RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributed the meat from 480 animal carcasses to 6,720 people in Yemen, reported Saudi Press Agency. The distribution in Hadramout and Marib on Tuesday was part of a project being carried out by KSrelief in several Yemeni governorates this year. Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals for the Eid feast, with some of the meat given as a gift to those who are less fortunate.

RIYADH: The achievements of Saudi Arabia’s military sector are being celebrated this week by the country’s pavilion at Eurosatory 2024, an international defense and security event in Paris. The installation reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing its military capabilities and fostering international partnerships, officials said.

JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau spoke on the phone on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. During the call, the development of relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in various fields were reviewed. A number of regional and international issues and their recent repercussions, as well as international efforts made regarding achieving security and stability, were also discussed.

RIYADH: Like every Dul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, millions of Muslims from all over the world have gathered in Saudi Arabia to take part in the ritual of Hajj, one of the world’s largest annual congregations. Though this massive influx of pilgrims poses a challenge to the limits of the infrastructure and social services of the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, the Kingdom was well prepared to handle this year’s Hajj.

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of health has hailed the success of preparation for Hajj after no outbreaks or threats to public health were recorded during the annual pilgrimage. Fahad Al-Jalajel said in a statement: “I am pleased to announce the success of this year’s Hajj health plans. Despite the large number of pilgrims and the challenges posed by high temperatures, we experienced no outbreaks or public health threats.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance has started distributing 1,879,352 copies of the holy Qur’an to departing Hajj pilgrims, Saudi Press Agency reported. The copies, printed by the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, are available in various sizes.

MINA: Hundreds of thousands of this year’s total of more than 1.8 million Hajj pilgrims began performing the final rituals of their pilgrimage early on Tuesday morning before preparing for the return home. Many began stoning the pillars in Mina at noon on Tuesday and then headed to the Grand Mosque to perform the final ritual of circumambulating the Kaaba seven times, known as Tawaf Al-Wadaa, concluding their pilgrimage.

MAKKAH: The journey of Hajj, representing the fulfillment of the fifth pillar of Islam, is a chance for personal transformation, fostering patience, resilience, endurance, solidarity and cooperation. These virtues can positively impact an individual’s life long after completing the pilgrimage.

RIYADH: During the sacred days of Hajj, Makkah witnesses an influx of pilgrims and locals themselves engage more fervently in Islamic practices such as prayer and fasting. Sami Al-Alwani, a local citizen, enjoys the spiritual aspects of the pilgrimage and says the Hajj season is unlike any other month. “This annual tradition of welcoming, joy and enthusiasm with which we receive the pilgrims of the House of God is passed down from generation to generation,” he told Arab News.

DUBAI: Pilgrims at the Kaaba completed the stoning of the three Jamarat on the second day of Tashreeq on Tuesday. They began with the smallest, Jamrat Al-Oula, then the middle, Jamrat Al-Wusta, and finally Jamrat Al-Aqaba. Pilgrims then headed to perform the Farewell Tawaf at the Kaaba before returning to their residences in Mina.

MINA: It is a time of overwhelming emotion – the moment when pilgrims finish their Hajj journey and must bid farewell to the holy city of Makkah. They offer their final prayers and make their way to the airport, leaving behind the place where they have felt the deepest connection to their faith. The unity and camaraderie they have shared with other pilgrims, the hardships they have endured, and the profound sense of peace and tranquility they have found in Makkah — all contribute to the sadness of saying goodbye.

RIYADH: The Saudi minister responsible for labor issues has praised the ministry’s workers for their efforts during this year’s Hajj, the Saudi Press Reported. Ahmed Al-Rajhi, minister for human resources and social development, made the remarks on a visit to the ministry’s Hajj headquarters, where he reviewed the activities of the regulatory teams and inspected relevant workflows. The teams are tasked with ensuring that establishments involved in Hajj operations comply with labor laws and other regulations.

