CHRISTCHURCH: King Salman’s Hajj offer to host families of those affected by March’s Christchurch terror attacks is “something really special,” said the president of the Muslim Association of Canterbury, Shagaf Khan.
The Saudi king has offered to host and cover the expenses of 200 Hajj pilgrims when they journey to Makkah this year.
Khan said people will be both financially and spiritually supported during the journey. “For some of them, it’ll be a great comfort feeling like they’ve fulfilled the obligations of being a Muslim,” he added.
Khan said a trip to Makkah would normally cost around 10,000 New Zealand dollars ($6,769), but King Salman’s offer would cover pilgrims “from the time they leave their house and come back.”
When asked what the offer would mean for Canterbury’s Muslim community, Khan said it is part of the solidarity and support that has been shown to them since the Christchurch terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 51 people.
“Four months on … people still feel supported and they feel they’re still being remembered,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed Amir, who is working closely with the local community, Saudi Arabia’s Embassy and its Ministry of Islamic Affairs to implement King Salman’s offer, said it will be available for those who had lost family members or been injured in the mosque attacks.
Canterbury’s Muslims are “very appreciative” of the offer, added Amir, who is chairman of the Islamic Scholars Board of New Zealand.
“I’ll say with full confidence that this will be a big relief for the deceased’s families, for the victims, for all those who’ve been injured and affected,” he said.
When asked how the organization of the pilgrimage is going, Amir said “so far, so good,” but added that it has been challenging without official records to track everyone down.
He said it is an honor and a responsibility to help organize the pilgrimage, which he has been helping to plan since the end of Ramadan. “People are very excited about it,” he added.
He said he believed that the king’s offer had been made to help people’s rehabilitation after the terror attacks.
“The community believes he’s going to contribute in building Christchurch and bringing people to a normal life,” Amir added.
Gamal Fouda, imam at Al-Noor Mosque, where 42 people were killed in March, said: “If this offer wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be able to do Hajj all my life.” He added that the offer is a “golden chance” for the local Muslim community.
Fouda said he is looking forward to catching up with relatives who are making the pilgrimage from different parts of the world. “Everyone is very excited,” he added.
Christchurch Muslims praise King Salman’s Hajj offer
Christchurch Muslims praise King Salman’s Hajj offer
- The president of the Muslim Association of Canterbury Shagaf Khan said people will be both financially and spiritually supported during the journey
- Khan said a trip to Makkah would normally cost around 10,000 New Zealand dollars ($6,769), but King Salman’s offer would cover pilgrims “from the time they leave their house and come back”
The wheel of time: Jazan’s vibrant pottery reflects heritage
- Pottery in Jazan is a lasting symbol of authenticity and belonging through the efforts of artisans and enthusiasts
RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region, pottery is not just a craft but also among the oldest heritage crafts embodying the region’s cultural identity. Its creative legacy echoes locals’ dedication to preserving the traditions of their ancestors.
Over the years, the people of Jazan learned to transform clay into durable and functional tools and utensils. These handcrafted items reflect the beauty of Jazan’s nature and the depth of its heritage — a historic art form that strengthens the relationship between locals and land.
Jazan’s artisans have mastered the art of pottery, molding the clay extracted from dry valleys known as “valley clay.” The clay is carefully collected, purified and kneaded to become soft and moldable, Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Simple tools are used in molding clay items before leaving them to dry under the sun for several days. The plates are later placed in traditional kilns at high temperatures to become durable and solid to withstand high temperatures and daily use.
Among the pieces created are cooking pots, cups and utensils that continue to be valuable and are used to cook and serve traditional dishes.
Cooking in clay pots is part of experiencing the region’s heritage and brings with it the warmth of the past. The slow and even distribution of heat makes enhances the dishes that are cooked in it, such as madhbi and mandi.
Despite the emergence of modern household appliances, clay pots for cooking and serving food are still widely popular in Jazan and beyond.
However, SPA’s report noted that although pottery is an appreciated part of heritage in Jazan, it is facing several challenges, including the lack of young Saudi craftsmen and the lack of natural clay resources.
