A blend of colors and cultures as pilgrims mark Eid in Makkah

The cities of Makkah and Madinah have a long history of receiving pilgrims. (AN photo/Tariq Al-Thaqafi)
Updated 05 June 2019
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A blend of colors and cultures as pilgrims mark Eid in Makkah

MAKKAH: The squares surrounding the Holy Mosque of Makkah turned into a scene full of colors today, as pilgrims from across the world spent Eid Al-Fitr in one of the holiest cities in Islam.

Children can be seen wearing a mix of traditional Saudi clothing, with young boys trying to decipher how to put on the traditional ghutra (headdress).

Indian pilgrim Mohammed Raihan noted that Indian pilgrims were eager to wear traditional Eid garments — he was wearing elegant attire rich in colors, though his peers prefer the “Kurta Pajama,” the formal white Indian outfit of the Muslim-majority of the state of Kerala.

Yaqoob Mohamed Abdullah, from Niger, said that his traditional wear consisted of three embroidered pieces — pants, hat and shirt. He explained that African heritage is all about blatant colors as an expression of the importance of the event.

Indian pilgrim Mohammed Atif noted that this was his first Eid spent abroad, and he found it completely different in terms of the sense of brotherhood and love among this melting pot of peoples, traditions, cultures and nationalities.

Embroidery

Another Indian pilgrim, Rahman Akbar, added that Indians, he felt, were attached to their traditions despite their contact with many cultures and their migration to Europe and America.

Zakia Hajji from Nigeria said she made sure to wear her lively traditional wear, consisting of a green headband with shiny embroidery on it, and long and loose cloaks. Traditional wear, she told Arab News, is very important, as men and women alike understand the meaning and importance of celebrating Eid.  

Fatima, from Malaysia, stated that many Muslim women wear long pants, skirts and head scarves, and that Malay women differ in tastes from the Indians who prefer to wear the sari and salwar, while men wear the “Kurta Pajama.” 

The cities of Makkah and Madinah have a long history of receiving pilgrims, with many of their customs and traditions still lingering and kept for people to enjoy, a home away from home for religious travelers. 

Indonesian, African, Indian, Afghan and Pakistani restaurants and specialty shops among others, can be found spread across the cities for pilgrims to visit and purchase items that remind them of home.


Asir launches campaign to promote organic food culture

Updated 57 min 58 sec ago
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Asir launches campaign to promote organic food culture

  • Ahmed Al-Mojathel: Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system
  • Initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society

ABHA: A public awareness campaign by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture kicked off Organic Food Day 2024 in Saudi Arabia, reported Saudi Press Agency.

Ahmed Al-Mojathel, director of the ministry’s Asir branch, said: “Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system.

“We are working to enhance consumer awareness about the benefits of organic foods while encouraging innovation and excellence in organic product quality.”

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society.

Al-Mojathel said the campaign also aimed to achieve economic and social objectives supporting the development of the organic food sector across the Kingdom.


Officials detained as investigators smash drug-smuggling operation at Al-Jouf Airport

Updated 14 November 2024
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Officials detained as investigators smash drug-smuggling operation at Al-Jouf Airport

  • 9 people arrested, including Ministry of Interior employee, 4 people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and a Saudi Electricity Company worker

RIYADH: A drug smuggling operation at Al-Jouf International Airport in Saudi Arabia, in which several government and other public-sector officials allegedly were involved, has been shut down following an extensive investigation.

An official source at the Ministry of Interior said on Thursday that nine people were detained, including a ministry employee, four people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and one from the Saudi Electricity Company.

Their alleged roles in the smuggling network included helping to get the drugs into the Kingdom, ensuring shipments bypassed inspections, transporting them, and concealing them in homes and at other locations.

They also engaged in the promotion and distribution of the narcotics in the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The amount and type of drugs involved was not immediately apparent.

The Ministry of Interior said it remains committed to confronting all threats to national security and will take stringent action against anyone who jeopardizes the safety and stability of the country.


Saudi Music Commission launches self-learn digital platform for budding musicians

Updated 14 November 2024
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Saudi Music Commission launches self-learn digital platform for budding musicians

  • MusiqAI offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments

RIYADH: The Saudi Music Commission has launched an interactive digital platform to teach music to enthusiasts wanting to start playing an instrument or further their musical knowledge.

MusiqAI is the first self-learn digital platform for music in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. It offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments.

The platform name, which includes “AI,” the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, can be translated from Arabic as “My Music.”

The commission said in a statement that MusiqAI offers online courses and trains enthusiasts and professionals on the latest technologies in music production. It also provides accredited certificates, easy access to video streaming courses, and a self-paced learning experience, anytime and from anywhere.

MusiqAI aims to offer a unique way of learning various music genres — in Saudi Arabia and globally — whether by picking an Arabic or Western instrument such as the drums, guitar or oud, and communicating with trainers and experts on the platform.

The commission said nurturing and supporting musical talent are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. In March, the commission launched the Saudi Music Memory initiative to highlight the history of Saudi art and offer academically documented research for musicians and researchers.

To register on the MusiqAI platform, visit the commission website: https://music.moc.gov.sa/en 


OIC discusses draft humanitarian funds statute

Updated 14 November 2024
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OIC discusses draft humanitarian funds statute

  • It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute
  • Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds

JEDDAH: The general secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held a meeting of the open-ended Group of Governmental Experts in Jeddah on Thursday.
It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute, in accordance with the Council of Foreign Ministers.
OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha said that the meeting was held amid difficult and harsh humanitarian circumstances that required concerted efforts and collective action to adopt actions to help contain humanitarian crises and hardships.
In his speech, Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds, undertake the necessary reforms to their working mechanism and support them with the financial resources to enable them to fulfil their role.
The statement delivered by assistant secretary-general for humanitarian, cultural and social affairs, ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, on behalf of OIC’s secretary-general, highlighted the significant challenges faced by member states in the humanitarian field.


KSrelief distributes shelter supplies in Afghanistan

Updated 14 November 2024
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KSrelief distributes shelter supplies in Afghanistan

  • KSrelief will distribute 4,882 shelter items, such as tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other supplies

KABUL: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has launched a shelter project for people returning from Pakistan to Afghanistan and victims of the 2024 floods.

It will distribute 4,882 shelter items, such as tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other supplies across the provinces of Kabul, Ghazni, Bamyan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Baghlan, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Herat, Nimroz, Nangarhar and Laghman. The project will help 29,292 people.

The scheme is part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief efforts, through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people.