How Saudi Arabia aims to make Hajj 2024 an eco-friendly pilgrimage

Special How Saudi Arabia aims to make Hajj 2024 an eco-friendly pilgrimage
Hajj pilgrims arrive on June 14, 2024, at the tent city of Mina, near the holy city of Makkah, as the annual pilgrimage begins in exhausting summer heat. (AFP)
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Updated 15 June 2024
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How Saudi Arabia aims to make Hajj 2024 an eco-friendly pilgrimage

How Saudi Arabia aims to make Hajj 2024 an eco-friendly pilgrimage
  • Journey causes environmental strain through waste, water and energy consumption, and carbon emissions
  • By adopting sustainable practices, pilgrims can contribute to a greener journey and minimize their impact

JEDDAH: Hajj draws about 2 million people each year. However, this monumental event places a significant strain on the environment through waste, water and energy consumption, and carbon emissions. 

That is why measures have been put in place to encourage pilgrims to minimize their waste, use resources judiciously, and reduce their overall carbon footprint while fulfilling their Hajj obligations.

Various government bodies are collaborating to manage solid waste, promote environmentally conscientious behaviors, and mitigate the adverse effects of litter on the environment.

 

 

In a statement posted on X, the National Waste Management Center said: “With integrated efforts to safeguard the environment of the holiest places on earth, MWAN inspection teams are conducting rounds to ensure safe waste management, facilitating the performance of Hajj rituals with ease and peace of mind.”

Its teams inspected 49 operational facilities in the waste management sector across Makkah and Madinah in May to ensure their compliance with waste management regulations.




Teams from the Saudi National Waste Management Center conduct inspections regularly to ensure safe waste management. (X: @ncwmsa)

MWAN says that it aims to roll out several initiatives to serve pilgrims, optimize natural resource use, and promote public health and environmental sustainability.

The National Center for Environmental Compliance plays a crucial role in gathering data and monitoring air quality before, during and after the Hajj season.

“These figures are sent directly to the central monitoring station, where national experts analyze them and issue daily reports provided to the Hajj Committee,” Saad Al-Matrafi, the center’s spokesperson, told Arab News.

“Quick responses from field committees and appropriate decisions are made upon observing significant deviations to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.”




In the streets of Makkah province, thousands of cleaners are hard at work separating plastic waste from compost as more than two million Muslims wrap up their annual hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)

The center also conducts inspection rounds of sites and facilities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and standards.

“The first phase of this year’s operational plan has been completed, which includes inspection rounds of sites and facilities in the health, municipal, industrial, agricultural, fuel stations, and roads used by pilgrims,” Mohammed Ammar Ameen, the head of the center’s Hajj Operations Room, told Arab News.

Ameen said that any facility found to be non-compliant during these visits was reported to the relevant authorities to ensure the quality of environmental conditions before the start of Hajj rituals.




Maintaining the sacred ambiance: Sanitizing and perfuming the Grand Mosque ensures lasting memories of cleanliness and pleasant fragrances for all pilgrims. (SPA)

In the second phase, the center will intensify its field visits around Makkah and the holy sites, monitoring water, soil and air samples to ensure their safety.

“This year’s monitoring plan includes monitoring environmental violations and responding to environmental emergencies in the holy site camps,” Ameen said. 

“The center’s team of inspectors and environmental specialists work around the clock to ensure the comfort of guests through continuous environmental monitoring and instant detection of any violations in environmental standards and noise pollution.”

DID YOUKNOW?

• The electric Holy Sites Train produces zero carbon emissions, preserving the environment and pilgrims’ health.

• The National Center for Waste Management is raising awareness about environmentally friendly behaviors.

• The National Center for Environmental Compliance established 20 air quality monitoring stations in Makkah and Madinah.

• The National Center for Wildlife Development works to ensure baboon-free zones at the holy sites.

Clean water for drinking and for carrying out ablutions is provided at dispensing stations around the holy sites and along connecting routes to keep pilgrims and performers of Umrah cool and hydrated.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has initiated 10 projects to enhance water infrastructure, with 2,000 employees dedicated to providing services to pilgrims.

Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, minister of environment, water and agriculture, said that there was an average daily pumping volume of more than 750,000 cubic meters per day to Makkah and the holy sites, rising to more than one million cubic meters per day on the day of Arafa and the days of Eid Al-Adha.




