A new regulatory step to enhance urban reliability in Mecca

The Holy Capital Municipality announced the launch of a new phase of its initiatives to organize and update real estate records. Starting Monday, it began accepting supporting documents for properties located in four vital neighborhoods: Al-Zahraa Al-Wusta, Al-Khansa, Bir Balila, and Al-Hijla. This step comes as part of the municipality's ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability of data in its official records and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and instructions in the Kingdom.

Implementation mechanism and invitation to owners

The municipality clarified that inspectors from the General Directorate of Encroachments will be placing "Review Notice" stickers on targeted buildings in these neighborhoods. Property owners are urged to promptly review their properties within 15 days of the notice's placement. Owners must visit the General Directorate of Encroachments headquarters in Al-Mu'aysim, bringing with them the required documents, including the property deed, building permit, and national ID for verification, in addition to the review notice number printed on the sticker. The deadline for submitting review requests is September 15, 1447 AH (corresponding to approximately September 15, 2026).

The general context within the Kingdom's Vision 2030

These measures fall within the broader context of urban development efforts underway in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the holy cities, in line with the goals of Vision 2030. The Vision aims to improve the quality of life and enhance the efficiency of services provided to citizens and visitors. Regulating the real estate sector and accurately registering property ownership is a fundamental pillar for achieving these goals, as it contributes to eliminating informal settlements, facilitates the planning of future development projects, and strengthens the investment environment in the holy city, which receives millions of visitors annually for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Importance and expected impact of the procedure

Locally, this measure will create an accurate and reliable real estate database, enabling the municipality to provide services more efficiently, protecting property owners' rights, and legally establishing their ownership indisputably. It will also ensure the safety of buildings and their compliance with approved engineering standards. Regionally and internationally, the organization and development of the urban environment in Makkah reflects positively on the Kingdom's management of the Holy Sites and enhances its capacity to accommodate the increasing numbers of pilgrims and Umrah performers, providing them with a safe and comfortable experience, which directly contributes to achieving the ambitious goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

In a significant step towards promoting the health of future generations, the Saudi Ministry of Health's "Live Healthy" initiative has released the "Live Healthy Break" guide. This comprehensive guide targets parents, students, and those interested in nutrition, providing practical guidance for adopting healthy food choices within the school environment. This contributes to promoting preventative healthcare and achieving the goals of the health sector transformation program stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

General context and importance of the initiative

The launch of this guide comes amidst growing global and local interest in the health of children and adolescents, as studies indicate the importance of proper nutrition at this age for establishing lifelong healthy habits. The school environment is a key stage in shaping these habits, not only through what students learn in the classroom but also through what they eat daily. This initiative aligns with the strategic direction of Vision 2030, which places a “vibrant society” as one of its fundamental pillars, recognizing that investing in the health of citizens, starting from childhood, is an investment in the nation’s future and its capacity for development and prosperity.

Guide contents and recommendations

The Ministry of Health explained that the guide is the result of close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, aiming to effectively integrate healthy nutrition concepts into the educational system. The guide includes a rich collection of healthy and carefully prepared school lunch recipes that are both delicious and nutritious. It also provides practical guidance on selecting balanced ingredients and emphasizes the importance of children's meals containing four essential elements: vegetables, fruits, protein, and whole grains . Furthermore, the guide underscores the importance of drinking milk and water; milk provides the body with calcium and protein for bone growth, while water keeps the body hydrated and supports concentration and energy throughout the school day.

Recipes and practical tips

To make the guide more practical, it offers tailored tips for different situations. For example, it recommends eating fruit to boost concentration during exam periods and drinking milk to strengthen bones before physical education classes. The guide also takes age differences into account, explaining that older children need more energy and nutrients. Suggested recipes include wholemeal bread stuffed with eggs, peanut butter with natural honey, labneh with tomato slices and nuts, or tuna with lettuce. To enrich the meal, healthy side dishes such as hummus, apples, carrots, cucumbers, or popcorn can be added, along with suggestions for physical activities during recess.

Expected impact and future prospects

The anticipated impact of this initiative extends far beyond simply improving school meals. Locally, the guide will contribute to raising nutritional awareness among Saudi families, potentially reducing childhood obesity and related illnesses, and enhancing students' academic performance. Regionally and internationally, this step positions the Kingdom among leading nations adopting advanced preventative health policies, aligning with the World Health Organization's recommendations for providing healthy school environments. This experience can serve as a model for the region in promoting student health.

The “Live Healthy” initiative encourages all parents and educators to utilize this valuable resource, which represents a direct investment in their children’s health and future. The guide can be viewed and downloaded via the provided link .