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New York Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
Amid Rising Heat, Hajj Becomes Test of Endurance for Pilgrims and Saudi Arabia
The hajj, one of the largest annual human gatherings in the world, begins on Wednesday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Amid rising temperatures and logistical challenges, the pilgrimage has increasingly become a test of endurance both for pilgrims and the Saudi government. Millions of Muslims from around the world travel to the city to take part; Saudi Arabia said 1,475,230 pilgrims from abroad have arrived since Sunday. Last year, the Saudi government said more than 1,300 pilgrims died, many from Egypt. Most of those who perished had been unregistered, Saudi officials said, meaning they had made the trip without the permits that gave them access to heat protections. Here's what to know about this year's hajj and efforts to make it safer. What is the hajj? The hajj is one of Islam's five pillars, the core practices that define a Muslim's faith, alongside daily prayer, charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan and the declaration of faith in one God and the Prophet Muhammad as a messenger of God. For the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it is expected to undertake the journey at least once. The hajj takes place once a year during a specific period in the final month of the Islamic calendar. Most pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia well in advance, using the time to visit the holy city of Medina, pray in Mecca's grand mosque and perform a lesser pilgrimage called Umrah. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Makkah Route Initiative: Enhancing the experience for once-in-a-lifetime journey
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior aims to make the once-in-a-lifetime journey easy for foreign pilgrims by enhancing their Hajj experience. Now in its seventh year, the initiative is carried out by the ministry as part of the Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Program. The ministry recently announced that more than 1 million pilgrims have benefited from the initiative since its launch, reaffirming the Kingdom's commitment to serving Hajj pilgrims. Established in 2018 and activated in 2019, the initiative enables pilgrims to complete their entry procedures to Saudi Arabia at their home countries' airports. Upon arrival in the Kingdom, pilgrims and their luggage are directly transported to their accommodation in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, avoiding long lines and wait times at the airport. Pilgrims arriving under the initiative spend only a few minutes at the Saudi immigration counters. • Makkah Route Initiative enables pilgrims to complete their entry procedures to Saudi Arabia at their home countries' airports. • Pilgrims arriving under the initiative spend only a few minutes at the Saudi immigration counters. It includes dedicated lounges at 12 airports in eight countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco, the Maldives and Cote d'Ivoire. Malaysian pilgrim Hasna Hamza, who arrived for her pilgrimage last week, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Saudi government for facilitating the journey. Aged 74, she described the process as 'smooth, respectful and deeply spiritual.' She completed her travel procedures in Kuala Lumpur — including biometric collection, health screening, passport validation and luggage processing. Upon arrival in Madinah, she and fellow pilgrims were swiftly transferred to their accommodation with their luggage. Naved Hasan, a Pakistani pilgrim told Arab News that the initiative enables pilgrims 'to be fully committed to performing one of their holiest duties with peace of mind.' Mohammed Mubarak, a Bangladeshi pilgrim, added: 'Completing all the necessary procedures before leaving my home country saved me a lot of time and stress.' The first group of 414 Bangladeshi pilgrims arrived at the Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on April 29. Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia M. Delwar Hossain welcomed them at the airport, and assured that the Bangladesh Embassy, Consulate and Bangladesh Hajj Mission were available to support them. The program, led by multilingual national teams and supported by advanced technology, ensures a smooth and spiritual experience for all pilgrims. Underscoring Saudi Arabia's commitment to pilgrims through the Makkah Route Initiative, Saudi Ambassador to Morocco Dr. Sami Al-Saleh said the initiative 'streamlines Hajj procedures and ensures a peaceful journey for pilgrims traveling from their home countries to the Kingdom.' Al-Saleh added that the widely embraced initiative in Morocco enables pilgrims to fulfill all travel procedures at Mohammed V International Airport in their home country. Saudi Arabia launched the Makkah Route Initiative in the Maldives this week, making it the eighth country to benefit. Officially inaugurating the initiative at Velana International Airport in Male on Monday, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu presented the passport to the first pilgrim from a group of 234. The ministries of media, health and Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia run campaigns through social media to provide all the necessary information. The Ministry of Hajj has reiterated that all intending to perform Hajj must obtain an official permit through the 'Nusuk' platform, in technical integration with the unified digital platform for Hajj permits, 'Tasreeh.' The ministry emphasized that compliance with regulations is essential to protect the safety and well-being of pilgrims, and to ensure a smooth and secure Hajj experience. In an official statement, the ministry stressed that no separate visa category — other than the official Hajj visa — grants its holder the right to perform Hajj. Hefty fines up to SR100,000 ($26,000) will be enforced for anyone attempting to perform Hajj without the necessary visa. The Makkah Route Initiative is run in coordination with several government entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and Ministry of Media, the Saudi Data and AI Authority, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the General Authority for Awqaf, the Pilgrim Experience Program and the General Directorate of Passports.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Saudi official denies reports alcohol ban will be lifted
Saudi Arabia has denied reports that it will lift its decades-long ban on alcohol. A Saudi official refuted claims circulating in international media, originating from a wine blog, that suggested the kingdom would permit alcohol sales in tourist areas in preparation for the 2034 World Cup. The original report, which lacked sourcing, stated the change would come as the country prepares to host the global football tournament. Alcohol has been prohibited in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, for 73 years. The once ultra-conservative kingdom has eased some restrictions to lure tourists and international businesses as part of an ambitious plan to diversify its economy and make itself less dependent on oil. While alcoholic drinks are still off limits, both Saudis and foreigners can take part in activities that were once unthinkable in the Gulf country - from dancing at desert raves to watching models at fashion shows or going to the cinema. The report about alcohol rules sparked a vigorous online debate in the kingdom, whose king also holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - Islam's most revered places in Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, has pushed a series of reforms, which included ending a prohibition on allowing women to drive in 2017, easing some rules on sex segregation in public spaces and reducing the power of the religious police. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only Gulf countries that prohibit the sale of alcohol. A minor move to allow alcoholic drinks to be consumed in the kingdom was the opening of the first alcohol store in the capital, Riyadh, last year serving exclusively non-Muslim diplomats. Prior to that, alcohol was available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Exclusive: Saudi Aramco considers asset sales to free up funds, sources say
DUBAI/NEW YORK, May 23 (Reuters) - Saudi state oil giant Aramco is exploring potential asset sales to free up funds, two people with knowledge of the matter said, as it pursues an international expansion and weathers lower crude prices Aramco ( opens new tab is the world's largest oil-producing company and the main source of Saudi state revenue. The firm will slash dividend payouts by nearly a third this year as lower oil prices hit its income. The company has asked investment bankers to pitch ideas for how to raise funds from its assets, the sources said. The sources declined to say which assets could be sold or name the banks involved. Aramco is looking to improve efficiency and cut costs, according to two other people with knowledge of the matter, and an option under consideration would be asset sales, one of them said. The four sources declined to be named because they are not authorised to speak to media. Aramco did not respond to requests for comment. Aramco is the engine of the Saudi economy and its sprawling business includes units for aviation, construction and sports. It has retained majority stakes during previous asset sales such as its deals around its pipeline infrastructure. The Saudi government is putting pressure on its industries to improve profitability amid low crude prices and as it spends its hydrocarbon wealth on new sectors to cut reliance on oil. The kingdom faces a widening budget deficit with the International Monetary Fund saying Riyadh needs a price of oil of over $90 per barrel to balance its books compared to prices of around $60 per barrel in recent weeks. Aramco has in recent years made a push to grow its global footprint, including investing in Chinese refineries, Chilean fuel retailer Esmax (ESMAX.O), opens new tab and U.S.-headquartered LNG firm MidOcean. The Saudi company said last week it signed 34 preliminary deals potentially worth up to $90 billion with U.S. firms following President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom.
NHK
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Next stop Qatar on Trump's Middle East tour
US President Donald Trump heads to Qatar after securing a major arms agreement in Saudi Arabia.