During the Hajj season, 750,000 cubic meters of water are pumped in Makkah every day. (SPA)

Water storage has reached 3.2 million cubic meters. There are also about 4,100 daily laboratory tests carried out to ensure water quality.

Meanwhile, the National Center of Meteorology is monitoring weather conditions in the event of extreme heat events.

Al-Matrafi of the National Center for Environmental Compliance said that he and other departments had devised a set of environmental performance metrics to help encourage improvements.

“Through strategic analysis of environmental performance and challenges during the Hajj seasons, we aim to pinpoint areas for improvement and innovation,” he said.

“This approach enables us to develop sustainable environmental standards and introduce forward-looking initiatives, including implementing smart cities, adopting alternative energy sources, promoting recycling, and integrating environmentally friendly transportation systems.”




The Grand Mosque in Makkah has a fleet of rides running on electric battery. (Shutterstock)

These include electric trains, a fleet of electric buses, a rollout of brand new e-scooters, and even a pioneering, all-electric, self-driving aerial taxi service — the world’s first to be licensed by a civil aviation authority.

Despite its many environmental challenges, Hajj presents an opportunity for pilgrims to embrace sustainable practices — be that choosing to travel by electric vehicle, to reuse garments rather than buy new clothing, or simply by carrying a reusable bottle.

By adopting these sustainable practices, pilgrims can contribute to a greener Hajj journey and minimize their environmental impact.


 


Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan

Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan
Updated 29 sec ago
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Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan

Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan
  • Hotels say will arrange special tours, Ramadan bazaars during holy month
  • Thousands of Muslims spend Ramadan every year in Makkah and Madinah

Jeddah: Hotels in Makkah and Madinah are being adorned with decorations as they prepare to welcome millions of pilgrims, offering guests the chance to experience Saudi culture firsthand during Ramadan.

Mohammed Haris, from India, who makes it a point to spend Ramadan every year in Makkah and Madinah, said: “Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is truly unique. The atmosphere and spirit here are unlike anywhere else in the world.

“I always choose to stay in hotels that are close to the holy sites, and over the years I’ve witnessed the improvements (in them).

“Hotels are continuously striving to make guests feel at home, allowing them to focus on their prayers and spirituality.”

Elaf Al Taqwa Hotel’s location in Madinah, near the Prophet’s Mosque, offers easy access to prayer.

The hotel has introduced a range of special services for Ramadan, including dua recitations played throughout the premises, daily azan calls, and a carefully curated menu for iftar and sahoor featuring traditional Saudi and international cuisine.

Hussain Rauff, the general manager of the hotel, said: “Our goal is to create a spiritually uplifting environment in which guests feel at home while experiencing the essence of Ramadan in the heart of Madinah.

“We have also introduced exclusive Ramadan offerings, such as a Ramadan bazaar, where pilgrims can purchase Islamic books, prayer mats, dates, perfumes, handcrafted souvenirs and other local products, allowing them to take a meaningful piece of their journey home.

“A traditional seating area has also been set up, offering a space for reflection and connection over Saudi coffee and local delicacies like balilah and chai adani after Taraweeh prayers.”

In addition, Rauff added: “To ensure a balanced routine, we’ve kept our gym open throughout Ramadan, allowing guests to maintain their well-being while observing the spiritual practices of the month.”

The hotel also offers tours on the history of Madinah, including visits to Quba Mosque.

The Elaf group of hotels in Makkah, close to the Grand Mosque, is preparing to welcome an influx of guests during the holy month.

Hassan Khaleel, operation regional director for the Makkah region, said the hotels’ “goal is to provide an enriching stay and allow pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey.”

The Address Jabal Omar Makkah has recently opened a walkway directly leading to the Grand Mosque.

The hotel’s interiors celebrate Saudi culture and heritage, with a large iftar buffet and a Ramadan tent with traditional Saudi coffee, dates and holy Zamzam water.

Frontel Al Harithia Hotel in Madinah focuses on sahoor, which is especially important during Ramadan fasting.

For those seeking a deeper connection to the historic and spiritual significance of Ramadan, Ahmed Zahrani has partnered with several hotels in Makkah to offer tours that explore sacred sites in the region. Iconic locations such as Jabal Al-Rahmah, Namira Mosque, Zubayda Spring, and Muzdalifah can be visited.

Zahrani said that the tours offered “insight into the sacred landmarks of Islamic history.”

