The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, has directed, based on the recommendation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, the disbursement of more than 3 billion Saudi riyals as Ramadan aid to beneficiaries of social security. This generous directive reflects the wise leadership's ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of families benefiting from the social security system, its tireless efforts to provide them with a dignified life, and its dedication to ensuring their essential living requirements are met as the holy month approaches.

Details of Ramadan aid disbursement

In accordance with the royal directive, the royal aid payments are scheduled to be deposited directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts within the next few hours. The aid amount has been set at (1000) Saudi Riyals for each head of household and (500) Saudi Riyals for each dependent family member registered in the system. This is to ensure comprehensive support and alleviate the financial burden on social security families before the start of Ramadan, a season in which consumer needs typically increase.

Thanks and appreciation from the Minister of Human Resources

In this context, His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – for this compassionate and humanitarian gesture towards their children who are beneficiaries of social security. Al-Rajhi emphasized that this generous support reflects the leadership's close connection to its citizens and its awareness of their needs. He prayed to God Almighty to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and to reward them abundantly for their exceptional care and attention to the citizens.

Extension of the social welfare approach in the Kingdom

This Ramadan aid is an extension of the long-standing approach adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since its founding in caring for the most vulnerable members of society. The Saudi leadership consistently takes the initiative on religious and national occasions to provide direct financial support to citizens, reinforcing the principles of social solidarity and economic stability. This initiative is particularly significant as it comes at a crucial time, helping families prepare for the month of fasting and secure essential food and supplies without hardship.

Government support and the Kingdom's Vision 2030

This direct support aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on the social protection sector. The social security system has undergone significant developments aimed at empowering beneficiaries and transforming them from recipients of aid to productive members of society, while social safety nets continue to provide direct cash support to eligible groups. Injecting this substantial sum (over 3 billion riyals) into local markets within a short period will stimulate economic activity and purchasing power, benefiting the local economy as a whole and achieving the desired social balance.

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.