Saudi interior minister inspects Hajj preparedness at holy sites
RIYADH: Saudi interior minister conducted a field tour on Wednesday to inspect the readiness of the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah (Holy Sites) Metro Line as pilgrims move to the holy site of Arafat.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, who also heads the Supreme Hajj Committee, was briefed on the mechanisms of dispatching and scheduling train trips, in full integration with the relevant security and regulatory authorities, ensuring smooth operations and the safety of pilgrims the Saudi Press Agency said.
The minister boarded a train ride to the Mina 3 (Jamarat) Station, where he inspected the station's readiness and facilities to receive pilgrims.
The metro line is a high-capacity rail system in Makkah that operates for only seven days a year, during Hajj, as a shuttle service to take pilgrims to and from holy sites. It has a capacity of up to 72,000 passengers per hour.
Prince Abdulaziz also visited the Facilities Security Forces, who regulate pedestrian movement and crowd management in the areas surrounding the metro stations, and was briefed on the forces' plans and role in supporting and assisting the Hajj Security Forces.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
36 minutes ago
- Arab News
Majority of 1.6m pilgrims begin Tawaf Al-Ifadah as Eid Al-Adha starts
MINA: Most of this year's more than 1.6 million pilgrims had begun performing Tawaf Al-Ifadah by Friday in Makkah — the ritual that marks the final days of Hajj and the beginning of Eid Al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world. Eid day began with masses of pilgrims performing the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina under moderate temperatures nearing 30 C, with the National Center for Meteorology forecasting a high of up to 40 C. The stoning ritual is among the final rites of Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Tawaf Al-Ifadah — derived from the Arabic word meaning 'to pour forth' — refers to the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba performed by pilgrims after returning from Mina. It is one of the essential and obligatory rites of Hajj. It involves walking around the Kaaba seven times within the Grand Mosque in Makkah, following the pilgrims' return from Mina where they perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. The ritual reflects spiritual submission, physical devotion, and the culmination of the core rites of the Hajj pilgrimage. Ali bin Faraj Al-Marri, a Qatari pilgrim, told Arab News that the tawaf was smooth and well-organized, saying: 'This is my first time performing Hajj, and I had heard that the Grand Mosque used to be extremely crowded. This has been one of the most successful Hajj seasons.' Saeed Al-Nabit, the head of Al-Marri's Hajj campaign group, echoed the sentiment, saying everything went as planned, and adding: 'This year has been one of the best Hajj seasons ever.' Leaving the Jamarat Bridge after performing the stoning ritual, Yasmeen Ahmed, a Libyan pilgrim, said with tears in her eyes that she was on the verge of completing one of the pillars of Islam — a lifelong dream she had always prayed to Allah to fulfill. She said: 'This is a moment I will never forget. I never imagined I would live to experience it, but I have always prayed for it. I thank Allah for making it possible, and I would also like to express my gratitude to Saudi Arabia for the beautiful organization of Hajj. There must have been tremendous efforts behind such a successful arrangement.' The Jamrat Al-Aqaba site, the largest and most prominent of the three stoning structures within the Jamarat facility, stands as one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent development projects at the holy sites, marking a transformative leap in crowd management aligned with the highest international engineering and organizational standards. With the capacity to accommodate over 300,000 pilgrims per hour, the facility ensures a smooth and safe flow of pilgrims during the peak days of stoning rituals in Mina. Every year on this day, the Jamarat area in Mina witnesses the arrival of throngs of pilgrims performing this critical Hajj rite — a solemn act of worship that embodies obedience and adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. The stoning ritual is among the most spiritually significant and logistically complex components of the Hajj pilgrimage. The Jamarat area in the past consisted of small stone pillars surrounded by narrow spaces and limited roads, leading to severe congestion and difficulties, particularly with the growing number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency said in a report. According to the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, a bridge was constructed over the three Jamarat pillars in 1975 to create a second level for the stoning ritual. Over the years the structure underwent multiple phases of expansion and enhancement. The current Jamarat Bridge was inaugurated in its first phase in 2006, with full completion achieved in 2010. The bridge comprises five levels, each 12 meters high, extending 950 meters in length and 80 meters in width. It includes 11 entrances, 12 exits, and can accommodate up to 300,000 pilgrims per hour. The facility also features a range of support services, including emergency helicopter landing pads, 3,289 escalators, advanced surveillance systems, and four tunnels for vehicles and buses. The facility operates under a sophisticated management system involving specialized field teams working round the clock to ensure safety and provide medical and guidance services, in cooperation with various security and service agencies. The site is also equipped with multilingual guidance screens and modern surveillance cameras to enhance flow and ensure pilgrim safety. As part of broader efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience, Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has implemented several key projects this year. Notable among them is the installation of 200 mist fans in the facility's eastern square to reduce heat stress from direct sunlight. In addition, the Towards Mina initiative has been implemented to improve spatial orientation, helping to reduce the number of lost pilgrims and facilitating easier access to camps. The initiative relies on a color-coded signage system aligned with camp divisions and facility levels.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