Zeyad Labban, the managing director of Maad International Hajj and Umrah Services Company, spoke about how the business is “committed to enhancing the comfort of pilgrims and visitors by providing all necessary services,” including accommodation, transport, dining, and historic tours.

Hotels in the holy cities are working to provide an environment in which pilgrims can focus on their faith and make the most of their time, with a warm welcome and respectful hospitality throughout the month.


Saudi doctors operate on conjoined twins from Burkina Faso

Saudi doctors operate on conjoined twins from Burkina Faso
Updated 1 min 4 sec ago
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Saudi doctors operate on conjoined twins from Burkina Faso

Saudi doctors operate on conjoined twins from Burkina Faso
  • Kingdom’s leading program has separated 61 pairs of conjoined twins from around the world
  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah: I am optimistic that we will achieve the successful separation and we will also mark the continuation of this ambitious global program

RIYADH: The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins began its 62nd operation this morning at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.

The twins, Awa (Hawa) and Kadidiata (Khadija) Dianda, first came to Riyadh on July 1 last year. They underwent diagnostic tests and screenings that revealed joining in the lower chest and abdomen, a shared pericardium (covering of the heart), liver and bowel.

A medical team of 26 specialists led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser to the royal court and general supervisor of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, began the operation in accordance with directives from the Saudi leadership.

The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins has been active for more than 34 years and has evaluated 146 cases of conjoined twins from 27 countries.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Rabeeah said that in the case of the Diandas, extensive joining in the abdomen and chest convinced plastic surgeons to place tissue expanders (balloons under the skin) to expand the skin for three-and-a-half months before the operation.

The operation will be completed over five phases.

“I am optimistic that, God willing, we will be happy to achieve the successful separation with a success rate exceeding 80 percent and we will also mark the continuation of this ambitious and global program,” Al-Rabeeah said.

The case was brought to the Kingdom’s attention after the Dianda family contacted the Saudi Embassy in Burkina Faso.

“Every year we celebrate Nov. 24 as conjoined twin international day and this is because of what Saudi Arabia has done to care for those twins,” Al-Rabeeah said.

Each case of conjoined twins is different from the last; whichever organs or connected tissue are involved determines the difficulty of each case.

Al-Rabeeah classified the cases, generally, as either joined in the head (craniopagus), the chest (thoracopagus), abdomen (omphalopagus), pelvis (ischiopagus), or joined in the back (pygopagus).

Dr. Nezar Al-Zughaibi, one of the doctors on the Dianda medical team who has about 50 separation operations under his belt, spoke to Arab News about what goes through his mind before a procedure of this magnitude.

“It’s mixed feelings, between excitement, between anxiety. But the more you do of these cases, the more comfortable you feel,” he said.

“I’m working with a great team; Dr. Rabeeah is like our godfather. He just takes care of everybody on the team. We support each other.”

Once the children are separated, the hospital erupts into a cheerful and joyous atmosphere, especially after seeing the happy tears on the parents’ faces, Al-Zughaibi said.

Twins are cared for by the program before and after the operation, as Al-Rabeeah said that follow-up care can be just as, or more important, than the operation itself.

“The first set (of twins) that we have done, we are still following them … twins who have now exceeded 35 years of age,” he said.

“It is a lifelong follow-up.”

Al-Zughaibi said that sometimes — especially for those that stay longer — patients form long-term friendships and even familial bonds with the medical staff.

Physical and psychological rehabilitation are both required, including counseling for the families.

And in some cases, prosthetic fittings with the proper physical care and cosmetic surgeries could be needed.

Amid the wait for the results of the latest operation, Al-Zughaibi and the staff are hopeful of a positive result.

“I always say each case has its own identity and its own risks and surprises. But for now, this is going smoothly and we’ll keep our fingers crossed it will continue as is,” he said.


10 Arabian sand gazelles released in Thadiq National Park 

10 Arabian sand gazelles released in Thadiq National Park 
Updated 27 February 2025
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10 Arabian sand gazelles released in Thadiq National Park 

10 Arabian sand gazelles released in Thadiq National Park 
  • Initiative is part of a comprehensive national strategy to reintroduce endangered native species to help restore ecological balance in natural habitats
  • Initiative aims to enhance biodiversity within the park, boost its tourist appeal, and support the center’s environmental sustainability efforts

RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife — in partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification — has released 10 endangered Arabian sand gazelles into Thadiq National Park as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.

