
70 national pilgrims sponsored by Saud Bahwan for Umrah
The special package, designed by National Travel & Tourism (NTT) covered return airfares, accommodation, food and all essential arrangements for the Umrah rituals, allowing the pilgrims to focus solely on their spiritual aspirations.
Since its inception in 2004, the Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation has been a beacon of compassion and generosity in Oman. As the nation's first charitable organisation, it has remained steadfast in its mission to uplift those in need, offering both financial and non-financial assistance to individuals and families facing economic hardships. The foundation actively engages in various humanitarian initiatives across the country, working independently as well as in collaboration with Ministries and institutions to maximise its positive impact.
This initiative extends beyond charity. It embodies the Foundation's commitment to empowering people with disabilities by fostering inclusion, pride and equal opportunities. Through such meaningful endeavours, Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation continues to illuminate lives, bringing hope and relief while upholding the values of kindness, generosity and community support.
National Travel & Tourism (NTT) played a pivotal role in orchestrating a smooth and enriching experience for the pilgrims. A spokesperson from NTT shared, 'NTT has supported Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation in making the sacred journey of Umrah a reality for members of Al Noor Association for the Blind. More than just a gesture of support, this initiative reaffirms the belief that every individual, regardless of circumstance, deserves the opportunity to fulfil their spiritual aspirations. NTT also has special Umrah packages tailored for those seeking to reconnect spiritually, as well as those requiring special care, ensuring a truly personalised and fulfilling pilgrimage experience.'
As the pilgrims embark on this sacred journey, they do so with the knowledge that they are embraced by a community that truly cares. This noble act stands as a testament to the power of collective compassion and the unwavering commitment of Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation and NTT to making a difference in the lives of those in need.

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Observer
07-06-2025
- Observer
Saudis use AI, drones and thousands of cameras to keep Haj pilgrims safe
MECCA: Working day and night in front of maps, screens and seemingly endless data, Saudi officials have harnessed artificial intelligence to help manage the million-strong sea of pilgrims during the Haj. The technology has proven pivotal to track the overwhelming amount of footage from more than 15,000 cameras in and around the holy city of Mecca. The systems are tuned to spot abnormal crowd movements or predict bottlenecks in foot traffic — a potential life-saver at a packed event with a history of deadly stampedes. Software is also used to help guide more than 20,000 buses deployed to transport pilgrims between holy sites during one of the world's biggest annual religious gatherings. Muslims participate in a prayer around the Kaaba. — AFP It is all part of the tech arsenal that Saudi Arabia is deploying as 1.4 million faithful from across the globe descend on Mecca and its surrounds. "In our traffic control room, we use specialised cameras that have AI layers to analyse movements, crowded areas" and predict behaviours, said Mohamed Nazier, chief executive officer for the General Transport Centre at the Royal Commission for Mecca. The centre has a main control room in Mecca filled with screens and maps, where staff use high-tech tools including AI for round-the-clock monitoring. About a dozen staff members sit in rows before desktop computers with a large display at the front, zooming in on crowd movements around the holy sites. On hillsides nearby, cameras that resemble little white robots film buildings, roads and pathways along the Haj route, which winds more than 20 kilometres between Mecca and Mount Arafat. Nazier said the constant monitoring is aimed at averting traffic collisions with pedestrians on crowded routes while also making sure there are buses available to minimise walking time in the desert heat. It is a decade since the Haj suffered its worst disaster, a stampede that killed up to 2,300 people during the "stoning of the devil" ritual. Hundreds also died in stampedes in 2006, 1998 and 1994. In 1990, 1,426 pilgrims were trampled to death or asphyxiated when a tunnel ventilation system failed. With its cutting-edge technology, "the control room is our eye on the ground," said Mohammed al Qarni, who oversees the Haj and the year-round Umrah pilgrimage at the transport centre. A young boy is lifted up to touch the Kaaba, in the holy city of Mecca. — AFP Artificial intelligence helps to determine "the flow on the roads to the holy sites, and detects emergency situations even before they occur", he said, adding that the technology can help assess the number of people in a single place. Cameras and AI can estimate if a site has reached maximum capacity, allowing authorities to divert the flow of pilgrims, Al Qarni said. During the holy month of Ramadhan this year, the system spotted when the Grand Mosque had reached full capacity. "The flow to the Haram (Grand Mosque) was stopped and the process controlled," he said. The use of advanced technology extends beyond logistics, also tracking unregistered pilgrims, who accounted for most of the 1,301 deaths in sweltering conditions last year. As temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius last year, unauthorised worshippers who lack access to air-conditioned tents and buses bore the brunt. Temperatures are forecast to top 40C this week. Muslim worshippers make their way towards the Kaaba. — AFP The Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet not everyone is able to secure or afford one of the official permits, which are allocated to countries by quota. To try to stop anyone sneaking in this year, a fleet of camera-equipped drones is monitoring entrances into Mecca. "We use artificial intelligence and other tools like drones and thermal imaging cameras," the director-general of public security, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah al Bassami, told reporters. Meanwhile, the Saudi Special Forces for Roads Security said it was using "smart thermal imaging" to monitor the perimeter of Mecca and the holy sites. — AFP


