Saudi labor minister vows to continue enhancing occupational safety, health
Saudi labor minister vows to continue enhancing occupational safety, health/node/1293316/saudi-arabia
Saudi labor minister vows to continue enhancing occupational safety, health
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Labor Minister Ali Al-Ghafees at lthe inauguration of the National Forum on Occupational Safety and Health in Riyadh on April, 28, 2018. (SPA)
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Labor Minister Ali Al-Ghafees speaking during the inauguration of the National Forum on Occupational Safety and Health in Riyadh on April, 28, 2018. (SPA)
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Labor Minister Ali Al-Ghafees at lthe inauguration of the National Forum on Occupational Safety and Health in Riyadh on April, 28, 2018. (SPA)
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Labor Minister Ali Al-Ghafees speaking during the inauguration of the National Forum on Occupational Safety and Health in Riyadh on April, 28, 2018. (SPA)
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Labor Minister Ali Al-Ghafees at lthe inauguration of the National Forum on Occupational Safety and Health in Riyadh on April, 28, 2018. (SPA)
Saudi labor minister vows to continue enhancing occupational safety, health
The two-day forum, organized by the labor ministry, was in conjunction with the International Day for Occupational Safety and Health
Labor ministry announces the second edition of the Safety Pioneer Award, which encourages facilities to abide by occupational safety, and health requirements and practices
Updated 29 April 2018
Arab News
JEDDAH: The minister of labor and social development, Ali Al-Ghafees, said his ministry will continue to enhance occupational safety and health for private-sector facilities.
This will be accomplished by strengthening legislation, regulation and supervision, raising awareness, and increasing national resources and personnel, he added.
During the inauguration of the National Forum on Occupational Safety and Health in Riyadh on Saturday, Al-Ghafees said: “The forum is one of the most important outcomes of the Strategic National Program for Occupational Safety and Health.”
He added: “The program is one of the ministry’s initiatives in the National Transformation Program. It also contributes to the accomplishment of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
The two-day forum, organized by the ministry, comes in conjunction with the International Day for Occupational Safety and Health.
Al-Ghafees thanked King Salman and the crown prince for their support in developing the labor market and work environments, and making them more attractive and competitive globally.
“The ministry… aims to promote the concept of work-environment attractiveness. This will lure national personnel and establish a competitive and effective labor market, which will improve the status of the Kingdom’s economy,” the minister said.
“The ministry, based on its belief in the importance of worker safety and health, seeks to make this the work environment’s most attractive element,” he added.
“This will be accomplished through the necessary legislation and regulations, and monitoring their implementation,” he said.
“Occupational safety and health is a joint responsibility. It is an integrated process that includes government agencies, employers and employees. All of us are aiming to protect worker safety and health.”
Al-Ghafees announced the second edition of the Safety Pioneer Award, which encourages facilities to abide by occupational safety, and health requirements and practices.
He urged all parties that meet the requirements to take part in the initiative. After the forum’s conclusion, he toured the accompanying exhibition.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission welcomed many visitors to Thee Ain Historical Village, located in the Al-Makhwah governorate of the Baha region, during the Eid Al-Adha holiday.
Launched in partnership with the principality of the Baha region, the initiative featured a hospitality corner where visitors received gifts and detailed information about the area, with a focus on the historical village.
The village is one of the most significant tourist destinations in the region, situated 2,000 meters above sea level, a Saudi Press Agency report said.
It has a rich history spanning centuries, with stone structures topped by roofs made from juniper wood sourced from nearby forests.
The balconies are decorated with quartz stones arranged in contiguous triangles. The village includes defensive fortresses built for protection and surveillance.
Thee Ain benefits from an ideal agricultural environment, especially for cultivating pandanus and bananas, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.
During Eid, Haql governorate also had a significant rise in visitors drawn to its scenic beaches, parks, and mild weather.
Families favor Haql’s natural beach pools and key tourist attractions, according to the SPA.
These pools offer a perfect setting for enjoying nature, fishing, and swimming. Nearby parks provide a peaceful retreat for visitors to relax amid natural beauty, the SPA added.
Umluj beaches also attracted many visitors and picnickers during the holiday. Coastal spots including Duqm Beach and the Southern Corniche had a notable influx of families and tourists seeking serene natural settings and sea views.
Umluj governorate, on the Red Sea coast in Tabuk region, is a major tourist destination known for its diverse landscapes — sea, mountains and plains — and mild summer weather.
The Umluj municipality prepared extensively for the influx by upgrading beaches and parks, enhancing facilities, and increasing cleaning and health inspections to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.
