Nearly 2,700 pilgrims cross Rub al Khali border for haj from Oman
Muscat – The Rub al Khali border crossing between Oman and Saudi Arabia has seen the passage of 80 buses carrying 2,696 pilgrims travelling to perform haj in the last few days. The movement is part of coordinated efforts by authorities to streamline the grouping and departure process.
Officials said the arrangements reflect the efficiency of coordination between entities such as the Royal Oman Police and the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, aimed at easing travel procedures and reducing waiting times at the border. The measures were designed to ensure smooth transit for pilgrims arriving from different governorates.
Ibrahim bin Mubarak al Harthi of the Endowments and Religious Affairs Department in Dhahirah said the grouping of pilgrims is being conducted in two phases. The first focuses on compliance with requirements issued by the Omani Haj Mission and its Saudi counterpart, while the second deals with passport verification and entry permits to Saudi Arabia.
Several pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at the crossing, citing the swift processing and organised procedures by the authorities.
To support the journey, the Royal Oman Police, in cooperation with the Royal Army of Oman, the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, and the Ibri Charity Team, set up a service station along the route between Ibri and the border. The station provides assistance, emergency response, and ambulance services to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
5 hours ago
- Observer
Million-plus pilgrims begin hajj under blazing sun
Mecca, Saudi Arabia: More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the hajj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the Kaaba -- the black cube at the heart of Mecca's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. State media reported that others had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday -- prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf -- walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day. Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. "I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. - Artificial intelligence - Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest hajj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
4 days ago
Oman's pilgrims complete entry into Saudi Arabia for haj
Muscat – The final group of pilgrims travelling from Oman to Saudi Arabia through the Rub al Khali border crossing entered the kingdom on Saturday, marking the end of this year's overland arrivals. The Omani Haj Mission confirmed the entry of more than 5,000 pilgrims via the land route. Oman's total Haj quota this year includes 13,530 citizens and 470 expatriates, with allocations distributed across governorates based on the population of residents aged 18 and above. Muscat received the highest allocation at 24 per cent, followed by North Batinah at 19 per cent. Musandam received less than one per cent. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, the Haj Mission began delivering scheduled services through its specialised teams. These include supervisory visits to pilgrims' accommodations to ensure they meet approved health and safety standards. The mission stated that preparations for the Mina and Arafat camps are nearing completion. The camps, managed by a contracted company, are expected to be handed over within days following recent upgrades aimed at improving conditions for Omani pilgrims. To support the journey inside Oman, the Royal Oman Police, in coordination with the Royal Army of Oman, the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, and the Ibri Charity Team, established a service station along the route between Ibri and the border. The station offers emergency assistance, ambulance services, and other support to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims on their way to the holy sites.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
No permit, no haj: Saudi intensifies crackdown
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's haj pilgrimage, a year after hundreds perished in scorching conditions. Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca. The simple message, "No haj without a permit", is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms. Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit). "Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the haj season," said one official helping organise the haj, requesting anonymity. The haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route — which costs thousands of dollars less — more attractive. Saudi officials said 83 per cent of those who died last year did not have official haj permits. Temperatures of up to 44 °C (111 °F) are forecast next week. Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area. An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks. "Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my wife's and my residency permits," he said. "Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented." Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated haj visa, to enter the country each year. Meanwhile, fines for an illicit haj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country. Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666). "All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Haj season," the official added. — AFP
