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Asharq Al-Awsat
34 minutes ago
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Grand Hajj Symposium Explores Capability, Ease in Performing Rituals
Saudi Arabia is leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance the Hajj experience, aiming to ensure safety, ease, and comfort for pilgrims, the Kingdom's Minister of Hajj and Umrah said on Sunday. Speaking at the opening of the 49th annual Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah, Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom's efforts reflect the leadership's commitment to providing a secure and seamless pilgrimage. He praised the high level of coordination among various agencies, describing it as a testament to Saudi Arabia's dedication to serving pilgrims. 'This year's symposium, held under the theme 'Capability for Hajj and Contemporary Developments,' highlights the balance between the core principles of Islamic jurisprudence and the evolving realities of the modern world,' Al-Rabiah said. During the event, Prince Faisal bin Salman, Chairman of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), announced the launch of a new forum on the history of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques. The initiative is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia's efforts to serve pilgrims reflect a bold national vision to elevate the spiritual journey. The Kingdom's major expansion projects and innovative initiatives have allowed millions of Muslims to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind, he noted. Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, emphasized that Islamic rulings on the Hajj pilgrimage are rooted in ease and accessibility, highlighting that physical and financial ability are key conditions for undertaking the journey. In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Fahd Al-Majid, Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, at the symposium, the Grand Mufti said the obligation of Hajj is tied not only to physical and financial capability, but also to obtaining an official Hajj permit. 'Those unable to secure a Hajj permit are considered among those who are not able to perform Hajj, even if they meet the physical and financial requirements,' he said. Al-Sheikh underscored the importance of educating pilgrims on the jurisprudence of istita'ah, or capability, saying it helps safeguard lives and ensures a smoother pilgrimage experience. 'While Hajj involves a degree of hardship, it does not exceed normal bounds nor cause undue distress,' he added. He praised the Saudi leadership for its continued efforts in serving Muslims and facilitating access to the Two Holy Mosques. 'Since God entrusted Saudi Arabia with the care of the holy sites, the Kingdom has spared no effort in making Hajj easier for Muslims around the world,' he said. Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said on Sunday that health readiness is a crucial component of the broader concept of istita'ah, or capability, for performing Hajj, underscoring the Kingdom's integrated approach to safeguarding pilgrims' well-being. Also speaking at the symposium, Al-Jalajel said the Saudi health system works closely with partners to ensure that health standards are met ahead of the pilgrimage season. 'Every year, we conduct a global assessment of environmental and epidemiological risks to determine health capability thresholds and protect pilgrims from potential threats,' he said. Al-Jalajel cited the Kingdom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as a model of responsible health management, noting that Saudi authorities implemented precise and cautious measures to safely hold Hajj during the global crisis. The minister said Saudi Arabia continues to adapt to evolving conditions by enhancing its health infrastructure and medical protocols in the holy sites. These efforts include expanding heat-mitigation systems, improving medical preparedness, and building a 200-bed field hospital within 30 days to address the risk of heatstroke. He added that hospital bed capacity had been increased by 60%, while the speed of pharmaceutical deliveries to hospitals in the holy sites had been drastically improved through drone technology. 'Delivery times for medications in the holy sites have been cut from 90 minutes to just six,' Al-Jalajel said. Saudi Arabia's Public Security Director, Lt. Gen. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, said on Sunday that the Hajj permit system plays a vital role in ensuring equal opportunity for pilgrims to perform the ritual in a safe and orderly environment. Al-Bassami emphasized that the Kingdom's security forces will continue to crack down on violators and those who aid them, as part of efforts to protect the sanctity and safety of the pilgrimage. Strict security measures are essential to safeguarding pilgrims. Ensuring their safety is one of the Kingdom's top priorities for a successful Hajj season, he said. Al-Bassami reaffirmed the position of the Council of Senior Scholars, which views obtaining a Hajj permit as part of the Islamic requirement of istita'ah (capability), as it serves the public interest and prevents harm. With over 1.6 million pilgrims expected this year, he stressed the importance of organized crowd control to prevent congestion and accidents. Reducing the number of unauthorized pilgrims contributes to public health, facilitates movement, and helps prevent loss of life, Al-Bassami affirmed.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pilgrims' safety takes priority as Saudi Arabia gears up for Hajj
