Virtual reality experience takes Muslims inside Makkah’s Grand Mosque during Ramadan

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General view of Kaaba at empty Grand Mosque, as a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia May 7, 2020. (Reuters)
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Updated 11 May 2020
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Virtual reality experience takes Muslims inside Makkah’s Grand Mosque during Ramadan

  • Muslims will be able to digitally attend the prayers thanks to “Wahi,” a virtual reality experience that can bring them to Makkah

LOS ANGELES: With coronavirus shutdowns continuing throughout Ramadan, Makkah will only be allowing clerics to attend the nightly Taraweeh prayers in person.

But Muslims will be able to digitally attend the prayers thanks to “Wahi,” a virtual reality experience that can bring them to Makkah from the safety of their homes. 

 


The nine-minute film was made using a VR camera rig: six cameras pointing in every direction. The footage was then edited together to give a 360 degree view during the challenging post production process.

 

“The virtual reality glasses give you a full experience of the visit,” Almotaz Aljefri, the film’s Saudi director, told Arab News. “You can go in all directions, raise your head or switch it right. This gives you more information than a regular video.”

The crew received support from the Saudi government, granting them access to Makkah, as well as the use of drones and helicopters.

The film, which was made alongside the New Media Center at the Ministry of Culture and Information, is available on YourTube and has now been viewed more than 11 million times.

“We were surprised along with the staff that the views reached just last month more than 8 million and we discovered that the reason is definitely the coronavirus, the movie has given the chance to many people who cannot now go to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, to visit it through this technology,” AlJafri said.

“I believe that “Wahi” will allow you to practice all your rituals in Ramadan from your home.

“You can wear the glasses to see and tour the Grand Mosque and there is also historical landmarks and even the people who visit the Grand Mosque personally they might find it hard to get close to certain spots for example the Black Stone, circumambulation area, you can now easily wander around it as you wish at any time.”

In the midst of a global health crisis, Muslims are having to observe Ramadan in a new way. But thanks to new technologies, films like “Wahi,” mean they will not let the virus get in the way of their faith.

 

 

 


KSrelief’s global food project benefits thousands

Updated 05 March 2025
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KSrelief’s global food project benefits thousands

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 1,664 food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

There were 640 food parcels delivered to displaced families in Sennar State, Sudan, benefiting 5,965 individuals.

The distribution was a part of the third phase of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Sudan.

Meanwhile, a further 450 food parcels were dispatched to Borgou Province, Benin, benefiting 2,700 people.

This was a part of the Etaam Ramadan Food Basket Project in Benin.

The Etaam project, now in its fourth phase, aims to distribute 390,109 food baskets across 27 countries during Ramadan, for over 2.3 million individuals.

And 574 bags of food were delivered to Tiaret district, Mauritania, benefiting 4,044 people.


Mild Ramadan weather ushers in cool comforts

Updated 05 March 2025
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Mild Ramadan weather ushers in cool comforts

RIYADH: Ramadan is being observed in March during the winter season in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the northern hemisphere for the first time in many years.

The mild weather is ushering in cool comforts for fasting Muslims, making it a pleasant experience for them compared to recent years, when the faithful have endured the challenge of fasting during long, hot days at the peak of the summer season.

“After long (spells) of having Ramadan in summer, now being observed in winter for the first time in many years, and fasting during (these) cold days has made the experience considerably comfortable and pleasant,” said Abdul Ghaffar, an expat who has been living in the Kingdom for the past 25 years working as a senior consultant in talent development.

Although last year had pleasant weather for much of the month, prior to that Muslims had endured the challenge of fasting during long, hot days at the peak of summer, he said.

“The shorter winter days significantly reduce the fasting hours, allowing us to break our fast a bit earlier and relief from the scorching sunshine in the summer,” said Abdullah Ahmed, a university student in Riyadh.

“This pleasant weather is a welcome change, as it lightens the physical burden of fasting. Also, the cool weather enables engaging in outdoor activities during the day as well as after the iftar,” he added.

Iffat Aabroo, a homemaker in Riyadh, echoed the view on fasting in winter season: “The lower mercury level of below 20 degree Celsius maximum temperature during the last week and varying between 19 to 27 degree Celsius maximum and 7 to 15 degree Celsius minimum this week, and shorter days, ease the fasting.

Ramadan in winter brings cool comfort for fasting faithful. (SPA)

“It’s common to feel thirsty when fasting for long hours during the intense summer heat, and it’s important, as medically advised, to take the necessary precautions to stay hydrated when fasting, but it’s easy to fast during winter and do don’t feel thirsty like the summer,” she said.

Javed Hasan, a taxi driver in the capital, said: “It made fasting easy, particularly for those of us who cannot always stop for iftar due to the nature of our work.

“To be on the streets to pick and drop people from one place to another is much easier these days as opposed to the hot summer season.

“The pleasant weather not only makes fasting less daunting but also improves our overall well-being, making the spiritual journey more engaging and fruitful,” he added.

Counting on many advantages — both in spiritual upliftment and social engagement — when Ramadan is observed in winter, Shahid Anwar, an Indian expat who works as a safety manager in Riyadh, said: “To be on the working site while fasting now in winter is much easier.

The Clock Tower in Makkah turning itself Green to welcome the Holy month of Ramadan. (INTERNET/X.com)

“The confluence of spiritual reflection and favorable weather makes Ramadan a uniquely enjoyable experience,” he added. “The nights are particularly lively, with traditional decorations and treats drawing more people outdoors than in the hotter days during the summer.”

With milder temperatures, many community organizations are arranging outdoor iftars, enhancing community dining experiences for families and friends, he said.

A cold wave gripping several parts of the northern border region last week froze a decorative fountain in Rafha governorate.

Viral photos on social media showed the fountain covered in ice as temperatures plunged below zero degrees.

The severe drop in temperature, recorded at -2 degrees Celsius in Rafha, caused water to freeze in open areas and frost to form on trees and green spaces, while temperatures in Turaif plummeted to -4 degrees Celsius, leading to frozen water surfaces and layers of snow on ponds and basins, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Turaif, known for its harsh winters, frequently experiences frost and snow due to polar air masses moving south from Europe.

With a significant temperature drop marking Ramadan’s arrival in the Northern Borders region, Turaif on Monday recorded 1 degree Celsius, and Arar dipped below 4, according to the National Center for Meteorology.

This cold snap, expected to persist mid-month, evokes memories of Ramadan’s winter seasons three decades ago, with residents recalling iftar cannons in the chilly air in the 1990s.


Saudi Cabinet rejects displacement of Palestinians, backs Arab summit’s Gaza plan

Updated 05 March 2025
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Saudi Cabinet rejects displacement of Palestinians, backs Arab summit’s Gaza plan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday affirmed full support for the decisions of the extraordinary Arab League summit in Cairo that rejected the displacement of Palestinians from their land, and aimed to end the disastrous repercussions resulting from the war.

It reiterated the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to obtain their legitimate rights, including their right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The final statement adopted by the summit called for the deployment of an international protection and peacekeeping force in the Palestinian territories.

It adopted the plan submitted by Egypt with regard to Gaza, in full coordination with Palestine and Arab countries.

It also emphasized the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace that fulfills the rights of the Palestinian people.

During the weekly Cabinet session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, ministers condemned Israel’s decision to stop the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards these serious violations, activate international accountability mechanisms, and ensure sustainable access to aid.

The Cabinet tackled the joint statement issued after President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Riyadh regarding the importance of fully implementing the Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon’s civil war and was negotiated in Saudi Arabia in 1989, and relevant international resolutions.

The joint statement also stressed the importance of ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty over all its territories, restricting weapons to the Lebanese state, supporting the Lebanese army’s national role, and calling for the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from all Lebanese territories.

Aoun was welcomed at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday, where discussions with the crown prince focused on strengthening bilateral relations.

During their talks, both leaders agreed to study obstacles affecting the resumption of exports from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia and procedures to facilitate Saudi travel to Lebanon. They also reaffirmed their commitment to Lebanon’s economic recovery and the implementation of reforms aligned with international standards.

In a diffident matter, the Cabinet affirmed the state’s continued support for the social services system and national initiatives that aim to provide adequate housing for qualifying families, praising in this regard the cooperation and integration of roles between government, private and non-profit entities, in addition to community members, to achieve the goals of the Jood Regions campaign.

The Jood Regions campaign was first launched during Ramadan 2024 to provide more than 10,000 housing units for the most needy families across the Kingdom’s 13 provinces.

King Salman and the crown prince have donated a total of SR150 million ($40 million) to the second Jood Regions campaign, launched at the start of this year’s Ramadan.

The Cabinet reviewed the progress of major development and service projects that aim to enhance the comprehensive development process in the Kingdom.

The ministers offered congratulation on the opening of the first phase of Sports Boulevard project in Riyadh, which will contribute to consolidating the position of the city among the best global cities.

The project, led by the Sports Boulevard Foundation, is now 40 percent complete, with 83 km of the route being accessible to visitors since Feb. 27.

The initiative, launched by King Salman in March 2019, aligns with the country’s Quality-of-Life Program, outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, by creating greener, more sustainable cities that encourage participation in activities like walking, cycling, and horse riding. It also aims to transform Riyadh into one of the world’s most livable cities by blending sports with cultural, artistic, and environmental opportunities.


Hands-on faith: henna tradition inspires first-time fasters in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region

Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)
Updated 04 March 2025
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Hands-on faith: henna tradition inspires first-time fasters in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region

  • These cherished customs are integral to the cultural and social identity of the people in the Northern Borders region

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region, the holy month of Ramadan brings a surge of traditions, including henna painting for young girls fasting for the first time.

Saudi Press Agency reports that families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable.

Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)

The festive designs, which are tied to joy and celebration, boost the girls’ enthusiasm and pride as they showcase their decorated hands, strengthening Ramadan’s spirit.

Wejdan Al-Anzi, a resident of Arar, told SPA: “For years, we have made it a tradition to apply henna on our daughters’ hands when they begin fasting.

Families gather to decorate their daughters’ hands with henna, encouraging fasting while making it fun and memorable. (SPA)

“It is a delightful custom that helps children feel connected to the Ramadan spirit shared by the adults around them.”

Afaf Al-Thuwaini also highlighted that this tradition extends beyond mere aesthetics; it cultivates essential religious and social values in children, helping them connect fasting with an atmosphere of joy and celebration.

These cherished customs are integral to the cultural and social identity of the people in the Northern Borders region.

These simple yet meaningful traditions foster a deep appreciation for devotion in children, playing a significant role in shaping their religious and social character.

 


Saudi deputy minister receives Iraqi ambassador

Updated 04 March 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives Iraqi ambassador

  • They discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al-Suhail in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry posted on X.

In a separate meeting on Tuesday, Al-Sati received Nodirjon Turgunov, ambassador of Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia, to discuss issues of mutual interest.