In a spiritually uplifting atmosphere, the passport control terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah welcomed the first flights of pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. The reception ceremony was conducted amidst a comprehensive system of services, with specialized staff completing the pilgrims' entry procedures smoothly and efficiently, reflecting the early preparations for this important season.

The General Directorate of Passports confirmed its full readiness to receive the increasing numbers of pilgrims during the holy month, noting that it has supported all passport halls at air, land and sea ports with qualified and highly trained personnel, in addition to equipping the counters with modern technical devices and advanced fingerprint systems to ensure the rapid flow of travelers and reduce waiting times, thus ensuring a comfortable travel experience from the moment of arrival.

The Ramadan Umrah season holds special significance for Muslims worldwide, as rewards are multiplied and eagerness to visit the Holy Kaaba grows, based on Prophetic traditions that equate performing Umrah during Ramadan with performing Hajj alongside the Prophet (peace be upon him). Given this profound spiritual importance, Saudi Arabia witnesses a massive influx of pilgrims each year, requiring high-level security and logistical coordination to ensure their safety and well-being.

This smooth reception comes as part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places great importance on the program for serving pilgrims and seeks to increase capacity and improve the services provided to them. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is the main gateway to the Two Holy Mosques, and therefore receives special attention in developing its digital and service infrastructure to be a modern gateway befitting the Kingdom's stature and its visitors.

In closing its statement, the General Directorate of Passports stressed the importance of those coming to perform Umrah adhering to the regulations and instructions governing Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom, and complying with the time periods specified in the visas, stressing that compliance with the regulations contributes to the smooth flow of movement and avoids any obstacles that the pilgrim may face until he leaves the Holy Land and returns to his homeland safe and sound.

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance food security and ensure the safety of products offered to consumers, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced the results of its intensive inspection campaigns conducted during the second week of February. These field operations are part of a comprehensive proactive plan aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of markets and slaughterhouses across the Kingdom in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH, which typically sees a significant increase in demand for food products.

Seizure and destruction of huge quantities of non-compliant food

The ministry revealed in its report that field teams, comprising 494 judicial officers, were able to identify large quantities of food products unfit for consumption or violating health standards. These inspections resulted in the seizure and destruction of more than 58,500 kilograms of vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, and fish. These figures underscore the ministry's firm stance against any violations that could jeopardize consumer health, as regulations and bylaws were immediately applied to violators to ensure these products did not reach consumers' tables.

Slaughterhouse and health control statistics

In a related context, the ministry explained that the campaign included visits to approximately 17,900 establishments, resulting in the issuance of 2,800 violations and warnings. Regarding slaughterhouses, the ministry recorded the slaughter of 111,300 head of sheep, cattle, and camels during the same week, amidst strict monitoring procedures to ensure the safety of the slaughtered animals and their freedom from disease. This monitoring is of paramount importance with the approach of Ramadan, when demand for red meat increases, necessitating heightened vigilance at all slaughterhouses and points of sale.

Laboratory tests and community awareness

To ensure that agricultural products are free from chemical contaminants, specialized teams conducted thorough pesticide residue tests, examining 1,482 samples of marketed products. This step is a cornerstone of the Ministry's strategy to safeguard public health and mitigate the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Alongside these regulatory efforts, the Ministry also prioritized awareness campaigns, implementing 368 educational initiatives aimed at promoting sound health practices among both beneficiaries and service providers. These campaigns involved the active participation of 31 food preservation associations, reflecting the integration of regulatory work with social responsibility.

The importance of early preparation for the Ramadan season

These proactive campaigns come at a crucial time to ensure market stability and the availability of high-quality goods during the holy month of Ramadan. Through these stringent measures, the Ministry aims to achieve the highest standards of compliance and thwart any attempts to promote spoiled or counterfeit goods by exploiting increased demand. The Ministry affirms its commitment to continuing its inspection tours to guarantee a safe and sustainable food environment that meets consumer expectations throughout the Kingdom.

The King Fahd Causeway Authority announced today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the implementation of new toll rates for crossing the causeway linking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain. This decision comes as part of the Authority's ongoing organizational updates to ensure the sustainability of services and enhance operational efficiency at this vital crossing.

Details of the new vehicle fees

According to the statement issued by the institution, the toll fees have been modified, including several categories of vehicles, and the new price list is as follows:

• Private cars and motorcycles: Fees have increased to 35 riyals instead of the previous price.
• Minibuses: The new fees have been set at 55 riyals .
• Large buses: The toll was 70 riyals .
• Trucks: Fees are calculated at a rate of 7 riyals per ton.

Categories exempt from fee increase

Out of concern for social and humanitarian considerations, the King Fahd Causeway Authority confirmed in its statement that the new increase will not apply to all categories. It has been decided to maintain the current fees without any change for the following categories:

• People with disabilities.
• Students studying in both countries.
• Frequent travelers (daily travelers) who hold special transit cards.

Timeline of bridge toll development

Looking back at the bridge's operational history, the toll for small vehicles remained stable at 20 riyals since its official opening in 1986. This price remained fixed for 30 years, until early 2016, when the toll saw its first increase to 25 riyals. The current increase in 2026 marks the second adjustment in the bridge's history, reflecting economic changes and increasing maintenance requirements over the past four decades.

The strategic and economic importance of the King Fahd Causeway

The King Fahd Causeway is a vital artery in strengthening fraternal and economic ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Its role extends beyond simply being a transit route; it has become a cornerstone of trade and tourism among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Historical data indicates that the causeway receives millions of travelers annually, making it one of the busiest land crossings in the Middle East.

The toll revenues usually contribute to funding the periodic maintenance of the bridge, which spans 25 kilometers over the waters of the Arabian Gulf, as well as the development of infrastructure for service facilities on both the Saudi and Bahraini sides, and the modernization of technical systems to facilitate traffic flow and reduce waiting times, which is in the interest of both travelers and the logistics transport sector.