RIYADH: Hundreds of pilgrims have suffered heatstroke since the start of the Hajj season the Saudi Ministry of Health reported on Thursday.
There were 1098 cases the ministry said in a statement, adding it had witnessed an increase in the number of cases of people suffering from the effect of extreme heat.
The statement went on to warn pilgrims that they needed to take extra care by following the instructions issued.
This year Hajj season is taking place in the summer months which is witnessing a significant rise in temperatures.
The ministry advized people to use umbrellas, drink plenty of fluids, avoid physical exertion, and follow health guidelines to avoid heatstroke.
It went on to add that its hospitals in Makkah were ready to provide all kinds of medical care to pilgrims.
Searing heat takes toll on Hajj pilgrims
https://arab.news/6rxt2
Searing heat takes toll on Hajj pilgrims
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives publishes book on adhan history, muezzins
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, known as Darah, has released a new book on the history of the adhan (call to prayer) and biographies of the muezzins of the Two Holy Mosques throughout the centuries.
The book was authored by Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, member of the Council of Senior Scholars and imam and preacher at the Grand Mosque.
It meticulously examines the adhan ritual in the Two Holy Mosques, covering its origins, virtues, and significance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The book is divided into three sections: the adhan’s history, biographies of 95 Grand Mosque muezzins, and 147 Prophet’s Mosque muezzins.
It presents biographies of muezzins who have issued the call to prayer from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present, the SPA reported.
Drawing on credible historical sources and interviews, the author used a scientific approach to document the evolution of adhan tools and the relationship between the muezzin and the mosque.
The book also highlights the Saudi government’s support in selecting skilled muezzins and using advanced audio technology for local and global broadcasts.
This publication enriches the foundation’s collection, serving as a vital resource for researchers and those interested in the history of the Two Holy Mosques and Islamic rituals.
National Water Co. completes $106m in upgrades ahead of Hajj
- Upgrades will boost operational efficiency, expand network coverage and enhance real-time monitoring capabilities
JEDDAH: The National Water Co., through its Western Cluster, has completed 18 infrastructure and operational projects ahead of the Hajj season in Makkah and the holy sites, valued at SR400 million ($106 million).
The projects are part of efforts to refine water and environmental services for residents, visitors and the millions of pilgrims expected during Hajj.
Upgrades will boost operational efficiency, expand network coverage and enhance real-time monitoring capabilities.
Capital works include the construction of a 190,000-cubic meter steel water tank along with the development and rehabilitation of water storage facilities, main pipelines, valve rooms and distribution networks.
These efforts are designed to support supply sustainability and reliability, particularly during peak pilgrimage hours.
Operational upgrades include the installation of advanced monitoring systems such as pressure gauges, meters and network sensors. Pumps and isolation valves across water, wastewater, fire and cooling systems have also been modernized to boost performance.
More than 1,200 technical, engineering and administrative staff have been assigned to oversee operations and maintain uninterrupted service during the Hajj season. The company said it will provide round-the-clock water supply to the Prophet’s Mosque and key religious and historical sites in Madinah.
To safeguard water quality, all storage units and connections to pilgrim accommodation are subject to testing. Monitoring is conducted through teams at central and mobile laboratories, which can analyze more than 1,000 water samples per day.
Water flow in Madinah’s central area will be managed using a smart operation system connected to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition monitoring and control room, allowing real-time oversight throughout the Hajj season.
Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo opens with focus on innovation
- Explore over 2,500 products and solutions ranging from printers and LED displays to packaging automation, recycling equipment and labelling solutions
- Live car wrapping, real-time product demos and the new Label, expo promises an engaging visitor experience
RIYADH: The Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo, the Middle East’s leading event for the digital, print, graphic and imaging sectors, opened on Tuesday at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, spotlighting innovation and new solutions in the signage and labeling sectors.
Held in conjunction with the inaugural Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo, it will run until May 22 and is expected to attract thousands of visitors from the retail, real estate, tourism, entertainment and hospitality sectors, fuelling demand for signage, labelling, paper and packaging solutions.
“The events arrive at a time of continued industry growth driven by infrastructure investments, a growing retail sector and a demand for modern, sustainable product solutions in the Kingdom. We look forward to cooperation with local partners,” Ashraf Bastawesy, executive manager at CMYK digital print solutions, told Arab News.
“Specializing in digital printing and signage, we have displayed our big machines here demonstrating our technology and innovation in the sector. From our experiences last year, and operations in Saudi Arabia, I am very much optimistic about this expo. Saudi market is growing now and we have many opportunities in digital printing and signage and labelling,” he added.
Commenting on diversity in product sectors, he said the expo this year is bigger and better, and that his company is happy to be here.
Bringing more than 150 top-tier brands from more than 15 countries, including Belgium, China, France, Turkiye, Italy and India, the exhibition presents over 2,500 products.
Visitors over the three days canill explore a diverse range of products and solutions in signage, printing, labelling, packaging automation, paper recycling and waste equipment as well as paper machinery and equipment to address evolving market demands.
Among the major features at this year’s expo are the live car wrapping and real-time printing demonstrations, offering attendees a chance to see industry skills and product capabilities first hand.
