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Avoid new shoes and look after your mental health. How to be well at the Hajj
Avoid new shoes and look after your mental health. How to be well at the Hajj

Washington Post

timea day ago

  • Washington Post

Avoid new shoes and look after your mental health. How to be well at the Hajj

ISLAMABAD — Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to do it. It is a spiritual highlight for those fortunate enough to go, but it is also grueling and stressful. Pilgrims conduct their rituals outdoors, among huge crowds, walking up to 25 kilometers (15 miles) a day. There is often no privacy or personal space. Languages, routines and surroundings can feel unfamiliar, and the emotional impact of doing the Hajj can also take its toll.

Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj's Arafat Day with Major Upgrades
Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj's Arafat Day with Major Upgrades

Asharq Al-Awsat

timea day ago

  • General
  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj's Arafat Day with Major Upgrades

The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has completed extensive preparations at Namirah Mosque in Arafat, ensuring it is fully ready to welcome Hajj pilgrims on the day of Arafat, which falls on Thursday. The mosque has been furnished with 125,000 square meters of luxurious carpets. Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims. The backyard now features 19 canopies that reduce heat stress by an average of 10 degrees Celsius, complemented by sun-reflecting floor paint. The surrounding courtyards are also prepared and cooled with 117 fog fans, lowering temperatures by an average of 9 degrees Celsius. A major ventilation and air conditioning upgrade includes a new control system that monitors carbon dioxide levels and operates air purification units, allowing for 100% air renewal every 30 minutes. This system also controls water pumps, boosting operational efficiency and providing a healthier environment for pilgrims. For hydration, 70 water chillers have been installed, each capable of serving 2,000 pilgrims per hour, totaling a capacity of 140,000 pilgrims per hour. An advanced audio system and security surveillance cameras have also been integrated to boost safety and security. Furthermore, the mosque's 72 gates and entrances have been strategically organized to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims. These extensive tasks were carried out by dedicated supervisory and service teams committed to providing the best services to pilgrims.

India-Pakistan violence casts dark shadow over Kashmir pilgrimage
India-Pakistan violence casts dark shadow over Kashmir pilgrimage

The Independent

time2 days ago

  • General
  • The Independent

India-Pakistan violence casts dark shadow over Kashmir pilgrimage

Kheer Bhawani mela, a historic event attended by thousands of people every year in Kashmir, is a different sight in 2025. This year, the Hindu fair celebrated in Tulmullah, in the Ganderbal region, was overshadowed by security concerns after a terror attack on Hindu tourists killed 26 people and a brief but fierce military clash between India and Pakistan. Attendance this year was lower due to the tensions across the region, which lies between India and Pakistan and is claimed by both. For residents, this fair represents not just the faith of one single community but also different religions in the region co-existing. Kashmiri Pandits, who were displaced in 1990, attend every year. Muslim residents, once neighbours of the Pandits, hosted pilgrims who came from different parts of the region and other Indian states.

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