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Group attacks Saudi airline office in Iran

December 14, 2008 – 5:32 pm
TEHRAN, Iran: Iran's state-run newspaper says a militant group has attacked the office of Saudi Arabia's state-owned airline in Tehran over a Saudi-backed peace initiative with Israel. Iran newspaper says the group — identified as Ikhwan al-Radwan, or Brothers of Heaven in Arabic — attacked the Saudi Arabian Airlines office with several Molotov cocktails Wednesday, causing minor damage to the building. Saturday's newspaper report quotes a statement by the group saying the reason for the attack was Saudi Arabia's support for an Arab peace initiative. The initiative offers Israel normal relations with all Arab countries if it withdraws from lands occupied in 1967 Arab-Israeli war and allows the creation of a Palestinian state with a capital in Jerusalem.

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The History of Saudi Arabia

September 3, 2008 – 5:11 pm
Saudi Arabia traces its roots back to the earliest civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula. Over the centuries, the peninsula has played an important role in history as an ancient trade center and as the birthplace of Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions.   Since King Abdulaziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, its transformation has been astonishing. In a few short decades, the Kingdom has turned itself from a desert nation to a modern, sophisticated state and a major player on the international stage.       Early History The first concrete evidence of human presence in the Arabian Peninsula dates back 15,000 to 20,000 years. Bands of hunter-gatherers roamed the land, living off wild animals and plants. As the European ice cap melted during the last Ice Age, some 15,000 years ago, the climate in the peninsula became dry. Vast plains once covered with lush grasslands gave way to scrubland and ...

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Country Information

September 3, 2008 – 5:08 pm
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. It occupies an area about the size of the United States east of the Mississippi River.  Saudi Arabia’s population is around 22 million (2004 census), and its capital city is Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s geography is diverse, with forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and deserts.  The climate varies from region to region.  Temperatures can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert in the summer, while in the winter temperatures in the north and central parts of the country can drop below freezing. Saudi Arabia gets very little rain, only about four inches a year on average.  

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Hajj Requirements

September 3, 2008 – 5:05 pm
The Consular Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC has the honor to inform all Pilgrims that it will start issuing Hajj visas, which are granted gratis, from Mid-Shawwal until 29th Dhu Al-Qudah of each year. Hajj visas are not valid for work or residency. You can also find additional information in the Guide to Hajj (in 8 languages)     Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed US travel agency, which must present the Consulate with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a letter of the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements to qualify to assist pilgrims.   Applications for Hajj visa will not be considered if the following requirements are not complete: The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least six (6) months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and ...

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Hajj Visas

August 22, 2008 – 5:39 pm
Hajj Visas Where do I go to get a Hajj visa? The application form is available from your nearest Saudi Consulate. But it is advisable to appoint a licensed travel agent, who will arrange a visa, as well as your travel and accommodation and anything else you may need to perform the Hajj. The travel agent will send your application form to the Saudi Consulate. What do I need for a Hajj visa? You must comply with all the following requirements: The applicant must have a passport valid for at least six more months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to the next destination; the passport should have at least two empty visa pages adjacent to each other. Each applicant must submit one recent passport size color photograph with a white background. The photograph must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly. Side or angled ...

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Hajj Visa

August 22, 2008 – 5:37 pm
Hajj Requirements: Visas for 1427 Hajj   The Consular Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC has the honor to inform all Pilgrims that it will start issuing Hajj visas, which are granted gratis, from Mid-Shawwal until 29th Dhu Al-Qudah of each year. Hajj visas are not valid for work or residency. Click here for Arabic Translation You can also find additional information in the Guide to Hajj (in 8 languages)     Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed US travel agency, which must present the Consulate with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a letter of the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements to qualify to assist pilgrims.   Applications for Hajj visa will not be considered if the following requirements are not complete: The applicant must have a passport with a validity of at least six (6) ...

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Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents

August 22, 2008 – 5:34 pm
Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents To find the list of approved travel agents in each country, click on the country name listed below.Please note that this approval is dependent on satisfactory performance. If any agent fails to meet the minimum performance standard, his approval will be suspended until it has been determined by the Ministry that the agent has put matters right and met the required benchmarks. During such a suspension, the agent will not be issued with any Hajj/Umrah visas. Albania - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Australia - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Austria - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Bahrain - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Bangladesh - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Belgium - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Benin - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Bosnia and Herzegovina - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Canada - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Denmark - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents France - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Germany - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents Holland - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel Agents India - Approved Hajj/Umrah Travel ...

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Labelling of Pilgrims Luggage

August 22, 2008 – 5:32 pm
Important Announcement on Labelling of Pilgrims' Luggage From the Ministry of Hajj, 09/06/2008 to all Hajj Missions & Hajj Travel Agencies For the 1429H Hajj Season Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmat Allah Based on experience in past Hajj seasons, the Ministry of Hajj is well aware of the problems of lost luggage left behind by pilgrims on their departure from the Kingdom, often because of excess baggage charges. In an effort to assist pilgrims in recovering their luggage and personal belongings which may be of special value to them, the Ministry of Hajj would like all Hajj Missions and Hajj Travel Agencies to inform all pilgrims of the absolute necessity of fully labelling all their luggage by placing stickers both on the outside and inside of luggage showing the Pilgrim Name, Nationality, Passport Number, Air Carrier and Flight Number. In addition, the Ministry would like all individuals in Hajj Missions and Hajj Travel Agencies concerned with this issue ...

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Health requirements of pligrims.

August 22, 2008 – 5:29 pm
Ministry of Health explains health requirements from pilgrims Riyadh, 16/06/2008The Ministry of Health called on all ministries of health of the Islamic countries as well as all countries sending pilgrims and Umrah performers to abide by the health requirements which should be carried out by those coming to perform Hajj and Umrah for this year 1429 H. The Ministry of Health asked the Foreign Ministry to inform the world's ministries of health of these requirements through the Saudi missions abroad. The Ministry of Health explained these health requirements. Among them, it required all pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors coming from the countries plagued with yellow fever to present a certificate valid for this disease according to international health regulations, in addition to a certificate of immunization against meningitis before coming to the Kingdom - especially those coming from the African States Belt. The Ministry of Health also required all those coming from the countries that ...

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Promotions : Europe & USA

July 30, 2008 – 4:23 pm
We are pleased to offer our travelers daily flights to the following European destinations: Istanbul and London. The tables below list the flights departing from: Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam. From Dammam to Istanbul Validity Days of Operation Eff. Disc. 01 Sep 18 Oct 31 Aug 26 Jun 31 Aug 01 Sep 19 Oct 21 Oct Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun x x x x x x x x x From Jeddah to Istanbul Validity Days of Operation Eff. Disc. 31 Aug Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun x x x x x x x x From Riyadh to Istanbul Validity Days of Operation Eff. Disc. 31 Aug 31 Aug 17 Oct 24 Oct Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun x x x x x x x x x From Dammam to London (Heathrow) Validity Days of Operation Eff. Disc. 24 Oct 18 Oct 17 Oct 01 Sep 30 Sep 31 Aug 01 Oct Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x From Jeddah to London (Heathrow) Validity Days of Operation Eff. Disc. Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun x x x x x x x From Riyadh to London (Heathrow) Validity Days of Operation Eff. Disc. 26 Jun 01 Sep 31 Aug Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x * Please note that information in the timetables is subject to Government approval and may change without prior notice. For reservations, please call Saudi Arabian Airlines on 920022222.

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