RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has concluded his official two days in Bahrain after discussing facilitating pilgrims' arrival to the Kingdom. Dr. Al-Rabiah has welcomed the travelers coming from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of visiting the Two Holy Mosques, and the rest of the historical and cultural region in different cities of Saudi Arabia. He noted that the qualitative initiatives provided by Saudi Arabia have contributed in facilitating the Umrah procedures and the visit of people in Bahrain. During the visit, Dr. Al-Rabiah and his accompanying delegation was welcomed by Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Dr. Al-Rabiah expressed his thanks to Prince Salman for his keenness and care in enhancing the levels of bilateral cooperation between the two Kingdoms in all fields, especially with regard of serving the Guests of God. The Bahraini Crown Prince was briefed on the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs. The program will enhance and enrich the experience of Umrah performers and Hajj pilgrims, as well as reviewing the most prominent works, projects and facilities that are being carried out in this aspect. Prince Salman has praised the efforts made by Saudi Arabia in facilitating the performing of Umrah and Hajj rituals, and its keenness to develop the procedures for pilgrims. Dr. Al-Rabiah also met with the Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and Bahraini Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. During the meetings, the Hajj and Umrah minister expressed the solidity of the distinguished relationship that brings together the two kingdoms, and the continuation of bilateral coordination between the two sides with regard to serving pilgrims. Furthermore, the Saudi minister met with Nawaf Bin Mohammed Al Maawda, the Bahraini Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments minister, in addition to a number of officials and relevant authorities in the Hajj and Umrah sector. During the meeting, the officials from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and the Bahraini Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry discussed the serving the guests of God system in the Kingdom. The officials met with the aim of discussing the aspects of cooperation and integration, as well as to review the provided initiatives and facilities that achieve the satisfaction of pilgrims. Dr. Al-Rabiah has also met with a number of heads of Hajj and Umrah companies in Bahrain, confirming the expansion in the qualitative services and initiatives provided to the pilgrims coming from Bahrain. The Saudi minister noted that the residents in Bahrain can obtain the E-Visa, which is a one-year, multiple entry visa, allowing its holder to spend up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia. This will enable them to perform their rituals in Makkah and Madinah, in addition to visiting a number of other cities. In his last activity during the official visit, Dr. Al-Rabiah inaugurated the Nusuk platform forum, which witnessed the presence of a number of Bahraini officials. The Bahrainis toured the exhibition to see the pavilions of service providers in Saudi Arabia, such as hotels, transportation and organizing trips. The aim of the forum is to introduce the partners in Bahrain with the services provided by Nusuk platform to the visitors of Makkah and Madinah. It is noteworthy that the forum witnessed active participation from more than 250 partners from the Saudi and Bahraini private sector. The forum was held in order to enhance the partnership and build cooperation bridges to provide the best services for pilgrims and visitors of Bahrain.
