Boost for Saudi youth with Mawhiba, KAUST signing new pact
Boost for Saudi youth with Mawhiba, KAUST signing new pact/node/2215316/saudi-arabia
Boost for Saudi youth with Mawhiba, KAUST signing new pact
King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) and King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) representatives signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aiming at enhancing youth capabilities and supporting creativity. (Supplied)
Boost for Saudi youth with Mawhiba, KAUST signing new pact
Focus on science, technology through training
Students to access university’s labs, services
Updated 13 December 2022
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
JEDDAH: In a major boost for the development of Saudi Arabia’s youth, the King Abdul Aziz and His Companions’ Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, has signed an agreement with King Abdullah University for Science and Technology focusing on education and training.
The memorandum of understanding is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and was inked on Monday on the sidelines of Mawhiba’s ongoing second Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity in Jeddah. KAUST President Prof. Tony Chan signed the pact with Mawhiba’s Secretary-General Dr. Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazzaa.
The MoU includes cooperation in research programs, with KAUST providing Mawhiba students with access to all its laboratories, facilities, services and training programs.
Al-Hazzaa said that the signing of the pact with KAUST would help boost the nation’s development by preparing the “future leaders of the Saudi knowledge economy.”
Chan said that KAUST was proud of the agreement. “We firmly believe that through our strong collaboration with Mawhiba we can enhance the growth of the Kingdom’s research, development, and innovation ecosystem to … build the right foundation to meet the most difficult research challenges in Saudi Arabia and the world.”
Dr. Najah Ashry, KAUST’s vice president, said the agreement was aimed at the future. “In light of the ambitious Saudi vision and unprecedented transformation, we are investing in the next generation of Saudi scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and visionaries.”
“We are full of confidence that through this MoU we can enhance our collaborative efforts to develop talents in a way that can, hopefully, help build a sustainable and prosperous future for the Kingdom.”
KAUST is an academic and research institution focused on the advancement of science and technology at regional and global levels. Mawhiba is a non-profit endowment organization that aims to identify and nurture talented and gifted Saudi students in these areas.
Saudi pumps 895,622 cubic meters of water on Arafat Day
Updated 10 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: The Saudi Water Authority announced that the water system pumped 895,622 cubic meters of water in Makkah and the holy sites during Arafat Day.
The total volume pumped since the start of the Dhu Al-Hijjah month, through its ninth day, reached 7,794,799 cubic meters, SPA reported on Friday.
This operational achievement aligns with a meticulously designed plan to ensure an uninterrupted water supply, leveraging production and transport capacities that meet the peak daily demand of more than 1.2 million cubic meters. The system’s pumping capacity surpasses one million cubic meters daily.
Operational oversight included 4,908 laboratory tests on Arafat Day to ensure water quality and safety. These tests elevate total inspections to record levels, reinforcing confidence in supply quality for pilgrims.
Compliance and monitoring teams from the Saudi Water Authority conducted more than 5,000 field inspections across pilgrim camps and service facilities in Mina and Arafat to assess water services for pilgrims.
While women have always traditionally supported the pilgrimage, their role is growing under Vision 2030
‘Education is key,’ says professor dedicated to increasing women’s participation in Hajj services
Updated 49 sec ago
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: The role played by women during Hajj has evolved considerably in recent years, highlighting their contributions to one of the world’s largest gatherings of humanity.
One inspiring woman involved in the pilgrimage is Alyaa Malibari, a professor at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah.
She has dedicated her career to enhancing pilgrims’ experiences while also empowering other women and works with several operators to run courses for members of the public interested in volunteering during Hajj.
(AN photo/Adnan Salem Mahdaly)
She devised the Qaidat program, a leadership initiative for women that introduces them to various roles and responsibilities. Another, Hunna, is a female-led project that aligns with Vision 2030 and focuses on applying innovative practices during Hajj. Meanwhile, the Aguadyat program empowers women in food safety, enhancing the quality of meals provided to pilgrims.
Women have been integral to Hajj ever since its inception, offering hospitality, preparing meals and sharing religious knowledge. Today, their roles have expanded to reflect their educational and professional advancements.
Malibari has been a pivotal figure. With a background in leadership training and communication, she began her journey at a young age, inspired by her family’s commitment to serving pilgrims.
“My earliest memories of Hajj are filled with admiration for my father and the work he did. I always knew I wanted to contribute in some way,” she said, adding that empowering women was a lifelong commitment: “I want to ensure that women have the tools and knowledge to thrive during Hajj.”
Malibari’s earliest memories of Hajj are of when she was five years old and accompanied her father. Her formal involvement began in 2005 when she volunteered with the Women’s Assembly at Umm Al-Qura to assist female pilgrims.
(AN photo/Adnan Salem Mahdaly)
She later studied abroad, which allowed her to bring international attention to Saudi efforts in serving pilgrims.
“It was important for me to share our story with the world and highlight the dedication of those who serve,” she said.
In 2019, Malibari led a translation project for the Ministry of Media, producing multilingual content to enhance communication.
