Saudi Arabia Railways is preparing to transport more than two million pilgrims during the 1447 AH Hajj season through its Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, a high-capacity electric transport system linking the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, state news agency SPA reported.

The metro, one of the kingdom’s flagship infrastructure projects for the Hajj season, is designed to ease congestion, improve crowd management and support the movement of pilgrims during peak ritual periods.

According to SAR, the system connects the three holy sites via an 18-kilometre rail line with nine stations, including three stations each in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, as well as a station at Jamarat.

The electric train, which can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h, is capable of transporting around 72,000 passengers per hour.

Each of its 17 trains can carry up to 3,000 passengers, enabling rapid movement between sites during peak Hajj schedules.

Authorities said the metro has significantly reduced reliance on buses during Hajj, replacing an estimated 50,000 bus trips and helping ease road congestion across the holy sites.

The system, which entered service in 2010 after two years of construction, is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to modernise Hajj logistics and improve operational efficiency in line with Vision 2030.

Officials said the fully electric network also supports environmental sustainability goals by reducing emissions and improving traffic flow in one of the world’s most densely crowded seasonal events.

The metro will enable safe pilgrim movement throughout the Hajj season

The metro will operate as part of an integrated transport plan aimed at ensuring safe and efficient pilgrim movement throughout the Hajj season.

In other news, the Roads General Authority recorded more than 79,000 vehicles travelling on roads leading to Makkah on Dhu Al-Hijjah 7 as part of operational and regulatory efforts aimed at facilitating pilgrims’ movement during the 1447 AH Hajj season and improving travel efficiency across the road network leading to Makkah from various directions.

The authority affirmed continued field and operational readiness on roads leading to the holy sites through traffic monitoring and enhanced safety measures and services provided to pilgrims.

Read: Hajj 2026: UAE reveals rules every pilgrim must follow

Dubai Police has issued a public safety warning ahead of Eid Al Adha, urging residents to avoid the use, sale or trade of fireworks during the holiday period due to the risks posed to individuals, property and public safety.

The authority called on community members to comply with UAE laws and avoid engaging with unlicensed fireworks traders, stressing that fireworks can quickly escalate from festive items into serious safety hazards.

Dubai Police said fireworks-related incidents can result in severe injuries and permanent disabilities.

“The danger of fireworks lies in the fact that they can cause permanent disabilities, including loss, amputation, and burning of body parts,” the force said.

The authority also highlighted the legal consequences associated with the trade and distribution of fireworks under UAE law.

Dubai Police noted that Federal Decree Law No. 17 of 2019 on weapons, ammunition, explosives and hazardous materials imposes strict penalties on individuals involved in unlicensed fireworks activities.

“Article 54 of the decree stipulates imprisonment for no less than one year and a fine of no less than Dhs100,000 – or either penalty – for anyone who, without a licence, trades in, imports, exports, manufactures, or brings fireworks into or out of the country,” the statement added.

The warning comes as authorities across the UAE typically intensify public safety campaigns during major holidays and festive periods, when the use of fireworks tends to increase.

Dubai Police urged residents to prioritise safety and support efforts aimed at protecting communities and reducing avoidable accidents during Eid celebrations.

US President Donald Trump has called for a broad expansion of the Abraham Accords, linking the initiative directly to ongoing negotiations with Iran and positioning it as a potential catalyst for deeper economic and geopolitical integration across the Middle East.

In a lengthy post published on Truth Social, Trump said negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran were “proceeding nicely”, while warning that failure to reach an agreement could result in a return “to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before”.

Trump said he held discussions on Saturday with a number of regional leaders, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II of Jordan, among others.

According to Trump, the discussions centred on making participation in the Abraham Accords a key component of any future agreement involving Iran.

The original Abraham Accords, brokered during Trump’s first administration in 2020, normalised diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Morocco and Sudan later joined the framework.

In his latest remarks, Trump argued that the accords had delivered a “Financial, Economic, and Social BOOM” for participating countries, despite ongoing regional instability and conflict.

He also suggested that countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan and Türkiye should join the agreement framework as part of a broader regional settlement.

Trump further stated that several leaders had indicated they would welcome Iran into the Abraham Accords framework if Tehran ultimately signs a deal with the US.

The comments come at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty across the Middle East, with markets and businesses closely monitoring the direction of US-Iran negotiations and their implications for regional trade, investment flows, energy markets and cross-border economic cooperation.

An expanded Abraham Accords framework involving major Gulf economies could potentially accelerate regional integration across sectors including infrastructure, tourism, logistics, technology and financial services, while also reshaping diplomatic and commercial ties throughout the region.

However, Trump’s proposal would likely face significant political and diplomatic complexities, particularly given longstanding tensions involving Israel, Iran and several regional actors.

Etihad Rail has unveiled the official uniforms that will be worn by its passenger-facing teams, giving the public an early glimpse of one of the most visible elements of the UAE’s national railway network ahead of the launch of passenger services.

The new uniforms, presented in a contemporary grey colour palette with distinctive red accents, will be worn by onboard hosts, station staff, and customer-facing employees across the passenger network. The design reflects Etihad Rail’s broader brand values, combining professionalism, warmth, safety, and modern Emirati hospitality.

Read more-Etihad Rail’s details revealed: 7 new stations announced

The announcement marks another key milestone in the development of the national railway as it moves closer to introducing passenger operations designed to connect communities across the UAE and transform mobility options in the country.

Design rooted in function and identity

Developed specifically for the UAE’s climate and the operational demands of modern rail travel, the uniforms prioritise comfort, durability, and ease of movement while maintaining a refined and consistent visual identity.

Etihad Rail said subtle design detailing and structured tailoring were incorporated to ensure the uniforms remain both practical and visually distinctive, creating a look that is contemporary, approachable, and premium in feel.

Although intended as operational attire, the uniforms have also been positioned as an extension of the wider passenger experience. They represent the frontline staff who will greet travellers, assist journeys, and help shape the culture of rail travel in the UAE for years to come.

The colour scheme carries symbolic meaning: grey tones were chosen to represent confidence, calmness, and reliability, while red accents draw inspiration from the energy and ambition associated with the Etihad Rail brand and the UAE’s wider vision for connectivity and progress.

Shaping the passenger experience

Beyond aesthetics, Etihad Rail said the uniforms form part of its broader effort to define a cohesive passenger experience ahead of launch. The design is intended to reinforce trust, recognition, and service consistency across stations and onboard services.

As the network prepares for rollout, the uniforms are being introduced as part of a wider operational readiness programme aimed at ensuring that every aspect of the passenger journey reflects high standards of safety, reliability, and customer care.

Leadership perspective

Adhraa Almansoori, executive director of Commercial at Etihad Rail Mobility, said:

“The unveiling of our official uniforms marks an important moment in the journey towards the introduction of passenger rail services in the UAE. These uniforms are part of our visual identity, but more importantly they represent the people who will become the face of the Etihad Rail experience for thousands of new rail passengers in the years ahead.

“Every detail has been carefully considered to reflect the values that sit at the heart of Etihad Rail: safety, professionalism, hospitality and national pride. As we prepare to welcome passengers onboard for the very first time, these uniforms help tell the story of a modern railway designed around people, connection and experience.”

The uniform reveal is part of Etihad Rail’s wider preparations ahead of the introduction of passenger services, which will initially connect key stations through a phased rollout designed to ensure safety, reliability, and strong customer experience from the outset.

Further announcements on stations, routes, and passenger services are expected in the coming weeks.