Hajj pilgrims complete stoning ritual amid social distancing curbs

Pilgrims, maintaining strict social distancing regulations, throw pebbles on Friday at Jamarat Al-Aqabah during the symbolic Stoning of the Devil ritual. (SPA)
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Updated 01 August 2020
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Hajj pilgrims complete stoning ritual amid social distancing curbs

  • King Salman hails Saudi, expat cooperation in containing virus spread

JEDDAH: King Salman on Friday hailed the success of this year’s scaled-down Hajj pilgrimage and expressed hope that Eid would mark the turning point toward the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a message to the nation, delivered by the Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, the monarch praised the efforts of all those who had been responsible for organizing Hajj and ensuring the safety of the small group of pilgrims specially selected to perform the religious duty.

Worshippers took part in the final stage of Hajj on Friday as Muslims worldwide marked the start of the Eid Al-Adha holiday amid virus-related lockdowns and restrictions that have disrupted almost every aspect of this year’s pilgrimage and celebrations.

In his address, King Salman said: “Hajj was held this year with a very limited number of pilgrims of multiple nationalities, to emphasize the necessity to hold the rite despite the difficult circumstances, while also preserving the highest safety standards for pilgrims to perform their rituals within procedures that would guarantee their security, safety, and comfort.

“We appreciate the high trust of our Muslim brothers in what we have taken in this regard.

“I wish this Eid to be the first sign that augurs well for the reversing of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its disappearance soon.

“I pray that all Muslim occasions always confirm their unity on concepts of love and goodness and express the tolerant message of Islam that encourages communication and cooperation with the whole world to achieve peace and stability,” he added.

The king pointed out that the cooperation of Saudis and expats in following COVID-19 precautionary measures had contributed to mitigating the spread of the virus.

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia has fallen for the sixth day in a row. There were 1,686 new cases recorded in the 24 hours as well as 4,600 new recoveries and 24 new deaths. 

On Friday, around 1,000 pilgrims chosen to perform this year’s Hajj, moved from Muzdalifah to Mina where they headed to the Jamarat wall for the symbolic Stoning of the Devil ritual during which pebbles are thrown at the largest of the three pillars, known as Jamarat Al-Aqabah.

The worshippers then made their way to Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifada (circumambulating the Kaaba), an essential part of Hajj, under strict social distancing measures.

Male pilgrims shaved their heads or trimmed their hair on the third day of Hajj (Eid Al-Adha), while female pilgrims cut the tips of their hair, with the Hajj Ministry having prepared virus-safe shaving service sites in Mina. 

The efforts made by Saudi authorities to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims have won global praise.

Pilgrims selected to perform the once-in-a-lifetime duty described the experience as exceptional.

One of them, Ruslan Margoshvili, a Georgian expat living in the Kingdom, said: “Having spent Eid Al-Adha while performing Hajj is not just one celebration, it’s a double celebration.” He said it had been a privilege to have been chosen, adding that despite the COVID-19 restrictions organization of the pilgrimage had gone smoothly.

Hamide Halimi, a Macedonian resident in the Kingdom who left her daughter and husband in Riyadh to perform her first Hajj, said: “Jamarat was such a breeze and it’s been that way performing all our rituals. Celebrating Eid in Hajj is special to me especially since it is my first time, but the experiences I’ve gained are more than I had imagined.


Ancient Saudi city of Qurh a historic stop for pilgrim and trade caravans

Updated 29 May 2025
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Ancient Saudi city of Qurh a historic stop for pilgrim and trade caravans

  • Qurh was capital of Wadi Al-Qura, a center for Arab markets
  • Architectural features date back to the early Islamic periods

ALULA: Qurh, an ancient city in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla governorate, served for centuries as a vital hub for pilgrims and traders, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Located about 20 km south of AlUla’s old town, near the village of Mughayra, Qurh is one of the Royal Commission for AlUla’s archaeological sites. AlUla’s other main heritage sites are Dadan, Hegra and the Old Town.

Qurh’s ruins spread across an expansive plain surrounded by medium-height mountains. The ruins include remnants of architectural structures, marketplaces, streets, and palaces, all of which highlight the city’s once-thriving economic and urban life.

Architectural features dating back to the early Islamic periods also suggest that settlement and cultural growth continued after the advent of Islam.

The ruins include remnants of architectural structures, marketplaces, streets, and palaces, all of which highlight the city's once-thriving economic and urban life.  (SPA)

Qurh was the capital of Wadi Al-Qura and a center for Arab markets, as described by the historian Hisham bin Al-Kalbi, who identified it as a commercial and cultural center and a cradle of the arts.

The city was located on the route of the historic Incense Road, a trade artery used to transport precious goods from the southern Arabian Peninsula to the north, passing through Wadi Al-Qura.

