logo
Saudi Red Crescent conducts air evacuation in Arafat as part of Hajj preparedness efforts

Saudi Red Crescent conducts air evacuation in Arafat as part of Hajj preparedness efforts

Arab News04-06-2025
ARAFAT: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority carried out an emergency air medical evacuation in Arafat on Wednesday, as part of its broader efforts to enhance readiness during the Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The operation was launched after an emergency call was received by the SRCA's central operations room.
Ground and air ambulance teams were immediately dispatched to the scene in coordination with relevant health authorities, SPA added.
The patient was stabilized on-site and transported by medical evacuation aircraft to a designated hospital, following direct coordination with the hospital's medical team and the provision of all necessary medical details.
SRCA spokesman Dr. Taimur Shukrullah Jan said the mission was part of a broader integrated system designed to improve emergency response across the holy sites.
He noted that medical evacuation aircraft are crucial in reducing response times, particularly in areas of high population density or restricted mobility.
'The authority is harnessing all its human and technical resources to serve pilgrims, in line with its humanitarian and national mission,' Jan said. 'Our ground and air ambulance teams are operating around the clock to deliver urgent care where and when it's needed.'
The SRCA's air ambulance service for the Hajj season comprises 11 aircraft deployed across 13 strategic landing sites in Makkah and the holy sites.
More than 120 trained personnel are working to ensure rapid intervention and high-quality emergency services for pilgrims, SPA reported.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Traditional weapon fires up celebrations in Asir
Traditional weapon fires up celebrations in Asir

Arab News

timean hour ago

  • Arab News

Traditional weapon fires up celebrations in Asir

RIYADH: In Al-Namas, a governorate in the Asir region known for its historic mud and wooden palaces, tradition lives on through the centuries-old craft of making 'Al-Maqmaa,' a heritage weapon once used for defense and now central to local celebrations. Crafting Al-Maqmaa begins with selecting high-quality wood for the body and forging an iron barrel, Saudi Press Agency reported. Key components include the safha, a compartment for storing gunpowder, and the darrab, used to compact it. The final stage is decoration, with artisans adorning the piece in brass, silver, and intricate engravings. Fahd Al-Shehri continues a legacy inherited from his father, who opened one of the first Al-Maqmaa repair shops in Al-Namas. His father modernized the craft using advanced tools while preserving its authenticity. Today, Fahd adapts the weapon for a younger generation, producing lighter, more compact versions. In Asir, no celebration is complete without Al-Maqmaa and the zahab, a cross-body leather belt studded with metal and used to carry gunpowder cartridges for ceremonial firing. The production of traditional black powder is part of this heritage. It involves mixing salt from specific soils, natural sulfur, and charcoal made from slow-burning branches. The compound once was used not only in weapons but also in blasting rocks and excavating wells. Researcher Saleh Abu Arad noted in his work that Al-Maqmaa remains a powerful symbol of Asir's identity, passed down through generations as a proud expression of the region's culture.

Saudi reserve launches Mideast's first female sea ranger corps
Saudi reserve launches Mideast's first female sea ranger corps

