RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) on Tuesday launched a medical campaign to treat congenital heart defects in children in Mukalla in Yemen.
It is part of the “Saudi Pulse” program to provide free treatment for heart ailments in the war-torn country.
During the six-day campaign, 20 open-heart surgeries will be performed on children from low-income families under the supervision of Dr. Zuhair Al-Hillis, president of the Pediatric Heart Surgery Association.
Meanwhile, KSrelief’s mobile clinics continued to provide basic health services to displaced Yemenis at Waalan camp in Hajjah governorate.
The center also provides urgent treatment for wounded and injured Yemenis in their country, and those for whom treatment is not possible in Yemen are transferred to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.
KSrelief launches medical campaign in Mukalla
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KSrelief launches medical campaign in Mukalla
Three Saudi twin pairs unite to serve pilgrims at Hajj
- These six young men are united in their dedication to serving pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency
MAKKAH: In a rare and coincidental alignment, this year’s public service camps organized by the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association for Hajj have brought together three sets of Saudi twins.
Hailing from the scout group of the Civil Development Association in Riyadh’s Al-Rabie neighborhood, these six young men are united in their dedication to serving pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The twins — Hussam and Issam Saeed Al-Qarni, Azzam and Ammar Suleiman Al-Sulaiman, and Walid and Muhannad Abdul-Hakim Al-Otaibi — are bound not only by family ties and similar appearances, but also by a shared passion for scouting and commitment to volunteer work and pilgrim service.
Hussam and Issam said: “Scouting was not just a passing activity, but a life path chosen with conviction from a young age.”
They emphasized they were raised to love their country, and that scouting has allowed them to express this through guiding pilgrims, providing first aid, and offering various forms of assistance.
They also stressed that “every moment during the pilgrimages is a new lesson in patience, compassion, and discipline.”
Azzam and Ammar said that the experience has deepened their bond, adding with pride: “We thought we knew each other well, but in the atmosphere of the pilgrimages and under the pressure of tasks, we discovered new dimensions of cooperation and interdependence.
“We work as a team, complementing each other, and everything we do is for the comfort of the pilgrim, whom we consider our guest. It is our duty to provide them with the utmost comfort.”
Walid and Muhannad Abdul-Hakim Al-Otaibi expressed their profound pride in participating, describing it as life-changing. “Today, we are not only serving, but also learning how to stand calmly in the midst of a crowd, how to take initiative without expecting thanks, and how scouting can be a comprehensive educational field,” they said.
“Being here together, two brothers and twins, experiencing the same thing and sharing every detail, is something we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.”
98-year-old Egyptian pilgrim fulfilling lifelong dream
- Ahmed Tamim is among the oldest pilgrims on Hajj this year
- Son Muhammed says ‘his eyes filled with tears’ when selected
JEDDAH: Ahmed Tamim, 98, is fulfilling a lifelong dream of performing Hajj this year.
Tamim is a native of Egypt’s Sohag governorate, located on the west bank of the Nile, and is one of the oldest pilgrims on this year’s Hajj.
He arrived in Madinah on May 18 accompanied by his son, to embark on the sacred journey that is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete it.
They are among 13,062 Egyptian pilgrims who were selected through the annual lottery to perform the pilgrimage this year.
His son Muhammed told Arab News: “It all started with a phone call from my friends who said the Hajj lottery is open, aren’t you going to apply for your father?
“I tried to contact the lottery mission, and they told me tomorrow is the last day (and) anyone who hasn’t applied can still apply.
“At the time, we hadn’t applied, but after that call, I decided to apply for my father, and thank God, his name was added to the reserve list due to his advanced age.”
He added: “Every year he used to wish to perform Hajj or Umrah. This time, when he found out his name was called after all these years, his eyes filled with tears and he reacted with happiness, he couldn’t believe it.”
Muhammed said his father is insisting on performing all the rituals unaided despite his difficulties in walking and hearing.
“He always (said) ‘this is an opportunity Allah has chosen me, and I want to experience it to the fullest.’”
Muhammad added: “Everyone in Sohag is happy for my father, because he’s not only the oldest pilgrim, but he’s a very respected religious person in the governorate.
“May Allah accept his Hajj and we are all so glad that he finally made Hajj.”
Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel recently visited a Hajj pilgrim who had received emergency cardiac surgery at East Arafat Hospital.
The minister, who is also chairman of the Health Holding Co., made the visit during an inspection tour of healthcare facilities before the pilgrimage begins later this week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The hospital is one of several medical facilities serving the holy sites during the Hajj.
Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation
- A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine
RIYADH: A Saudi resident has been jailed for a year for setting up an illegal Hajj operation with the intention of obtaining funds through deception via social media.
The public prosecution referred the defendant to the criminal court after he was found in possession of receipts connecting him to the criminal operation.
A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine, along with the confiscation of all devices and tools used in the crime.
The public prosecution said the creation of fake Hajj operations was a major crime punishable by detention and added that it would continue to pursue those who broke Hajj regulations.
Meanwhile, Hajj security forces arrested 36 residents who tried to enter Makkah without the correct permits. They were referred to the relevant authority.
KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has completed a pediatric cardiac surgery and catheterization program in Syria’s Aleppo, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Volunteer medical workers carried out the project — a part of the Saudi Amal Program for Syrians — which ran from May 16 to 23, the SPA reported.
The teams performed 28 cardiac catheterizations and two open-heart operations.
In addition, 30 diagnostic radiology services were provided, 30 laboratory tests conducted, and medications dispensed to 30 patients.
The project is an extension of the specialized volunteer medical initiatives carried out by KSrelief to help people in Syria.
