https://arab.news/rg554
ANKARA: Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef meets Saudi students in Istanbul, Turkey.
He was joined by the Kingdom’s Consul General Abdul Majeed bin Hamad Al-Dosari and cultural attache in Turkey, Dr. Faisal Abdulrahman Osra.
Alkhorayef said his ministry was keen to improve communication with Saudis studying overseas and would help them to explore opportunities in the industrial and mining fields.
MAKKAH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has supported government efforts for this year’s Hajj season through its Sawaher system, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
Sawaher was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and uses data and AI technology to analyze broadcasts, video recordings, and images captured by smart cameras.
The initiative enhances analytical capabilities and contributes to a safer Hajj experience, the SPA reported.
The system helps manage and analyze large datasets and produces tailored analysis of pilgrims’ behavior. It “uses advanced algorithms for density and crowd counting, supporting government agencies in implementing Hajj plans and estimating pilgrim numbers.” The system also provides real-time updates.
For Hajj, more than 5,000 cameras have been integrated into the Sawaher system, covering more than 80 permanent and seasonal locations across the holy sites and key entry points.
This network supports the work of 18 government agencies and more than 600 personnel, according to the SPA.
The system offers more than 80 services and is operable on 100 workstations in operations rooms and monitoring centers, contributing to improved response efficiency during the Hajj season.
MINA: Most of this year’s more than 1.6 million pilgrims had begun performing Tawaf Al-Ifadah by Friday in Makkah — the ritual that marks the final days of Hajj and the beginning of Eid Al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world.
Eid day began with masses of pilgrims performing the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina under moderate temperatures nearing 30 C, with the National Center for Meteorology forecasting a high of up to 40 C. The stoning ritual is among the final rites of Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
The Tawaf Al-Ifadah — derived from the Arabic word meaning “to pour forth” — refers to the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba performed by pilgrims after returning from Mina.
It is one of the essential and obligatory rites of Hajj. It involves walking around the Kaaba seven times within the Grand Mosque in Makkah, following the pilgrims’ return from Mina where they perform the symbolic stoning of the devil.
The ritual reflects spiritual submission, physical devotion, and the culmination of the core rites of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Ali bin Faraj Al-Marri, a Qatari pilgrim, told Arab News that the tawaf was smooth and well-organized, saying: “This is my first time performing Hajj, and I had heard that the Grand Mosque used to be extremely crowded. This has been one of the most successful Hajj seasons.”
Saeed Al-Nabit, the head of Al-Marri’s Hajj campaign group, echoed the sentiment, saying everything went as planned, and adding: “This year has been one of the best Hajj seasons ever.”
Leaving the Jamarat Bridge after performing the stoning ritual, Yasmeen Ahmed, a Libyan pilgrim, said with tears in her eyes that she was on the verge of completing one of the pillars of Islam — a lifelong dream she had always prayed to Allah to fulfill.
She said: “This is a moment I will never forget. I never imagined I would live to experience it, but I have always prayed for it. I thank Allah for making it possible, and I would also like to express my gratitude to Saudi Arabia for the beautiful organization of Hajj. There must have been tremendous efforts behind such a successful arrangement.”
The Jamrat Al-Aqaba site, the largest and most prominent of the three stoning structures within the Jamarat facility, stands as one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent development projects at the holy sites, marking a transformative leap in crowd management aligned with the highest international engineering and organizational standards.
With the capacity to accommodate over 300,000 pilgrims per hour, the facility ensures a smooth and safe flow of pilgrims during the peak days of stoning rituals in Mina.
Every year on this day, the Jamarat area in Mina witnesses the arrival of throngs of pilgrims performing this critical Hajj rite — a solemn act of worship that embodies obedience and adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
The stoning ritual is among the most spiritually significant and logistically complex components of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Jamarat area in the past consisted of small stone pillars surrounded by narrow spaces and limited roads, leading to severe congestion and difficulties, particularly with the growing number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency said in a report.
According to the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, a bridge was constructed over the three Jamarat pillars in 1975 to create a second level for the stoning ritual.
Over the years the structure underwent multiple phases of expansion and enhancement.
The current Jamarat Bridge was inaugurated in its first phase in 2006, with full completion achieved in 2010.
