Who are the pilgrims riding from Spain to Makkah on horseback?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Over 19mln passengers transported by air during Hajj
The Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the implementation of its operational plan for the Hajj season, revealing that over 19 million passengers and pilgrims were transported by air through more than 128,000 flights. The extensive operation took place between April 29 and July 10, 2025, and involved the participation of 116 air carriers from around the world, reported SPA. GACA confirmed that more than 1.4 million pilgrims arrived at six major international airports across the Kingdom, utilising 12 dedicated departure terminals. The achievement was made possible through the close coordination of over 25 government, security, and operational entities, supported by a workforce of more than 18,000 male and female employees. Their efforts ensured a seamless and efficient travel experience for the pilgrims, in line with Saudi Arabia's long-standing commitment to facilitating the Hajj journey. These accomplishments were highlighted during a ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, under the patronage of GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej. The event honored the various entities that contributed to the success of the operational plans for the Hajj and Umrah seasons. Among the key services that stood out this year was the 'Passengers with No Bags' initiative, which aimed to streamline the pilgrim journey by managing luggage transport directly from airports to pilgrims' places of residence. The number of beneficiaries surpassed one million, with more than 1.6 million pieces of luggage transported. Additionally, the initiative facilitated the pre-shipment of over 856,000 bottles of Zamzam water. Another milestone was the initiative to connect Hajj flights with the Haramain High Speed Railway, in partnership with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). This initiative enabled 253,000 pilgrims to travel comfortably and efficiently between the airports and the holy sites, improving the overall transportation experience and reducing congestion on traditional ground routes. GACA also played a key role in the Ministry of Interior's 'Makkah Route' initiative, one of the flagship programs under the broader 'Pilgrims Experience Program' within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030. GACA designated six international airports to receive pilgrims: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Yanbu, Taif International Airport, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The latter two served as key hubs for connecting pilgrims' flights. In close coordination with relevant government agencies, the air transport system worked diligently to ensure the highest levels of operational efficiency throughout the Hajj season. The authority participated as a member of the supervisory committee and designated special terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah for the reception of pilgrims arriving through the initiative. Flights were carefully scheduled to avoid overlapping arrivals, contributing to a streamlined entry process. Copyright 2025 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Culture Bites summer list: easy reads and flight-friendly flicks
On Culture Bites this week, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews offer some inspiration for a richer summer with their recommendations of what to read, watch and see during the holidays. For long flights, the hosts suggest skipping cinematic spectacles and opting instead for breezy, entertaining films that are more suitable for smaller screens. If video is not an option, Enas and Farah also share some ideas for podcasts and audiobooks to enjoy. The holidays are a good time to pick up a bingeable book. Farah recommends Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez for an easily digestible read. Enas's pick is The List by Yomi Adegoke, a novel about a journalist who seems to have it all until a list changes everything. For globetrotters planning a holiday to Amman or Edinburgh, the hosts also suggest standout museums and exhibits to visit there.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
15 hours ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
From Butler Service To Family Rituals: The Magic and Rich History Of The St. Regis Experience
