Saudi Arabia, UNHCR sign agreement to aid Syrian refugees in Lebanon

A Syrian child uses a bucket to bale out water from his tent at a refugee camp on the outskirts of the town of Zahle in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. (AFP)
Updated 30 January 2018
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Saudi Arabia, UNHCR sign agreement to aid Syrian refugees in Lebanon

JEDDAH: The Saudi Development Fund and the UN’s refugee agency signed an agreement to cooperate to assist Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
In the agreement with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Saudi fund will contribute $3.5m to implement the second phase of the housing rehabilitation project for the refugees.


Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday at Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed the longstanding ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, SPA added. 

They also reviewed regional developments and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability in the region.

The reception was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Also in attendance were Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy; Minister of Information Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari; Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan; and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki.

On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar joined the meeting along with Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim, Chief of Army Staff and ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq.


The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city

Updated 31 min 54 sec ago
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The route to Makkah: Pilgrim’s journey from home to the holy city

  • Hajj experience is pathway to lifelong transformation

RIYADH: Every year, millions of Muslims around the world take on a spiritual journey to perform the pilgrimage to Makkah. This religious obligation is only performed once in a lifetime for those who are able, and begins long before the pilgrim arrives in Makkah.

The route to the holy city begins with a deep, personal decision motivated by faith, hope for closeness to God, and the fulfilment of accomplishing one of the five pillars of Islam.

From the moment pilgrims form the intention to perform Hajj, a transformative process begins where they must secure their spot through Saudi officials in their countries.

Some countries request attending educational seminars before the Hajj to prepare them spiritually and physically for the trip.

“We have the administrative facilities that include Hajj registration, application, and all related administrative matters,” said Abdulrahman Mustafa Hamidh, a Syrian living in Turkyie, who is currently working as a religious guide for pilgrims.

“It’s simple. The process starts by applying through the Hajj offices located throughout the city, or by appointing someone for those who are far away in distance and unable to attend. They can appoint someone else, such as a brother, to do the registration process for them and pay a small registration fee,” he said.

Hamidh is currently studying for his PhD in religious studies and has been a frequent traveler to Makkah for Hajj since 2016.

After registration is completed, Hamidh explained the second step, which is the final part of the process. According to him, people take their passports to their guide or group leader to complete their registration applications for them.

“The entire process for pilgrims is very, very simple,” he said.

After this step, pilgrims wait for their applications to be accepted by Saudi officials and to receive their visa and the documents that they need for Hajj.

Once accepted, pilgrims receive the necessary tools such as Ihram, luggage, and all the belongings they will need for the journey.

“As for packing a travel bag, it’s also easy. Hajj pilgrims often receive large luggage from the organizing agency, which contains smaller bags and other Hajj supplies, such as Ihram, as well as Hajj garments for women,” Hamidh said.

When pilgrims complete the logistics, prepare their luggage and say their farewells to their families and loved ones, they leave their homes, carrying with them not only essential supplies but also hopes, prayers and hearts full of devotion.

However, while they arrive in Makkah and engage in this emotional and precious experience, others may face obstacles that hinder them from either completing the journey or arriving early.

One example is the journey of a pilgrim from Libya, Amir Qathafi, who was part of the last group of pilgrims from his country to depart for Makkah this year.

Unfortunately, before boarding, it took some time to go through security due to an issue with his passport. This resulted in the plane taking off, leaving him behind.

Surprisingly, a problem with the plane arose a few minutes after take-off, which required the pilot to return to the airport to solve the issue.

For a second time, Amir was refused permission to board the plane, and the flight took off again. Yet, miraculously, performing Hajj this year was destined for him, and the plane faced another technical issue a few minutes after the second departure.

This time, the pilgrim from Libya was allowed to board the plane to join the rest of his team on the route to Makkah.

Like Amir, millions of Muslims have genuine appreciation for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The journey to Hajj is more than a physical experience. It is a deeply spiritual and emotional commitment that begins with intention and ends with lifelong transformation.


Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 

Updated 06 June 2025
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Hajj pilgrims advised to limit exposure to midday sun 

MAKKAH: The Ministry of Health has advised pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — when temperatures at the holy sites are at their highest — to help avoid heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

The importance of following preventive measures such as using umbrellas, drinking plenty of water and complying with instructions from the authorities has also been emphasized.

The guidelines have been issued to protect pilgrims and ensure their safety during Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

So far, the ministry has reported a 90 percent reduction in the number of cases of heat exhaustion from last season.

The improvement aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, both part of Vision 2030, which aim to ensure a safer Hajj experience.

The Ministry of Health said the decrease was a result of stronger preventive measures, expanded awareness campaigns and effective coordination across relevant agencies.

These actions have included the launch of an awareness kit in eight languages to help prevent heat-related illnesses during Hajj.

The kit includes guidelines, videos, social media posts and printable materials advising pilgrims to stay hydrated and use umbrellas to avoid direct sun exposure.


Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management

Updated 06 June 2025
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Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management

MAKKAH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has supported government efforts for this year’s Hajj season through its Sawaher system, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

Sawaher was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and uses data and AI technology to analyze broadcasts, video recordings, and images captured by smart cameras.

The initiative enhances analytical capabilities and contributes to a safer Hajj experience, the SPA reported.

The system helps manage and analyze large datasets and produces tailored analysis of pilgrims’ behavior. It “uses advanced algorithms for density and crowd counting, supporting government agencies in implementing Hajj plans and estimating pilgrim numbers.” The system also provides real-time updates.

For Hajj, more than 5,000 cameras have been integrated into the Sawaher system, covering more than 80 permanent and seasonal locations across the holy sites and key entry points.

This network supports the work of 18 government agencies and more than 600 personnel, according to the SPA.

The system offers more than 80 services and is operable on 100 workstations in operations rooms and monitoring centers, contributing to improved response efficiency during the Hajj season.


Majority of 1.6m pilgrims begin Tawaf Al-Ifadah as Eid Al-Adha starts

Updated 06 June 2025
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Majority of 1.6m pilgrims begin Tawaf Al-Ifadah as Eid Al-Adha starts

  • Pilgrims reflect on successful Hajj season

MINA: Most of this year’s more than 1.6 million pilgrims had begun performing Tawaf Al-Ifadah by Friday in Makkah — the ritual that marks the final days of Hajj and the beginning of Eid Al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world.

Eid day began with masses of pilgrims performing the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina under moderate temperatures nearing 30 C, with the National Center for Meteorology forecasting a high of up to 40 C. The stoning ritual is among the final rites of Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.

The Tawaf Al-Ifadah — derived from the Arabic word meaning “to pour forth” — refers to the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba performed by pilgrims after returning from Mina.

It is one of the essential and obligatory rites of Hajj. It involves walking around the Kaaba seven times within the Grand Mosque in Makkah, following the pilgrims’ return from Mina where they perform the symbolic stoning of the devil.

The ritual reflects spiritual submission, physical devotion, and the culmination of the core rites of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Ali bin Faraj Al-Marri, a Qatari pilgrim, told Arab News that the tawaf was smooth and well-organized, saying: “This is my first time performing Hajj, and I had heard that the Grand Mosque used to be extremely crowded. This has been one of the most successful Hajj seasons.”

Saeed Al-Nabit, the head of Al-Marri’s Hajj campaign group, echoed the sentiment, saying everything went as planned, and adding: “This year has been one of the best Hajj seasons ever.”

Leaving the Jamarat Bridge after performing the stoning ritual, Yasmeen Ahmed, a Libyan pilgrim, said with tears in her eyes that she was on the verge of completing one of the pillars of Islam — a lifelong dream she had always prayed to Allah to fulfill.

She said: “This is a moment I will never forget. I never imagined I would live to experience it, but I have always prayed for it. I thank Allah for making it possible, and I would also like to express my gratitude to Saudi Arabia for the beautiful organization of Hajj. There must have been tremendous efforts behind such a successful arrangement.”

The Jamrat Al-Aqaba site, the largest and most prominent of the three stoning structures within the Jamarat facility, stands as one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent development projects at the holy sites, marking a transformative leap in crowd management aligned with the highest international engineering and organizational standards.

With the capacity to accommodate over 300,000 pilgrims per hour, the facility ensures a smooth and safe flow of pilgrims during the peak days of stoning rituals in Mina.

Every year on this day, the Jamarat area in Mina witnesses the arrival of throngs of pilgrims performing this critical Hajj rite  — a solemn act of worship that embodies obedience and adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

The stoning ritual is among the most spiritually significant and logistically complex components of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The Jamarat area in the past consisted of small stone pillars surrounded by narrow spaces and limited roads, leading to severe congestion and difficulties, particularly with the growing number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency said in a report.

According to the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, a bridge was constructed over the three Jamarat pillars in 1975 to create a second level for the stoning ritual.

Over the years the structure underwent multiple phases of expansion and enhancement.

The current Jamarat Bridge was inaugurated in its first phase in 2006, with full completion achieved in 2010.

The bridge comprises five levels, each 12 meters high, extending 950 meters in length and 80 meters in width. It includes 11 entrances, 12 exits, and can accommodate up to 300,000 pilgrims per hour. The facility also features a range of support services, including emergency helicopter landing pads, 3,289 escalators, advanced surveillance systems, and four tunnels for vehicles and buses.

The facility operates under a sophisticated management system involving specialized field teams working round the clock to ensure safety and provide medical and guidance services, in cooperation with various security and service agencies.

The site is also equipped with multilingual guidance screens and modern surveillance cameras to enhance flow and ensure pilgrim safety.

As part of broader efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience, Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has implemented several key projects this year.

Notable among them is the installation of 200 mist fans in the facility’s eastern square to reduce heat stress from direct sunlight.

In addition, the Towards Mina initiative has been implemented to improve spatial orientation, helping to reduce the number of lost pilgrims and facilitating easier access to camps.

The initiative relies on a color-coded signage system aligned with camp divisions and facility levels.