RIYADH: Specialist medical teams deployed in Makkah for the Hajj season had successfully performed 24 open-heart surgeries on pilgrims, the Ministry of Health said on Monday. In a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ministry said 249 pilgrims had also undergone cardiac catheterizations, and 1,006 had dialysis operations, in addition to the admission of 4,082 pilgrims in need to hospitals and medical centers to receive the necessary health care.

RIYADH: More than 47,000 calls have been received by the Saudi Ministry of Health’s 937 call center since the start of Hajj, Saudi Press Agency reported. Staff at the center handle health inquiries, offer medical consultations and help find missing or hospitalized pilgrims at the holy sites. They can deal with reports in seven different languages and a team of administrative staff, specialists and consultants are available around the clock to offer advice and support.

RIYADH: Saudi’s rulers have hosted the families of military personnel who were killed or injured in the line of duty, Saudi Press Agency reported. Maj. Gen. Dr. Suleiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Maiman, Ministry of Interior undersecretary for military affairs, said 289 pilgrims from families of martyred or injured personnel had been welcomed during this year’s Hajj season. Every effort was made to ensure the guests had comfort, peace of mind and as much ease as possible in performing their rituals, added the report.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has paid the expenses for the sacrificial animals of 3,322 Hajj pilgrims at his own expense, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The pilgrims are all guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit and are from 88 countries. Most pilgrims are required to slaughter an animal as a reminder of the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim was prepared to offer — of his son, Ismail — as a mark of absolute submission to God.

MAKKAH: Volunteers from Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah continued to provide field health services to pilgrims in Mina on the first day of Tashreeq on Monday, during the 2024 Hajj season. Ahmad Hassan Mufti, the vice dean of the College of Medicine for Development and Entrepreneurship at the university, told Arab News that the training program, known as the Hajj Volunteer Program, was established 12 years ago.

RIYADH: The deputy governor of the Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz handed over the Kaaba’s Kiswa to the gatekeeper of the holy site on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported. The hand-over was signed off by Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and the deputy chief gatekeeper Abdul Malik bin Taha Al-Shaibi. The Kaaba will be adorned with its new Kiswa on Muharram 1, the stat of the new Islamic year.

MAKKAH: The 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, Saudi Press Agency reported. The operations center uses the latest technologies based on AI techniques to do so, SPA added.

JEDDAH: During the pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah, devout Muslims seek out sites that deepen their understanding of Islam and its rich heritage. The historical sites and archaeological museums in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawara offer a profound educational experience to millions of visitors from around the world who flock to the two holy cities each year. After completing their religious rites, such as Umrah and Tawaf, and paying their respects at the Haram, pilgrims yearn to immerse themselves in the history of Makkah and Madinah.

MINA: Pilgrims in Makkah and at the holy sites made a record-breaking 44.8 million telephone calls on Sunday during Eid Al-Adha, Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission said on Monday. Of those, 38.04 million were local and 6.76 million were international calls, with a success rate of more than 99 percent. In terms of data usage, pilgrims consumed 5,790 terabytes during the holiday, the commission added, which is equivalent to streaming more than 2.37 million hours of high-definition, 1080p video.

RIYADH: Hajj security forces stationed at entrances to Makkah arrested on Sunday six people who violated Hajj regulations by transporting a group of 52 individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit. The resident and five citizens were each given a 15-day prison sentence and fined SR10,000 ($2,665) for each violator they tried to transport illegally. The vehicles used to transport the violators were also confiscated, the Ministry of Interior said.

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported.  During the call, the two officials discussed developments in the Gaza Strip, Yemen, and Sudan.

RIYADH: Two initiatives by Nusuk — the pilgrim card and wallet — are helping to improve the Hajj and Umrah experience for pilgrims. Nusuk, the official booking platform authorized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for e-visa and planning, allows travelers to create pilgrimage itineraries for Makkah, Madinah and beyond. Through the pilgrim card — an identity card worn around the neck — Hajj workers are able to verify the identity of each pilgrim, preventing unauthorized people from entering the holy sites.

