Pilgrims prepare for the final stages of Hajj

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Updated 16 June 2024
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Pilgrims prepare for the final stages of Hajj

Pilgrims prepare for the final stages of Hajj
  • Pilgrims spent the night in Muzdalifah, under the open sky, where they took the time to rest and refresh

MAKKAH: Hajj pilgrims have begun preparing for the final stages of this year’s pilgrimage, arriving in Muzdalifah after spending the entire day performing prayers and supplications in Arafat.

After they arrived in Muzdalifah, pilgrims performed Maghrib and Isha prayers and collected pebbles for the stoning rituals at the Jamarat area in Mina, which begin Sunday morning.

These stones are used once they reach Mina, where pilgrims perform the “first throwing” of Jamarat, before heading to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for tawaf (circumambulation) and “sacrificing the lamb,” a commemoration of the sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim had intended to make of his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah.

Pilgrims spent the night in Muzdalifah, under the open sky, where they took the time to rest and refresh.

The first day in Mina, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, marks the first day of Eid Al-Adha. On this day, pilgrims sacrifice animals. Male pilgrims have their heads shaved and take off their ihram clothes. Female pilgrims cut only a portion of their hair.

Hisham Thamin, an Indian pilgrim living in Qatar, told Arab News that it had been a seamless Hajj experience.

“It’s a very nice (and) very spiritual feeling. I’m enjoying the vibes here. The people here are very calm. It’s a very peaceful atmosphere.”

Thamin said that he was initially concerned about the arrangements given the heat and high numbers of people, but he was pleasantly surprised by the coordination and organization by the Saudi government.

“I’m glad the Saudi government has made very good arrangements. There’s cold water, cold juices, and breakfast boxes for everyone. They have spread out all the sheets on the sand, to make sure it’s comfortable for everyone. So I’m liking it very much. And it’s not what I expected, it’s much better than what I expected.”

Nawaf Alhabib, a Saudi pilgrim, said his experience had been “perfect.”

Alhabib planned to walk to Mina on Sunday morning before Fajr prayer.

“By 12 in the morning, we will finish from Muzdalifah and make our way towards Mina. We will rest and then perform Jamarat and it will hopefully be a beautiful day tomorrow.”

Saudi pilgrim Tawfeeq Alquraishi said he was proud of the developments and initiatives fulfilled by the Kingdom.

“The services provided to ensure a smooth Hajj experience for pilgrims is something I am so proud of as a Saudi national. This is a successful and comfortable Hajj.”

Waleed Mohammed, a pilgrim from Egypt, was grateful for being able to perform Hajj.

“This is a feeling I cannot explain. Thank God for everything,” he said. “This is an experience that everyone dreams of … everyone is happy and the organization is beyond our expectations.”


Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government

Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government
Updated 27 February 2025
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Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government

Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of congratulations to Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on the formation of his new government, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.

Lebanon’s new government on Wednesday won a confidence vote in Parliament, with the support of Hezbollah’s bloc, even though the government statement adopted took a swipe at the group’s weapons.

Ninety-five out of 128 lawmakers supported the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a prominent jurist who previously headed the International Court of Justice. He was appointed last month to form a new government after a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah, which killed over 4,000 people and caused widespread destruction.

The crown prince wished Salam luck in his new duties and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Syria 

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Syria 
Updated 27 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Syria 

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Syria 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned Israeli strikes that his several areas in Syria, describing the act as an attempt to destabilize its security and stability in repeated violations of relevant international laws, a foreign ministry statement said.

The Israeli army said it carried out air strikes targeting military sites containing weapons in southern Syria on Tuesday, just days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for demilitarizing the area.

“Over the past few hours, the IDF (Israeli military) struck military targets in southern Syria including command centers and multiple sites containing weapons,” the army said in a statement, without specifying the exact locations of the strikes.

The ministry expressed Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with the Syrian government and people, stressing the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities to stop Israeli actions that undermine security and stability in the region, and prevent the escalation of the conflict, which the Kingdom has repeatedly warned against.


Saudi king, crown prince receive written messages from Azerbaijan president

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the message from his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in Riyadh.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the message from his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in Riyadh.
Updated 27 February 2025
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Saudi king, crown prince receive written messages from Azerbaijan president

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the message from his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in Riyadh.
  • Crown Prince Mohammed also received a written message from the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani on Wednesday

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received separate written messages from Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday.

The messages were received by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a reception with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in Riyadh.

Prince Faisal and Bayramov reviewed relations between their countries and ways to enhance them. They also discussed the latest regional developments and efforts made with regard to them.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan greets his Comoran counterpart Mbae Mohamed in Riyadh. (SPA)Caption

Crown Prince Mohammed also received a written message from the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani concerning relations between their countries. 

The message was received by Prince Faisal during a meeting with his Comoran counterpart Mbae Mohamed in Riyadh. 

Saudi-Comoran relations and issues of common interest were discussed during the meeting. 


Riyadh governor receives newly-appointed Egyptian ambassador

Riyadh governor receives newly-appointed Egyptian ambassador
Updated 26 February 2025
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Riyadh governor receives newly-appointed Egyptian ambassador

Riyadh governor receives newly-appointed Egyptian ambassador

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the Ambassador of Egypt to the Kingdom Ihab Abu Sarea on Wednesday, on the occasion of his appointment in Riyadh.

Prince Faisal wished Sarea success in his new role as ambassador, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to Bulgaria Rami Al-Otaibi met Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Lazar Manolov Lazarov at the ministry’s headquarters in Sofia.

The parties discussed ways to enhance and develop cooperation between the two countries in the fields of labor and social development.
 


Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Iranian counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. (File/AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. (File/AFP)
Updated 26 February 2025
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments with Iranian counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. (File/AFP)

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made a phone call to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.  

During the call, the two officials discussed regional developments and efforts made with regard to them.