Latest news with #TawfiqAl-Rabiah
India.com
5 hours ago
- India.com
14 lakh Muslims reach Saudi Arabia as Hajj 2025 pilgrimage begins in Mecca amid scorching heat; check restrictions, rules for pilgrims
Hajj 2025 commenced in Mecca, Saudi Arabia from Wednesday, June 4. (File) More than 14 lakh Muslim pilgrims from across the globe have converged in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj 2025 pilgrimage which began in the holy city of Mecca on Wednesday (June 4) amidst scorching desert heat. Pilgrims from every corner of the world have begun Hajj rituals under the open skies of Mecca, braving the searing desert sun, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, presently a challenge, especially for the women and the elderly. In wake of last year's tragic deaths, when scores of pilgrims die due to heat stroke, the Saudi Arabian government has made stricter arrangements to protect pilgrims. According to Saudi officials, the number of tents have been increased for pilgrims to prevent overcrowding, while additional medical personnel have also been deployed near the sacred site. Saudi Arabia's Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah informed that authorities have installed more than 400 cooling units in the area to ease the challenge for pilgrims to complete the 'Tawaf' (ritual circumambulation) of the Holy Kaaba. Only those with Hajj permits allowed inside Mecca Notably, around 1300 people people, mostly pilgrims died in heat-related incidents during last year's Hajj season when a heatwave swept across Mecca and other Saudi cities, with temperatures reaching a scorching 51 degrees Celsius. Following the tragedy, Saudi Arabia introduced sweeping changes to its Hajj and visa policies, including barring people without valid Hajj permits from performing the annual pilgrimage. Additionally, stricter entry and exit rules have been enforced for the twin holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and AI-based systems have been deployed for better crowd monitoring and management, according to officials. According to Saudi authorities most of the pilgrims who died of heat stroke last year did not carry valid permits and fell victims to the brutal desert heat as they did not have access to air-conditioned tents and buses. In wake of last year's tragedy, Saudi officials have launched a crackdown on unauthorized Hajj pilgrims during Hajj 2025 through frequent riads, drone surveillance and text alerts. Countries are allotted Hajj permits on a quota basis. Children banned from Hajj 2025 Another major step to ensure pilgrims' safety this year is that Saudi Arabia has barred children under the age of 12 from performing the Hajj pilgrimage this year. This significant policy change, one of the biggest in recent years, has been introduced as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of children during the journey which could be dangerous for kids due to massive crowds. Earlier, in April, Saudi Arabia suspended short-term visas of 14 countries to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrims and prevent overcrowding. These include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen and Morocco.
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
Pilgrims gather in Makkah for hajj
MAKKAH: More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual hajj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. Officials have beefed up heat mitigation measures hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's hajj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures were forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius this week as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings starts on Wednesday. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. This year, authorities have mobilized 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 sq m, thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah told AFP last week. On Monday, with temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius, the health ministry said 44 cases of heatstroke had already been treated. The latest artificial intelligence technology will also help monitor the flood of data and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Makkah to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Makkah. 'This is really a blessing from Allah,' Abdul Majid Ati, a Filipino lawyer and sharia counsellor, told AFP near the Grand Mosque. 'We feel so peaceful and safe in this place.' Abdulhamid, from Nigeria, said he was 'very happy' to be performing his second pilgrimage in a row at just 27 years old. But the young man said he never walks out without his sunglasses, describing the temperatures in Mecca as 'very, very, very hot'. The rites in the holy city and its surroundings, which follow a lunar calendar, fall again this year during the hot month of June. Last year, most of the deaths were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. In the run-up to this year's hajj, Saudi authorities launched a widespread crackdown on unregistered worshippers, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit — though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Along with hefty fines, those found illegally entering Makkah during the hajj face a potential 10-year ban from Saudi Arabia. For Mariama, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Senegal, the journey to Makkah has fulfilled a lifelong dream. 'I was dreaming about it, thinking about it every time to come here to do the hajj,' she said. – AFP
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims urged to remain within their camps from 10 am to 4 pm to prevent heat exhaustion
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah urged pilgrims to remain within their designated camps from 10 am to 4 pm to prevent heat exhaustion, citing the high temperatures expected on the Day of Arafat. He warned that random group walking poses a significant threat to the flow of crowds and the safety of pilgrims. The minister made the remarks during a meeting with heads of Hajj missions from various countries, held on the sidelines of the 49th Grand Hajj Symposium, which concluded in Jeddah on Sunday. Al-Rabiah directed the Hajj affairs offices to strictly follow regulations with regard to the movement of pilgrims within the holy sites, emphasizing pilgrims' safety and optimal ritual performance. The minister emphasized the importance of using designated transportation from Arafat to Muzdalifah rather than walking. He stressed that dispatch and transport plans are essential for organizing crowd movement and guaranteeing safety, deeming adherence a collective responsibility. Al-Rabiah underscored the pivotal role of the Nusuk card, mandating its use for accessing the Grand Mosque, holy sites, or public transportation. He affirmed the card is now a key regulatory tool for performing rituals and preventing violations. The minister said that this year will see a significant intensification of Hajj permit verification to ensure pilgrim safety and a complete Hajj experience, all within meticulous organization befitting the sanctity and grandeur of the occasion.
