RIYADH: One of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is a physically taxing yet spiritually rewarding journey — and completing it is considered a great blessing and honor in the Muslim community. Previous Hujjaj, or Hajj pilgrims, spoke to Arab News about their experiences and offered advice to those embarking on it this year. For Makkah local Hatoon Nabeel, Hajj was a spiritual and unforgettable experience.

RIYADH: Authorities in Saudi Arabia arrested 15 violators of Hajj regulations at the entrances to Makkah after they tried to enter without a valid permit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The Ministry of Interior announced that the Hajj Security Forces had arrested four residents and 11 citizens, who had attempted to transport 71 people on Monday.

RIYADH: While chairing the 121st session of the UN World Tourism Organization’s Executive Council on Monday and Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s minister of tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, emphasized the role the sector plays in achieving growth of the global economy, and sustainability that benefits local communities. During his opening speech, he said that presiding over the meeting was “a historic moment” because “it united world leaders to confront pressing challenges in tourism and to drive tangible progress in all aspects of the global tourism sector.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj minister praised a group of kind-hearted individuals for aiding a distressed pilgrim in Makkah. A group of men were seen assisting the Nigerian pilgrim who had become lost and ended up on a highway in the holy city. The men, depicted in a viral video, then drove the pilgrim back to his residence. Pilgrims are issued an ID card, known as the Nusuk Card, which allows others to assist them if they get lost or separated from their group. The men were observed scanning the barcode on his name tag to find his residence information.

RIYADH: The Diriyah Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK’s Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to enhance the training and development of Saudi talent. The partnership aims to transfer knowledge and expertise by creating comprehensive learning plans and fostering collaboration across professional fields within the built environment, following the institute’s standards.

MAKKAH: The Saudi Water Authority is participating in the Hajj Media Hub, which commenced on Monday in Makkah and will continue until June 16, highlighting the readiness of the Kingdom’s water sector for this year’s Hajj season. At the event the authority distributed bottles of the world’s first packaged desalinated seawater, produced by the Shoaiba 4 system, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: In a major greening effort, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has begun restoring 120 meadows and gardens across Saudi Arabia using a combination of more than 5.8 million seedlings and 28 tonnes of seeds scattered as part of the center’s meadows and gardens development project. Launched in October 2023, the project’s first phase targets the rehabilitation of 300 meadows and gardens across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

MAKKAH: The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, represented by Kidana Development Co., has completed the Kidana Al-Wadi project, which consists of 10 residential towers with five floors each, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The project is located in Mina’s block 38 near the Jamarat facility and covers an area of 33,000 square meters.  The Kidana Al-Wadi project is part of plans to improve services and capacity at the holy sites.

RIYADH: Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Dato Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar has praised Saudi Arabia’s role in serving Hajj pilgrims, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. During a visit to Makkah, Mukhtar thanked Hajj workers for their exceptional service to Malaysian pilgrims and for providing them with all necessary amenities since their arrival in the Kingdom.

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Tuesday the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, upon his arrival in Jeddah.   

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud has inspected the preparations of the security forces for this year hajj, the Saudi Press Agency said early Tuesday. During the hajj security forces annual celebration attended by the minister, Director of Public Security Mohammed Al-Bassami said that the security forces are fully prepared and ready to deal with everything that may disturb the peace of pilgrims, and to ensure that they perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

JAZAN: Border Guard officers in Jazan’s Al-Ardah governorate have arrested several people suspected of attempting to smuggle 80 kg of qat into the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Qat, a shrub native to the Arabian Peninsula, is a mild stimulant, with less intense effects than cocaine and methamphetamine.

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief continues its food security support project in Sudan, reported SPA. The agency distributed 581 food packages to displaced and needy families in the Beheira locality of River Nile State, benefiting 3,340 individuals. In Sennar, 500 food packages were provided to displaced families, or about 2,830 individuals benefiting from the aid.

RIYADH: Saudi spokesperson warned of rising temperatures reaching 48ºC as pilgrims gear up for Hajj this week, state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, the health ministry’s spokesperson, said high temperatures pose “a major challenge” in this year’s Hajj season, set to begin on June 14. He urged pilgrims to follow the ministry’s health guidelines to keep safe from the heat. Carrying umbrellas, maintaining hydration and taking rest periods between rituals are necessary to avoid heat fatigue.

RIYADH: A 69 years old Chinese pilgrim had a second chance at life when he received the world’s smallest and most advanced wireless pacemaker at Makkah’s King Abdullah Medical City. The medical team decided to implant the device using the latest technology available after the patient presented with severe dizziness as a result of heart arrhythmia. The Makkah Health Cluster said the small capsule-like and 2.8 grams pacemaker abolishes the need for traditional surgery, and therefore sparing the patient from incisions or scars on the chest. 

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture has introduced a camel studies grant, an initiative designed to highlight the essential role camels play in Saudi Arabia’s cultural, social, and economic spheres through rigorous scientific research. The grant invites proposals that delve into various aspects of camel significance, including historical, cultural, social, economic, environmental, and health-related dimensions, Saudi Press Agency reported.

RIYADH: With Hajj just around the corner, the King Abdulaziz Public Library is diligently carrying on its work preserving manuscripts and photographs that depict the rich culture and history of the Hajj pilgrimage. The historic library is a treasure trove of knowledge, housing rare artefacts that showcase the profound significance of the Two Holy Mosques in Islam. As pilgrims worldwide prepare to embark on this spiritual journey, the library serves as a beacon of enlightenment, offering educational resources for those eager to learn more.

RIYADH: Muslims embarking on the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj this year have been urged by the government to be mindful of the guidelines and regulations in place to protect the well-being of all. Obtaining a Hajj permit is the most crucial step before embarking on the journey. This requirement applies to citizens, residents and visitors. Failure to have a valid permit can result in substantial fines and even deportation for expatriates.

