Anxieties, challenges upon physical return to school in Saudi Arabia

Millions of school students across Saudi Arabia returned to the classroom on Aug. 29 despite COVID-19 still posing a major threat in the country. (SPA)
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Updated 07 September 2021
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Anxieties, challenges upon physical return to school in Saudi Arabia

  • Parents need to recognize their own limits and take care of themselves as well. They can connect the students with resources whether it is a therapist or a teacher

JEDDAH: As students leave the comfort of their homes and return to schools for in-person learning, some anticipate challenges for students trying to get back in the right headspace so they can resume their normal lives.
Millions of school students across Saudi Arabia returned to the classroom on Aug. 29 despite coronavirus (COVID-19) still posing a major threat in the country. The Saudi Ministry of Health confirmed 138 new cases on Saturday and seven COVID-19 related deaths.
Before students arrived, however, the Saudi Ministry of Education announced new regulations for students who wished to attend classes on campus.
Only vaccinated students can attend in-person schooling while students who were not able to receive their vaccination doses remain at home as classes are uploaded by their teachers on the ministry-approved Madrasati platform.
Vaccination or not, uncertainty has been felt by parents, education staff, and students alike.

FASTFACT

School counselors urge parents to create an open space for their children to talk and express their concerns regarding the shift.

Hafsa Khalid, a 13-year-old student, told Arab News about some of the problems she faced upon returning to her school. Because of the pandemic, she has been out of touch with her friends as many of her former classmates have not come back to the classroom.
“When I returned to school, it felt like I was in a new place altogether,” she said. “One of the comforts of going to school was seeing my classmates, but now a lot of them are gone.”
But since she has returned, Hafsa is trying to stay optimistic and heed her mother’s advice.




Academic organizations play a big role in the management of students’ mental health. (SPA)

“She said to take this as an opportunity, meet new friends and make the most of returning to school,” Hafsa said. “Mama says that these are important years.”
School counselor Hayat Abu-Ghazaleh, 27, highlighted the pressures of adjusting to classroom routines and potential anxieties about being inside classrooms during a pandemic.
“This will depend on how many contacts the students have had with other children,” she said. “They may or may not have issues adjusting to being around others, performing and maintaining friendships.”
Abu-Ghazaleh urged parents to create an open space for their children to talk and express their concerns regarding the shift.
“Parents need to recognize their own limits and take care of themselves as well,” she said. “They do not need to do this alone. They can connect the students with resources whether it is a therapist or a teacher.”
Parents have also been concerned about their children returning to school. Hafsa’s mother, Yasmin Khalid, talked about the underlying issues her daughter has faced and the impact it has had on her.
“I am losing my mind a little bit as I have to look after my daughter’s mental and physical health,” she told Arab News.
“We have to instruct her over and over again to follow the COVID-19 instructions, keep the pressure off her so as to not stress her out while simultaneously look after her grades and secure a future. It is a lot.”
For short-term solutions to sudden bursts of anxiety, the counselor suggested coping strategies like breathing exercises or talking to a trusted individual during a potential panic attack.
When it comes to long-term anxiety management, students should stick to their self-care routines, like seeking help when they feel that they can not handle a situation or talking to people around them.
Academic organizations play a big role in the management of students’ mental health, Abu-Ghazaleh said. To play their part, the schools should hire counselors and therapists, and allow the students time to readjust.
“We all need to adjust our expectations of where students will be academically and behaviorally,” she said.
“We have to be compassionate with ourselves and others of the collective trauma we have been through and continue to go through. Some have been affected more than others and schools, teachers and administrators should take that into consideration.”


