Following a momentous official visit that included the establishment of a strategic economic alliance with the Kingdom, participation in the Gulf-US Summit and Saudi-US Investment Forum, and a historic meeting with Syria’s new leadership, US President Donald Trump left Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. On the second stop of his three-nation Gulf tour, which also includes the United Arab Emirates, Trump arrived in Qatar.

President Trump was greeted by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, concluding a two-day visit that both parties have hailed as momentous in both scope and result.

Trump travelled abroad for the first time during his second administration. The Crown Prince met him at the airport on Tuesday morning, and throughout the visit, the two leaders had several high-level meetings.

Trump and the Crown Prince inked the Strategic Economic Partnership between the two countries at the Saudi-U.S. Summit, which they co-chaired at Al-Yamamah Palace. Numerous agreements and memoranda were exchanged during the summit, which focused on bilateral ties and regional security. These areas included defence, energy, justice, health, space, and scientific research.

The administration of the Two Holy Mosques has lifted the Kaaba’s covering (Kiswah) 3 meters above the ground ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage, as is customary each year. This step, which will last until the 15th of Dhul-Hijjah, is intended to protect the sacred cloth from potential damage during the flow of pilgrims. Historically, some pilgrims attempted to touch or cut pieces of the Kiswah to save as relics, resulting in wear and tear. The elevated covering protects the Kaaba’s sacredness and prevents unintended damage during the busy Hajj season.

In technical integration with the unified digital platform for Hajj permits, “Tasreeh,” the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reaffirmed that anyone planning to perform Hajj during the 1446 AH season must get an official permit through the “Nusuk” platform.

The ministry underlined that following the rules is crucial to ensuring pilgrims’ safety and wellbeing as well as a safe and easy Hajj journey.

The ministry emphasised in a formal statement that no visa, except from the official Hajj visa, gives its bearer the authority to undertake the Hajj. It issued a warning that it is against Hajj norms to attempt the pilgrimage without a valid Hajj permit.

The ministry also issued a warning against bogus Hajj operations that offer unapproved lodging and transportation services within the sacred sites and are spread by deceptive social media ads. It encouraged the people to report such infractions by reporting misleading advertisements to local authorities in any country, or by phoning 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, or 999 in other regions.

The ministry also declared that the last day for those with Umrah visas to leave the Kingdom is Tuesday, 1 Dhul-Qi’dah 1446 AH (April 29, 2025), in advance of the Hajj season.