More than two million Muslims begin Hajj pilgrimage

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Muslim pilgrims touch the golden door of the the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. (AP/Amr Nabil)
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The annual Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world. (AP/Amr Nabil)
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Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (AP/Amr Nabil)
Updated 09 August 2019
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More than two million Muslims begin Hajj pilgrimage

  • In total some 2.5 million faithful, the majority from abroad, will undertake the pilgrimage this year
  • During the pilgrimage separate streams of men and women, grouped by nationality, will travel to Mina on foot or in buses

MAKKAH: More than two million Muslims begin the annual Hajj on Friday as the Saudi hosts seek to deter politicization of the pilgrimage against a backdrop of simmering Gulf tensions.
The Hajj, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, is one of Islam’s five pillars and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives.
It consists of a series of religious rites which are completed over five days in Islam’s holiest city and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia.
“All of the arms of state have been deployed (and) we are proud to serve as ‘God’s hosts’,” said security forces spokesman Bassam Attia.
In total some 2.5 million faithful, the majority from abroad, will undertake the pilgrimage this year, according to local media.
“More than 1.8 million visas were delivered online without the need for middlemen. It’s a success,” said Hajj ministry official Hatim bin Hassan Qadi.
“We feel cleansed by achieving this pillar of Islam and meeting people from across the world. It’s marvellous,” said Mohamed Jaafar, a 40-year-old Egyptian pilgrim.
“It’s an indescribable feeling. You have to live it to understand it,” said an Algerian in his fifties completing the pilgrimage for the first time.
“It’s a golden opportunity and moment,” said his female companion.
Makkah, built in a desert valley, is home to the Kaaba, a cube structure that is the focal point of Islam and draped in a gold-embroidered black cloth.
Muslims around the world pray toward the Kaaba, which is located in the Grand Mosque, and pilgrims walk around it seven times.
Worshippers will participate in weekly prayers late on Friday morning.
During the pilgrimage separate streams of men and women, grouped by nationality, will travel to Mina on foot or in buses provided by the authorities.
A district of Makkah, Mina sits in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains and is transformed each year into a vast encampment for pilgrims.
A total of “350,000 air-conditioned tents have been pitched,” said a Saudi official.

Worshippers will climb Mount Arafat, also known as the “Mount of Mercy,” for hours of prayers and Qur'an recitals.
After descending, they will gather pebbles and perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil.”
That marks the beginning of Eid Al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, marked on Sunday.
Pilgrims then return to the Grand Mosque to perform a final “tawaf” or walk around the Kaaba.
This year’s Hajj takes place to a backdrop of Gulf tensions following a series of attacks on tankers, the downing of drones and maritime traffic being intercepted.
Riyadh blames regional foe Tehran for the attacks on commercial shipping, accusations Iran vehemently denies.
Despite the absence of diplomatic ties between the two countries, some 88,550 Iranian pilgrims are due to take part in the Hajj this year according to the Tasnim news agency.
As in previous years, Saudi authorities have been at pains to stress that the Hajj is a religious event and have sought to prevent its politicization.
Riyadh claimed its two-year embargo on Doha — which includes restrictions on Qataris traveling to the kingdom — would not affect the pilgrimage.
But Hajj official Hassan Qadi acknowledged “very few Qataris have come to Makkah for the pilgrimage.”
Saudi’s Hajj ministry accused Qatar of “politicizing the Hajj and creating obstacles for Qatari pilgrims,” the SPA state news agency reported.
The scale of the pilgrimage presents vast security and logistical challenges, with tens of thousands of safety officers deployed.
Riyadh faced strong criticism in 2015 when some 2,300 worshippers were killed in the worst stampede in the gathering’s history.


The wheel of time: Jazan’s vibrant pottery reflects heritage

Updated 02 November 2024
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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

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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

Updated 2 min 14 sec ago
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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

Updated 02 November 2024
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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

Updated 02 November 2024
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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.