Beyond her contributions during Hajj, Malibari is a dedicated doctor and academic. She is keen to emphasize the importance of education and aims to inspire the next generation of leaders.
“Education is the key to unlocking potential. I want my students to understand that they can make a difference,” she said.
Muslim pilgrims ‘stone the devil’ as Hajj nears end in Saudi Arabia
Muslims taking part in the pilgrimage throw seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolizing the devil in the Mina valley
Updated 06 June 2025
AFP
MINA, Saudi Arabia: Pilgrims were performing the last major ritual of the Hajj — the “stoning of the devil” — on Friday, as Muslims around the globe celebrated the beginning of the Eid Al-Adha holiday.
From before day break, the 1.6 million-plus pilgrims began throwing seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolising the devil in the Mina valley, on the outskirts of the holy city of Makkah.
Droves of pilgrims had already set out from their accommodation in the sprawling tent city in Mina before dawn, taking advantage of the cool temperatures.
The ritual commemorates Abraham’s stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God’s order to sacrifice his son.
“Our experience in Mina was easy and simple. We entered and within five minutes we had completed the stoning of the devil at the ‘Jamarat’,” said 34-year-old Wael Ahmed Abdel Kader, from Egypt, after carrying out the ritual at dawn.
Howakita, a pilgrim from Guinea, said the prospect of celebrating Eid in Makkah filled her with joy.
“When I threw the stones I felt at ease. I was truly proud,” she said.
A day earlier, pilgrims converged on Mount Arafat, praying and reciting Qur’anic verses at the 70-meter (230-foot) rocky rise near Makkah, where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon.
Many climbed the mount despite the searing heat, though numbers had thinned by midday following official warnings for pilgrims to stay inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..
This year’s Hajj saw authorities implementing a range of heat mitigation efforts alongside a wide-ranging crackdown on illicit pilgrims — resulting in noticeably thinner crowds and a heavy security presence at holy sites in Makkah and surrounding areas.
The measures were aimed at preventing a repeat of last year’s Hajj that saw 1,301 people die in temperatures that hit 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).
Saudi authorities said a majority of those deaths were among pilgrims who slipped into Makkah illegally and lacked access to accommodation and other services aimed to keep pilgrims safe and protected from the searing desert heat.
This Hajj season has recorded the lowest number of pilgrims in over three decades, barring the years of Covid restrictions from 2020-2022.
Last year, 1.8 million Muslims took part in the Hajj, according to official figures.
Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by a lottery system.
But even for those who can secure them, the high costs spur many to attempt the Hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught.
The stoning ritual in the Mina valley was the scene of a fatal stampede in 2015, when 2,300 people were killed in one of the deadliest Hajj disasters.
Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
The pilgrimages are also a source of prestige for the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Medina.
The end of the Hajj coincides with the beginning of Eid Al-Adha — an annual feasting holiday marked by the slaughter of an animal — typically a goat, sheep, cow, bull or camel.
Pilgrims depart Muzdalifah at midnight for stoning ritual in Mina
Each pilgrim casts seven pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba, symbolizing the rejection of evil. The ritual is repeated over the next two days at all three Jamarat pillars
Updated 06 June 2025
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: The early hours of Friday saw pilgrims start the journey from Muzdalifah to Mina, where they will perform one of Hajj’s most symbolic rituals — the stoning of the Jamarat, which marks the beginning of Eid Al-Adha and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of Satan.
Following a night of worship and rest, where the travelers combined and shortened the Maghrib and Isha prayers and collected pebbles for the ritual, the movement to Mina began shortly after midnight.
Saudi authorities orchestrated operations with meticulous precision, ensuring pilgrims moved in structured waves to prevent overcrowding and followed routes mapped out in advance by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.
Security personnel, crowd control units and volunteer guides lined the roads to ensure pilgrims — many of whom were elderly or physically exhausted — could travel safely.
Transportation was provided by a fleet of buses operating on strict schedules. Many people also used the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, the dedicated Hajj-only rail system which loops between Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah and can carry up to 72,000 passengers per hour. According to Saudi Press Agency, the nine-station line significantly reduced surface congestion and supported the Kingdom’s strategy for a safe and sustainable Hajj.
Upon arrival in Mina, pilgrims proceeded to Jamarat Bridge, a purpose-built, multi-level structure designed to accommodate millions performing the stoning ritual.
Each pilgrim casts seven pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba, symbolizing the rejection of evil. The ritual is repeated over the next two days at all three Jamarat pillars.
The millions of pebbles fall into the Jamarat’s basement, which is 15 meters deep, where they are collected by conveyor belts.
They are then sifted, washed to remove impurities, and transferred to storage vehicles. Ahmed Al-Subhi, a representative of Kidana Development Co., which manages the holy sites, said bags of pebbles were prepared in advance and distributed at more than 300 contact points in Muzdalifah and Mina.
The process is part of a broader system designed to reduce the ritual’s environmental impact and preserve its spiritual symbolism.
