COMMUNITY

Saudi Arabia Sets New Naming Rules

Saudi Arabia has issued a comprehensive set of binding regulations governing the naming of public facilities across the Kingdom, introducing unified standards, governance frameworks, and explicit religious and administrative restrictions.

Published in the Umm Al Qura official Gazette, the new “Rules and Standards for Naming Public Facilities” were approved by the Saudi Cabinet and are set to take effect 120 days after publication.

The rules apply to all publicly owned facilities nationwide, including municipal buildings, schools, cultural centres, sports arenas, and transportation hubs.

According to Okaz newspaper, public facilities are broadly defined to encompass government-owned assets across multiple sectors, including education, culture, sports, religion, health, and transportation. Each government entity will be responsible for naming facilities under its control, ensuring compliance with the new regulations and existing laws.

The rules require government bodies to issue their own executive bylaws outlining procedural, technical, organisational, and operational standards for naming decisions. Governance mechanisms must also be established to oversee and enforce these decisions internally.

The regulations introduce stringent prohibitions on certain names. Public facilities may not be named after Kings of Saudi Arabia, Crown Princes, or leaders of friendly or allied states without prior approval from the King. Names that contradict Islamic Sharia are explicitly banned.

Restrictions also extend to the use of the names of God. Only seven names are permitted when naming public facilities: Al Salam, Al Adl, Al Awwal, Al Nur, Al Haqq, Al Shahid, and Al Malik.

Where facilities are named after individuals, authorities must verify a candidate’s integrity, including their intellectual orientation and criminal or security record, in coordination with relevant bodies. The chosen name must also be appropriate to the individual’s status and standing.

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing will issue official naming categories following coordination with concerned authorities, and government entities must adhere to these classifications. Final approval of facility names rests with the head of the relevant entity, though this authority may be delegated.

To increase flexibility, the regulations permit numerical designations to be used in naming public facilities, either independently or in combination with names.

In a bid to enhance coordination and consistency, each government entity must also establish and maintain a comprehensive database of public facility names under its jurisdiction. These records must be updated regularly and submitted annually to the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

The new framework also repeals previous regulations related to the naming of streets and squares contained in earlier Cabinet decisions, as well as any conflicting provisions.

Story by Gulf News

COMMUNITY

Saudi Arabia allows six categories entry to Mecca via Absher

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has announced that six categories of eligible individuals can obtain permits to enter Mecca during the Hajj season through the Absher Individuals platform.

The categories include Premium Residency holders, investors, GCC citizens, non-Saudi mothers of Saudi citizens, non-Saudi family members and domestic workers. The service enables applicants to secure entry permits electronically through a simplified process.

The move comes as security authorities enforce strict regulations governing access to Mecca and the holy sites during Hajj. Since April 19, residents without permits have been barred from entering, with entry limited to those holding authorised work permits in Mecca, residency issued in the city, or official Hajj permits.

Saudi Public Security said entry permits for expatriate workers are issued electronically via Absher and the Muqeem portal, in integration with the unified Hajj permit platform, Tasreeh.

Authorities confirmed that applications are processed entirely online, with no requirement to visit passport offices in person.

COMMUNITY

Saudisation rates in marketing, sales raised to 60%

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has begun enforcing new decisions to raise Saudisation rates in marketing and sales professions to 60 per cent, following the end of a grace period for private sector firms.

The measures, effective from Sunday, April 19, form part of wider efforts to create more employment opportunities for Saudi men and women across the Kingdom.

The rules apply to private sector establishments employing three or more workers in the targeted roles, with a minimum monthly wage of SR5,500 required for Saudi employees to be counted within Saudisation quotas in marketing professions.

The rulw covers at least 20 roles, including marketing manager, advertising manager, graphic designer, public relations specialist and photographer, as well as sales positions such as sales manager, retail and wholesale representatives, and IT and communications equipment sales specialists.

The ministry has published detailed procedural guidelines on its website, outlining the professions covered, implementation mechanisms and calculation methods, as well as penalties for non-compliance.

COMMUNITY

Work begins at Expo 2030 Riyadh site

Construction has begun at the Expo 2030 Riyadh site, Saudi authorities said, as the Kingdom updated the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on progress across the project during a meeting in Paris.

The Kingdom’s delegation, led by Adel Al Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Commissioner General of Expo 20230 Riyadh, outlined developments in infrastructure, construction, design and master planning, alongside ongoing work on the Expo’s main theme and subthemes.

Officials said progress also extended to communication and marketing efforts, with a growing number of countries confirming their participation, reflecting increasing international confidence in the Kingdom’s ability to deliver the event.

The briefing, delivered to the Bureau International des Expositions executive committee, highlighted the Expo’s role as a global platform aimed at addressing major challenges through innovation and collaboration.

Saudi Arabia said work on the site is accelerating as preparations gather pace, with a focus on ensuring a lasting legacy beyond the event.