RIYADH: With temperatures expected to soar during Hajj, set to begin on June 4, Saudi Arabia is putting the safety of pilgrims first during the annual event. The authorities have put a range of measures in place to mitigate the harsh desert weather, which will see maximum temperatures of 40-45 C, including using artificial intelligence and expansion of cooling infrastructures. Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said: 'One of the big challenges that we face is the increasing temperature across the different years. This is an issue (to which) we give top priority.' On Friday, the Saudi Ministry of Health confirmed there had been five cases of heat exhaustion among pilgrims performing Hajj rituals amid rising temperatures at the holy sites. A statement given to Arab News said: 'All individuals affected have received immediate medical attention and are currently in (a) stable condition.' Health teams remain on high alert and will respond swiftly to similar cases as part of the Kingdom's broader commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims. The ministry urged pilgrims to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and follow official health guidelines such as using shaded walkways, wearing appropriate protective gear and seeking help at the first signs of fatigue. Multilingual awareness campaigns have been launched to reinforce the message. In a significant step to improved healthcare services for pilgrims, the Ministry of Health has also launched an advanced robotic surgery program at King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. The measures are part of Saudi Arabia's comprehensive strategy to ensure a safe and healthy experience for millions of pilgrims from around the world. Among the key measures taken to offer relief from the high temperatures are the provision of 50,000 sq. meters of additional shaded areas, more than 400 misting and cooling stations, renovation and extension work around the Grand Mosque, and heat-reflective asphalt on major walkways. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has also reviewed its Hajj preparations. CEO Dr. Hisham S. Al-Jadhey has visited the authority's Makkah office to assess how operational plans are being implemented and confirm the readiness of the services provided. He emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to ensure the safety of all food and medicine for pilgrims, adding that the responsibility was a great honor. He also reviewed the SFDA's initiatives to apply the highest regulatory standards, leverage modern technologies and utilize artificial intelligence to monitor factories and warehouses, ensuring the quality of products provided during Hajj. The tour included a visit to the SFDA's Hajj Operations Center in Makkah, where Al-Jadhey was briefed on ongoing coordination with government entities, performance monitoring mechanisms and support provided to field teams during inspection tours. The tours are enhanced by advanced tools, such as body cameras, used to document field inspection activities. Al-Jadhey also visited the SFDA site in the regulatory zone within the Holy Sites area, where he reviewed field surveillance plans covering food factories and warehouses. The location serves as a primary base for the deployment of regulatory field teams. In addition, he visited the emergency hospital in Mina, where he met with Dr. Abdullah bin Rashoud Al-Algwizani, CEO of the Saudi Public Health Authority (Weqaya). The meeting focused on the importance of ongoing collaboration between the two authorities to enhance the health and safety of pilgrims. The tour also included a visit to the National Health Emergency and Crisis Management Center. Throughout the visits, the SFDA teams demonstrated smart analytical tools and digital regulatory technologies employed in surveillance and inspection operations. These tools form part of an interactive, AI-powered system designed to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to achieving the authority's public health and safety goals during Hajj season. In a high-tech upgrade, the Kingdom is also employing AI to monitor pilgrim movements in real time, with drones relaying live footage to command centers to ensure timely crowd control and detection of any medical emergencies. 'We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback,' said Al-Rabiah, stressing the importance of technology in preventing tragedies. The crackdown on unauthorized pilgrims by the Ministry of Interior has also intensified. AI-powered systems are monitoring the movement of people entering the holy cities as the majority of last year's heat-related deaths during Hajj involved those without official permits.
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to begin on June 4
Saudi Arabia has announced that the annual Hajj pilgrimage will begin on June 4 after observatories confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the kingdom's Supreme Court in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. At a news conference on Monday, Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said more than one million pilgrims from around the world had already arrived in the country. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are able to. The pilgrimage occurs annually between the eighth and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month on the Islamic lunar calendar. Worshippers take part in four days of ceremonies with the high point coming on the second day with mass outdoor prayers on Mount Arafat, the hill where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon. Around the world, many Muslims choose to fast on this day. Many pilgrims also visit the city of Medina, home to the Prophet Muhammad's tomb and the second holiest site in Islam. While not an official part of the Hajj, visiting Medina remains a significant spiritual experience for many Muslims. This year, the day of Arafat will fall on June 5, followed by Eid al-Adha on June 6, according to Saudi authorities. Last year, 1.8 million people took part in the pilgrimage, according to official figures. During the 2024 Hajj, temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), and more than 1,300 pilgrims died, raising concerns about the growing risks of extreme heat during the Saudi summer.
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Says over a Million Hajj Pilgrims Have Arrived in the Kingdom
Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Passports announced on Monday that over a million pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom to perform this year's Hajj, which begins next week. As of Sunday, the figure stood at 1,003,447 pilgrims. The directorate stressed its full commitment to facilitating the entry process for pilgrims by equipping all international ports with advanced technologies, operated by highly trained, multilingual personnel. Meanwhile, Media Minister Salman al-Dossari stressed that the Kingdom will not allow any violations to impact the Hajj. No illegal pilgrim will be allowed to affect the security and peace of mind of other pilgrims, he told Asharq Al-Awsat during a press conference in Riyadh with other ministers about the Kingdom's preparations to hold the Hajj. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Kingdom is honored to serve the Hajj pilgrims. He stated that preparations for this year's pilgrimage started as soon as last year's ended. The early preparations were carried out by the Hajj Projects Office that was established and is managed by the Guests of the Holy Mosques Program, one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The program is in turn overseen by the Supreme Hajj Committee, he added. Over 609 plans, covering 5,208 tasks, have so far been coordinated and managed. The pilgrims are arriving in the Kingdom amid an integrated system of services. Ninety-four percent of the arrivals have flown in by air, while the rest came by land and sea, Al-Rabiah. He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Interior for its strenuous efforts in combating illegal Hajj campaigns. He also hailed the efforts of several countries in cracking down on such campaigns. On the digital transformation in Hajj services, he stressed that it has led to a qualitative shift and has helped facilitate several procedures. He gave the example of the Nusuk card that serves as an identification card for pilgrims. It holds security and health information and has helped greatly in ensuring the safety of pilgrims. So far, 1.4 million cards have been issued to the pilgrims and workers involved in the Hajj, he revealed. The Nusuk app has been downloaded by 20 million Muslims around the world and it offers over 30 services, he went on to say. Moreover, Al-Rabiah stressed that preparations are ongoing to receive the pilgrims at the holy sites. He said his ministry is carrying out field visits to ensure that rituals are being held smoothly. Over 37,000 inspection tours have been held during the month of Dhul-Qidah. 'We noted 3,400 cases where services can be improved and they have been addressed,' he remarked, underlining the authorities' commitment to ensuring that the pilgrims only receive the best services. Speaking at the same press conference, Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed that no illnesses or diseases have been reported among the pilgrims. The situation is 'reassuring,' he said. Three major hospitals will be dedicated to the pilgrims this year and 900 ambulances will be made available, as well as over 7,500 medics. Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh al-Jassar said the process of transporting the pilgrims to the holy sites is taking place smoothly, and trips are arriving on schedule. He highlighted the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro Line that operates only five days a year. Each train can carry 3,000 pilgrims at a time and 72,000 travelers per hour. Tens of thousands of workers in the transport sector have been dedicated to ensuring the smooth travel of the pilgrims, he said.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia receives over 1mln pilgrims from abroad: minister
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. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