JEDDAH: Every year, markets in Saudi Arabia witness increased footfall as Hajj pilgrims look for souvenirs and gifts to commemorate the journey of a lifetime. The gold market, especially in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, thrives with its showcase of intricate designs, from traditional to contemporary styles, catering to diverse jewelry tastes.

MINA: Hajj pilgrims began the ritual stoning of the devil, throwing pebbles at the Jamarat, three stone pillars, on the first day of Tashreeq, which also coincides with the second day of Eid Al-Adha. The ritual stoning began with Jamarat Al-Oula (the small pillar), continuing with Jamarat Al-Wusta (the middle pillar) and finally Jamarat Al-Aqaba (the large pillar), following in the Prophet Muhammad’s footsteps, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

MAKKAH: The Saudi Health Ministry reported record high temperatures at holy sites during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius in the shade at the central area of the Grand Mosque, the ministry said, with Arafat reaching 48 degrees Celsius and Mina and Muzdalifah 46 degrees Celsius. In response to the extreme heat, the ministry urged pilgrims to minimize sun exposure to avoid heat-related illnesses. The ministry recommended staying hydrated and staying in shaded areas whenever possible.

MINA: Saudi authorities are carrying out helicopter surveillance flights around the clock to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during Hajj. Under the Hajj Security Forces, the Security Aviation Command, operating under the Presidency of State Security, in collaboration with the Royal Saudi Air Force, this Hajj season is witnessing the deployment of advanced aircraft to oversee the movements of pilgrims in Makkah and its surrounding holy sites.

RIYADH: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi left Jeddah on Monday after performing Hajj, Saudi Press Agency reported. El-Sisi arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday and prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before performing his Hajj rituals. 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent separate cables of congratulations on Sunday to South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election for a new term. King Salman expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for success to Ramaphosa and for the progress and prosperity of his country, SPA reported. Saudi Arabia has enjoyed excellent relations with South Africa, which have been strengthened and developed in every aspect.       

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed nearly 1,600 food baskets across Yemen, benefiting more than 11,000 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The aid was sent to the districts of Al-Mawasit, Al-Ma’afer and Ash Shamayatayn in Taiz, as well as Al-Hawtah district in Lahij, and Al-Ghaydah district in Al-Mahra Governorate on Sunday. The program is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen food security in Yemen.

RIYADH: The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation trained scouts to serve during the Hajj season to provide guidance and advice to pilgrims. These scouts can be found in all pilgrimage areas wearing blue caps, brown vests and green neckerchiefs, helping pilgrims. Hajj scout Ramadan Swailek says that his duty is to serve and assist the pilgrims at various locations in Makkah.

ARAR: Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan, governor of the Northern Borders Region, celebrated Eid Al-Adha with children from the Raoof Association for Orphans during a reception held in the governorate. The prince prayed that the occasion would bring health, wellness and safety to all. During the reception, the governor presented gifts to the orphans, demonstrating his commitment to sharing the occasion with them. The children expressed their delight while exchanging Eid greetings with the governor.

JEDDAH: Almugasap, a Saudi fashion label, has launched a traditional costume experience in the Arafat and Mina areas, giving pilgrims the chance to wear authentic Saudi attire from all regions of the Kingdom. The initiative, which includes instant photo printing, was installed prior to the start of the pilgrimage to showcase Saudi heritage to international guests. Pilgrims could choose from a diverse collection of traditional costumes for both men and women, designed under the supervision of renowned Saudi designers Arief Alsherif and Sari Salem Hariry.  

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with President of the European Council Charles Michel on Saturday at the Ukraine Peace Summit, held in the Swiss city of Lucerne. During the meeting, they discussed Saudi-EU relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, as well as the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The meeting was attended by Abdulrahman Al-Dawood, director-general of the office of the minister of foreign affairs, and Saudi Ambassador to Switzerland Adel Mirdad.