Inspired by the rich hospitality of its Gilded Age founders, St. Regis resorts are the ultimate luxury escape… I'm sitting in a corner of a terrace on my last night at The St. Regis Mardavall Resort, Mallorca, taking in the twilight and the expanse of darkening Balearic Sea. There's a calm din of conversation around me, as fellow diners at the critically acclaimed Es Fum enjoy their midsummer supper. I've been served a multi-course menu including morsels of Kaluga caviar and beautiful just-pink lamb with a crisp crumb and Japanese potato flour Katakuriko gnocchi, arranged as precisely and artfully as the dots on a Bridget Riley painting. The executive chef de cuisine Miguel Navarro has brought his experience from around the globe to Mallorca, the homeland of his grandmother; there are flashes of East and South Asian, and South American ingredients cleverly woven through, complementing each other. 'I want to take you on a journey,' Navarro tells me as I navigate the exquisite meal, course by course. Indeed, my three-day stay at this St. Regis resort has itself been a journey of discovery and delight, qualities that the brand is famous for. As soon as I had arrived, laden with luggage and weary from an early flight, I was greeted with refreshments and a hearty welcome, while my suitcase was whisked away to be unpacked by a dedicated butler. Immediately I felt my shoulders drop, and I began to relax into the holiday. My butler would become a constant companion during my stay. The service is a mainstay of every St. Regis, whether in Abu Dhabi, Mauritius or New York (the original opened in 1904 and became a centre for high society). Anticipation was the name of the game. If I forgot my book by the time I got to the pool, my butler would bring it to me, while also delivering a refreshing iced tea. My home for the duration was the Astor suite, named after the St. Regis founder, John Jacob Astor. The space was an impressive series of interconnected rooms, its focal point the wraparound private terrace. From here I had panoramic views over the sun-drenched hotel grounds – its many pools, the coiffed lawns, the Mar Sea Club restaurant, the horizon between the sea and sky beyond. Coming off the main suite were two more rooms which could easily accommodate four to six – ideal for families holidaying with grandparents or cousins. Throughout the suite there were beautiful design touches that nodded to the Mediterranean setting, such as the locally-sourced artworks. I particularly enjoyed the freestanding bath, and the suite's private bar, a wonderful place to perch and chat while nursing a Bloody Mary. (I was delighted to learn that one of my favourite cocktails was perfected at The St. Regis New York's Old King Cole Bar 91 years ago by the barman Fernand Petiot). Once my butler had unpacked my cases in the walk-in wardrobe, I was ready to see more of the island, and so was thrilled to be invited to a private boat ride on one of the newest additions to the hotel – the sleek Tesoro T50 Speciale. Jumping aboard from a private jetty, we sped along the coast taking in the Unesco heritage site of the Tramuntana mountains, and then moored and dived off the boat into the crystalline turquoise sea. It was a thrilling way to start the day, and a customary activity for guests – especially with families – who are after a different perspective of their location. Ravenous post-ride, I returned to shore, ready for lunch at the Mar Sea Club where a feast that included a plump oyster served with a shot of the hotel's signature cocktail, The Mardavall Pepper Snapper (a take on the classic Bloody Mary – every St. Regis has its own twist). St. Regis is also famous for its 'rituals', which are celebrated daily in each of its resorts. Perhaps my favourite was afternoon tea – beautifully arranged on the lawns, complete with plentiful towers of croquembouches and platters of seasonal fruit cascading with grapes. It was a bucolic scene, in which families gathered and made friends – the children were playing games and kite decorating – while the adults were able to meet and mingle. The occasion of the tea itself is a tribute to the founder's mother Caroline Astor – a formidable matriarch who defined the Gilded Age with her salons and cultural gatherings. With time between plans, I had a wander around the grounds and decided to retreat to the bar, behind which sits a mural that was painted by the Mallorcan artist Ramon Enrich. The artwork is a nod to The St. Regis New York, whose Old King Cole bar is named after a mural of the same name, painted by the artist Maxfield Parrish in 1932. Before dinner at Es Fum, I was treated to the hotel's final ritual. To signal the beginning of the evening to come, the ceremony of 'sabrage' – a dramatic opening of a bottle of champagne with a saber – is performed. The ritual takes its cue from Napoleon Bonaparte, who would open champagne thus whether in victory or defeat. While I was offered the opportunity to channel Napoleon too, I thought I would leave the swordplay to the experts, whose deft skills were incredibly impressive. As I sipped my champagne, I knew it was these thoughtful touches that built up to the full experience of being at a St. Regis resort. The brand's legacy of warm hospitality shines through in every detail, from its beloved rituals to its friendly butler service, creating a feeling of playful, luxurious escapism. I already can't wait to visit another one of its resorts.
