MINA: Pilgrims don’t need to take provisions to the holy sites, for there is free cold water, fruit, and lunch meals, but pilgrims prefer ice cream during these hot weather conditions.
Meals, fruit and ice cream are available all the time, and pilgrims and security personnel distribute them, but ice cream tops the list during the hot Makkah days.
Sometimes a pilgrim comes to buy one scoop, but soon changes his mind and buys the whole lot to give to other pilgrims. When the vendor sees the generosity of this pilgrim, he lowers the price to share the good deed.
Pilgrims could cause stampedes when free ice cream is distributed, unlike food and water. Hygiene standards of vegetables seem higher than those present in lunch packs, but rice pans fill the street that leads to the Namirah Mosque.
Local media stopped to see a Haj pilgrim buying a whole container of ice cream, around 150 cartons; he paid SR250, even though vendors sell a carton for SR3 each. The vendor said he hopes Allah will forgive him through easing the heat of Haj pilgrims.
Once you pass the ice cream vendors you can see other pilgrims competing to distribute free lunches, juices and fruit. Mohammad Mustafa, an Egyptian, was standing in the middle of the road holding a box of fruit and passing them free to pilgrims. Sometimes he does this through a joke and other times he prays for the pilgrims who took the fruit, as if thanking them for accepting his donation.
In light of the scarce public toilets at some holy sites, fruit is the safest choice, especially since meals come from Makkah and aren’t reheated, which gives the impression that they are not very clean.
With the hot summer temperatures, pilgrims always prefer ice cream
With the hot summer temperatures, pilgrims always prefer ice cream
Saudi crown prince, French president discuss relations and regional developments
- Leaders discussed progress of relations between Kingdom and France
- Also addressed current regional developments in Palestine and Lebanon
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The leaders discussed the progress of relations between Saudi Arabia and France, emphasizing their ongoing cooperation across various fields, SPA added.
The conversation also addressed current regional developments in Palestine and Lebanon and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability in the region.
The discussion underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen ties and collaborate on shared strategic interests.
Asir launches campaign to promote organic food culture
- Ahmed Al-Mojathel: Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system
- Initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society
ABHA: A public awareness campaign by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture kicked off Organic Food Day 2024 in Saudi Arabia, reported Saudi Press Agency.
Ahmed Al-Mojathel, director of the ministry’s Asir branch, said: “Our goal is to highlight the importance of organic products and foods as a safer, healthier dietary system.
“We are working to enhance consumer awareness about the benefits of organic foods while encouraging innovation and excellence in organic product quality.”
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote organic food consumption throughout Saudi society.
Al-Mojathel said the campaign also aimed to achieve economic and social objectives supporting the development of the organic food sector across the Kingdom.
Officials detained as investigators smash drug-smuggling operation at Al-Jouf Airport
- 9 people arrested, including Ministry of Interior employee, 4 people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and a Saudi Electricity Company worker
RIYADH: A drug smuggling operation at Al-Jouf International Airport in Saudi Arabia, in which several government and other public-sector officials allegedly were involved, has been shut down following an extensive investigation.
An official source at the Ministry of Interior said on Thursday that nine people were detained, including a ministry employee, four people associated with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and one from the Saudi Electricity Company.
Their alleged roles in the smuggling network included helping to get the drugs into the Kingdom, ensuring shipments bypassed inspections, transporting them, and concealing them in homes and at other locations.
They also engaged in the promotion and distribution of the narcotics in the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The amount and type of drugs involved was not immediately apparent.
The Ministry of Interior said it remains committed to confronting all threats to national security and will take stringent action against anyone who jeopardizes the safety and stability of the country.
Saudi Music Commission launches self-learn digital platform for budding musicians
- MusiqAI offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments
RIYADH: The Saudi Music Commission has launched an interactive digital platform to teach music to enthusiasts wanting to start playing an instrument or further their musical knowledge.
MusiqAI is the first self-learn digital platform for music in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. It offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments.
The platform name, which includes “AI,” the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, can be translated from Arabic as “My Music.”
The commission said in a statement that MusiqAI offers online courses and trains enthusiasts and professionals on the latest technologies in music production. It also provides accredited certificates, easy access to video streaming courses, and a self-paced learning experience, anytime and from anywhere.
MusiqAI aims to offer a unique way of learning various music genres — in Saudi Arabia and globally — whether by picking an Arabic or Western instrument such as the drums, guitar or oud, and communicating with trainers and experts on the platform.
The commission said nurturing and supporting musical talent are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. In March, the commission launched the Saudi Music Memory initiative to highlight the history of Saudi art and offer academically documented research for musicians and researchers.
To register on the MusiqAI platform, visit the commission website: https://music.moc.gov.sa/en
OIC discusses draft humanitarian funds statute
- It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute
- Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds
JEDDAH: The general secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held a meeting of the open-ended Group of Governmental Experts in Jeddah on Thursday.
It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute, in accordance with the Council of Foreign Ministers.
OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha said that the meeting was held amid difficult and harsh humanitarian circumstances that required concerted efforts and collective action to adopt actions to help contain humanitarian crises and hardships.
In his speech, Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds, undertake the necessary reforms to their working mechanism and support them with the financial resources to enable them to fulfil their role.
The statement delivered by assistant secretary-general for humanitarian, cultural and social affairs, ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, on behalf of OIC’s secretary-general, highlighted the significant challenges faced by member states in the humanitarian field.