To ensure smooth flow at the Jamarat, the bridge is equipped with advanced surveillance systems, ventilation units, emergency exits and designated pathways for groups and individuals.
Entry and exit are managed through RFID-based Nusuk cards and digital crowd-tracking systems operated by the Saudi Data and AI Authority.
According to the General Authority for Statistics, 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj this year, with some 1,506,576 coming from outside the Kingdom.
How AI tech innovation has elevated the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage experience
AI tools are transforming the Hajj experience, enhancing safety, easing logistics, and enriching spirituality for millions of pilgrims
From crowd control to faith tools, Hajj 2025 showcases a bold fusion of ancient ritual and cutting-edge digital innovation
Updated 06 June 2025
SULAFA ALKHUNAIZI AND GHADI JOUDAH
RIYADH: As the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of Muslims to Makkah in 2025, Saudi Arabia is using a powerful suite of artificial intelligence tools to ensure that this sacred journey is safer, smoother, and more spiritually enriching than ever before.
In a remarkable blend of ancient ritual and modern innovation, the Kingdom is harnessing AI, biometric technologies, and digital services to overcome the logistical challenges of hosting one of the world’s largest religious gatherings — from crowd control to heat management — all while preserving the sanctity of the experience.
AI-powered tools have been developed to give pilgrims more time to focus on their Hajj obligations. (SPA photo)
“Saudi Arabia carries an immense responsibility in hosting millions of pilgrims,” Hatem Mandeel, managing director and co-founder of the digital transformation consultancy Tyde AI, told Arab News. “It continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to this role through innovative approaches to event management and safety.”
At the heart of this transformation is Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s national roadmap for economic diversification and digital growth. This year’s Hajj reflects those ambitions in action, with technologies being used to streamline everything from spiritual guidance to crowd movement.
Among the most notable are two new tools — the Smart Enrichment Assistant and the Digital Mutawwif.
Developed by the Agency for Religious Affairs at the Prophet’s Mosque, the Smart Enrichment Assistant provides real-time updates on prayer times, imam schedules, and locations of religious activities. Offered in numerous languages, it reduces logistical stress while deepening spiritual engagement for pilgrims.
AI-powered tools have been developed to give pilgrims more time to focus on their Hajj obligations. (SPA photo)
The Digital Mutawwif, meanwhile, was created by the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to serve as a digital companion for Umrah pilgrims. It includes navigation tools for tawaf and sa’i, a library of audio-visual supplications, and built-in ritual counters to help pilgrims stay focused and on track.
These tools are complemented by the Makkah Route Initiative, a fast-track immigration service powered by biometric technology and AI.
Now operating at 11 international airports in seven countries, the initiative allows pilgrims to complete visa, customs, and health checks before boarding their flights — reducing congestion on arrival.
Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has developed the Smart Makkah Operations Center (Smart Moc) to ensure the safety and comfort of Hajj pilgrims and facilitating their movement and the services provided to them. (SPA)
It is supported by round-the-clock monitoring systems run by the Saudi Data and AI Authority, which ensure health compliance and swift issue resolution through AI-driven analytics.
Behind the scenes, more sophisticated AI platforms are addressing the enormous logistical demands of Hajj. One of the most critical is Baseer, a platform developed by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority.
Using computer vision and machine learning, Baseer tracks and analyzes the movements of more than one million worshippers a day inside the Grand Mosque. The insights help authorities predict crowd surges and prevent dangerous bottlenecks.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Smart Enrichment Assistant helps pilgrims navigate rituals with real-time updates and multilingual spiritual guidance.
• Digital Mutawwif guides pilgrims step by step through tawaf and sa’i, with visual aids, supplications, and ritual counters.
• Makkah Route Initiative fast tracks immigration using biometrics and AI, easing congestion before pilgrims even arrive.
• Baseer tracks more than a million worshippers a day to manage crowd flow and prevent bottlenecks at the Grand Mosque.
Using AI at this scale is a major milestone in event management, especially in sensitive, sacred contexts.
“Building this technology is one thing, but maintaining system reliability under high demand, ensuring data privacy and properly onboarding personnel is a whole operation in itself,” Mandeel said.
Adding a more personal and interactive touch, the Kingdom has also introduced Manarah 2, a multilingual robot equipped with a smart touchscreen. It provides real-time information and guidance to pilgrims in several languages, along with a dedicated application to help non-Arabic speakers recite Surah Al-Fatiha correctly.
“This demonstrates how Saudi Arabia is taking the initiative to manage — but also elevate — the sacred journey for millions of pilgrims,” Mandeel said. “This is a powerful example of how AI can thoughtfully enhance sacred, deeply human experiences — something more people globally should be aware of and inspired by.”
With extreme heat, massive crowds, and time-sensitive rituals, the pilgrimage poses huge logistical challenges. But Saudi Arabia’s strategic investment in AI is setting a global standard for how digital transformation can serve human traditions.
“This proactive use of technology not only supports the goals of Vision 2030,” Mandeel said. “But also offers a model for other nations managing large-scale gatherings in sensitive contexts.”