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RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Thomas Lid Ball, Norwegian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, on Monday, as his term as his country’s ambassador came to a close. Prince Faisal thanked him for the efforts made during his tenure, Saudi Press Agency reported. Meanwhile, Abdulmajeed Al-Samary, undersecretary of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received the credentials of Zimbabwe’s newly appointed ambassador to the Kingdom, John Wutawunashe, on Monday in Riyadh.  

RIYADH: Officials from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce have inspected 24,880 shops in Makkah and Madinah to ensure they comply with the country’s business regulations. The shops were in the central areas of the two holy mosques, the Haramain train stations, commercial centers, gold and jewelry markets, and petrol stations. There were 1,259 violations recorded, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. Inspections will continue throughout the Hajj period, the ministry has indicated.

MAKKAH: Four people selling fake Hajj permits and bracelets and promoting bogus Hajj campaigns were arrested by security patrols in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Cash, seals, mobile phones and computers being used in the scams were seized and the four residents, from Pakistan and Myanmar, referred to the Public Prosecution. Earlier, two Egyptian residents were arrested for fraudulent social media adverts that fraudulently offered accommodation, transport and the securing of a sacrifice to pilgrims.

RIYADH: Director General of Passports Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya on Sunday inspected Taif International Airport and points of entrance into Makkah. Al-Yahya assessed the work of passport officers and administrative committees responsible for Hajj regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The passports chief said these communities should operate 24/7 during Hajj season to identify and penalize individuals transporting unauthorized pilgrims.

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s efforts to help vulnerable individuals and families continue in Yemen and Syria with the distribution of basic food necessities. In Yemen, 2,251 families comprising 15,757 individuals from the districts of Khanfir, Al-Wadea, and Zinjibar in Abyan Governorate and Al-Dhale and Al-Shuayb districts of Al-Dhale Governorate received 2,251 food parcels as part of a life-saving project for underprivileged households.

Riyadh: The Kingdom excelled at the 24th Asian Physics Olympiad 2024 in Kampar, Malaysia, from June 3 to 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Backed by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, and the Ministry of Education, the Saudi Arabia team competed against 208 students from 27 countries.  The eight-member team won one bronze medal and received four certificates of appreciation, the SPA reported. 

MAKKAH: The sermon on Arafat this year will reach 1 billion people across the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will be overseeing the broadcast. The project, named after King Salman, seeks to highlight Islam’s message of religious tolerance, moderation and peace, said Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, president of the general presidency.

RIYADH: Taif governor Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Abdulaziz on Sunday visited the Miqats of Ihram and various security checkpoints in the governorate to ensure pilgrims’ safety and convenience, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The governor also visited the Miqat of Qarn Al-Manazil in Al-Sail Al-Kabi where he inspected the security checkpoints on Al-Sail Al-Kabir road, and was briefed on the technology used for monitoring and handling violations of Hajj permits and related procedures.

AMMAN: Saudi aid agency KSrelief concluded its 26th volunteer program in Al-Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan, reported state news agency SPA on Sunday. The program provided health services in various fields like optometry, dermatology and physical therapy benefiting 669 people. Courses in English, chemistry, sewing and more were also part of the program. The aid agency provided an awareness course on addiction, treating suicide cases and individual and group counseling which benefited 297 people.

RIYADH: The Kingdom will promote the camel industry at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization meeting in Rome this week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The exhibition, from June 10 to 14, will showcase locally manufactured products, and their contribution to food security and health in the Kingdom. It will also emphasize the cultural importance of camels in Saudi Arabia society. The Kingdom’s participation in the FAO’s council meeting comes as a part of its co-chairmanship of the International Year of Camelids 2024.

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Commerce is sending inspection teams to central Makkah and the roads leading to ensure that commercial outlets are complying with consumer protection regulations ahead of Hajj. The teams made 24,880 visits to the central area of the Grand Mosque, the Haramain express train, commercial centers, sales outlets, gold and jewelry markets, service centers, and petrol stations. As well as the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and the markets surrounding it.

RIYADH: King Salman ordered on Sunday the hosting for Hajj of 1,000 family members of Palestinians killed or wounded in the fighting currently raging in Gaza, Saudi Press Agency reported. The directive comes after a similar order issued in May, also for 1,000 family members of Palestinian victims of Israel's onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which brings the total number hosted from Palestine for this year's Hajj to 2,000.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman for Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) rehabilitated a fish landing center in Yemen’s Hodeidah, the Saudi Press Agency said. The site was renovated under the emergency support program to protect the agriculture, livestock and fishery-based livelihoods of highly vulnerable populations in Yemen, which is funded by the KSrelief.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s climate envoy Adel Al-Jubier met with several officials on the sidelines of oceans high-level event in the Costa Rican capital, San Jose. Al-Jubeir, who is also minister of state for foreign affairs and a cabinet member, separately met with Brazil’s Secretary of Multilateral Political Affairs Carlos Márcio Bicalho Cozendey and Ecuador’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition Sade Fritschi.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority inaugurated the first automated monitoring vehicle to track compliance of various transportation modes in Makkah, Madinah, and holy sites during this year’s Hajj season. With an accuracy of up to 99%, the automated wagon uses mobile surveillance cameras that determine the type and provide the data of vehicles, including buses, trucks, and taxis, to ensure safe transportation for pilgrims.

RIYADH: Despite the rise in temperatures in Makkah at a rate of 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade, heatstroke cases witnessed a decrease by 74.6 percent and the death rate down by 47.6 percent, a recent study conducted under the leadership of the Research and Innovation Center at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) has found. The study attributed the reduction in health risks to preventive measures undertaken by the Saudi government during Hajj seasons, according to the Saudi Press Agency.