Muscat Daily
25-04-2025
- Muscat Daily
70 national pilgrims sponsored by Saud Bahwan for Umrah
A deeply moving spiritual journey unfolded as 70 national pilgrims from Al Noor Association for the Blind set out from Muscat for Umrah, carrying with them prayers, hopes and gratitude. This sacred pilgrimage was made possible through the support of Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation, which fully sponsored the journey, ensuring that every pilgrim experienced comfort and peace of mind. The special package, designed by National Travel & Tourism (NTT) covered return airfares, accommodation, food and all essential arrangements for the Umrah rituals, allowing the pilgrims to focus solely on their spiritual aspirations. Since its inception in 2004, the Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation has been a beacon of compassion and generosity in Oman. As the nation's first charitable organisation, it has remained steadfast in its mission to uplift those in need, offering both financial and non-financial assistance to individuals and families facing economic hardships. The foundation actively engages in various humanitarian initiatives across the country, working independently as well as in collaboration with Ministries and institutions to maximise its positive impact. This initiative extends beyond charity. It embodies the Foundation's commitment to empowering people with disabilities by fostering inclusion, pride and equal opportunities. Through such meaningful endeavours, Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation continues to illuminate lives, bringing hope and relief while upholding the values of kindness, generosity and community support. National Travel & Tourism (NTT) played a pivotal role in orchestrating a smooth and enriching experience for the pilgrims. A spokesperson from NTT shared, 'NTT has supported Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation in making the sacred journey of Umrah a reality for members of Al Noor Association for the Blind. More than just a gesture of support, this initiative reaffirms the belief that every individual, regardless of circumstance, deserves the opportunity to fulfil their spiritual aspirations. NTT also has special Umrah packages tailored for those seeking to reconnect spiritually, as well as those requiring special care, ensuring a truly personalised and fulfilling pilgrimage experience.' As the pilgrims embark on this sacred journey, they do so with the knowledge that they are embraced by a community that truly cares. This noble act stands as a testament to the power of collective compassion and the unwavering commitment of Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation and NTT to making a difference in the lives of those in need.


Muscat Daily
23-04-2025
- Muscat Daily
Omani adventurer goes 8000km around GCC on foot
Omani adventurer walks 8,000km across GCC to promote unity, peace, and boost tourism in the sultanate Bakhit Salim Mohammed al Amri, a 58-year-old resident of Sadah in Dhofar, has completed an extraordinary 8,000km journey on foot across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. His mission was to promote tourism, foster unity and peace among GCC citizens, and raise awareness on environmental sustainability. Speaking to Muscat Daily , Amri said, 'I began the first leg of my journey on January 1, 2024, walking from Salalah to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, covering over 3,000km in three months.' He had set out from the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Complex in Salalah, inspired by the historic routes his ancestors once took to perform Hajj and Umrah. Braving extreme weather and physical exhaustion, he reached Mecca on March 18, 2024, performed Umrah, and continued on foot to Medina. Encouraging young athletes The second phase of his odyssey began on September 1, 2024, from Seeb Club. Over several months, Amri walked 4,200km across the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, averaging 40 to 45km daily. He returned to Medina by the end of December 2024 before flying back to Muscat. 'Throughout my journey, I visited sports clubs across Oman, encouraging young athletes to embrace adventure, fitness, and cross-cultural exchange,' he said. 'In the UAE, I explored major tourist landmarks and connected with local athletes. In Saudi Arabia, I met Bedouin sheikhs, while in Qatar, I engaged with sports officials.' One of the most challenging segments was a 200km coastal road to Dammam with no available services. 'It was a true test of faith and endurance,' the Omani adventurer recalled. From there, he made his way to Bahrain, visited the National Museum, and met local athletes. In Kuwait, he connected with Bedouin tribes and sports clubs, inviting them to explore Oman. His journey also took him to Riyadh, ancient villages, and Buraidah – home to the region's oldest date market – before concluding this leg of the walk in Medina. The final leg On January 1 this year, Amri began the final stretch – a 1000km walk from Muscat to Salalah with the participation of Omani athletes. The 23-day trek included stops in Seeb, Fanja, Samail, Izki, Bashair, Adam, Northern Ghaba, Haima, Maqshan, Thumrait, Qairoun, Hayriti, and finally, Salalah. Over the course of one year, Amri walked approximately 8,000km around the GCC and Yemen and visited Medina twice on foot – a historic first for a modern Omani. While promoting tourism and unity, Amri also championed Oman's 2050 vision for carbon neutrality. His campaign called for reduced fossil fuel consumption, increased tree planting – particularly palm trees – adoption of modern irrigation methods, and stronger environmental and wildlife conservation efforts across the GCC. 'My goal was to highlight the health benefits of walking, promote adventure sports, and showcase Oman's rich cultural and natural heritage,' he said. To prepare for the journey, Amri underwent rigorous training, walking 10km to 20km daily. Carrying a 10kg backpack, he relied on a tent, sleeping bag, and essential gear – but above all, determination. Looking ahead, the Omani adventurer plans to develop hiking trails in Dhofar and organise group walking trips to encourage healthy, environmentally conscious lifestyles. 'I'm inviting Omani sports teams to join me in promoting fitness, sustainability, and Oman as a top destination for eco-tourism and cultural discovery,' he said.