Arab News

timean hour ago

  • Arab News

Saudi reserve launches Mideast's first female sea ranger corps

JEDDAH: In a big step for marine conservation and gender inclusion, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has launched the Middle East's first female sea ranger corps. The announcement coincided with World Ranger Day and marks a pivotal shift in efforts to address gender imbalance in environmental protection roles. The new marine rangers form part of the reserve's 246-strong ranger team, with women making up 34 percent of the unit's strength. They patrol the reserve's 170 km Red Sea coastline alongside male rangers and Saudi Border Guard units. 'Seven incredible women make up our first group of female marine rangers, and we're proud of each of them,' Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the reserve, told Arab News. Among the pioneering group is Ruqayyah Awadh Al-Balawi, who has served at the reserve for three years. She was part of the first ranger intake and is now a qualified sea ranger. 'I have discovered a whole new world underwater. I'm proud to be part of the first group of women to learn how to swim at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve,' she told Arab News. 'I dream of the day when a woman serves as the skipper of the reserve's marine patrol boat.' Another trailblazer, Ghaida, from the coastal town of Al-Wajh within the reserve, has worked as a ranger for two years and was among the first to enroll in the reserve's swimming training program. At first, Ghaida said, she struggled to find confidence in the water. But with dedication and support, she overcame her fears. 'It felt peaceful and beautiful, like discovering a new world,' she told Arab News of her first swim in the sea. 'That moment gave me confidence and made me feel stronger.' Today, Ghaida credits swimming with helping her feel more focused and less stressed, both professionally and personally. The role of female sea rangers includes patrolling the coastline, monitoring marine life, enforcing environmental regulations, and contributing to marine research and ecosystem restoration efforts. All rangers undergo rigorous training, which includes first aid, self-defense, conservation techniques, patrolling, and ecological monitoring. To qualify as marine rangers, women complete an intensive swimming program designed to equip them with the physical and technical skills needed to operate in open water. Their fitness is assessed monthly to ensure readiness for the job's physical demands. The next step for the new recruits is skipper training. The move comes amid growing global awareness of gender imbalance in the conservation sector, especially in marine roles. 'This is a significant step forward in addressing conservation's historical regional and global gender imbalance. Only 11 percent of rangers globally are female and just 1 percent of those working in the blue economy are female,' Zaloumis said. 'By hiring and training women as marine rangers, we're showing through tangible results that women belong in this field and bring real value. 'Since launching our female ranger corps, we're seeing more women enter conservation across the Kingdom, with female graduates at NCW and female rangers at AlUla. Regional organizations are now asking how to implement similar programs.' Zaloumis said that when the reserve recruited its first ranger corps in 2021, women were encouraged to apply. Today, female rangers comprise 34 percent of the workforce, just 1 percent below Vision 2030's target for women in the labor market, and far exceeding the global average of 11 percent. 'Women bring essential skills to conservation,' he added. 'As Saudi Arabia progresses toward the global goal of protecting 30 percent of the Earth's land and sea by 2030, we are committed to building the skilled, inclusive ranger teams needed to power conservation in the Kingdom.' Zaloumis underscored the contribution of female rangers in protecting the reserve's rich marine biodiversity. 'They're on the frontlines, keeping watch, collecting data, and making sure our marine environment is respected. Their presence also sends a strong message: that everyone, men and women have a role in protecting our natural heritage.' The reserve's ranger corps play a key role in achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and the reserve's mission to 'Rewild Arabia.' Rangers are responsible for safeguarding the natural and cultural assets of the 24,500 sq km protected area, both on land and sea. Their tasks include ecological monitoring, species reintroduction, wildlife management, and ensuring environmental compliance in development projects. Since 2022, the reserve's rangers have conducted nearly 35,000 patrols. Female rangers work side by side with their male counterparts across the reserve's terrestrial area. However, until now, none had served at sea, due to limited access to swimming instruction and marine sector opportunities. That changed in July 2024 with the launch of a comprehensive swimming and marine training program, led by Senior Regional Manager Dominique du Toit, an experienced terrestrial and marine conservationist from South Africa. One year later, the first seven female rangers have completed training and joined patrols of the reserve's 3,856 sq. km marine zone. 'The training program highlights the rangers' dedication and discipline to learn new skills,' said du Toit. 'This has been, and remains, an incredible accomplishment and these rangers can be proud of the challenge they have overcome.' The reserve's marine area, covering 1.8 percent of Saudi Arabia's territorial waters, is home to 64 percent of the Kingdom's coral species, 22 percent of its fish species, and populations of endangered marine life, including hawksbill and green turtles, spinner dolphins, dugongs and whale sharks. To ensure their protection, the reserve's sea rangers operate from two custom-designed patrol boats, helping to conserve one of the Kingdom's most ecologically significant marine areas.

Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2026, will receive applications from Aug. 4
Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2026, will receive applications from Aug. 4

Arab News

time4 hours ago

  • Arab News

Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2026, will receive applications from Aug. 4

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Wednesday that the federal cabinet has approved the country's Hajj Policy 2026, with Islamabad set to receive applications for the pilgrimage under the government scheme from Aug. 4. Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Yousaf said currently the quota for Pakistani pilgrims is 179,210. However, he said a response from the Saudi government is awaited in this regard. He said out of the total pilgrims' quota, 129,210 seats have been allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators. 'Today, by the grace of Allah, the federal cabinet has approved the Hajj Policy 2026,' Yousaf said. 'We will start to receive Hajj applications under the government scheme from the first week of August, from the fourth.' Yousaf pointed out that under the government Hajj scheme, pilgrims can avail either a long Hajj package of 38–42 days or a short package that consists of a duration of 20–25 days. He said Hajj applicants must be Muslim Pakistani passport holders, with a passport valid until Nov. 26, 2026. 'Children under 12 will not be allowed to perform Hajj this year,' the minister said. He said as per the government scheme, Hajj applicants must submit their Hajj dues in two installments. Yousaf said the estimated cost of the government's Hajj package will range from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 [$4,049.93 to $4,236], subject to final agreements with service providers. He said the first installment payment will be accepted at designated banks across Pakistan from Aug. 4. 'Due to Saudi Arabia's timelines, selection will be on a first-come, first-serve basis,' Yousaf clarified. Receiving a Saudi-approved vaccine is mandatory for all intending pilgrims, the minister said, adding that Makkah Route Initiative facilities will continue to be provided to pilgrims at Pakistan's Islamabad and Karachi airports. Yousaf said a monitoring team from Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee the overall Hajj operations to maintain the quality of services. Saudi Arabia had approved a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Pakistan this year as well. A large portion of the private Hajj quota for 2025 remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims. Private operators attributed the shortfall to technical issues, including payment processing problems and communication breakdowns.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store