The ruins include remnants of architectural structures, marketplaces, streets, and palaces, all of which highlight the city's once-thriving economic and urban life.  (SPA)

According to Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, the RCA’s vice president for culture, the excavations in Qurh have so far proved “that there was some interaction with China at the beginning of the Islamic period.”

“Evidence exists of interactions and trade extending as far as China,” he said in an interview produced by FT Longitude in partnership with the RCA.

“With China, for example, (there were) merchants who brought porcelain, medicines and silk to Arabia with incense for sure, ivory, while other valuables travelled in the opposite directions.”

AlUla, part of Saudi Arabia’s western province of Madinah, has been home to the ancient Dadanites, Lihyanites, Nabataeans, Sabaeans, Minoans, Egyptian, Romans and Arabs, he said.


Saudi defense minister holds talks with UK security, defense officials

Updated 29 May 2025
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Saudi defense minister holds talks with UK security, defense officials

  • Prince Khalid bin Salman and UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell discussed strategic partnership between the two countries

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks with the UK’s National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell in London on Wednesday.

The two sides “reviewed the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. “They also reviewed areas of cooperation and discussed regional and global developments, as well as ongoing efforts to support security and stability.”

The talks followed a meeting on Tuesday between Prince Khalid and British Defense Secretary John Healey during which they discussed strategic defense cooperation.


Saudi Embassy coordinating with Turkiye to find boy who fell into a creek

Updated 28 May 2025
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Saudi Embassy coordinating with Turkiye to find boy who fell into a creek

  • The embassy coordinated with child’s family after he reportedly went missing in a river in Trabzon province
  • Turkish authorities are investigating the incident

ANKARA: The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Turkiye confirmed on Wednesday that it is coordinating with Turkish authorities to search for a Saudi child who reportedly fell into Haldizen Creek in Uzungol region.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the embassy issued a statement clarifying the reports circulating in media outlets and across social media platforms regarding the incident in Trabzon province.

“From the first moments of the incident, the embassy coordinated with the child’s family and contacted the relevant Turkish authorities to investigate the incident,” the statement said.

“The authorities have responded and are gratefully conducting extensive searches in the area and its surrounding to locate the child. We ask God Almighty to crown these efforts with success and to protect everyone from all harm,” it added.


Founding nations sign Global Water Organization charter in Riyadh

Updated 29 May 2025
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Founding nations sign Global Water Organization charter in Riyadh

  • Ceremony was attended by Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who highlighted the importance of the GWO in tackling water issues worldwide
  • Prince Faisal said that Saudi Arabia would provide financial and logistical support to the GWO for the next five years

The Global Water Organization launched operations from its headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday, with founding member states signing its charter.

The event was attended by officials and diplomats, including Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli; and Greek Ambassador Alexis Konstantopoulos.

Prince Faisal highlighted the importance of the GWO in tackling water issues worldwide holistically.

“The establishment of this organization reaffirms the Kingdom’s commitment and keenness to international cooperation in all fields, including the water sector,” said the minister.

He added: “This organization is considered a practical, comprehensive, and multilateral platform aimed at promoting dialogue among countries, unifying efforts, enhancing coordination and cooperation to face the growing challenges related to water.”

“It also aims to enable partnerships and find innovative solutions, contributing to building a prosperous future for all nations.”

Prince Faisal said the Kingdom views water issues as a humanitarian and development priority, recognizing the importance of this vital resource to the stability and growth of societies.

“The Kingdom continues to support an approach based on international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable solutions that contribute to the efficient management of important natural resources.”

Other officials also shared their thoughts on the importance of securing water sources and the development of the sector.

Al-Fadhli said: “Water is a basic necessity for life in general and is essential for all economic development in this world, whether for agriculture, industry, mining, tourism, or entertainment. Competition for this vital resource is increasing.”

He continued: “The challenges facing the world in general, and no one is exempt from them at the present time, can be summarized as follows: the scarcity of water resources, quality as well, and the pollution it (water resources) have been exposed to as a result of human activities in recent years, and also the high cost of these projects.”

Al-Fadhli said there was an urgent need to rethink engineering, in general, and consider the “engineering value” of these projects, along with encouraging development in water-related efforts.

“I must encourage research, innovation, and development, and always ask how we can complete these projects at a lower cost while maintaining quality.”

He emphasized the importance of having an integrated system that covers all stages of the water cycle.

This includes adopting innovative economic models based on cost-benefit analysis, introducing new financing mechanisms, reducing reliance on government subsidies, and actively involving the private sector.

The GWO’s charter was signed by representatives from the founding countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Spain, Senegal, Pakistan, Greece and Mauritania.


Saudi FM receives US envoy to Syria in Riyadh

Updated 28 May 2025
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Saudi FM receives US envoy to Syria in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received US envoy to the Syrian Arab Republic Thomas Barrack in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed steps to provide economic, humanitarian and other support to the Syrian people, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Ambassador of Italy to the Kingdom Carlo Balducci in Riyadh on Wednesday.

They discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest.