logo
Sharjah Islamic Affairs holds 'Hajj... Step by Step'

Sharjah Islamic Affairs holds 'Hajj... Step by Step'

Sharjah 2426-05-2025

Two primary focuses
The seminar included two major components: religious and health-related. A sizeable number of people attended. The department also distributed awareness kits, which included brochures and leaflets detailing Hajj rituals. The University Hospital clinic also provided medical check-ups, particularly for individuals with diabetes and hypertension, as well as health advice to pilgrims to safeguard their safety throughout Hajj.
Religious focus
The religious part, delivered by the Department of Islamic Affairs, included a thorough explanation of the Hajj ceremonies. Participants learnt about Hajj's teachings, virtues, requirements, and pillars. The Department of Islamic Affairs provided a detailed review of the pilgrimage protocols, along with preparation guidance, common mistakes to avoid, and responses to personal questions.
Health focus
The health component was overseen by medical professionals from Emirates Health Services, who provided preventive advice to avoid any health difficulties during the Hajj. They concentrated on managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, preventing infectious diseases, dealing with high temperatures, maintaining good nutrition, and emphasising the significance of immunisations and medical preparedness.
Awareness programmes
The government verified that this session is part of a larger public awareness effort for this year's Hajj season. It consists of rigorous seminars and educational sessions, printed materials, and religious lessons in Sharjah mosques on the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Outreach initiatives at the airport and homes
To assist people who were unable to attend the seminars, the department sent preachers to Sharjah International Airport's departure hall to answer questions and give guidance packages. It also arranges house visits for older pilgrims ravelling through Sharjah campaigns, where representatives answer questions and provide accurate explanations of Hajj rituals.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UAE: Travelling for Hajj? New smart medical bag launched for pilgrims
UAE: Travelling for Hajj? New smart medical bag launched for pilgrims

Khaleej Times

time2 days ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE: Travelling for Hajj? New smart medical bag launched for pilgrims

A smart medical bag, that marks a new advancement in portable healthcare for Hajj pilgrims, has been introduced with the launch of 'Masand'. This innovative unit is tailored to assist healthcare teams in fast-paced, mobile environments where prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential. This bag has been developed by health-tech company Doctory in collaboration with the Sharjah Open Innovation Lab (SoiLAB). The innovative medical bag integrates advanced diagnostic tools into a single portable unit, allowing for rapid and effective health assessments during the pilgrimage. Developed through close cooperation between Doctory's healthcare experts and SoiLAB's engineering team, 'Masand' harnesses technologies including 3D printing, additive manufacturing, laser cutting, and precision electronics. The launch reinforces the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park's (SRTI Park) reputation as a regional hub for next-generation medical devices, born from dynamic partnerships between government, academia, and industry. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTI Park, said, 'Doctory's innovative products, designed within SoiLAB, are a model of health innovation. This project reflects our commitment to empowering creative and innovative companies to turn their ideas into tangible solutions that improve lives. The Hajj season provides a unique opportunity to test these solutions in real-world conditions, showcasing SRTI Park's ability to turn research and innovation into practical outcomes.' He added, 'We are dedicated to enabling innovators by providing world-class research and development facilities, advanced industrial expertise, and supportive investment networks. Our goal is to create an environment where pioneering ideas in health technology can thrive, transforming how medical solutions are developed and implemented.' How does it work? The 'Masand' medical bag can directly connect patients with a network of specialised doctors, enabling remote diagnosis and treatment — even in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities. The bag has attracted significant attention from medical authorities and regulatory bodies during the current Hajj season, where it has proven effective in managing emergency health cases at the holy sites. Osama Shamsi Pasha, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Doctory, said, "The 'Masand' medical bag represents a significant leap in mobile healthcare, made possible by the advanced innovation environment and world-class team at SoiLAB. We have had previous successful collaborations with SoiLAB, such as developing the 'Doctory Chair,' which reinforces our confidence that SRTI Park is the ideal environment for testing ambitious ideas and turning them into practical products."