More than 94K individuals worked in organizing this year’s Hajj
People were involved in serving pilgrims in various fields and organizational locations in Makkah and Madinah
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah conducted over 70,000 field inspections during Hajj, examining pilgrims’ accommodation
Updated 18 min 56 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Over 94,000 people participated in organizing the Hajj season in Saudi Arabia, where 1.4 million Muslims performed the pilgrimage in early June.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported on Tuesday that individuals served pilgrims in various fields and organizational locations in Makkah and Madinah as part of the ministry’s efforts in running the Hajj.
The ministry said its Compliance Center conducted over 70,000 field inspections during Hajj, examining pilgrim accommodation, camps, central kitchens, and operational facilities.
The Nusuk Care initiative offered over 845,000 direct services, including health, psychological, and language support, it added. Over 3,000 volunteers supported government efforts during the Hajj season, serving pilgrims at over 107 contact points and distributed across six tracks.
The ministry said these field indicators demonstrate the level of planning, precision, and investment in human resources and technology, which is aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
2 journeys, 1 destination: Hajj through the eyes of the young, elderly
Generations decades apart walk same sacred path
Updated 10 June 2025
Hashim Nadeem
MINA: Mina was alive in recent days with the footsteps of millions, yet every pilgrim’s pace told a different story, from those who waited decades for the moment to those capturing it in real time.
In the tent city of Mina, two pilgrims rested side by side: one catching his breath, the other capturing a selfie. One scrolled through prayer times on his smartphone; the other adjusted the strap of his orthopedic sandal. One leaned on a walking stick; the other scrolled through digital navigation. But both wore the same white ihram and followed the same steps.
This was the paradox of Hajj 2025, where generations decades apart walked the same sacred path in remarkably different ways. They shared no common language except the unspoken one of faith.
For 73-year-old Moinuddin from Pakistan, the pilgrimage was a long-awaited dream, one that had been etched over decades of supplication.
He said: “I have the desire and I ask help from God to give me courage and power to perform this Hajj for the Isaal-e-Sawaab (gifting of spiritual rewards) for my mother.”
He paused often, not just for rest, but to reflect — at Arafat, in Muzdalifah, and between the pillars of Jamarat.
Just a few rows behind him, Mustafa, 22, from Denmark, documented his Hajj in quick snaps and video clips. He brought a camera with him to capture the moments for his friends and family back home. He said: “Coming here as a young person, I am grateful. I see a lot of older people and it’s difficult; you have to work a lot.”
While Mustafa relied on digital navigation to track his group, Moinuddin leaned gently on a young companion’s shoulder. Both pilgrims endured the same sun, the same crowds, and the same powerful rituals, but the lens through which they experienced Hajj was shaped by their stage in life.
As the majority of pilgrims were elderly, many arrived with wheelchairs, walkers, or full family support. Their presence was treated with reverence — volunteers readily offered water, fans, and silent prayers as they passed.
In contrast, the younger generation brought a different rhythm — one of documentation, discovery, digital devotion, QR codes at checkpoints, real-time language translation apps, and virtual guides to make this year’s Hajj more accessible than ever.
But tech aside, the younger pilgrims still found themselves drawn into moments of stillness.
What binds both ends of the age spectrum was the raw, shared surrender to something greater. In a space where nationality, status, and language dissolve, so too does age. You could be 18 or 81 — you still bow to the same qibla.
At Mina, where pebbles were cast in symbolic defiance of ego, one young man gently steadied an old man’s arm before throwing his own stones. A quiet exchange, but one that said everything.
As pilgrims circled the Kaaba one final time before departure, the generational divide faded further. Some walked swiftly, others were pushed gently in wheelchairs, but all completed the same Tawaf Al-Wadaa (farewell tawaf).
The journey in the end was not measured in steps or speed, but in surrender. And that, in the valley of Makkah, was a language every pilgrim spoke fluently.
Exploring the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia’s sacred heritage
In the holy city of Makkah, pilgrims visit Jabal Al-Nour, whose name means “Mountain of Light”
Updated 09 June 2025
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: As pilgrims complete the sacred rites of Hajj, many embark on a deeper spiritual journey by exploring historic Islamic sites across Saudi Arabia to connect with the roots of their faith.
In the holy city of Makkah, pilgrims visit Jabal Al-Nour, whose name means “Mountain of Light.” At its peak lies the Cave of Hira, where the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed through the Angel Jibreel.
The mountain’s distinctive camel-hump shape makes it a striking landmark, especially with the nearby Hira Cultural District, where the Revelation Gallery offers pilgrims to learn the story of divine revelation and history.
Beyond the holy cities, other sacred destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. (Supplied/File photo)
Ahmed Khan, a private tour guide said: “There’s something unexplainable about standing where it all began. When I take pilgrims to Jabal al-Nour, many of them are moved to tears it’s not just a climb, but it’s a spiritual awakening.”
To the south lies Jabal Thawr, the mountain that cradled the Prophet and his companion Abu Bakr as-Siddiq in its cave during their migration to Madinah. The story of divine protection, where a spider’s web and a dove’s nest concealed their presence from their pursuers, resonates deeply with pilgrims.
Another frequently visited site is Jabal Abu Qubays, believed in some traditions to be the first mountain placed on Earth. As the closest peak to the Grand Mosque, it resonates with the early public da’wah and the great spiritual responsibility.
FASTFACTS
• Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where revelation changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah, remains a must-visit site for pilgrims.
• Programs like ‘Hala,’ launched by Al-Bait Guests Co., are curating journeys for pilgrims to explore with knowledgeable guides.
Nearby, the modest yet historically significant Al-Bay’ah Mosque marks the location of the Pledge of Aqabah, where the Ansar of Madinah pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad.
Built during the Abbasid era, it symbolizes early Muslim unity and commitment to the new faith. A short distance away in Al-Hajun district is Jabal Al-Sayyidah, at the base of which lies the revered Al-Ma’la Cemetery, resting place of Khadijah, the Prophet’s beloved wife. Her grave remains a focal point of deep reverence.
“Pilgrims love visiting these places and it helps them to understand the sacrifices of the people who shaped Islam,” Khan added.
Madinah has its own timeless legacy. Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where revelation changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah and marked a defining shift in Muslim identity and remains a must-visit site for pilgrims.
Hussain Rauff, regional director of Madinah Hotels at Elaf Al-Taqwa, said: “We’re planning to organize guided tours across Madinah to help pilgrims explore the city’s rich Islamic heritage. It’s a meaningful way to extend their spiritual journey beyond the rituals of Hajj.”
Further west of the Prophet’s Mosque lies the cluster known as the Seven Mosques, each linked to events from the Battle of the Trench. Among them are Al-Fath Mosque and those named after figures such as Fatimah, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Salman Al-Farsi. These mosques are rich in historical memory and serve as reminders of hardship during one of Islam’s critical battles.
Mount Uhud rises just north of Madinah city, its slopes reminds of the Battle of Uhud and the place where the Prophet’s uncle, Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, and 70 companions were martyred. Today, pilgrims pause at the Uhud Martyrs Cemetery indicating the modesty found in victory and the strength drawn from loss.
Equally powerful is a visit to Baqi’ Al-Gharqad Cemetery, the resting place of many of the Prophet’s family members and companions. Located near the Prophet’s Mosque, the cemetery has long served as a site for prayer and remembrance, offering pilgrims a moment of intimate connection with those who stood beside the Prophet during Islam’s formative years.
Beyond the holy cities, other destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. Northwest of Madinah lies Khaybar, the site of a pivotal military campaign that showcases both the strategic and ethical dimensions of the Prophet’s leadership. Its volcanic terrain and ancient fortifications tell stories etched in stone.
Fatima Al-Mutairi, a pilgrim from Kuwait: “I am planning to visit these places in Jeddah and Taif after my Hajj. I am planning to visit the Tomb of Hawa in Jeddah and in Taif, I look forward to visiting Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas, to pay tribute to one of the great scholars whose work in Qur’anic interpretation and Hadith continues to inspire many seekers of knowledge.”
Recognizing the growing desire for such experiences, programs like “Hala,” launched by Al-Bait Guests Co., are curating immersive journeys for pilgrims to explore these sacred sites with knowledgeable guides and spiritual context.
Mohammed Al-Shahrani, experience officer in Hajj and Umrah sector said: “Our aim is to enrich the post-Hajj experience. We want pilgrims to understand that the journey of faith continues, and Saudi Arabia is opening its heritage for those who wish to walk in the footsteps of the Prophet.”
MWL, GCC chiefs praise Saudi Arabia’s Hajj success
Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa also extended his congratulations on behalf of all MWL agencies
Updated 09 June 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, has congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on a successful Hajj season.
“This success reflects the Saudi government’s great efforts and capabilities in serving pilgrims and ensuring they perform rituals with ease, safety and security,” he said.
Al-Budaiwi praised the Kingdom’s advanced infrastructure, precise organization, use of modern technologies — including artificial intelligence — and skilled workforce.
“These efforts delivered an exceptional Hajj experience and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s leadership in serving Islam and Muslims,” he added. The secretary-general also lauded the Kingdom’s continuous development of the Hajj system.
Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa also extended his congratulations on behalf of all MWL agencies.
He praised the generous care provided to pilgrims, highlighting the smooth movement between holy sites and the commitment to ensuring their comfort and spiritual focus.