43 Indians died in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday (17 November). Let us tell you that while going from Mecca to Medina, the bus collided with a diesel tanker and this accident happened due to fire in it. The dead include 20 women and 11 children. Only the bus driver survived the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over this incident.

PM Modi posted on X and said that I am deeply saddened by the accident involving Indian citizens in Madina. My condolences are with the families who have lost their loved ones. PM Modi further said that I wish speedy recovery of all the injured.

Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2025

PM Modi said that our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. He said that our officials are in constant touch with the Saudi Arabian authorities and are monitoring the situation.

Most of the dead were residents of Hyderabad.
According to the information, most of the dead are said to be from Hyderabad. This accident happened near Muhras, about 160 kilometers from Madina, at around 1:30 pm Indian time, when many passengers were sleeping. Because of this he had no chance to escape.

Telangana government gave instructions to officials
Regarding this matter, Telangana government has said that they are in touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. In a statement issued by the state government, it has been said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed the officials present in Delhi to maintain close coordination with the embassy and help in identification of the victims and other formalities.

The Indian Embassy in Jeddah has issued a helpline number. The Embassy said that in view of this accident that happened with Indian Umrah pilgrims near Madina, a 24×7 control room has been set up in the Indian Consulate General. The helpline number is 8002440003.

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Saudi Arabia Grand Mufti: Saudi Arabia has once again made a big religious announcement. Following the royal decree of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sheikh Saleh Al Fauzan has been appointed as the new Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. This position is one of the most influential positions in Saudi society. Let us know what facilities and powers come with this post.

Power and prestige of the Grand Mufti

The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia is not just a religious leader, but he is the highest authority of Islamic law in the country. This position is placed at the top of the religious and legal hierarchy and is given a lot of respect due to its direct connection with the royal family. The Grand Mufti serves as the country’s leading religious voice, providing guidance to citizens, institutions, and even the nation on matters of faith and law.

What facilities and special rights does the Grand Mufti get?

Although the Saudi government does not publicly disclose the benefits associated with the post of Grand Mufti and there is no mention of what his salary is, yet some special rights explain the importance of this role.

The Grand Mufti is given an official government residence which is commensurate with his position and helps him carry out official duties. Along with this, they are also given high level state security. Not only this but they are given full logistics and administrative support along with assistance in staffing, transportation and official travel. At the same time, the most important thing is that the Grand Mufti has direct access to the highest levels of power along with the King and the Crown Prince.

Responsibilities of Grand Mufti

The primary function of the Grand Mufti is to issue fatwas. Fatwas that explain Islamic law on matters ranging from personal behavior to government policies. Through these fatwas, both citizens and officials get guidance in following Islamic principles. Along with this, the Grand Mufti is also the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, the most powerful religious body of Saudi Arabia. Along with this, he also leads the standing committee for Islamic research and issuing fatwas.

Another important function of the Grand Mufti is to support the Saudi leadership by providing religious legitimacy to royal policies. Their support often helps shape public opinion as well as maintain harmony between the religious establishment and the monarchy. Along with this, the Grand Mufti often gives religious guidance to the public. They participate in programs promoting Islamic education and awareness. His instructions are greatly influenced during Hajj.

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Saudi Arabia has announced new visa rules for the pilgrims of Umrah 2025. Saudi Arabia officials have now made it mandatory for Umrah pilgrims to arrange for hotel booking and transport before applying for visa. This means that whatever pilgrims will apply for Saudi Arabia’s visa for Umrah, they will first have to share the complete information of their hotel booking and transportation. Only then will he be given a Visa of Saudi Arabia for Umrah 2025.

In fact, Saudi Arabia has announced this new rule so that the movement of pilgrims is better managed and they can be saved from housing fraudulent proposals. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Umrah operators are already appealing to their passengers to make their booking through Saudi Arabia’s official Nusuf platform or licensed agents before submitting a visa application for Umrah.

Saudi Arabia gave information about visa rules

The Haj and Umrah Ministry and concerned officials of Saudi Arabia have significantly tightened the entry rules for Umrah from this year, so that the approval of the visa, usually depending on the hotel contracts and evidence of the local transport system verified through Nusuk Masar and Nusuk Umrah platform.

This step is part of the widespread attempt to digital and set Umrah services, under which pilgrims coming to Umrah will have to upload or link verified booking before the visa is issued.

Steps taken to save pilgrims from fraud

Saudi officials said that this change protects the pilgrims from fraud and strengthens the crowd and housing management in the time of congestion and busyness.