Look: Hajj pilgrims brave heat to pray at Mount Arafat ahead of Eid Al Adha
Look: Hajj pilgrims brave heat to pray at Mount Arafat ahead of Eid Al Adha

Khaleej Times

time2 days ago

  • Khaleej Times

Look: Hajj pilgrims brave heat to pray at Mount Arafat ahead of Eid Al Adha

Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day. Thousands of pilgrims began to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon. While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, carrying colourful umbrellas, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Koran recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the Hajj. After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and the sprawling tent city of Mina, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil". Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. "This is something that I used to see every year on the TV screen during Hajj and I always thought: 'I wish I could be here'," said 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, one of 1.5 million pilgrims who had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. "I've been trying to get here... for the past 3 years," he added as he gazed at the mount. "I feel very blessed." Hundreds of pilgrims dressed in white dotted the mount itself, with many more at its foot praying or taking pictures. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities called on pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10am and 4pm on Thursday, when the desert sun is at its harshest. Fans spraying mist and providing cool air were dispersed at the foot of the mount. Temperatures this year have already exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, kicked off earlier this week. Officials have beefed up heat mitigation efforts aiming to avoid a repeat of last year's hajj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8C. "I came here early to (avoid) the sun and later I will pray inside my tent," said 54-year-old Adel Ismail, from Syria. To make this year's pilgrimage safer, authorities have expanded infrastructure, deployed thousands of extra personnel and relied on an arsenal of high-tech tools to help better manage crowds. Authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, the Hajj minister has told AFP. Through tears of joy, Iman Abdel Khaleq said she had wanted to perform the Hajj for 10 years and was overwhelmed with emotion as she arrived at Arafat. "It's a big dream for me that I had almost given hope up of realising," the woman in her fifties told AFP from the foot of the mount. Authorities said a majority of the deaths in 2024 were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to amenities like air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have also cracked down on unregistered pilgrims looking to sneak into Mecca, relying on 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 a 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. 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.

Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for most sacred day of Hajj
Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for most sacred day of Hajj

The National

time2 days ago

  • The National

Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for most sacred day of Hajj

Pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat on Thursday for the pinnacle of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, standing in prayer and reflection on the outskirts of Makkah. Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day, as temperatures soar past 40°C. With more than two million pilgrims converging on Makkah this year, officials increased safety measures amid the heat, enforcing strict penalties against unauthorised visitors to curb overcrowding. Hajj, one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, began this week. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is mandatory for Muslims who are able to do so to perform the pilgrimage once in their lives. Thousands of worshippers made their way to the hill and surrounding plains of Arafat before dawn on Thursday, to commemorate the final sermon delivered by the Prophet Mohammed. The Saudi Press Agency reported that 2,443 pilgrims from 100 countries, hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Programme for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, had settled into their accommodation on Arafat. The programme, overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in co-operation with other government agencies, provides comprehensive spiritual and logistical support, the agency said. Officials say all resources have been mobilised to ensure a safe, comfortable and spiritually fulfilling experience, the SPA added. Authorities this week advised pilgrims to remain in their air-conditioned tents between 10am and 4pm on Thursday, when the desert heat peaks. What is Arafat Day? Arafat Day is one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. It falls on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijja, the final month of the lunar year, and represents the spiritual climax of Hajj. Millions of pilgrims mark the day by gathering at Mount Arafat to perform wuquf – the ritual of standing in prayer and devotion. This rite is considered the most essential pillar of Hajj and, without it, the pilgrimage is deemed incomplete. For Muslims not performing Hajj, Arafat Day is a time of fasting, worship and introspection. Fasting on this day is believed to expiate the sins of the previous and coming year. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as several other Muslim-majority countries, Arafat Day is a public holiday. It precedes Eid Al Adha, the "festival of the sacrifice", which begins this year on Friday, June 6, and runs until Sunday, June 8.

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