Prophet’s Mosque prepares prayer areas, courtyards to receive post-Hajj worshippers in Madinah

Updated 10 June 2025
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Prophet’s Mosque prepares prayer areas, courtyards to receive post-Hajj worshippers in Madinah

  • The entry and exit points of the Prophet’s Mosque were assessed to minimize congestion and overcrowding
  • General Authority said its goal is to allow worshippers to perform their rituals in a calm, orderly, and reverent atmosphere

Madinah: The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, located in the Hijaz region of Saudi Arabia, has improved and updated its crowd management in preparation to receive worshippers during the post-Hajj period.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, which oversees the mosques in Makkah and Madinah, announced on Tuesday that the Prophet’s Mosque and its courtyards and praying areas had been prepared to offer a safe and organized environment for worshippers.

The entry and exit points of the mosque were assessed to minimize congestion and overcrowding, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Signs were placed to direct worshippers to the prayer areas and to prohibit sitting or praying in the mosque’s corridors and courtyards, ensuring smooth foot traffic.

The authority said its goal is to allow worshippers to perform their rituals in a calm, orderly, and reverent atmosphere, according to the SPA.

Over 1.4 million pilgrims concluded this week the Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage that able Muslims must undertake, and they visited various holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, including the Prophet’s Mosque.


Historic village and beaches throng with Eid holiday tourists

Updated 10 June 2025
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Historic village and beaches throng with Eid holiday tourists

  • Visitors enjoy heritage, hospitality, natural beauty

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission welcomed many visitors to Thee Ain Historical Village, located in the Al-Makhwah governorate of the Baha region, during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. 

Launched in partnership with the principality of the Baha region, the initiative featured a hospitality corner where visitors received gifts and detailed information about the area, with a focus on the historical village. 

The village is one of the most significant tourist destinations in the region, situated 2,000 meters above sea level, a Saudi Press Agency report said. 

It has a rich history spanning centuries, with stone structures topped by roofs made from juniper wood sourced from nearby forests. 

The balconies are decorated with quartz stones arranged in contiguous triangles. The village includes defensive fortresses built for protection and surveillance. 

Thee Ain benefits from an ideal agricultural environment, especially for cultivating pandanus and bananas, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. 

During Eid, Haql governorate also had a significant rise in visitors drawn to its scenic beaches, parks, and mild weather.

Families favor Haql’s natural beach pools and key tourist attractions, according to the SPA.

These pools offer a perfect setting for enjoying nature, fishing, and swimming. Nearby parks provide a peaceful retreat for visitors to relax amid natural beauty, the SPA added.

Umluj beaches also attracted many visitors and picnickers during the holiday. Coastal spots including Duqm Beach and the Southern Corniche had a notable influx of families and tourists seeking serene natural settings and sea views.

Umluj governorate, on the Red Sea coast in Tabuk region, is a major tourist destination known for its diverse landscapes — sea, mountains and plains — and mild summer weather.

The Umluj municipality prepared extensively for the influx by upgrading beaches and parks, enhancing facilities, and increasing cleaning and health inspections to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.


More than 94K individuals worked in organizing this year’s Hajj

Over 94,000 people participated in organizing this year’s Hajj season in Saudi Arabia. (@HajMinistry)
Updated 10 June 2025
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More than 94K individuals worked in organizing this year’s Hajj

  • People were involved in serving pilgrims in various fields and organizational locations in Makkah and Madinah
  • The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah conducted over 70,000 field inspections during Hajj, examining pilgrims’ accommodation

RIYADH: Over 94,000 people participated in organizing the Hajj season in Saudi Arabia, where 1.4 million Muslims performed the pilgrimage in early June.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported on Tuesday that individuals served pilgrims in various fields and organizational locations in Makkah and Madinah as part of the ministry’s efforts in running the Hajj.

The ministry said its Compliance Center conducted over 70,000 field inspections during Hajj, examining pilgrim accommodation, camps, central kitchens, and operational facilities.

The Nusuk Care initiative offered over 845,000 direct services, including health, psychological, and language support, it added. Over 3,000 volunteers supported government efforts during the Hajj season, serving pilgrims at over 107 contact points and distributed across six tracks.

