Hajj: A valuable opportunity for cross-cultural dialogue and unity

Worshippers pray at Makkah’s Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site. The Hajj pilgrimage is among the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives. (AFP)
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Updated 28 June 2023
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Hajj: A valuable opportunity for cross-cultural dialogue and unity

  • Saudi Arabia’s increasing openness makes the pilgrimage a valuable opportunity for cross-cultural understanding
  • Message of piety, kindness, virtue and equality spans cultures, connecting all faiths, nations and social classes

DUBAI: Muslims from all around the world arrived in Makkah over the past few weeks ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which began on Monday. Though participation in this holy tradition is strictly restricted to followers of Islam, the increasingly open nature of the Kingdom means that it also offers a valuable opportunity for cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.

Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, after profession of faith, prayer, charitable deeds and fasting. It is a highly symbolic act of worship that draws together Muslims from around the globe, irrespective of race, class, culture or nationality, to walk in the footsteps of the many millions who have made the intense spiritual journey before them.

“Hajj is an incredibly special time of the year for us,” Kumail Almusaly, a curator at Ithra, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, who recently co-curated an exhibition on Hijrah (the journey of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Makkah to Madinah), told Arab News.

“It is not just a religious obligation but a chance to come together with millions of Muslims from all over the world in a shared experience of connection and unity in a unique spiritual environment.”




A pilgrim prays atop Mount Arafat. (AFP)

All Muslims are required to complete the five-day Hajj pilgrimage at least once during their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. It is a deeply moving spiritual experience that they believe absolves their sins and brings them closer to God, and it serves to unite the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims.

Through Hajj, Muslims from all walks of life are reminded of the importance of their connection to God and “contributions to humanity,” said Almusaly.

“The pilgrimage represents a fresh start, a chance to clear away any dissonance that may have accumulated over the years and begin anew with a sense of purity and purpose.”

The Arabic word Hajj translates as “to intend a journey,” or the metaphorical idea of continuously striving, even in the face of adversity, to achieve one’s goals.

While the traditions of Hajj are chiefly associated with the life of the Prophet Muhammad, who founded the pilgrimage in 632, the year of his death, Muslims believe the Hajj rituals date thousands of years further back, to the time of Abraham.

According to Islamic beliefs, Abraham built the Kaaba, at Allah’s instruction. It is the cubed structure that stands at the heart of Masjid Al-Haram, or the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, which is the holiest site in Islam. Pilgrims dressed in white robes walk around the Kaaba during Hajj, offering prayers.




Pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque. (AP)

The Hajj pilgrimage and the rituals associated with it are arduous and demanding. According to the Islamic faith, they reflect the rituals first performed by Abraham, his wife Hajar, and their son Ishmael, and later by the Prophet Muhammad.

Just as Islam, Christianity and Judaism all trace their common roots back to Abraham, so too do they share a common set of values, including faith, compassion and humility, which are also reflected in the core message of Hajj.

Indeed, as the Kingdom increasingly opens up to the outside world, thanks to the social reforms and economic transformation plan under Saudi Vision 2030, Hajj offers a rich opportunity for Saudis, pilgrims from other countries, tourists and foreign residents to celebrate these shared values and acknowledge their common roots.

“Its message is one of faith, compassion, humility and oneness, and it is appreciated by people of all faiths and backgrounds,” said Almusaly.

The places where pilgrims have traveled from and their social status in their home countries are immaterial during Hajj. The belief that resonates with all pilgrims is one of humility and the complete surrender of self-importance.

In the words of the Prophet: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; (none has superiority over another) except by piety and good action.”

The view among pilgrims is that Islamic teachings of piety, kindness, virtue and equality are values that span cultures, connecting all faiths, nations and social classes. Hajj therefore provides opportunities for locals and foreign visitors to the Kingdom to perform and witness acts of charity and generosity.

Rawan Al-Selhi, a Saudi jewelry designer, told Arab News that Hajj is a time when Muslims are reminded to help fellow pilgrims, especially those who have had fewer economic opportunities, “for example by urging the postponement of prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque as much as possible to create more space for pilgrims coming from abroad.”

She added: “Such simple acts have built a different relationship between us, the pilgrims, and visitors. Science has also developed and the means of comfort have evolved, and Saudi Arabia has invested in technology to offer pilgrims an unforgettable pilgrimage trip.”

Al-Selhi, who grew up in Madinah, said her first jewelry collection was inspired by the architecture of the Prophet’s Mosque in the city.

“Madinah is the destination and the first stop for pilgrims and visitors before they leave for Makkah,” she said. “For my generation, our parents try to talk to us about this time, and the importance of prayer and becoming closer to God. It is a time of optimism for the coming year.”

She recalled how her grandfather would help pilgrims and other visitors to the Kingdom during Hajj.

