JEDDAH — Minister of Haj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh Binten received Minister of Social Welfare and head of Haj Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone Baindu Dansama, in Jeddah on Sunday. During the meeting, the Sierra Leonean minister commended the efforts being exerted by the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, in serving and caring of the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to the holy sites in the Kingdom. — SPA

Liquefied gas for cooking banned

Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Naif, minister of interior, has directed to take measures to ban the use of liquefied gas for cooking in all holy sites, and to implement legal measures and penalties against anyone violating the decision. The Director General of Civil Defense, Lt. Gen. Suleiman Al-Omro said that the prevention of the use of liquefied natural gas in the holy sites comes within the framework of the keenness of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for the safety of pilgrims to perform their rituals in security and tranquility. He stressed that the ban on the use of liquefied gas includes locations within the holy sites, including buildings and the government camps or charitable agencies participating in Haj without exception. — SPA

Indian pilgrim gives birth to baby boy

The Interior Ministry’s Agency of Civil Affairs has handed over the first birth certificate to an Indian pilgrim named Dilshad. His wife gave birth to a baby boy in the holy city of Madinah, Saudi Press Agency quoted information spokesman for Civil Affairs Muhammad Al-Jasser as saying on Sunday. Dilshad expressed his happiness with the newborn and the services provided at the hospital, explaining that his love for the Prophet’s City made him choose Ahmed Madinah as the name for the newborn. — SPA

First batch of pilgrims from Turkey arrives

Pilgrims' Guides Foundation of Turkey and Muslims of Europe, America and Australia received here on Sunday the first batch of pilgrims from Turkey with Zamzam water and roses. The head of the foundation's branch office Nader Osama Pasha said that the first batch consists of 192 pilgrims from Turkey. — SPA