Dammam Airports Company ready to welcome fans traveling to FIFA World Cup
Shuttle buses, fun-filled waiting area at KFIA among DACO facilities
Updated 16 November 2022
Arab News
RIYADH: The Dammam Airports Company has completed preparations to receive fans heading to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Press Agency reported
The company operates King Fahd International Airport, the Kingdom’s third-largest international hub in terms of passenger volume.
DACO has launched several facilities, starting with a long-term parking lot that can hold over 3,000 vehicles.
Shuttle buses will transport fans from the parking lot to the airport building via gate 5.
The company has set up a waiting area for fans on the balcony floor, which can accommodate almost 1,000 passengers. Along with a designated document checkpoint, the area offers entertainment activities for people of all ages, including virtual games.
Gates 16, 17 and 27 have been allocated for aircraft flying to Doha.
In addition, a newly formed customer service team of 200 employees will be on hand to guide and support traveling fans.
Expert shares tips on how to stay healthy during the physically demanding pilgrimage
Common skin ailments can be avoided with some forward planning
Updated 05 June 2025
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: The Hajj season is a deeply spiritual journey, but it also brings unique physical challenges — especially under the intense summer heat of Makkah.
Long hours outdoors, large crowds and continuous movement between rituals all place heavy demands on the body, particularly the skin.
For pilgrims, staying mindful of skin care is essential for comfort and preventing common heat-related skin conditions that can disrupt the Hajj experience.
The Saudi Ministry of Health reminds pilgrims each year to take simple yet effective steps to protect their skin from heat and dryness during the Hajj journey.
According to the ministry, common skin problems during the Hajj include dermatitis, skin chafing, sunburn and fungal infections such as ringworm and tinea cruris.
One of the most frequently reported issues during the pilgrimage is skin chafing or intertrigo, especially in areas like the inner thighs, underarms and under the breasts.
This is more common among pilgrims with diabetes or obesity, and is typically caused by friction, heat and sweat buildup.
Sunburn is another common problem, especially for pilgrims not accustomed to intense sunlight. Prolonged exposure without protection can lead to painful redness, swelling or even blisters.
The hot and humid conditions during Hajj create an ideal environment for fungal infections like ringworm, which usually appear as dark, itchy circular patches — especially in areas like the groin or inner thighs.
Dermatologist Dr. Fatimah Sattof told Arab News: “Skincare is especially important during the Hajj season due to pilgrims’ prolonged and direct exposure to the sun, which can lead to excessive dryness, pigmentation and even skin cancer in extreme cases.
“Sun exposure is also a major factor in collagen breakdown, which contributes to thinning skin and early wrinkles. Moisturizing is essential — both by drinking plenty of water and by using protective creams,” she added.
In addition to medical recommendations, Sattof highlighted practical measures that pilgrims can take to safeguard their skin.
“Fragrance-free moisturizers are always preferred, as scented products can increase skin sensitivity,” she said.
“I recommend combining different methods of protection: Chemical sunscreens, physical barriers like umbrellas and masks, and wearing light-colored clothing to reflect the sun’s rays.
“If you feel any burning or sensitivity, try MEBO ointment and avoid sun exposure until symptoms ease.”
She also reminded pilgrims that hydration is key — not just for the body, but for the skin as well. “Drinking enough water is essential, and pilgrims should apply moisturizers during times when the sun isn’t intense. These should be free from perfumes and irritants to prevent allergic reactions,” she said.
“Luckily, all necessary skincare items — sunblock, moisturizers and protective clothing — are readily available in Saudi Arabia at the nearest pharmacy. There’s no need to overpack. A good sunscreen and a gentle moisturizer are more than enough.”
Dermatologist Dr. Fatimah Sattof
To prevent skin chafing:
Keep irritated areas clean and dry.
Ensure proper ventilation and wear breathable clothing.
Wash daily and dry well, especially after rituals.
Use protective ointments or powders before walking.
To treat sunburn:
Stay in shaded or indoor areas as much as possible.
Take cool showers to relieve discomfort.
Apply fragrance-free moisturizers, ideally with aloe vera or soy.
Use pain relievers if needed and increase your water intake to stay hydrated.
Avoid popping blisters; they serve as natural protection during healing.
To prevent fungal infections:
Practice strict personal hygiene.
Dry the body thoroughly after each shower.
Use clean, dry underwear and avoid sharing towels or garments.
Last year’s Hajj season witnessed unprecedented temperatures in Makkah, ranging between 46 and 51 degrees Celsius, leading to more than 2,760 cases of heatstroke in a single day.
Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, said that forecasts indicate this year’s Hajj will also be marked by extremely high temperatures, potentially exceeding 49 degrees Celsius.
Sattof highlighted the importance of sun protection: The 2025 Hajj season will be the last to fall during summer for the next 16 years, due to the gradual shift in the Islamic lunar calendar.
From 2026 onward, Hajj will move into the cooler months, gradually transitioning from spring to winter — offering future pilgrims some relief from extreme heat conditions.
Some pilgrims arrive early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning
Authorities have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials
Updated 05 June 2025
AFP
MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia: Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day.
Thousands of pilgrims began to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon.
While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, carrying colorful umbrellas, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Qur’an recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the Hajj.
After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and the sprawling tent city of Mina, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil.”
“This is something that I used to see every year on the TV screen during Hajj and I always thought: ‘I wish I could be here’,” said 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, one of 1.5 million pilgrims who had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
“I’ve been trying to get here... for the past 3 years,” he added as he gazed at the mount. “I feel very blessed.”
Hundreds of pilgrims dressed in white dotted the mount itself, with many more at its foot praying or taking pictures.
Earlier this week, Saudi authorities called on pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, when the desert sun is at its harshest.
Fans spraying mist and providing cool air were dispersed at the foot of the mount.
Temperatures this year have already exceeded 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) as one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, kicked off earlier this week.
“I came here early to (avoid) the sun and later I will pray inside my tent,” said 54-year-old Adel Ismail, from Syria.
To make this year’s pilgrimage safer, authorities have expanded infrastructure, deployed thousands of extra personnel and relied on an arsenal of high-tech tools to help better manage crowds.
Authorities have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness.
Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square meters (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, the Hajj minister has said.
Through tears of joy, Iman Abdel Khaleq said she had wanted to perform the Hajj for 10 years and was overwhelmed with emotion as she arrived at Arafat.
“It’s a big dream for me that I had almost given hope up of realizing,” the woman in her fifties said from the foot of the mount.
CAIRO: The Egyptian Hajj Road is recognized by historians and travelers as one of the most important pilgrimage and trade arteries connecting the Islamic world to the Arabian Peninsula.
Used by pilgrims since the dawn of Islam, this route transcends mere religious significance, embodying a rich cultural, civilizational, and archaeological legacy, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Its importance has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, which is a precursor to the World Heritage List.
Saudi Arabia made its submission in 2015, in which it outlined the route linking Egypt to Makkah and Madinah.
Map showing land and sea routes of the Hajj in the early 20th century. (Courtesy of AramcoWorld)
The document states that the route “benefited pilgrims coming from Egypt, Sudan, Central Africa, Morocco, Andalusia and Sicily, as they meet in Egypt, then travel through Sinai to Aqaba then march across two trails.”
The road starts from the town of Haqel on the Gulf of Aqaba and ends in Makkah.
Several Muslim rulers over the centuries established structures on the road including pools, canals, wells, barricades, bridges, castles, forts and mosques, the document stated.
And “on the road near the camps are numerous Islamic inscriptions and commemorative writings, engraved by pilgrims as they passed through the road.”
It also noted that rulers and wealthy patrons built caravanserais, supplied water and provided protection along these roads to Makkah and Madinah to ease the pilgrims’ journey.
“Individual Muslims, in the name of charity, helped others to make the journey,” it added.