Some of the key brands presenting live demos of their solutions, latest machinery, materials and wrapping techniques include CMYK, Digital Star Machinery and Equipments, Euro Media, WellCare Trading, City Sign Trading Services and Al Rish Al Khaleeji.
Visitors will be able to watch live product demonstrations from exhibitors including Gulf Sparrows, a leading distributor of signage, advertising and LED solutions; Desert Sign Arabia, a leading distributor of a wide range of advertising, sign and graphics supplies, equipment and machinery; and Alnab Almoudei Trading, a leading supplier for advertising materials, display stands.
These demos offer a close-up view of new technologies in action, including printing hardware, digital signage, packaging and labelling systems.
Elsewhere on the exhibition floor, Label It, developed in collaboration with Lawazen Trading Group, will challenge participants to test their speed and accuracy in a high-pressure labelling showdown.
This interactive challenge invites visitors to race against time to match product labels to their correct containers. Winners stand a chance to earn gift vouchers worth SR500 ($133) and the title of labelling champion.
“We are proud to return with the second edition of Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo. This year promises three engaging days where we look forward to welcoming buyers who are ready to explore new ideas, opportunities and partnerships,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president at DMG Events.
Abdul Wahab Al Marzouq, general manager of Kuwait-based K4 General Trading & Contracting Co. told Arab News: “We were here at the inaugural signage expo last year, this year we have doubled the size for commitment towards the signage and labelling, we are optimistic about the growing market in view of the transformation under Saudi Vision 2030. We are expanding our business in Saudi Arabia and this is a good opportunity to work with local companies.
“Our expectation is that we will be more engaged with Saudi companies to do mega projects here. We are here to show our capacity and capability on the projects that we have done in the region,” he added.
As a response to the Kingdom’s evolving demand for signage and packaging industries, the events come at a time when the country’s signage market is projected to reach $492 million by 2027, driven by increased adoption in the retail, hospitality, transport, healthcare and corporate sectors. At the same time, the paper and paperboard packaging market is estimated to hit $2.84 billion by 2029.
Creativity and flair on show at Downtown Design’s inaugural Riyadh event
- The 4-day fair gives visitors the chance to get a close look at collectibles and ultra-high-end collections
- The showcase of contemporary design, a fixture on the Dubai scene since 2013, comes to Saudi Arabia for the first time
RIYADH: Middle East design fair Downtown Design began on Tuesday at Riyadh’s creative hub, JAX District. The fair, a showcase of contemporary design, has been a fixture on the calendar in Dubai since 2013 and has now expanded to the Kingdom for the first time, in partnership with the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission.
The four-day event gives visitors the chance to get a close look at collectible works and ultra-high-end collections presented by international galleries, independent designers and manufacturers.
“What we’re seeing here is obviously a very fast-changing landscape, very dynamic market and growing demand for access to quality and contemporary design, which is what we more or less live and breathe for,” Mette Degn-Christensen, the director of Downtown Design told Arab News.
“Our hope is to basically start by creating that kind of fundamental platform here, while thinking about the context, thinking about the local talent as well and the growth of the wider community.
“I think a lot of eyes are on this region and on Saudi Arabia. And what’s happening here is there’s a lot of new projects that are rising; whether it’s residential or commercial or hospitality, we see a massive shift in aesthetics and longevity. There’s a shift in looking at materials and for that, we need access.
“All of the different companies, developers, designers that are creating new projects here need access to what it is that we have access to worldwide, and can’t necessarily travel all the time to source.”
Organizers said they took a grassroots approach to the curation process when selecting the right exhibitors and speakers for the event.
“I think there’s a major push to look at what design can actually do for society, for the economy, for all the different components that are all going into the direction of realizing Vision 2030 for the Kingdom,” Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, told Arab News, referring to the national plan for development and economic diversification.
The role of sustainability in design was another important factor.
“Everything we look at might be visually beautiful, but also we have to understand, you know, how these pieces go into production, how are the materials procured?” Al-Solaiman added.
“How do we think about sustainability and what is the afterlife of these products? All of that brings awareness to not just the importance of design, but also the importance of making the right consumer decisions.”
Downtown Design continues in Riyadh until May 23. The next Dubai event will take place in November.
Madinah governor inspects airport and railway station as pilgrims arrive
- Prince Salman emphasized importance of enhancing quality of services provided to pilgrims and reaffirmed Kingdom’s dedication to supporting two holy mosques
RIYADH: Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and Haramain High-Speed Railway station were inspected on Tuesday by the region’s governor to assess the readiness of facilities as pilgrims arrive for this year’s Hajj season.
Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz emphasized the importance of enhancing the quality of services provided to pilgrims and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s dedication to supporting the two holy mosques, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The importance of ensuring operational efficiency and providing the highest levels of service during the Hajj season was also highlighted by the governor.
The governor also received a detailed briefing on the operational plan for Hajj implemented by the Saudi Railways Company via the Haramain High-Speed Railway. The speedy mode of transport plays a key role in transporting pilgrims safely between the holy cities, SPA said.
