In a move reflecting the accelerating pace of development in the Holy City, the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites announced a new qualitative achievement represented by the completion of the operation of the elements of the Fourth Ring Road intersection project with King Faisal Road (known as Al-Sail Road), ahead of the planned time date, which enhances the efficiency of the road network and supports the readiness of traffic to serve residents and visitors.

Project details and new routes

The official announcement included the activation and opening of direct lanes for vehicles coming from the Fourth Ring Road towards King Faisal Road in both directions (towards the Grand Mosque and towards Al-Sail). This step aims to improve connectivity between the main axes of the Holy City and increase the operational efficiency of one of the most vital intersections in Mecca, thus ensuring the smooth and easy flow of traffic.

The strategic importance of the Fourth Ring Road

The Fourth Ring Road project occupies a pivotal position in Makkah's transportation system, serving as a strategic link connecting various districts of Makkah with the holy sites (Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah). This ring road contributes to alleviating traffic congestion in the central area by diverting through traffic away from the city center, thus facilitating the movement of pilgrims during peak seasons.

The project's impact on traffic flow and Hajj and Umrah

The Al-Sail Road intersection is of particular importance as it is located at the eastern gateway to Mecca, receiving those arriving from Taif and the eastern and central regions, in addition to pilgrims arriving by land. This operation is expected to contribute to:

• Reduce travel time: by eliminating traffic congestion at previous intersection points.
• Improving safety: by separating traffic flow and reducing points of conflict between vehicles.
• Facilitating access to the holy sites: Supporting smooth access to the central area and the holy sites, which is vital, especially during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Integration with the Kingdom's Vision 2030

The early commissioning of this project reflects the efficiency of its planning and execution, as well as the integrated efforts of the relevant authorities. It is part of a package of infrastructure development projects underway in the Kingdom. These efforts directly contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, specifically the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to facilitate the hosting of more Umrah and Hajj pilgrims and improve the quality of life for the residents of Makkah and visitors to the Holy Mosque by providing a world-class road network that ensures comfort and safety for all.

Starting tomorrow (Friday), 3/9/1447 AH (February 20, 2026), the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) will implement its decision regarding the "Financial Institutions Services Fee Guide," which imposes a strict prohibition on financial institutions exceeding the maximum fees for basic transactions and services offered to individual customers. This decision represents a pivotal step in regulating the relationship between banks and their customers, as the new guide will replace the previously applied "banking fees," reflecting the Central Bank's commitment to its supervisory and regulatory role in ensuring fair financial transactions.

In the context of enhancing transparency and protecting consumers, the Central Bank emphasized that the new guide primarily aims to promote financial inclusion in the Kingdom, enabling all segments of society to benefit from banking services at fair and reasonable fees. The guide also focuses on supporting digital transformation by encouraging customers to use electronic channels, a trend that aligns with the rapid technological advancements in the financial sector. This contributes to increased operational efficiency, reduced reliance on cash, and ultimately, enhanced confidence in the financial system as a whole.

The guide includes significant changes that benefit customers, such as reducing the maximum fees for a wide range of services. Among the most notable changes are reduced administrative fees associated with financing products, fees for reissuing Mada cards, and lower costs for international purchases and cash withdrawals. The reductions also extend to fees for money transfers from bank accounts or e-wallets, as well as fees for using Mada cards at point-of-sale terminals within the GCC network, thus facilitating financial transactions for citizens and residents while traveling within the GCC countries.

From a regulatory and procedural standpoint, the Central Bank mandated that financial institutions fully disclose all fees before providing services and implement clear mechanisms to ensure customers understand the associated costs. The bank also stipulated that customers must obtain prior, documented consent through official channels for any fees or charges, and must be notified immediately via text message upon deduction. These measures aim to close loopholes that could lead to unexpected charges, thereby enhancing overall customer satisfaction with the banking sector.

To protect small balances, the bank issued a strong and important warning that banks are absolutely prohibited from imposing any fees when a bank account or e-wallet balance falls below a certain threshold, or when the balance is low. It also prohibited charging customers any additional costs related to third parties after receiving the product or service, emphasizing that the fees specified in the guide do not include value-added tax (VAT), which is applied separately according to the applicable tax system.

In a move aimed at strengthening community partnership and protecting holy sites, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renewed its call to all citizens and residents to cooperate with regulatory authorities to report any violations that are observed on mosques and their service facilities.

A call to protect public funds and the sanctity of mosques

The Ministry's official spokesperson, Abdullah Al-Anzi, affirmed in press statements on the sidelines of the "Islamic Values ​​Forum" held last week that the Ministry places the protection of mosques at the forefront of its priorities. Al-Anzi explained that the goal is not limited to protecting the buildings themselves, but also includes strengthening integrated institutional efforts to maintain all mosque assets, whether related to encroachments on electricity networks or water supplies, or the illegal exploitation of mosque lands and properties in general.

Institutional transformation and intensive oversight efforts

These moves come within the framework of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, since assuming his ministerial duties. This strategy has focused on establishing a precise institutional framework aimed at protecting public funds and state facilities. The Ministry has taken the initiative to create a specialized and independent department dedicated to "protecting mosques" at its headquarters and all its branches throughout the Kingdom.

This department is responsible for directly overseeing field inspection tours, which have proven effective in detecting violations. This step is part of the Kingdom's development initiatives under Vision 2030, which focuses on efficient spending and protecting public resources from waste and misuse.

Tangible results: 700 cases of encroachment addressed

The ministry revealed figures reflecting the scale of its efforts, with the official spokesperson announcing that monitoring teams successfully identified and addressed over 700 cases of encroachment this year alone. These cases were resolved in accordance with regulations and legal frameworks, and in direct coordination with relevant security and government agencies. This figure underscores the ministry's commitment to addressing any practices that violate the sanctity of mosques or deplete their resources, thus contributing to a safe and sustainable environment for worshippers.

Social responsibility and reporting mechanism

The Ministry emphasized that protecting mosques is a shared responsibility, urging everyone to report any violations without hesitation. The Ministry has established effective and rapid communication channels, most notably the unified call center at 1933, in addition to the possibility of visiting the Ministry's branches in various governorates. The Ministry affirmed that its field teams are ready to investigate reports and hold violators accountable to ensure the continued efficient and uninterrupted provision of services in mosques.