“He would open his home during the month and host others in need of a place to stay,” she said. “This resulted in an exchange of cultures and experiences. Some Saudi families even moved out of their homes to leave them free for pilgrims and visitors from abroad.”




The undated photo shows Saudi designer and visual artist, Nahla Khogeer. (Photo courtesy: Nahla Khogeer)

Nahla Khogeer, a designer and visual artist in Jeddah, said the Hajj pilgrimage has made a deep impression on her work.

“My grandfather, father and uncles all worked as guides during the Hajj and Umrah seasons,” she told Arab News. “The relationship with my father has had a great impact on my interest in the Hajj journey and what I experienced in my childhood.”

Khogeer recalled how she often went with her father to Makkah to watch him work and took photographs of many of the places related to Hajj, from which she created postcards that she gave to pilgrims to take home as mementos of their pilgrimage.

“It is these experiences with my father during Hajj that have inspired my work, especially since he passed away,” she said. “Their memory now lives in my work.”

This year’s Hajj is the first since travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted, and Saudi authorities expect about 2.5 million pilgrims to take part in Hajj this year, one of the largest numbers ever.

Al-Selhi and Almusaly said the Kingdom views Hajj not only as a pillar of the Islamic faith but as an event that unites the Saudi people and, in this new era for the Kingdom, reflects the great social and economic strides the country has taken in recent years, along with its growing openness to the wider world.

“In a world that can often feel divided and disconnected, Hajj serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of coming together in pursuit of the greater good,” said Almusaly. “It is a time of renewal and rejuvenation.”


Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. (SPA)
Updated 07 June 2025
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Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

  • After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely

MAKKAH: A Moroccan pilgrim who had suffered a “severe” heart attack was admitted to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, where she received “urgent care supported by smartwatch technology and continuous virtual monitoring,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The hospital, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, reported that the patient also suffered from chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes.

She “underwent cardiac catheterization, during which a drug-eluting stent was placed in the left anterior descending artery,” the SPA reported.

After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely.

Later, in Mina, the smartwatch detected abnormal readings as the patient experienced chest pain again, triggering an alert. The virtual care team directed her to Mina Al-Jisr Hospital, where she was evaluated and admitted for observation. Once stable, she was discharged with a treatment plan and continued virtual follow-up.

This case “illustrates the strength of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure during Hajj and reflects the Ministry of Health’s progress toward Vision 2030, prioritizing high-quality, smart healthcare for pilgrims,” the SPA wrote.

 


Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

Updated 07 June 2025
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Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

  • Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals

MAKKAH: The Nusuk app — developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, played a “key role” on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, helping to guide more than 35,000 Hajj pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The app “highlights the ministry’s commitment to using technology for smooth pilgrim movement and effective crowd management at the holy sites, reflecting integrated technical and operational services during Hajj,” the SPA wrote.

Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals. With direct links to 25 government agencies and 10 private sector entities, Nusuk — a part of the ministry’s digital-transformation drive in line with Vision 2030 — “has become a comprehensive platform for the pilgrim journey,” the SPA reported.

For this year’s Hajj, the ministry added more than 30 new services to the app, including Nusuk AI — a digital assistant that provides guidance and responds to pilgrims’ inquiries via voice and text in multiple languages.

 


Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

  • Prince Mohammed made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina

MINA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday reaffirmed “the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences” of Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza.

He made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The suffering of our brothers in Palestine continues as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, he said.

“We reaffirm the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and working toward a new reality in which Palestine can enjoy peace in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.”

The crown prince was speaking during a meeting with Eid Al-Adha well-wishers at the Royal Court in Mina Palace.

“God Almighty has honored this country with the service of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims, Umrah performers and other guests,” he said, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia places this sacred duty at the forefront of its priorities, harnessing all its capabilities to serve the guests of God and ensuring that they are able to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

The crown prince reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fulfilling this responsibility, recognizing both the great honor and the immense trust it entails.

“We ask God Almighty to perpetuate security and stability in our country, in all Muslim countries and across the world,” he said.

“May He accept the Hajj of the pilgrims to the House of God and return them safely to their families.”


MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

Updated 07 June 2025
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MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

  • They discussed a variety of topics of common interest

RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, met with the Syrian Arab Republic’s Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abu Al-hair Shukri to discuss “a variety of topics of common interest,” the MWL wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh recently met with the Malaysian delegation of Islamic leaders participating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

 

 


Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

  • Two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Saturday with President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives at the Royal Court in Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations and expand cooperation between their countries across various fields, SPA added.

The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to bolster Saudi-Maldivian ties and explore new avenues for partnership.

A number of senior Saudi officials attended the meeting, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

From the Maldivian side, the delegation included several ministers including Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel.

The high-level talks come as Saudi Arabia continues to deepen engagement with nations across South Asia, in line with its broader diplomatic and economic outreach initiatives.

Also on Saturday, Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. (SPA)

They also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, in addition to discussing overall relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, SPA reported.