The ministry said these field indicators demonstrate the level of planning, precision, and investment in human resources and technology, which is aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


2 journeys, 1 destination: Hajj through the eyes of the young, elderly

Updated 10 June 2025
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2 journeys, 1 destination: Hajj through the eyes of the young, elderly

  • Generations decades apart walk same sacred path

MINA: Mina was alive in recent days with the footsteps of millions, yet every pilgrim’s pace told a different story, from those who waited decades for the moment to those capturing it in real time.

In the tent city of Mina, two pilgrims rested side by side: one catching his breath, the other capturing a selfie. One scrolled through prayer times on his smartphone; the other adjusted the strap of his orthopedic sandal. One leaned on a walking stick; the other scrolled through digital navigation. But both wore the same white ihram and followed the same steps.

This was the paradox of Hajj 2025, where generations decades apart walked the same sacred path in remarkably different ways. They shared no common language except the unspoken one of faith.

For 73-year-old Moinuddin from Pakistan, the pilgrimage was a long-awaited dream, one that had been etched over decades of supplication.

He said: “I have the desire and I ask help from God to give me courage and power to perform this Hajj for the Isaal-e-Sawaab (gifting of spiritual rewards) for my mother.”

He paused often, not just for rest, but to reflect — at Arafat, in Muzdalifah, and between the pillars of Jamarat.

Just a few rows behind him, Mustafa, 22, from Denmark, documented his Hajj in quick snaps and video clips. He brought a camera with him to capture the moments for his friends and family back home. He said: “Coming here as a young person, I am grateful. I see a lot of older people and it’s difficult; you have to work a lot.”

While Mustafa relied on digital navigation to track his group, Moinuddin leaned gently on a young companion’s shoulder. Both pilgrims endured the same sun, the same crowds, and the same powerful rituals, but the lens through which they experienced Hajj was shaped by their stage in life.

As the majority of pilgrims were elderly, many arrived with wheelchairs, walkers, or full family support. Their presence was treated with reverence — volunteers readily offered water, fans, and silent prayers as they passed.

In contrast, the younger generation brought a different rhythm — one of documentation, discovery, digital devotion, QR codes at checkpoints, real-time language translation apps, and virtual guides to make this year’s Hajj more accessible than ever.

But tech aside, the younger pilgrims still found themselves drawn into moments of stillness.

What binds both ends of the age spectrum was the raw, shared surrender to something greater. In a space where nationality, status, and language dissolve, so too does age. You could be 18 or 81 — you still bow to the same qibla.

At Mina, where pebbles were cast in symbolic defiance of ego, one young man gently steadied an old man’s arm before throwing his own stones. A quiet exchange, but one that said everything.

As pilgrims circled the Kaaba one final time before departure, the generational divide faded further. Some walked swiftly, others were pushed gently in wheelchairs, but all completed the same Tawaf Al-Wadaa (farewell tawaf).

The journey in the end was not measured in steps or speed, but in surrender. And that, in the valley of Makkah, was a language every pilgrim spoke fluently.


Exploring the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia’s sacred heritage

Beyond the holy cities, other sacred destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. (Supplied/File
Updated 09 June 2025
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Exploring the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia’s sacred heritage

  • In the holy city of Makkah, pilgrims visit Jabal Al-Nour, whose name means “Mountain of Light”

JEDDAH: As pilgrims complete the sacred rites of Hajj, many embark on a deeper spiritual journey by exploring historic Islamic sites across Saudi Arabia to connect with the roots of their faith.

In the holy city of Makkah, pilgrims visit Jabal Al-Nour, whose name means “Mountain of Light.” At its peak lies the Cave of Hira, where the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed through the Angel Jibreel.

The mountain’s distinctive camel-hump shape makes it a striking landmark, especially with the nearby Hira Cultural District, where the Revelation Gallery offers pilgrims to learn the story of divine revelation and history.

Beyond the holy cities, other sacred destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. (Supplied/File photo)

Ahmed Khan, a private tour guide said: “There’s something unexplainable about standing where it all began. When I take pilgrims to Jabal al-Nour, many of them are moved to tears it’s not just a climb, but it’s a spiritual awakening.”

To the south lies Jabal Thawr, the mountain that cradled the Prophet and his companion Abu Bakr as-Siddiq in its cave during their migration to Madinah. The story of divine protection, where a spider’s web and a dove’s nest concealed their presence from their pursuers, resonates deeply with pilgrims.

Another frequently visited site is Jabal Abu Qubays, believed in some traditions to be the first mountain placed on Earth. As the closest peak to the Grand Mosque, it resonates with the early public da’wah and the great spiritual responsibility.

FASTFACTS

• Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where revelation changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah, remains a must-visit site for pilgrims. 

• Programs like ‘Hala,’ launched by Al-Bait Guests Co., are curating journeys for pilgrims to explore with knowledgeable guides. 

Nearby, the modest yet historically significant Al-Bay’ah Mosque marks the location of the Pledge of Aqabah, where the Ansar of Madinah pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad.

Built during the Abbasid era, it symbolizes early Muslim unity and commitment to the new faith. A short distance away in Al-Hajun district is Jabal Al-Sayyidah, at the base of which lies the revered Al-Ma’la Cemetery, resting place of Khadijah, the Prophet’s beloved wife. Her grave remains a focal point of deep reverence.

“Pilgrims love visiting these places and it helps them to understand the sacrifices of the people who shaped Islam,” Khan added.

Madinah has its own timeless legacy. Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where revelation changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah and marked a defining shift in Muslim identity and remains a must-visit site for pilgrims.

Hussain Rauff, regional director of Madinah Hotels at Elaf Al-Taqwa, said: “We’re planning to organize guided tours across Madinah to help pilgrims explore the city’s rich Islamic heritage. It’s a meaningful way to extend their spiritual journey beyond the rituals of Hajj.”

Further west of the Prophet’s Mosque lies the cluster known as the Seven Mosques, each linked to events from the Battle of the Trench. Among them are Al-Fath Mosque and those named after figures such as Fatimah, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Salman Al-Farsi. These mosques are rich in historical memory and serve as reminders of hardship during one of Islam’s critical battles.

Mount Uhud rises just north of Madinah city, its slopes reminds of the Battle of Uhud and the place where the Prophet’s uncle, Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, and 70 companions were martyred. Today, pilgrims pause at the Uhud Martyrs Cemetery indicating the modesty found in victory and the strength drawn from loss.

Equally powerful is a visit to Baqi’ Al-Gharqad Cemetery, the resting place of many of the Prophet’s family members and companions. Located near the Prophet’s Mosque, the cemetery has long served as a site for prayer and remembrance, offering pilgrims a moment of intimate connection with those who stood beside the Prophet during Islam’s formative years.

Beyond the holy cities, other destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. Northwest of Madinah lies Khaybar, the site of a pivotal military campaign that showcases both the strategic and ethical dimensions of the Prophet’s leadership. Its volcanic terrain and ancient fortifications tell stories etched in stone.

Fatima Al-Mutairi, a pilgrim from Kuwait: “I am planning to visit these places in Jeddah and Taif after my Hajj. I am planning to visit the Tomb of Hawa in Jeddah and in Taif, I look forward to visiting Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas, to pay tribute to one of the great scholars whose work in Qur’anic interpretation and Hadith continues to inspire many seekers of knowledge.”

Recognizing the growing desire for such experiences, programs like “Hala,” launched by Al-Bait Guests Co., are curating immersive journeys for pilgrims to explore these sacred sites with knowledgeable guides and spiritual context.

Mohammed Al-Shahrani, experience officer in Hajj and Umrah sector said: “Our aim is to enrich the post-Hajj experience. We want pilgrims to understand that the journey of faith continues, and Saudi Arabia is opening its heritage for those who wish to walk in the footsteps of the Prophet.”