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Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
Amorim tells Man Utd players they cannot ‘hide'
'It's a moment that is hard for us and we want to finish the season,' Amorim said For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Arab News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
AN 50 Anniversary Ai Podcast
Arab News 50th anniversary podcast: Recounting the moments that changed the Middle East. Powered by Google's NotebookLM AI tool. Search form Search © 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
The smart pilgrim's suitcase: What Saudis are packing for Hajj
RIYADH: As Hajj season approaches, pilgrims throughout Saudi Arabia are making lists, checking supplies, and organizing their thoughts for what many consider the most significant journey of their lives. Alongside the spiritual preparations, pilgrims are packing Hajj suitcases with the traditional white garments and hygiene essentials as well as more personalized, thoughtful and even high-tech items. From prayer lists and handwritten dua cards to smartwatches, earbuds, and journal notebooks, the modern pilgrim approaches Hajj not only with reverence but with intent, structure, and a little comfort. For many, this approach reflects how deeply Hajj is embedded into the personal identity and emotional world of the pilgrim. Arab News spoke with a few people who have previously completed Hajj to get an idea of what it is like to prepare for the pilgrimage. 'I packed my journal because I felt this experience deserved to be documented in detail,' Shatha Al-Jadaan, 25, told Arab News. 'I also included my daily skincare products, easy-access snacks, and drip coffee sachets — lifesaver,' she added. The contents of Al-Jadaan's suitcase told the story of a young woman approaching Hajj with equal parts practicality and reflection. Her essentials included headphones, a smartwatch and a hair dryer — items she considered necessary after each of the physically demanding rituals. For her, the process of preparation brought a deep sense of meaning. 'What struck me the most was the realization that this journey is unlike any other,' she said. 'The version of me leaving home is not the same one returning. 'That thought hit me hardest when I was writing prayer lists for loved ones. People sent very specific prayers, personal hopes and goals. I even made a separate list so I wouldn't forget anyone, including myself.' Some pilgrims take a simpler approach. For Ethar Abdulrahman, 22, the focus was on utility and peace of mind. 'My essentials were a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, underclothes, outerwear, hair ties and wet wipes,' she said. 'And I only brought my personal phone — just to stay in touch with my family.' What made her preparation emotional was the fact that it was her first Hajj — and at a young age. 'The idea that I was going on Hajj for the first time and at such a young age was emotional on its own. Packing my personal items and bringing prayer books made it even more special.' She also relied heavily on advice from seasoned pilgrims: 'Bring Panadol, fever reducers, painkillers, and muscle relief cream. That advice helped me a lot.' Her words reflect the layered purpose of each item: some for health, some for spiritual focus, and some simply for emotional safety. Al-Jadaan echoed the sentiment. 'A lot of people told me to only wear cotton and make sure my shoes were extremely comfortable. And it was the best advice I received.' The overlap between generational wisdom and modern convenience shows how today's pilgrims are combining tradition with adaptation. For Mariam Al-Osaimi, 27, essential oils were a must. 'I brought lavender and peppermint oil. Lavender helped me sleep, and peppermint was great for energy. They became part of my daily Hajj routine — almost like a spiritual ritual.' Others took folding prayer mats, lightweight Qur'an readers, and portable chargers — recognizing the role technology can play in navigating crowds, locating tents, or staying connected to family. One of the more discreet but powerful changes to the modern Hajj experience is the seamless integration of digital tools. Most pilgrims now use digital Qur'an apps, prayer reminder apps, or even step counters to track their movement during the rites. Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili, 29, said his smartwatch was more than just a gadget. 'I set reminders for prayer times, prayers for each ritual, and even tracked my heart rate on the way to Jamarat,' he said. 'It helped me stay focused, grounded, and aware of how my body was responding, in case of potential panic attack due to my medical condition.' While some may frown at these modern additions, many people see them as useful companions in the demanding spiritual and physical journey.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
After getting punished by Operation Sindoor, Pakistan, Turkey now planning new conspiracy against India, Shehbaz, Erdogan join hands to…
Pak PM Shehbaz and Turkish President Erdogan- File image- Arab News India vs Turkey: India recently conducted Operation Sindoor, killing more than a hundred terrorists across nine terror camps in Pakistan. To everyone's surprise, countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey came to Pakistan's support and started to help it with its military technology. However, recent reports have indicated that Turkey is not only helping Pakistan militarily but also ideologically. Reports have indicated that Turkey has been actively supporting Pakistan in its anti-India narrative through its state-run channels and NGOs which are spread across the world. As per a report by Navbharat Times, through Turkey's coverage during conflicts like Operation Sindoor from its state channels, Turkey is helping Pakistan propagate anti-India sentiments, particularly on the Kashmir issue and the recent India-Pakistan tensions. The report also said that the Erdogan government, via NGOs like TUGVA and other social and media channels are spreading anti-India campaigns run by Hamas and Pakistan. Moreover, in order to spread the fake narrative, a seminar supporting Pakistan's stance on Kashmir was recently held in Istanbul. Therefore, after being shamelessly defeated in Operation Sindoor, Turkey and Pakistan are starting a new ideological propaganda warfare against India. BSF releases video of 'Op Sindoor', says 'fully prepared' to prevent Pak infiltration In a significant show of its strength, the Border Security Force (BSF), which played a critical role in 'Operation Sindoor' alongside the Indian armed forces released new visuals of the military action undertaken on May 7 against nine high-value terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). The offensive was launched in direct response to the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where four heavily armed terrorists from The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) affiliate, killed 26 innocent and unarmed people, mostly tourists from India. The Indian armed forces, through multiple Press briefings, have kept the public informed about 'Operation Sindoor'. (With inputs from agencies)
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Sky's the limit when it comes to AI in the Arab world, Dubai Future Foundation chief says
DUBAI: When it comes to ambition to cultivate artificial intelligence in the Arab world, the sky is the only limit, the head of Dubai Future Foundation said on Monday night. 'I think there's an abundance of talent around the Arab world. It's just a matter of enabling the talent and creating the right ecosystem for talent to thrive,' said Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the DFF. On the sidelines of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, a high-profile Arab News-Google event brought together executives, editors, policymakers and more to discuss the future of media in the region. 'The digital economy requires specific skill sets. And I think we're seeing so many success stories that are happening, whether it's on the entrepreneurial side or whether it's on the coding front. 'The sky's the limit on where the Arab world can reach. The numbers are rising on the digital economy point of view and we are very optimistic.' Belhoul outlined several key predictions for media over the next year, from the shift in how people consume media, to its duration. During the event, which was part of a series of celebrations for the newspaper's 50th anniversary, Arab News unveiled a new podcast series exploring five decades of pivotal events that have shaped the Middle East. The project, powered by Google's AI research tool NotebookLM, features artificial hosts and AI-generated voices, show how emerging technologies can enhance storytelling, research, and historical reflection in journalism. Each episode highlights a different decade, tracing key moments from 1975 to the present day.