This has compelled local authorities to intensify efforts to support the craft of pottery, such as organizing training courses that enable youths to acquire the skills for carrying the legacy of this tradition into the future.
Local festivals are also being organized to introduce visitors to the importance of pottery in the region’s heritage and its role in the Saudi culture, SPA reported.
Pottery in Jazan is a lasting symbol of authenticity and belonging through the efforts of artisans and enthusiasts. It combines locals’ love for land and nature and represents a significant aspect of the region’s cultural identity.
Authorities arrest 21,370 law-breakers in a week
RIYADH: A campaign to track down and arrest violators of residency, employment and border security regulations was conducted across the Kingdom in last week of October.
A total of 21,370 violators were caught throughout Saudi Arabia, including 12,274 violators of the residency regulations, 5,684 violators of the border security regulations, and 3,412 violators of the employment regulations.
Some 1,492 people were arrested while attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom, of whom 35 percent were Yemeni citizens, 61 percent Ethiopians, and 4 percent of other nationalities. Moreover, 34 people were caught for attempting to irregularly cross the border out of the Kingdom.
Fifteen people were detained for their involvement in transferring, sheltering or employing violators of residency, employment and border security regulations.
Saudi agency aids 258 orphans in Jordan
AMMAN: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has distributed monthly aid to 258 orphaned children from low-income Jordanian and Syrian refugee families in Mafraq and Irbid, Jordan.
Working with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, the Saudi aid agency provided year-long support covering basic living expenses, educational materials, Eid clothing, and recreational activities. The program aims to eventually support 1,000 orphans across Jordan.
Meanwhile, the aid agency recently concluded its project to combat blindness in Kano, Nigeria. The week-long campaign provided vital eye care to the community, including conducting 5,956 examinations, performing 411 surgeries, and distributing 914 eyeglasses.
This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global health and humanitarian aid.
Riyadh to host 34th Saudi Build Exhibition
- The exhibition will be staged alongside the 25th edition of the power and water exhibition Saudi Elenex
RIYADH: The 34th edition of the Saudi Build Exhibition — the region’s largest construction exhibition — will be held from Nov. 4 to Nov. 7 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Up to 600 organizations from 31 countries and 22,000 professionals are expected to attend the event, which is being held under the patronage of the Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail.
The exhibition will be staged alongside the 25th edition of the power and water exhibition Saudi Elenex. It will focus on efforts to transform the construction sector through sustainability and smart technologies.
The Saudi Build Exhibition will cover topics including sustainability, advanced building technologies, and innovation. The event is managed by the Riyadh Exhibitions Company.
Saudi foundation discovers largest recorded sea turtle nesting site in Red Sea
- Discovery of site marks significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s environmental conservation efforts
RIYADH: The Saudi General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Marine Turtles in the Red Sea announced on Saturday it had identified the largest recorded sea turtle nesting site in Saudi waters.
Located on the Four Sisters Islands in the Red Sea, the discovery of the site marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s environmental conservation efforts, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Khaled Asfahani, the organization’s CEO, said that the Four Sisters Islands had been designated as a protected area for sea turtle species management.
“These islands are essential habitats for endangered turtle species in the Red Sea, including the green turtle and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. Protecting these sites is vital for the survival of these species, given that they return to these same nesting grounds each year,” he said.
The Four Sisters Islands — Marmar, Daharb, Malatu and Jadeer — have been identified as critical nesting areas with more than 2,500 recorded turtle nests. The islands are a crucial breeding ground for endangered species in the region.
Asfahani said that conserving the habitats is a strategic priority, as their survival supports the broader Red Sea ecosystem, essential for maintaining biodiversity.
The organization is developing a management plan to protect more than 180 identified beach nesting sites along the Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia.
Its environmental teams are also working to enhance sustainable tourism and eco-friendly entertainment opportunities around the ecosystems, Asfahani said.
Sea turtles are a vital component of the Red Sea ecosystem and contribute to the area’s biological and environmental balance.
