public. The city of Mecca was also under a strict 24-hour curfew for more than two months.

Although Saudi Arabia has lifted some restrictions in recent days, the umrah continues to be suspended and the country’s borders remain shut to visitors and tourists.

Indonesia and Malaysia, which combined send around a quarter-million Muslims to the hajj each year, had already announced they would not be sending their citizens to the pilgrimage this year, in part because it had become too late to prepare for it.

In an early indication of the uncertainty around this year’s hajj, the kingdom had asked Muslims in early April to delay making plans for the pilgrimage as the virus grew into a global pandemic, infecting millions around the world.

Female Tourists 25 And Over Can Now Visit Saudi Arabia Without Male Escort

Women aged 25 and over will now be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia without a chaperone, the country’s tourism commission has announced. It’s the latest reform in the easing of restrictions in the ultra-conservative Gulf kingdom.

As long as they meet the age requirement, women will now be able to receive a tourist visa to visit the country by themselves, Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) spokesman Omar al-Mubarak told the Saudi daily Arab News. The move is part of the country’s wider decision to officially allow tourist visas for both men and women after running a trial period from 2008 to 2010.

“The tourist visa will be a single-entry visa, and valid for 30 days maximum. This visa is added to those currently available in the Kingdom. It is independent of work, visit, Hajj and Umrah visas,” Mubarak said.

He said the commission’s IT department is “currently building an electronic system for the issuance of tourist visas, coordinating with representatives of the National Information Center and the Foreign Ministry.”

Saudi Arabia experienced an influx of more than 32,000 people during its trial period of implementing tourist visas. Those visas were facilitated by various tour operators licensed by the SCTH.

The SCTH announcement was not unexpected, as Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, head of Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority, said in November that “tourist visas will be introduced soon.”
Riyadh seems intent on boosting the country’s image as a tourist destination, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announcing in August a project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.

The visa decision comes less than four months after King Salman issued a decree ordering that women finally be allowed to drive. The new policy is set to come into effect on June 24, 2018, officially abolishing the world’s only female driving ban.

The country is also easing restrictions on women in other ways. In September, women were allowed into the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh for the first time to witness the 87th anniversary celebrations of the country’s foundation.

In October, stadiums across the country were ordered to begin making preparations for women to be allowed inside from early 2018. As a result, women will be allowed into Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah on Friday to watch a Saudi Premier League football match for the very first time. Cinemas, which have been banned in the ultra-conservative country for 35 years, are also set to open in March. The country plans to have more than 2,000 movie screens operating by 2030.

Four Seasons To Open New Hotel In Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, and Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC) announce plans for a new Four Seasons hotel in the Holy City of Makkah (also known as Mecca) as part of the Jabal Omar integrated real estate development.

Ideally located adjacent to Al-Masjid Al-Ḥarām (the Grand Mosque) and with direct access and unobstructed views of the Haram, Four Seasons Hotel Makkah will offer the most gracious accommodations in the city.

Four Seasons Hotel Makkah will be the company’s second location in Saudi Arabia, joining Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre in offering the most luxurious accommodations and personalized service in the region.

“As Four Seasons continues to expand its portfolio in the Middle East, we are pleased to partner with JODC to create a fully customized Four Seasons experience in Makkah,” says J. Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Each Four Seasons is reflective of its destination and the people who stay with us, and this project in particular is designed to accommodate the unique needs of those who visit Makkah. This magnificent new building will set the stage for tailored service in a luxurious environment, enhancing the connection to this important place for all who visit.”

“Four Seasons will be the jewel in the Jabal Omar master development plan,” says Yasser Faisal Al-Sharif, CEO of Jabal Omar Development Company. “With our design partners and Four Seasons, we will bring to life a vision for the ultimate hospitality experience to enhance Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.”

Award-winning architectural firm Foster + Partners was chosen following an international design competition for this prestigious project. Impressive in appearance and deeply thoughtful in its concept, the multi-towered building atop a retail podium cascades down toward the Grand Mosque, seamlessly integrating its public spaces into the Haram. An innovative design allows clear views of the Kaaba from every guest room and suite, each of which will feature one or more private prayer rooms. In total, there will be approximately 375 guest rooms and suites, plus approximately 90 Four Seasons Private Residences.

Additional features of the Hotel include three restaurants and lounges, a ballroom and meeting rooms, and a spa and fitness center. The Hotel will also offer special facilities and programs for families.