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Grand Hajj Symposium kicks off in Jeddah
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The 49th Grand Hajj Symposium kicked off in Jeddah on Sunday under the theme 'Capability in Hajj and Contemporary Developments.' Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Council of Senior Scholars and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, the symposium brought together a distinguished group of scholars and researchers from across the Islamic world. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah inaugurated the event, describing the symposium as an Islamic intellectual platform that unites prominent thinkers and scholars to highlight the significance of this great pillar of Islam and to reinforce its religious and cultural dimensions. Dr. Al-Rabiah noted that this year has witnessed the launch of several programs and initiatives, including infrastructure projects sponsored by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites. These include 170,000 square meters of shaded areas, the planting of 20,000 trees, and the construction of rubber walkways to improve pilgrims' comfort and safety. Addressing healthcare readiness, the minister cited the establishment of a new emergency hospital, 15 ambulance units, 71 rapid intervention points, and 64 two-story health complexes. He also announced the inauguration of the General Transport Center as an institutional model for managing transportation in Makkah and the holy sites. The plan integrates buses and the Haraman High-Speed Railway into a flexible and efficient system. Dr. Al-Rabiah added that the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has finalized its preparations through an advanced operational package. This includes upgrades to audiovisual equipment, the development of childcare centers, and services designed to meet the diverse needs of pilgrims and ensure enhanced services. Special Advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) Prince Faisal bin Salman also addressed the gathering. He emphasized the Kingdom's longstanding commitment to the Two Holy Mosques and Hajj since the unification of Saudi Arabia by the late King Abdul Aziz. He noted that serving the pilgrims has always been a sacred honor, a national duty, and a historical responsibility passed down through generations of Saudi leadership, with citizens proud to contribute to this mission. Prince Faisal highlighted the major infrastructure developments and humanitarian services now accompanying pilgrims from their arrival to their departure. He also announced the launch of the Hajj and Two Holy Mosques History Forum, organized by the King Abdulaziz Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The forum is designed to serve as a scientific and cultural platform that promotes the rich heritage of the Two Holy Mosques and encourages global scholarly exchange and research. Saudi Grand Mufti, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and President of the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh addressed the symposium through remarks delivered on his behalf by Secretary General of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh. Fahd Al-Majed. He noted that this blessed symposium, launched more than four decades ago, has explored vital topics concerning Hajj and broader Islamic affairs. Sheikh Abdul Aziz emphasized that this year's theme, focusing on the concept of 'Capability' in Islamic jurisprudence, addresses its practical and legal implications in light of contemporary developments. The discussions aimed to facilitate the performance of Hajj and uphold the objectives of Islamic law through scholarly dialogue and thoughtful interpretation.
Saudi Gazette
26-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Al-Rabiah: Saudi Arabia receives over 1 million pilgrims from abroad
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Monday that Saudi Arabia has received more than one million pilgrims from various parts of the world through its ports. Among the pilgrims, 53 percent are male while the remaining 47 percent are females, he said while addressing the government Hajj press conference. The General Directorate of Passports announced on Monday that a total of 1,003,447 Hajj pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia from abroad through various air, land, and sea ports by the end of Sunday. Al-Rabiah said that 94 percent of pilgrims arrived from abroad by air, while 4.83 percent arrived by land ports, and approximately 0.5 percent arrived by sea. He noted that 249,400 pilgrims arrived through the "Makkah Route' Initiative. The minister said that pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom amidst an integrated system of care and services provided by the Kingdom, thanks to the unlimited support of the leadership. He emphasized that the ministry began preparations for the Hajj and Umrah season on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah 1445 AH, specifically at the end of the Hajj rituals last year. 'These preparations included submitting the preliminary arrangements document to various countries and organizing the largest Hajj conference and exhibition last January under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman with the participation of leaders from 87 countries around the world,' he said while noting that 78 extensive preparatory meetings were held with Hajj offices, which contributed to enhancing early preparedness. Al-Rabiah pointed out that the Hajj exhibition and conference contributed to documenting agreements and contracts between companies via the "Nusuk" platform, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing visas. This would have a positive impact on the prices and quality of services provided to pilgrims. He noted that early preparations were conducted under the supervision of the Hajj Project Office (Hajj PMO), which is managed by the Doyof Al-Rahman program, one of the Vision 2030 programs. Al-Rabiah reviewed the efforts of the Hajj Project Office, confirming that it was able to complete 609 plans, including 6,200 tasks, in addition to organizing periodic meetings between all parties, the most recent of which was a meeting to enhance familiarity among Hajj field commanders last week. The minister also spoke about the digital transformation currently taking place in the Kingdom, particularly in Hajj and Umrah services. He reviewed several initiatives in this regard, including the "Nusuk Card," which provides advanced security and health features, ensuring pilgrims' easy movement and facilitating their entry into the Grand Mosque. The card also contains information about the pilgrim, their health status, and their housing. He emphasized that 1.4 million cards have been issued to date for pilgrims and Hajj system workers. Al-Rabiah aIso noted that this year will witness a comprehensive development of the Nusuk app, with the addition of 100 comprehensive services to enhance the Umrah and visitation experience. He explained that 30 new services have been added to the app specifically for the 2025 Hajj season, making it the best companion for pilgrims performing the rituals and obtaining various services. Regarding field preparations for the Hajj season, Al-Rabiah confirmed that the readiness of infrastructure and electricity networks has been verified, water pumping has been tested in camps, and extensive testing has been implemented in the areas of transportation and grouping. He also noted that housing has been inspected and equipped, and that the readiness of the staff working in the Hajj service system has been verified. The minister noted that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has conducted more than 37,000 inspections of various service providers, resulting in the identification of 3,400 observations that have been addressed. He emphasized that no shortcomings or negligence in Hajj service will be tolerated. He also emphasized the importance of the "No Hajj without a permit" initiative, which aims to ensure the safety of legal pilgrims, as using irregular routes to perform the Hajj pilgrimage puts the safety of those traveling through it at risk. He commended the roles played by various countries in combating fake Hajj campaigns.