The initiative is part of a comprehensive national strategy to reintroduce endangered native species to help restore ecological balance in natural habitats.

This initiative aims to enhance biodiversity within the park, boost its tourist appeal, and support the center’s environmental sustainability efforts.

National parks serve as vital ecological corridors, linking protected areas and enabling wildlife to move freely within their natural habitats.

Mohammed Qurban, the CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said that reintroducing species was a key step toward strengthening environmental sustainability, maintaining ecosystem resilience, and enriching biodiversity.


Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan

Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan
Updated 27 February 2025
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Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan

Hotels in holy cities get ready for Ramadan

Jeddah: Hotels in Makkah and Madinah are being adorned with decorations as they prepare to welcome millions of pilgrims, offering guests the chance to experience Saudi culture firsthand during Ramadan.

Mohammed Haris, from India, who makes it a point to spend Ramadan every year in Makkah and Madinah, said: “Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is truly unique. The atmosphere and spirit here are unlike anywhere else in the world.

“I always choose to stay in hotels that are close to the holy sites, and over the years I’ve witnessed the improvements (in them).

“Hotels are continuously striving to make guests feel at home, allowing them to focus on their prayers and spirituality.”

Elaf Al Taqwa Hotel’s location in Madinah, near the Prophet’s Mosque, offers easy access to prayer.

The hotel has introduced a range of special services for Ramadan, including dua recitations played throughout the premises, daily azan calls, and a carefully curated menu for iftar and sahoor featuring traditional Saudi and international cuisine.

Hussain Rauff, the general manager of the hotel, said: “Our goal is to create a spiritually uplifting environment in which guests feel at home while experiencing the essence of Ramadan in the heart of Madinah.

“We have also introduced exclusive Ramadan offerings, such as a Ramadan bazaar, where pilgrims can purchase Islamic books, prayer mats, dates, perfumes, handcrafted souvenirs and other local products, allowing them to take a meaningful piece of their journey home.

“A traditional seating area has also been set up, offering a space for reflection and connection over Saudi coffee and local delicacies like balilah and chai adani after Taraweeh prayers.”

In addition, Rauff added: “To ensure a balanced routine, we’ve kept our gym open throughout Ramadan, allowing guests to maintain their well-being while observing the spiritual practices of the month.”

The hotel also offers tours on the history of Madinah, including visits to Quba Mosque.

The Elaf group of hotels in Makkah, close to the Grand Mosque, is preparing to welcome an influx of guests during the holy month.

Hassan Khaleel, operation regional director for the Makkah region, said the hotels’ “goal is to provide an enriching stay and allow pilgrims to focus on their spiritual journey.”

The Address Jabal Omar Makkah has recently opened a walkway directly leading to the Grand Mosque.

The hotel’s interiors celebrate Saudi culture and heritage, with a large iftar buffet and a Ramadan tent with traditional Saudi coffee, dates and holy Zamzam water.

Frontel Al Harithia Hotel in Madinah focuses on sahoor, which is especially important during Ramadan fasting.

For those seeking a deeper connection to the historic and spiritual significance of Ramadan, Ahmed Zahrani has partnered with several hotels in Makkah to offer tours that explore sacred sites in the region. Iconic locations such as Jabal Al-Rahmah, Namira Mosque, Zubayda Spring, and Muzdalifah can be visited.

Zahrani said that the tours offered “insight into the sacred landmarks of Islamic history.”

Zeyad Labban, the managing director of Maad International Hajj and Umrah Services Company, spoke about how the business is “committed to enhancing the comfort of pilgrims and visitors by providing all necessary services,” including accommodation, transport, dining, and historic tours.

Hotels in the holy cities are working to provide an environment in which pilgrims can focus on their faith and make the most of their time, with a warm welcome and respectful hospitality throughout the month.


Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government

Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government
Updated 27 February 2025
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Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government

Saudi crown prince congratulates Lebanon PM on formation of government

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of congratulations to Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on the formation of his new government, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.

Lebanon’s new government on Wednesday won a confidence vote in Parliament, with the support of Hezbollah’s bloc, even though the government statement adopted took a swipe at the group’s weapons.

Ninety-five out of 128 lawmakers supported the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a prominent jurist who previously headed the International Court of Justice. He was appointed last month to form a new government after a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah, which killed over 4,000 people and caused widespread destruction.

The crown prince wished Salam luck in his new duties and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity.