In a bold move to elevate the spiritual and logistical experience of millions of pilgrims, Saudi Arabia is rolling out a series of improvements at the Two Holy Mosques that reflect a seamless integration of technology, hospitality, and spiritual inclusivity.

With the Umrah season in full swing, pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah are being welcomed with a carefully coordinated network of services that prioritise ease of access, historical immersion, and global outreach, ensuring the journey of a lifetime is both spiritually enriching and effortlessly organised.

Read-Umrah 2025: New digital platform launched for visas

Integrated system built for millions

At the heart of this transformation is a fully integrated system of facilities and services aimed at managing the steady influx of pilgrims, many of whom have already begun arriving in significant numbers. In Madinah, the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport has been receiving thousands of Umrah performers daily, with support teams facilitating transportation, guidance, and catering services designed to create a smooth arrival experience, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

From the moment pilgrims touch down, their journey is carefully supported by a network of authorities. “A full range of services ensures a spiritually fulfilling and logistically smooth journey for every visitor,” said an official from the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, which oversees operations at both holy sites.

That experience continues at the Prophet’s Mosque, where pilgrims from various countries are welcomed with multilingual guidance and logistical support in the courtyards and prayer areas. As part of the Kingdom’s broader effort to highlight Islamic heritage, visitors are also encouraged to explore Madinah’s revered historical sites, many of which date back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Smooth access at the Grand Mosque: Gates, bridges, and mobility

Meanwhile, in Makkah, the Grand Mosque, home to the Kaaba, has introduced enhanced access points designed to streamline the pilgrim flow and prevent overcrowding during peak times. Five primary gates, each topped with iconic minarets, serve as the main arteries into the mosque: King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, King Abdullah Gate, Umrah Gate, and Al-Fath Gate.

Among these, the King Fahd Gate, King Abdulaziz Gate, and the Al-Salam Basement provide direct entry to the Mataf area, where pilgrims perform the sacred act of Tawaf. For those accessing the site from the upper floors, the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques recommends dedicated bridges including Al-Shubaika, Ajyad, and Al-Arqam, all engineered to handle large volumes of foot traffic efficiently.

When exiting from the Masa’a area, the corridor between the hills of Safa and Marwah, worshippers can rely on designated exits such as the Al-Safa Gate, Al-Marwah Gate, Al-Nabi Gate, and specialised facilities like the Al-Marwah Wheelchair Bridge.

“These infrastructure upgrades are critical,” the authority noted. “They not only help pilgrims reach their destinations within the mosque with ease but also play a vital role in minimizing congestion and ensuring the safety of all visitors.”

Reaching the world: Sermons now in 15 languages

In a parallel effort to make the spiritual message of the Two Holy Mosques more accessible to the global Muslim community, the Presidency of Religious Affairs has launched an ambitious translation initiative. As of August 1, 2025, Friday sermons from both the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque are being translated into 15 international languages, streamed live through the presidency’s official YouTube channel.

This milestone marks the first phase of a wider plan to eventually reach 30 languages, enabling millions of non-Arabic-speaking Muslims to connect with the sermons’ powerful messages of faith, compassion, and moderation.

“The goal is to reinforce moderate Islamic values and harness modern technology to expand our reach,” said Sheikh Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, President of Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. “By offering translations, we are opening doors for Muslims around the world to engage more deeply with the teachings delivered from these sacred sites.”

Unified vision for modern pilgrimage

The combined efforts, from infrastructure improvements and hospitality services to digital spiritual outreach, reflect a unified national vision: to make pilgrimage more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for all. Whether it’s a pilgrim navigating the historic corridors of Madinah, entering the Mataf through a minaret-topped gate in Makkah, or listening to a Friday sermon from thousands of miles away in their native tongue, the kingdom’s approach is centered on both reverence and innovation.

With year-round preparations and collaboration among multiple authorities, Saudi Arabia is redefining what it means to serve pilgrims, not just as visitors, but as honored guests undertaking a sacred journey.

Agility Public Warehousing Company has confirmed that its wholly owned subsidiary, Menzies Aviation, has completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of US-based G2 Secure Staff for an enterprise value of $305m, with an additional $10m deferred consideration payable in 2026, contingent on performance milestones.

The deal significantly reinforces Menzies’ position as the world’s largest aviation services provider, now operating across 350 airports in 65 countries. As part of the integration, G2’s operations will be rebranded under the Menzies Aviation name, with a transition plan already underway to ensure continuity for employees, customers, and partners.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to deliver a strong uplift. G2’s financials will be consolidated with Menzies’, which is projected to boost group revenue by 20 per cent to over $3.1bn, based on Menzies’ FY2024 revenue figures.

This acquisition marks a major milestone in Menzies’ global growth strategy, further expanding its footprint in the US aviation services market and enhancing its capacity to serve airlines, airports, and passengers at scale.

O Gold, the UAE’s first Emirati app for fractional gold and silver ownership, has partnered with botim, Astra Tech’s flagship AI-powered fintech and communication platform, to integrate gold investment services into the botim ecosystem.

The partnership, backed by an agreement signed in 2023, makes botim the first fintech in the UAE to officially offer gold investment solutions, reinforcing its position in the region’s expanding digital finance sector.

Users can now buy, sell, and manage digital gold starting from 0.1 grams directly within the botim app.

Feature on Botim includes O Gold programme

The feature also includes O Gold’s Gold Earning (Leasing) Program, which allows users to earn annual returns of 3 per cent in gold grams, in line with global lease rate benchmarks of around 3.25 per cent reported in London.

“In this region, gold has always held deep historical, cultural, and economic value. Even with market shifts, the demand continues to grow,” said Ahmed Mourad, chief operating oficer at Astra Tech | botim. “With this partnership, we’re making fractional gold investment simple and secure, so anyone can get started… This is another step in expanding botim’s financial services and giving people more accessible ways to manage and grow their money with confidence.”

O Gold said its user base has grown to more than 100,000 within months of its launch, a sign of growing demand for digital gold trading. The company recently received a Shariah-compliance certificate from the Center of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE), underscoring its commitment to ethical finance.

“As an Emirati company, our goal at O Gold is to make precious metal ownership simple, accessible, and secure for everyone,” said Bandar Alothman, founder of O Gold. “Partnering with a platform as widely used as botim… allows us to further extend our services and help millions of users start their gold investment journey with just a few taps. This is a game-changer for democratising access to a timeless asset.”

The UAE is a key hub for global gold trade, with exports valued at $53.41bn in 2024–2025, according to TradeImeX.

By linking O Gold’s fractional gold investment offering with botim’s large user base of over eight million, the partnership aims to strengthen the country’s role in accessible and innovative gold investment.

The new gold investment feature is now fully operational and available to botim users through the botim Invest section of the application.

The Riyadh Metro, managed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), has crossed a major milestone, welcoming its 100 millionth passenger less than nine months after its official launch in December 2024.

The Blue Line, running along the Olaya-Batha axis, has emerged as the most heavily used corridor, carrying 46.5 million passengers to date. It is followed by the Red Line on King Abdullah Road with 17 million riders, and the Orange Line on Al Madinah Al Munawwarah Road, which recorded 12 million passengers. The metro’s remaining three lines have collectively transported 24.5 million riders.

Read: Riyadh Metro fares revealed: What you’ll pay to ride the network

Since its launch, the network has maintained an on-time performance rate of 99.78 per cent, underscoring the reliability of the system. Some of the busiest stations include Qasr Al Hokm, KAFD, stc, and the National Museum interchange, which together accounted for more than 29 per cent of total ridership.

The Riyadh Metro is fully integrated with the city’s extensive bus network, which includes on-demand bus services and public transport parking facilities. This integration offers commuters a seamless end-to-end journey, from their homes to their destinations.

By enhancing connectivity and offering a sustainable alternative to private vehicles, the Riyadh Metro continues to strengthen public transport’s role in shaping Riyadh into a modern, accessible, and sustainable urban hub.

Parkin Company, Dubai’s largest provider of paid public parking facilities and services, has announced it has been awarded three ISO certifications, marking a significant milestone in its first year as a publicly listed company. The certifications demonstrate compliance with internationally recognised standards in service quality, environmental management, and health and safety.

The achievement reflects Parkin’s commitment to embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles across its operations. Guided by a comprehensive ESG strategy, the company has implemented internationally recognised management systems that reinforce its dedication to excellence, accountability, and responsible growth.

On 19 August 2025, Parkin achieved certification for its Integrated Management System (IMS), meeting the requirements of all three ISO standards. This milestone provides third-party validation of Parkin’s governance and operational frameworks, enhancing efficiency while strengthening its ability to deliver sustainable, long-term value to stakeholders.

Read: Parkin reports record Q2 revenue, profit amid strong demand across Dubai

Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said: “Guided by our ESG Strategy and Framework, this achievement reflects the natural outcome of Parkin’s impactful ESG initiatives. From transitioning to a hybrid vehicle fleet and adopting environmentally responsible digital infrastructure, to engaging in community-focused initiatives that foster social responsibility, Parkin remains steadfast in driving meaningful ESG impact — grounded in strong governance practices that ensure transparency and accountability.”

Parkin highlighted that the certifications build on its broader ESG journey, which includes initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, enhance customer experience, and uphold best-in-class governance standards. The company said the recognition underscores its long-term focus on creating positive impact for both the community and investors.