logo
First batch of Iranian Hajj pilgrims arrives in Madinah

First batch of Iranian Hajj pilgrims arrives in Madinah

Saudi Gazette04-05-2025

Saudi Gazette report
MADINAH — The first group of Hajj pilgrims from Iran arrived in Madinah on Sunday. The Passports Office at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah has completed the entry procedures of the Iranian pilgrims in a smooth manner.
The General Directorate of Passports stated that it has mobilized all available resources to streamline the entry process for the pilgrims. This includes equipping border platforms with the latest technologies and deploying qualified, multilingual staff.
The directorate also emphasized its full readiness to process the entry of pilgrims arriving through air, land, and sea ports as part of its comprehensive Hajj season preparations.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi airports urge travelers to confirm flights amid foreign airspace closures
Saudi airports urge travelers to confirm flights amid foreign airspace closures

Saudi Gazette

time11 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Saudi airports urge travelers to confirm flights amid foreign airspace closures

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's international airports have called on passengers traveling to countries affected by recent airspace closures to contact their respective airlines before heading to the airport to avoid delays or unexpected disruptions. The advisory comes in the wake of Israeli strikes on Iran, which have prompted several nations to shut down portions of their airspace, disrupting international flight routes. Airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam stressed the importance of checking flight status with carriers in advance, particularly for travelers departing to or transiting through regions impacted by the escalating regional conflict. The move is aimed at ensuring smooth travel operations and minimizing inconvenience to passengers amid evolving air traffic conditions. Earlier, Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, calling them a blatant violation of Iran's sovereignty and a breach of international law and norms. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's deep concern over what it described as 'heinous attacks,' emphasizing that the international community — particularly the UN Security Council — bears a major responsibility to immediately stop this aggression and prevent further escalation.

NCM Issues Over 59,000 Weather Bulletins to Support Air Navigation, Safety During Hajj
NCM Issues Over 59,000 Weather Bulletins to Support Air Navigation, Safety During Hajj

Leaders

time13 hours ago

  • Leaders

NCM Issues Over 59,000 Weather Bulletins to Support Air Navigation, Safety During Hajj

The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) announced that it issued and transmitted more than 59,000 meteorological reports and data entries during the 1446 Hajj season. These efforts were aimed at supporting air navigation and ensuring flight safety by providing accurate, timely information to relevant authorities. As part of its broader operations during the pilgrimage, NCM also issued over 39,000 weather bulletins to assist agencies responsible for crowd management and pilgrim services. These measures were designed to help maintain a safe and stable environment throughout the holy sites. In addition to its operational activities, the center conducted three specialized field research studies involving more than 25 researchers and experts. The studies focused on monitoring microclimate variations, advancing forecasting technologies, and evaluating the environmental and public health impacts of weather conditions in the holy areas. Artificial intelligence was also utilized to enhance the accuracy of numerical weather models. These initiatives were carried out under a comprehensive operational plan developed in coordination with various authorities. The plan also included public awareness campaigns and field outreach programs at the Grand Mosque, the holy sites, and Haramain High-Speed Railway stations, supported by NCM's partners across several service sectors. NCM reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety through high standards of quality and integration, in line with the Kingdom's leadership vision and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia, Netherlands Discuss Trade Cooperation ROSHN Green Initiative Center: Inspiring Future Environmental Leaders Saudi Arabia Welcomes Foreign Real Estate Investors Outside Holy Cities All You Need to Know about Hajj Rituals: A Step-by-Step Guide Short link : Post Views: 15

Wrapped in gratitude: How Saudi women are redefining post-Hajj gift culture
Wrapped in gratitude: How Saudi women are redefining post-Hajj gift culture

Arab News

time16 hours ago

  • Arab News

Wrapped in gratitude: How Saudi women are redefining post-Hajj gift culture

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia, the end of Hajj doesn't simply mark the conclusion of a sacred pilgrimage — it opens the door to another cherished tradition. Gift-giving, known locally as hadiyat al-hajj or 'the pilgrim's gift,' is a gesture that turns a personal journey into a shared blessing. For many, it is an expression of faith, gratitude and love. While classics like Zamzam water and dates still hold their place, a new generation of Saudi women is redefining this tradition, infusing it with creative spirit, personal stories and intentional detail. From custom packaging to symbolic items and handwritten notes, Hajj gifts today are becoming more than a token — they're a continuation of the spiritual journey itself. 'I didn't want to just hand someone a plastic bottle and say, 'I went',' said Nawal Al-Subaie, aged 30. 'So I put together small bundles with Zamzam water, engraved tasbeeh and handwritten du'a cards for each friend. It was my way of letting them in on the experience.' The gifts now often carry symbolic meaning — a fragrance that evokes the air of Arafat, prayer cards reflecting moments of silence in Muzdalifah, or a simple stamped tag reading 'Hajj Mabroor' in hand-drawn calligraphy. The items are chosen with care, often representing moments that shaped the pilgrim's heart. For Dana Al-Hamdan, 26, the most powerful way to preserve the feeling of Hajj was through images. Instead of giving traditional gifts, she printed instant film photographs she took throughout her pilgrimage, labeled with the exact date and time. 'I gave them to my twin sister,' she said. 'One was from Arafat just before Maghrib, another from the moment I arrived in Mina. They weren't staged — they were raw and personal.' The emotional weight of that gesture lingered far beyond the exchange. 'She kept one photo in her wallet and the other on her desk.' Al-Hamdan said. This new take on hadiyat al-hajj is trending on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Videos show everything from Hajj-themed gift boxes and laser-cut Qur'anic bookmarks to handmade pouches, scented oils and memory tokens. But it isn't about luxury or performance; it's about thoughtfulness. Many women prepare the gifts in quiet, reflective settings. Some add prayers or verses. Others prepare items based on personal meaning, such as a prayer for healing, a verse for patience, or an object that symbolizes strength. Latifa Al-Dossari, 27, created sets of prayer beads and placed them inside tiny velvet bags, along with notes describing what that day of Hajj felt like. 'It was like writing someone a letter from Mina,' she said. What's happening with these gifts is part of a larger movement, a shift toward a more expressive, emotionally honest form of spirituality. For many Saudi women, especially younger ones, Hajj is not only a rite to fulfill, but a memory to share, a testimony that invites others in. Some see hadiyat al-hajj as souvenirs, others see them as silent declarations. 'I remembered you,' they say. 'I carried your name. This was not a journey I took alone.' The true beauty of this tradition lies in the unspoken energy that surrounds it. These are not mass-produced tokens; they are gifts that hold time, intention, and prayer. For the women crafting them, the act is a final ritual, a quiet bridge from the pilgrim's journey back to daily life, but built with du'a, thought and love rather than stone or scripture. Because, in the end, the real gift isn't the Zamzam or the photograph or the beads. It's the sincerity that comes with it — the kind that says: 'You were with me, even when I was away.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store