How Saudis spiritually connect with Hajj remotely
RIYADH: While millions of pilgrims converge on Makkah each year for the pilgrimage which makes up the fifth pillar of Islam, many Saudis are connecting with the spirit of Hajj without ever leaving their homes. Whether they are not yet eligible, unable to travel, or simply waiting for their turn, these individuals have found meaningful ways to experience the journey spiritually — through screens, rituals, reflections and community. This evolving form of spiritual connection highlights a growing culture of intentional observance from afar, especially among young Saudis who see Hajj not as a spectator event, but as a season for personal transformation, wherever they are. For 25-year-old Shatha Al-Jadaan, who has already completed Hajj, the way she engages with the pilgrimage now is more intimate than ever, even when she is not physically there. 'Now that I've experienced Hajj, I follow it in a more personal way,' she said. 'I keep the Makkah live stream running 24/7 at home. It's not background noise — it's a reminder of a moment I lived.' She adds that her digital engagement with the pilgrimage is deeply structured. 'I fast all 10 days of Dul Hijjah (the month of the pilgrimage), and I start my day earlier. I make sure the atmosphere in the house is different — calmer, more reflective. 'My acts of worship are done with full presence. It's a way to relive the rhythm of Hajj, even if I'm not there. 'Screens can't replace the feeling — but they do carry the spirit.' Noor Ahmad, 21, echoed a similar sentiment. She said that seeing Hajj online helped prepare her for the moment she finally went — and now, when she watches others go, it deepens her gratitude. 'I had always seen Hajj on TV, social media, or through others' stories,' she said. 'Those images gave me a glimpse and stirred a longing to go. And when I finally did, I found myself connecting the visual memories with what I was living in real time.' After her return, the act of watching became a kind of remembrance. 'It's not just nostalgia. It's a form of spiritual presence,' she said. Omar Al-Shehri, 33, uses the Hajj season to teach his children about the rituals. 'Every day during Dul Hijjah, we sit as a family, watch the scenes from Mina and Arafat, and I explain each step to my kids. Even though we're not there, they're growing up understanding the weight and meaning of it.' He adds: 'They'll perform Hajj one day, insha'Allah — but until then, they're growing in awareness.' Digital platforms have played a huge role in how people spiritually engage with Hajj. Official channels like Saudi Press Agency, Al-Ekhbariya, and digital apps like Haramain Watch allow viewers to follow crowd sizes, ritual timing, and even live fatwas in real time. Layla Al-Fahad, 29, uses X with mutuals and WhatsApp groups with close friends to share spiritual prompts. 'We share reminders, dhikr, and short prayers every day during the ten days. It's like a mini spiritual retreat — just in group chat form.' Other Saudis have turned to digital booklets, daily phone reminders, or interactive timelines of the Hajj rituals to stay aligned with the pilgrims' journey. The most compelling insight from many of these remote observers is that distance doesn't diminish intention. In fact, for some, it heightens it. 'There's something humbling about knowing you're not there, but still feeling connected,' said Al-Fahad. 'You start praying differently, reading differently, even walking differently during those 10 days. Everything becomes softer, more deliberate.' For many Saudis, participating in the spiritual season does not require boarding a bus, plane, or train. It requires presence of heart, clarity of mind, and intention of soul.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Flynas Launches First Direct Flights Between Riyadh and Damascus After 12-Year Suspension
Saudi airline flynas has inaugurated direct flights between Riyadh and Damascus, becoming the first Saudi carrier to reconnect the two capitals after more than 12 years. The move marks a significant milestone in the airline's strategic expansion plan, launched under the slogan 'Connecting the World to the Kingdom.' The inaugural flight ceremony took place on Thursday at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, attended by Syrian chargé d'affaires in Riyadh Counselor Hussein Abdulaziz, along with representatives from flynas, Riyadh Airports Company, and various media outlets. Passengers traveling on the first flight to Damascus were welcomed with gifts, and the aircraft was greeted with a traditional water salute upon landing at Damascus International Airport. The reception was attended by the Saudi chargé d'affaires in Syria, along with officials from the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, Damascus Airport, and flynas. According to a company statement, the relaunch of flights to Damascus reflects flynas' commitment to strengthening Saudi-Syrian relations. The airline had previously operated direct flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to several Syrian cities including Damascus, Aleppo, and Latakia. The launch supports Saudi Arabia's National Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect the Kingdom to 250 international destinations, handle 330 million passengers annually, and welcome 150 million tourists by 2030. It also aligns with the goals of the Pilgrim Experience Program, which facilitates easier access to the Two Holy Mosques. Flynas currently operates 139 routes to over 70 domestic and international destinations across 30 countries, with more than 2,000 flights per week. Since its founding in 2007, the airline has served over 80 million passengers. Under its expansion strategy, flynas aims to grow its network to 165 destinations, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
