On behalf of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Deputy Governor of the region, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, sponsored the ceremony honoring the winners of the Makkah Excellence Award in its seventeenth session for the year 2025. The ceremony witnessed a remarkable attendance from officials of government agencies and the private sector, in celebration of the initiatives that contribute to raising the level of services and projects in the region.

List of winners in the nine award categories

The ceremony included a review of achievements and recognition of outstanding individuals in nine main branches covering all aspects of development. The results were as follows:

• Humanitarian Excellence: This award was given to the campaign of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman for blood donation, in recognition of its great humanitarian impact.
• Economic excellence: It was won by the food cluster in Jeddah.
• Scientific and technical excellence: Jeddah Education Department won it for the "Nafes Challenge" initiative.
• Urban excellence: I went to the Jeddah Yacht Club project as a distinctive urban landmark.
• Social Excellence: The award was shared by Sanad City for Special Education and the Saleh Abdullah Kamel Foundation for Humanity.
• Administrative Excellence: Won by the Supreme Hajj Committee for its organizational efforts.
• Hajj and Umrah services: These were obtained by the Hajj Projects Management Office through the "Serving the Guests of God" program.
• Environmental Excellence: Awarded by the Environment Fund for the "Treatment and Protection of Beaches" initiative.
• Cultural Excellence: The General Entertainment Authority won it for the "Following in His Footsteps" project.

The history of the award and its role in promoting development

Since its inception in 2008, the Makkah Excellence Award has been one of the most important motivational platforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aiming to instill the principles of excellence and quality in work. This award reflects the vision of the Makkah region's emirate to encourage outstanding work and recognize efforts that contribute to the region's development. Over its successive cycles, the award has successfully attracted more than 5,300 projects and initiatives, reflecting the high level of positive competition and the desire for continuous improvement across various sectors.

Strategic importance and expected impact

The Makkah Excellence Award is not merely a recognition of achievements; it serves as a fundamental pillar in achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, particularly in improving quality of life and enhancing the efficiency of both the public and private sectors. By highlighting exemplary projects such as the Jeddah Yacht Club and environmental and humanitarian initiatives, the award contributes to establishing benchmarks that can be emulated in the implementation of future projects.

Furthermore, the award's focus on the Hajj and Umrah sector as a cornerstone of the region's identity is highlighted. The win by the Supreme Hajj Committee and the Hajj Projects Management Office reflects their ongoing commitment to developing the services provided to pilgrims, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's leading position in the Islamic world. The diverse range of winners—including government entities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector—underscores the award's inclusiveness and its role in fostering an integrated environment that drives sustainable development in the Makkah region.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the times for the Istisqa' prayer (prayer for rain) in all approved mosques and prayer areas across the Kingdom's various regions and governorates. This announcement comes in response to the gracious call of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to perform the Istisqa' prayer on Thursday, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when rainfall is delayed and the people and the land are in need of rain.

In its directive, the Ministry instructed all its regional branches to hold prayers 15 minutes after sunrise, in accordance with the Umm al-Qura calendar. The Ministry confirmed that all technical and logistical preparations are complete, with field teams having begun their work to prepare and clean mosques and maintain sound and lighting systems, ensuring that worshippers can perform their prayers in an atmosphere of devotion and tranquility.

The prayer for rain (Istisqa) holds profound religious and spiritual significance in Saudi society and the wider Muslim world. It is a confirmed Sunnah (recommended practice) performed during times of drought and lack of rain. This ritual is considered an expression of humility and dependence on God, as people go out in their usual attire, humbled and reverent, frequently seeking forgiveness, supplication, and repentance, beseeching God's mercy and the descent of rain to revive the parched land.

From an organizational standpoint, the leadership in Saudi Arabia is keen to periodically revive this Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), reflecting the state's commitment to religious observances and its close connection to Islamic values. This prayer typically witnesses a large turnout of citizens and residents, led by regional princes and officials, in a scene that embodies unity and solidarity in supplication to God.

It is worth mentioning that the prayer for rain is similar in its form to the Eid prayer, as it consists of two rak’ahs, in which the imam recites aloud. After the prayer, the imam gives a sermon to the people, admonishing them and urging them to repent, return injustices, and abandon sins, considering them as reasons for preventing sustenance. Then he concludes the sermon by turning his cloak inside out, as an expression of optimism for a change of circumstances from drought to prosperity, and from hardship to relief with the descent of rain.