The bridge comprises five levels, each 12 meters high, extending 950 meters in length and 80 meters in width. It includes 11 entrances, 12 exits, and can accommodate up to 300,000 pilgrims per hour. The facility also features a range of support services, including emergency helicopter landing pads, 3,289 escalators, advanced surveillance systems, and four tunnels for vehicles and buses.
The facility operates under a sophisticated management system involving specialized field teams working round the clock to ensure safety and provide medical and guidance services, in cooperation with various security and service agencies.
The site is also equipped with multilingual guidance screens and modern surveillance cameras to enhance flow and ensure pilgrim safety.
As part of broader efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience, Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has implemented several key projects this year.
Notable among them is the installation of 200 mist fans in the facility’s eastern square to reduce heat stress from direct sunlight.
In addition, the Towards Mina initiative has been implemented to improve spatial orientation, helping to reduce the number of lost pilgrims and facilitating easier access to camps.
The initiative relies on a color-coded signage system aligned with camp divisions and facility levels.
RIYADH: While millions of pilgrims converge on Makkah each year for the pilgrimage which makes up the fifth pillar of Islam, many Saudis are connecting with the spirit of Hajj without ever leaving their homes.
Whether they are not yet eligible, unable to travel, or simply waiting for their turn, these individuals have found meaningful ways to experience the journey spiritually — through screens, rituals, reflections and community.
This evolving form of spiritual connection highlights a growing culture of intentional observance from afar, especially among young Saudis who see Hajj not as a spectator event, but as a season for personal transformation, wherever they are.
For 25-year-old Shatha Al-Jadaan, who has already completed Hajj, the way she engages with the pilgrimage now is more intimate than ever, even when she is not physically there.
“Now that I’ve experienced Hajj, I follow it in a more personal way,” she said. “I keep the Makkah live stream running 24/7 at home. It’s not background noise — it’s a reminder of a moment I lived.”
She adds that her digital engagement with the pilgrimage is deeply structured. “I fast all 10 days of Dul Hijjah (the month of the pilgrimage), and I start my day earlier. I make sure the atmosphere in the house is different — calmer, more reflective.
“My acts of worship are done with full presence. It’s a way to relive the rhythm of Hajj, even if I’m not there.
“Screens can’t replace the feeling — but they do carry the spirit.”
Noor Ahmad, 21, echoed a similar sentiment. She said that seeing Hajj online helped prepare her for the moment she finally went — and now, when she watches others go, it deepens her gratitude.
“I had always seen Hajj on TV, social media, or through others’ stories,” she said. “Those images gave me a glimpse and stirred a longing to go. And when I finally did, I found myself connecting the visual memories with what I was living in real time.”
After her return, the act of watching became a kind of remembrance. “It’s not just nostalgia. It’s a form of spiritual presence,” she said.
Omar Al-Shehri, 33, uses the Hajj season to teach his children about the rituals.
“Every day during Dul Hijjah, we sit as a family, watch the scenes from Mina and Arafat, and I explain each step to my kids. Even though we’re not there, they’re growing up understanding the weight and meaning of it.”
He adds: “They’ll perform Hajj one day, insha’Allah — but until then, they’re growing in awareness.”
Digital platforms have played a huge role in how people spiritually engage with Hajj. Official channels like Saudi Press Agency, Al-Ekhbariya, and digital apps like Haramain Watch allow viewers to follow crowd sizes, ritual timing, and even live fatwas in real time.
Layla Al-Fahad, 29, uses X with mutuals and WhatsApp groups with close friends to share spiritual prompts. “We share reminders, dhikr, and short prayers every day during the ten days. It’s like a mini spiritual retreat — just in group chat form.”
Other Saudis have turned to digital booklets, daily phone reminders, or interactive timelines of the Hajj rituals to stay aligned with the pilgrims’ journey.
The most compelling insight from many of these remote observers is that distance doesn’t diminish intention. In fact, for some, it heightens it.
“There’s something humbling about knowing you’re not there, but still feeling connected,” said Al-Fahad. “You start praying differently, reading differently, even walking differently during those 10 days. Everything becomes softer, more deliberate.”
For many Saudis, participating in the spiritual season does not require boarding a bus, plane, or train. It requires presence of heart, clarity of mind, and intention of soul.
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.
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.
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.
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.
