The Madinah Bus Project, overseen by the Madinah Development Authority, has announced the launch of its seasonal operational plan coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan. This plan includes the operation of eight shuttle bus routes. This strategic initiative aims to serve worshippers and visitors, facilitating their access to the Prophet's Mosque and Quba Mosque through a daily schedule that begins at 3:00 PM and continues until one hour after the Taraweeh prayers.

A network of routes covering the neighborhoods of Medina

This service covers key locations and residential areas in Madinah, with bus departure points carefully selected to ensure comprehensive coverage. The routes include the following stops:

• Al-Khalidiyah neighborhood
• King Fahd neighborhood
• Haramain High-Speed ​​Railway Station
• Shatha neighborhood
• Master of Martyrs
• College of Peace
• Sports stadium
• The garden

As part of the special attention given to Quba Mosque, the first mosque established in Islam, the “Al-Aliya Station” parking lot was designated as a starting point for direct transportation to the mosque via a fleet of equipped buses, making it easier for visitors to perform the Sunnah of prayer in Quba and move between it and the Prophet’s Mosque with ease and convenience.

The importance of shuttle transportation in crowd management

This announcement is of paramount importance given the immense population density that Medina experiences during the holy month of Ramadan. With the influx of pilgrims and visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad, the central area surrounding the Prophet's Mosque becomes a major traffic hotspot. This is where shuttle transportation comes in as a radical and effective solution to alleviate pressure on main roads, reduce reliance on private vehicles, contribute to smoother traffic flow and lower carbon emissions, and save worshippers the trouble of searching for parking.

Enhancing the experience of pilgrims

The "City Buses" project falls within the integrated national efforts to achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Guests of God Service Program. The Kingdom seeks to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims and visitors, and the public transportation system is a fundamental pillar of this endeavor. Providing safe, air-conditioned, and reliable transportation reflects the Kingdom's modern image and allows visitors to fully dedicate themselves to worship and spirituality without being burdened by the logistical challenges of travel.

The historical and spiritual dimension

Connecting the Prophet's Mosque, Quba Mosque, and sites like the shrine of Sayyid al-Shuhada via a modern transportation network is not merely an organizational measure, but rather an enhancement of the visitor's spiritual journey. Medina is rich in Islamic historical landmarks, and facilitating access to them revives Islamic heritage and connects visitors to the noble history of the Prophet's life, making a visit to the city a rich and comprehensive experience that combines spirituality, knowledge, and comfort.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired the Cabinet session held today (Tuesday) in Riyadh. The Cabinet began its session by extending its congratulations to all citizens and Muslims worldwide on the approaching holy month of Ramadan, praying to God Almighty to accept everyone's good deeds and to perpetuate the blessings of security and safety upon the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Pride in the founding day and historical depth

In the context of national occasions, the Cabinet affirmed that the Kingdom's celebration of its National Day, which falls on February 22, represents a profound expression of pride in the deep-rooted foundations of the Saudi state, which extend back nearly three centuries. The Cabinet noted that this day commemorates the pillars of justice, unity, and stability established by the imams and kings, making the Kingdom a leading model among nations. This celebration serves to connect current generations with their glorious history, reinforcing national identity and the authentic values ​​upon which the state was founded.

Record successes in serving the guests of God

The Council discussed the efforts made to serve pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques, expressing its gratitude to God Almighty for granting the Kingdom success in managing the Hajj and Umrah seasons. The Council commended the Kingdom's projection of receiving 19.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers from outside the Kingdom by 2025, a figure that reflects the rapid development in infrastructure, digital services, and logistics, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to facilitate the hosting of pilgrims and enrich their religious and cultural experience.

A firm stance towards the Palestinian cause

On the political front, the Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's condemnation of the Israeli occupation authorities' decision to designate lands in the West Bank as "state land." The Cabinet affirmed that these illegal measures undermine the prospects for peace and constitute a blatant violation of the historical rights of the Palestinian people. The Cabinet emphasized the Kingdom's unwavering position calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to halt these violations.

Strengthening military industries and international partnerships

The Council commended the resounding success of the third edition of the World Defense Show in Riyadh, noting the strategic agreements and partnerships signed during the event. The Council affirmed that these steps directly contribute to supporting the localization of military industries, technology transfer, and strengthening local supply chains, which are fundamental pillars for achieving self-sufficiency and enhancing the Kingdom's defense capabilities in line with the objectives of the National Vision.

Strategic decisions and approvals

The Council concluded its session by issuing several important decisions, most notably approving the National Strategy for Biosafety and Biosecurity , which aims to strengthen the system for preventing and protecting against biological risks. The Council also approved regulations governing the continued presence of vehicles registered in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries within the Kingdom, and amended the name of the "World Cup Esports Foundation" to the "Esports Foundation."

On the international relations front, the Council authorized a number of ministers to discuss and sign memoranda of understanding with several countries, including Japan in the areas of city management and traditional arts, Italy in the field of justice, Indonesia in the palm and date sector, Bahrain in government communication, and Algeria in digital government, in addition to agreements with China, Brazil and the African Centers for Disease Control.

A number of Their Highnesses and Excellencies were honored today in the capital, Riyadh, to take the oath before the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - following the issuance of the generous royal orders that stipulated their appointment to new leadership positions in the emirates of the regions, the Shura Council and the Ministry of Investment.

Details of the oath-taking ceremony for new officials

The oath was taken by His Highness Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki, on the occasion of his appointment as Deputy Governor of Al-Baha Region, His Highness Prince Dr. Saad bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud bin Faisal, Member of the Shura Council, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud, Deputy Governor of Madinah Region, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Northern Borders Region.

Their Highnesses repeated the oath, saying: “I swear by Almighty God to be loyal to my religion, then to my King and my country, not to divulge any of the state’s secrets, to protect its interests and systems, and to perform my duties with honesty, integrity, sincerity, and justice.”.

The ceremony also included the swearing-in of His Excellency the Minister of Investment, Mr. Fahd bin Abduljalil bin Ali Al-Saif, who said: “I swear by Almighty God to be loyal to my religion, then to my King and my country, not to divulge any of the state’s secrets, to protect its interests and systems, and to perform my duties with honesty, integrity and sincerity.”.

The implications of the new appointments and their strategic importance

This significant protocol step comes as a culmination of royal decrees aimed at revitalizing the government and administrative apparatus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These appointments reflect the wise leadership's commitment to enhancing performance efficiency in the regional emirates, where deputy governors play a pivotal role in overseeing development projects and addressing citizens' needs, thus contributing to balanced development across the Kingdom's various regions.

On the economic front, the appointment of the Minister of Investment is of particular importance in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which relies heavily on attracting foreign and domestic investment and diversifying sources of income. The swearing-in ceremony marks the beginning of a new phase of dedicated work to achieve the objectives of the National Investment Strategy and enhance the Kingdom's position as a leading global investment destination.

The oath... a pledge, loyalty, and responsibility

Taking the oath before the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is a long-standing tradition in the Saudi system of governance. It represents a legal and religious contract in which the official pledges, before God, the King, and the nation, to perform his duties with integrity and honesty. This procedure underscores the weight of responsibility placed upon the newly appointed officials, the necessity of adhering to regulations, maintaining state secrets, and working diligently to serve the public good.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior, and His Excellency the Deputy Special Secretary to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Mr. Tamim bin Abdulaziz Al-Salem.