Historians have divided the ancient Egyptian Hajj Road into four chronological periods.
The first period from about the year 1150 featured both overland and coastal routes to the Arabian Peninsula.
The second from 1042 to 1268 had the North Sinai passageway ended and pilgrims opting for sea travel from Egypt to Jeddah.
The third from 1269 to 1884 had pilgrims reverting to using the coastal overland route.
The fourth period, from 1884 to contemporary times, marked the discontinuation of the overland route, replaced first by sea travel from Suez, and subsequently by air travel to Jeddah.
Used by pilgrims since the dawn of Islam, this route transcends mere religious significance, embodying a rich cultural, civilizational, and archaeological legacy. (SPA)
The route’s importance for pilgrims from Africa and the Maghreb is particularly notable.
Caravans from Moroccan cities including Marrakech, Fez and Sale, sometimes including pilgrims from Senegal, would travel either by land along the Mediterranean or by sea.
These caravans would then converge with pilgrims from Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, passing through cities including Mahdia, Sfax, Sousse, Tripoli, Barqa and Tobruk.
They would then cross Egyptian land, often along the coast, to reach Alexandria and Rashid.
From there, pilgrims would take Nile boats to Cairo, joining the Egyptian Hajj caravan at modern-day Al-Baraka. The combined caravans would then continue by land to Suez.
From Suez, pilgrims either continued the land route through Sinai and along the Red Sea to Jeddah, or sailed across the Red Sea to Jeddah, then proceeded by land to Madinah and Makkah.
Saudi interior minister inspects Hajj preparedness at holy sites
Updated 05 June 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi interior minister conducted a field tour on Wednesday to inspect the readiness of the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah (Holy Sites) Metro Line as pilgrims move to the holy site of Arafat.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, who also heads the Supreme Hajj Committee, was briefed on the mechanisms of dispatching and scheduling train trips, in full integration with the relevant security and regulatory authorities, ensuring smooth operations and the safety of pilgrims the Saudi Press Agency said.
The minister boarded a train ride to the Mina 3 (Jamarat) Station, where he inspected the station’s readiness and facilities to receive pilgrims.
The metro line is a high-capacity rail system in Makkah that operates for only seven days a year, during Hajj, as a shuttle service to take pilgrims to and from holy sites. It has a capacity of up to 72,000 passengers per hour.
Prince Abdulaziz also visited the Facilities Security Forces, who regulate pedestrian movement and crowd management in the areas surrounding the metro stations, and was briefed on the forces’ plans and role in supporting and assisting the Hajj Security Forces.
Saudi Press Agency launches Saudi Photo Platform to expand global access to visual archive
Was unveiled during second edition of the Hajj Media Forum
Updated 04 June 2025
Arab News
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of media and chairman of the Saudi Press Agency, Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, on Wednesday launched the Saudi Photo Platform, a new digital initiative designed to offer free access to SPA’s vast archive of authenticated images.
Unveiled during the second edition of the Hajj Media Forum at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Exhibition and Events Center, the platform will allow users worldwide to browse, use, and share images under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.
The forum was attended by local and international media representatives.
Acting SPA President Ali bin Abdullah Al-Zaid said the platform reflected its strategy to make its visual archive more widely available to content creators around the globe, while preserving intellectual property rights and promoting creativity in a regulated digital environment.
He added that launching the platform from Makkah held symbolic significance, reinforcing the city’s historic role in conveying Saudi Arabia’s message to the world, and said it marked an important step toward enhancing the Kingdom’s visual presence in the digital space.
The Saudi Photo Platform, which can be reached on cc.spa.gov.sa, features high-resolution images, sorted by category and accompanied by detailed metadata, including event descriptions and publication dates.
The archive is continuously updated to document key national and international events, and the site is fully supported in both Arabic and English.
The initiative is part of SPA’s broader digital transformation agenda, aimed at modernizing publishing tools and fostering new partnerships with media outlets and online users worldwide, it said.
