RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on people to sight the crescent of Dhu Al-Hijjah on Monday evening.
Dhu Al-Hijjah is the month during which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place and is the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Anyone who sees the crescent on Monday after sunset should inform the nearest court.
This year, the first of Dhu Al-Hijjah will fall on either July 21 or July 22 depending on the sighting of the crescent. Hajj will start on Dhu Al-Hijjah 8 and end on Dhu Al-Hijjah 12.
Muslims are required to perform Hajj once in their lifetime if they are healthy and have the financial means to do so.
Around 2.5 million pilgrims performed the Hajj in 2019 but the number of people doing Hajj this year will be significantly lower due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Saudi authorities have decided that a very limited number of people of various nationalities residing in the Kingdom will perform Hajj this year in order to ensure the safety of all.
Social distancing will be strictly adhered to and people must be between the ages of 20 and 50 to have been given permission to perform the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia calls on people to sight Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent on Monday
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Saudi Arabia calls on people to sight Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent on Monday
- Anyone who sees the crescent on Monday after sunset should inform the nearest court
- This year, the first of Dhu Al-Hijjah will fall on either July 21 or July 22 depending on the sighting of the crescent
Riding, target sports attract visitors in Asir
- Certified trainers are on hand to provide guidance on horseback riding and archery
RIYADH: Horseback riding and target sports are popular attractions at the Muhayil festival in the Asir region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Held in Muhayil governorate, 80 km northwest of Abha, the festival offers entertainment, sports and shopping.
Horse riding instructor Salma Mohammed said the activities, part of the Muhayil Asir winter program, have drawn significant interest, especially from children.
Mohammed and other trainers teach how to handle horses, offer guided rides, and provide instruction in archery and air-rifle use.
Mohammed, a lifelong horse enthusiast, became a qualified instructor after completing specialized training.
Bandar Al-Hilali, owner of the festival’s horse stable, said the goal is to highlight the significance of horses and teach basic riding and target shooting with the aid of certified trainers.
Horseback riding instruction covers balance, rein handling, calming techniques, and track riding. Archery training includes proper shooting methods and friendly competitions. Participants also learn the basics of air-rifle marksmanship.
Muhayil governorate, in the Tihama Asir region, is experiencing notable economic and tourism growth due to its mild winter climate, attracting visitors from the highlands.
Riyadh Season’s winter fun draws crowds
RIYADH: The Courchevel area in Riyadh Season’s Boulevard World zone has become a highly popular destination since its opening.
This winter wonderland offers a mix of adventure and fun, appealing to those seeking unique experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The journey starts in the ski area, with a large open field for practicing under the guidance of expert trainers.
The snowy atmosphere provides a thrilling backdrop for various challenges and activities, the SPA reported.
There is a section to capture photos and videos to preserve memories of the winter adventure.
The subzone also offers winter supplies for a cozy experience. And visitors can purchase winter-themed souvenirs.
Riyadh Season runs until March 2025 and has already attracted over 13 million people, according to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.
Saudi hospital performs first robotic pancreas transplant
RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center performed the region’s first robotic pancreas transplantation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The milestone surgery on a young male patient suffering from type 1 diabetes freed him from years of insulin dependency and demonstrated the potential of advanced medical innovation to improve quality of life.
The patient had endured type 1 diabetes and severe complications, including kidney failure, for many years, which necessitated a kidney transplant, according to a press release.
Although the kidney transplant was successful, the patient continued to face challenges from diabetes and its associated complications, and his symptoms were unresponsive to conventional treatment, the center said.
Pancreas transplantation emerged as the most effective option to address these challenges and enhance the patient’s quality of life, according to the release.
The procedure, conducted using robotic technology, allowed surgeons to transplant the pancreas with high precision, reducing surgical risks and recovery time.
Earlier this year, the center also performed the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant, building on its 2023 achievement of completing the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant.
Truffle Festival in Qassim will display desert delicacy, boost region’s economy
- Several public and private entities will participate in the festival to promote locally grown truffles and boost the region’s economy
RIYADH: The township of Sheri, in Qassim municipality, is gearing up for the start of its fourth Truffle Festival on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Truffles, an edible subterranean fungus, are prized delicacies worldwide. In the Gulf region, they are known as “faage” and regarded as the finest and most valuable desert fungus.
Several public and private entities will participate in the festival to promote locally grown truffles and boost the region’s economy.
The municipality said that the 10-day festival will feature 18 areas where truffles from more than 15 farms will be displayed and sold at auction.
The festival provides a platform for Saudi businesses and entrepreneurs to show their products and services while also promoting the Kingdom’s burgeoning culinary industry.
The festival will also dedicate 32 areas to families involved in cottage industries and display products such as dates, honey and other foods.
Visitors can enjoy paragliding shows, a children’s theater, hospitality zones, and other attractions.
The wild fungus grows up to 15 centimeters underground in the desert and typically weighs between 30 and 300 grams.
Truffles are generally spherical with a smooth surface and vary in color from white to black. They can range in size from a pistachio seed to an apple or larger.
There are no fixed prices for truffles, which grow in many parts of the Kingdom after the rainy season in November and December, but prices can range from hundreds to thousands of riyals per kilogram, depending on freshness, aroma, and scarcity.
