Saudi Arabia Approves Hosting of 1,000 Umrah Performers from 16 Nations under Guests Program The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has approved the hosting of 1,000 male and female Umrah performers from around the world under the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. The initiative, to be implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, will be carried out in four phases. The first group includes 250 performers from 16 Asian countries: Indonesia, East Timor, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mongolia. Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support in enabling Muslims to perform Umrah and visit holy sites. He emphasized the leadership’s dedication to strengthening Muslim brotherhood and fulfilling the Kingdom’s humanitarian and religious mission to connect with scholars, clerics, and influential figures globally. The program aims to provide ease and peace of mind for participants while fostering international religious ties. US Reopens Embassy in Kuwait Months after Iranian Attack The United States has resumed operations at its embassy in Kuwait after suspending them following attacks by Iran in March 2026. A State Department spokesperson confirmed the resumption of emergency services for American citizens, with other services to be phased in. The embassy had been closed since March, when Iranian drones targeted the mission following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.#strait_of_hormuz #ministry_of_islamic_affairs #king_salman_bin_abdulaziz_al_saud #sheikh_dr_abdullatif_al_alsheikh #crown_prince_mohammed_bin_salman
