The Municipality of Madinah announced the completion of a series of intensive maintenance and cleaning works during December 2025, which included 10 pedestrian bridges and 10 vital tunnels throughout the city. These efforts are part of the Municipality's ongoing operational plans aimed at enhancing infrastructure efficiency, strengthening traffic safety standards, and improving the quality of municipal services provided to both residents and visitors.

These projects are of particular importance given Medina's status as one of the world's most important religious destinations, receiving millions of visitors annually for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and to visit the Prophet's Mosque. This massive influx of people places constant pressure on the road network and public facilities, making regular and preventative maintenance vital to ensuring smooth traffic flow and the safety of all. These projects align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on improving the quality of life in Saudi cities and developing their infrastructure to accommodate population growth and the increasing number of visitors.

The completed works included comprehensive maintenance of ten pedestrian bridges and ten tunnels, as well as extensive cleaning operations that removed debris from an area exceeding 12,000 square meters. Maintenance was also carried out on 97 water pumps, a vital proactive measure to address the rainy season. The efforts also encompassed the maintenance of 372 linear meters of expansion joints and the execution of road works spanning 2 kilometers, contributing to improved road conditions and a reduction in potholes and cracks.

The direct impact of these projects extends beyond simply improving the city's urban landscape; it encompasses other vital aspects. The maintenance of bridges and tunnels enhances public safety and reduces the likelihood of accidents, while the cleaning and waste removal operations, which amounted to approximately 990 cubic meters, contribute to promoting public health and maintaining a clean and attractive environment. All these elements combine to achieve the strategic goal of raising the quality of life for the residents of Medina and providing a distinctive and safe experience for pilgrims.

The Municipality of Madinah affirms that these works are but one part of a comprehensive system of development projects and plans it is continuously working on. Through these efforts, the Municipality aims to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructure and its ability to keep pace with future developments, thereby solidifying Madinah's position as a modern, advanced city that provides the best services to its residents and visitors, and achieves the highest standards of safety and well-being.

Strategic partnership to support national tourism

In an ambitious move reflecting Saudi Arabia's commitment to achieving its tourism goals, the Saudi Airlines Group announced its strategic partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority, which aims to welcome approximately 27 million tourists and visitors from outside the Kingdom during 2025. This partnership comes as part of a broader plan that aims to reach 150 million tourists by 2030, a figure that reflects the great confidence in the potential of the Kingdom's tourism sector.

An integral part of Saudi Vision 2030

These initiatives fall under the broader framework of Saudi Vision 2030, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to diversify the national economy and reduce its reliance on oil. The tourism sector is a key pillar of this vision, as the Kingdom aims to become one of the world's leading tourist destinations. Since the launch of the electronic tourist visa in 2019, the Kingdom has witnessed a historic opening to the world, paving the way for mega-projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and AlUla, which aim to offer unique and diverse tourism experiences.

"The Spirit of Saudi Arabia" travels the world

To achieve these goals, Saudi Arabian Airlines Group launched a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft adorned with the “Spirit of Saudi Arabia” logo. The aircraft was unveiled at the Jeddah Maintenance Village and is scheduled to fly to 25 international destinations by 2026. The Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khaled Tash, explained that this model was chosen because it is designed for long-haul flights, enabling it to reach the farthest destinations in North America, East Asia, and Europe, serving as a mobile promotional platform that reflects the Kingdom’s culture and hospitality.

A Saudi experience that begins in the air

For his part, Abdullah Al-Dakhil, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized that the goal of this partnership extends beyond mere air transport. The aircraft, with its logo, interior design, and promotional content, will offer passengers an immersive experience from the moment they board. Visitors will experience genuine Saudi hospitality even before arriving in the Kingdom, preparing them to explore its diverse tourist destinations and participate in the world-class events and festivals the country hosts throughout the year.

Economic and social impact

Achieving the target of 150 million tourists by 2030, following the successful completion of the initial target for 2023, will have far more than just a significant impact on numbers. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs for citizens, boost GDP growth, and contribute to infrastructure development across the Kingdom. Internationally, these efforts will help build bridges of cultural exchange, change stereotypical perceptions of the Kingdom, and present it as a modern and welcoming global destination.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, reiterated the continued application of regulations regarding the use of external loudspeakers in mosques during the holy month of Ramadan, explaining in a special statement to “Akhbar 24” that there is no change in the policy in place, which restricts their use to raising the call to prayer and the iqama only.

This confirmation follows a recent circular issued by the Ministry, containing a set of guidelines for preparing mosques and prayer halls to receive worshippers during the holy month. While the circular did not directly address the issue of loudspeakers, the Minister's statement settled any potential controversy, emphasizing that previous instructions remain in effect. The circular stressed the necessity for muezzins to adhere to the prayer times according to the Umm al-Qura calendar and to call the adhan for Isha prayer at its designated time, observing the established time interval between the adhan and the iqamah for each prayer.

Background of the decision and its organizational context

The regulatory basis for this policy stems from a circular issued by the Ministry in May 2021, which aimed to regulate the use of loudspeakers to reduce noise pollution and serve the public interest. The decision at that time was based on Islamic legal principles and general objectives aimed at preventing disturbance to worshippers in nearby mosques and avoiding disturbing the sick, the elderly, and children in homes close to mosques. The regulation stipulates that the volume level of the devices should not exceed one-third of the loudspeaker's capacity, thus ensuring that the call to prayer is clearly audible without causing disturbance.

Importance and expected impact

Domestically, this measure aims to strike a delicate balance between upholding Islamic rituals, such as the call to prayer (adhan), which announces the time for prayer, and maintaining peace and tranquility in residential neighborhoods, especially during Ramadan, a month that sees a surge in worship and nighttime prayers. The decision reflects a governmental commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Saudi cities, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Regionally and internationally, this step places the Kingdom among many Islamic countries that have sought to regulate the use of loudspeakers in places of worship as part of modernizing and streamlining religious affairs. This global trend aims to present a civilized image of religious practices that respect public spaces and the rights of all members of society, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, thus promoting the values ​​of coexistence and tolerance in modern societies.