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Us President Donald Trump: Donald Trump has become the first US President who has publicly met a pre -declared terrorist leader. He met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Shara, who was earlier known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani. He has been the head of the notorious terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was associated with al-Qaeda. It was declared a terrorist organization by the US.

The meeting took place when the US announced the removal of years -old sanctions on Syria. All this was possible because Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia appealed to Trump to do so. During the meeting, Trump said about Ahmed al-Shara that he is a young, attractive, strict person. In this way he publicly supported the former terrorist. Earlier, Trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

#Riyadh Hrh the Crown Prince holds a meeting with the US President and the Syrian President. pic.twitter.com/ppy2gfzjzm

– Foreign ministry (@ksamofaen) May 14, 2025

The story of Al-Shra who becomes an interim President from Jihadi
Al-Shara, which the world knew by the name of Abu Mohammad Al-Julani. His past has been associated with extremist, violence and war against American forces. He has fought with US forces in Iraq. For this, he has been in American custody for years. After this, he established HTS in Syria, the effect that he evicted Bashar al-Assad from power in 2024. Later, he changed himself as a leader by changing the hardcore Islamic image. He declared himself the head of the interim government of Syria. This change is being considered a strategy to assure Western countries.

What is the plan of Donald Trump?
American associate countries have called Trump’s move ‘signal confusion’. Human rights groups say that this is a dangerous example that a former terrorist is considered to be the major regime. Critics described it as betrayal with “principles of justice and security”. However, on the other hand, according to Trump, it is a broken country and Al-Shara has a chance to add it. He also discussed this with Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdoan, who shared a positive attitude towards Al-Shara.

PM modi saudi arabia visit full schedule: The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will go on a tour of Saud Arabia. He will be in Riyadh on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia on 22 and 23 April. This will be Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Saudi Arabia. He also visited Saudi tour in 2016 and 2019 as well. This visit of Prime Minister Modi is going to be important in many ways. They will interact on many issues related to defense, energy and investment.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a press conference regarding Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Saud Arabia. He had said that between Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Salman’s conversation, many agreements can be signed on both sides. It also includes a case of green hydrogen. Along with the ongoing controversy between Israel-Hamas, there can be talks on the issue of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Modi can also talk on the issue of energy –

If you look at energy, Saudi Arabia is very important for India. India imported 33.35 million tonnes of crude oil from Saudi Arabia in 2023-24. Along with this, Saudi Arabia is also India’s third largest LPG exporter. There can also be talk on the issue of energy on Prime Minister Modi’s tour of Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Modi visited Saudi Arabia in 2016 and 2019 too –

Prime Minister Modi visited Saudi Arabia for the first time in April 2016. He met Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh. He addressed the Indian migrant community on this tour. Prime Minister Modi also went after this in October 2019. During this time he took part in the Future Investment Initiative Summit. On this tour, the issue of terrorism was discussed along with trade and investment.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that defense relations between India and Saudi Arabia are expected to further strengthen, including more military exercises and setting up a structure for high-level meetings.

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Tesla showroom in saudi: Electric car maker Tesla opened its first showroom in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The company decided to open the showroom in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damam when its sales of cars have declined worldwide. The company’s CEO Allen Musk was heavy to work with the US government. Angry with their policies, many cars of Tesla were also lit in Europe and America, the showroom was also attacked. Along with all this, the company’s shares also declined.

Plan to open showrooms even in many more holes

Tesla’s Country Manager Naseem Akbarjada for Saudi Arabia said, “We are proud to be officially launched here today.” He also informed about the opening of the charging station in the three cities where the showrooms have been opened since Friday. Tesla’s showrooms will also be opened in many more cities.

Let us know that there is a strong diplomatic, strategic and business relationship between Saudi Arabia and America. Trump, along with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his first term, emphasized the relationship between the two countries. Crown Prince also promised to invest $ 600 billion in American trade and investment during this period.

Watch: Tesla Starts Selling Cars in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Amid Challenges https://t.co/CT09CB61XT pic.twitter.com/y25lwezeqm

– Reuters business (@Rutersbiz) April 9, 2025

How much is EV demand in Saudi?

In Riyadh and other cities, a large number of people came to see it as soon as Tesla’s showroom opened. By the way, the demand for electric vehicles in Saudi is negligible because one is low (2.33 riyal or $ 0.62) here and another is the reason why big oil-cheated cars are dominated in the blazing heat here.

According to Business News Outlet Al-Iktisadia, although Saudi’s EV market is still small, but last year it increased three times to about 800 cars. Saudi’s economist Mohammad al-Khatani may welcome Tesla’s move, but together he also said, “We do not want the showroom, we want a factory.” We want to be a part of the production process, not just a conjugation. ”

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