Hajj 2018: More than 2 million pilgrims begin journey of a lifetime

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Muslim pilgrims walk on a street in the holy city of Makkah on August 18, 2018, ahead of the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE)
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A man pushes the wheelchair of a fellow pilgrim in a street in Makkah on August 18, 2018, ahead of the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE)
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A pilgrim is pushed in a wheelchair on their way to offer prayers in the Grand Mosque in Makkah Aug. 18, 2018, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
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Muslim pilgrims on their way to offer prayers in the Grand Mosque in Makkah Aug. 18, 2018, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Updated 19 August 2018
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Hajj 2018: More than 2 million pilgrims begin journey of a lifetime

  • Massive safety and security operation swings into action as annual Hajj begins
  • The Hajj is an unparalleled logistical operation, with statistics to match. The Saudi Ministry of Health alone has employed nearly 30,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and technicians to provide health care to the pilgrims

MAKKAH: The number of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia passed two million on Saturday, Saudi security chiefs said, as the country finished preparations for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to begin on Sunday.

A final tally will be announced at the beginning of Eid Al-Adha on Tuesday, said Interior Ministry security spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki.

The pilgrims have flown in from almost every country in the world, but all had a similar story to tell — this is the experience of a lifetime.

“This is the first time I have seen the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba. It is the best feeling of my life to be able to perform the Hajj,” said Hisham Mostafa, 50, an accountant from Aleppo who fled the war in Syria five years ago and now lives in Turkey.

Nayef Ahmed, 37, from Yemen, sold a plot of land to be able to afford to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. “Because of the war the cost was very high. But being here I feel comfort and peace and I pray to God for the war to end,” he said.

Najwa, 59, from Tunisia, said: “I came for Umrah in 2007 and today after 10 years of registering and waiting, I am here. I cannot describe the feeling. I cry every day.”

Over the next few days the pilgrims will retrace the steps of the Prophet Muhammad 14 centuries ago — and their safety and security are a Saudi priority.

“We will prevent any actions that are not part of the Hajj ritual and any act that may impact the safety of pilgrims or their ability to perform the rite,” Al-Turki said.

To ensure their safety, pilgrims will wear electronic identification bracelets, connected to GPS. “There is a comprehensive electronic agenda for every pilgrim and we have provided many apps that offer guidance,” said the Minister of Haj and Umrah, Mohammed Salih Bentin.

“We have a fleet of more than 18,000 buses, all of them linked to a control system that tracks their path.”

The Hajj is an unparalleled logistical operation, with statistics to match. The Saudi Ministry of Health alone has employed nearly 30,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and technicians to provide health care to the pilgrims.

The Saudi Red Crescent is operating 127 emergency centers, 361 ambulance cars and 20 emergency motorcycles, with nearly 2,000 staff on duty in Makkah and Madinah.

There will be 22 operational hospitals in Madinah and the holy sites, and 15 temporary emergency centers, supported by a fleet of nearly 90 ambulances and more than 650 paramedics.


Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month

Updated 21 min 29 sec ago
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Mawhiba to host ‘Beyond Creative Minds’ conference this month

  • The organization, which nurtures the talents of gifted students, says event is a ‘global platform for talented and creative youth to collaborate in building a prosperous future’
  • It is expected to attract experts and researchers in the fields of science, technology and innovation from more than 50 countries

RIYADH: Mawhiba, an organization that works to nurture the talents of gifted students in scientific fields, will hold its third international conference this month with the theme “Beyond Creative Minds.”

Its Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity will take place from Nov. 24 to 26 at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh. Khalid Al-Sharif, the organization’s acting secretary-general, described the event as a “global platform for talented and creative youth to collaborate in building a prosperous future through the exchange of ideas and expertise.”

He told the Saudi Press Agency: “The event reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting and empowering talent and promoting a culture of innovation to address future global challenges.”

The conference is expected to attract experts and researchers in the fields of science, technology and innovation from more than 50 countries, many of whom will give keynote speeches, take part in panel discussions and lead workshops.

Al-Sharif said the event will include a “‘creathon’ aimed at finding creative solutions to contemporary challenges. Attendees will also have access to exhibitions and various cultural visits scheduled alongside the conference.”

He added that Mawhiba, more formally known as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, will continue to develop talent, support creativity and provide resources to nurture the potential of gifted individuals. He thanked Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan for the substantial support he provides for the biennial conference.


Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation

Updated 14 November 2024
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Saudi and French ministers discuss cultural cooperation

  • Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Rachida Dati discussed cultural exchanges and cooperation relating to museums, libraries, theater, the arts, cuisine, heritage and film production

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and his French counterpart, Rachida Dati, held talks in Paris on Wednesday on cultural cooperation.

They discussed cultural exchanges between their countries and cooperation relating to museums, libraries, theater, the arts, cuisine, heritage and film production.

Riyadh and Paris are looking to strengthen partnerships, nurture talent through training programs for workers in cultural sectors, and exchange expertise, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kingdom’s assistant culture minister, Rakan Al-Touq, also took part in the meeting.


Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Updated 13 November 2024
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Riyadh governor receives Albania’s envoy

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Ambassador of Albania to the Kingdom Saimir Bala in Riyadh on Wednesday.

They discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz met with Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko in Dammam on Wednesday.

Prince Saud welcomed the ambassador to the Eastern Province. During the meeting, the two exchanged friendly talks and discussed a number of topics.
 


Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future

Updated 13 November 2024
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Biofach offers look into Saudi Arabia’s agricultural growth, future

  • The Kingdom and MENA region represent an emerging market for organic food, says organizing official

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is among the Gulf Cooperation Council nations taking significant steps to invest in developing its organic food and beverage sector, which has experienced a growth surge in recent years.

The three-day Biofach Saudi Arabia, which was held alongside Saudi Organic Food Day and concluded on Wednesday, is a key platform showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to developing its agricultural future.

Biofach was organized by 1st Arabia Tradeshows and Conferences in collaboration with NurnbergMesse, with support from the Saudi Ministry for Energy, Water and Agriculture and the Saudi Organic Farming Association.

Christian Beyer, manager of international events at NurnbergMesse, highlighted the potential of the Middle East and North Africa region: “The MENA region, especially Saudi Arabia, represents an emerging market for organic food that was estimated at USD 7 billion in 2022 and can expect ongoing growth.”

Recognizing the importance of organic farming for food security and environmental sustainability, Saudi authorities are focusing on enhancing rural production and improving supply chains to ensure organic products reach consumers efficiently.

The exhibition’s knowledge-exchange platform addressed local challenges, including effective water and fertilizer management, which are crucial for the region’s arid climate.

Among the exhibitors was the Saudi company Aamal Al-Andalus, which provides organic fertilizers to address soil degradation and declining fertility. Their products are said to help treat and reduce environmental stress, increase agricultural production, and improve the quality of crops to enhance export opportunities.

Youssif Abdulqader, sales manager and engineer at Aamal Al-Andalus, told Arab News: “Food around the world is increasingly going organic, particularly when all inputs in the plants come from organic and safe sources.”

He noted that this shift is largely driven by the health issues linked to consuming fruits and vegetables produced through conventional farming methods, which are often less beneficial or even harmful to human well-being.

Abdulqader explained: “Conventional farming practices are generally well-structured and effective; however, they face challenges such as the excessive use of pesticides and their persistence in the soil.”

Farmers often encounter bacterial issues within their crops that need to be addressed cost-effectively to maximize profitability.

“This is where organic alternatives can be prohibitively expensive, prompting conventional farmers to seek cheaper, often internationally banned options,” he added.

He added that the use of pesticides results in chemical residues that can remain in the plant’s environment.

These residues pose significant health risks when consumers ingest vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes.

“There is a concern that these chemicals may contain heavy metals that the human body cannot process, leading to serious health issues such as cancer, kidney failure, and liver diseases, which are frequently associated with traditional farming practices,” he explained.


Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

Updated 13 November 2024
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Prophet’s Mosque imam attends India peace forum

  • More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views

RIYADH: The imam and khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Baijan, took part in a peace conference themed “Islam is the Religion of Humanity and Peace” during his recent visit to India

More than 50,000 Muslims attended the event, which was broadcast on several media platforms and garnered more than 4 million views, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

As guest of honor, Al-Baijan delivered a speech in which he said that Islam was a religion of security and peace. He warned against divisions among Muslims and said that such discord threatened national unity, led to chaos and could incite wars.

Minister for Wakf and Haj in the government of Kerala Shri. V. Abdurahiman also spoke at the event, praising Saudi Arabia for its efforts in promoting Islam, peace and moderation.

Al-Baijan also joined the 35th All India Ahle Hadith Conference in New Delhi, where he commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts, led by its leadership, to promote security, peace, stability and the safeguarding of human dignity globally.