ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia: Thousands of face-masked pilgrims performing Islam’s annual Hajj pilgrimage gathered on Mount Arafat on Monday to atone for their sins, expressing hopes for peace and an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites in Makkah and Medina, has barred worshippers from abroad for a second year running and has restricted entry from within the kingdom under special conditions to guard against the coronavirus and its new variants.
Only 60,000 Saudi citizens and residents, aged 18 to 65, who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from the virus and do not suffer from chronic diseases, were selected for the rite, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
“It is an indescribable feeling that I got selected among millions of people to attend the Hajj. I pray for God to put an end to these hard times the whole world has gone through under the coronavirus,” said Um Ahmed, a Palestinian pilgrim who lives in the Saudi capital Riyadh and who said she lost four family members to the virus.
In previous years, more than two million pilgrims used to cover Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat, sitting close to each other in the scorching heat of the desert city of Makkah, carrying umbrellas and fans to keep cool as temperatures rose toward 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
This year pilgrims, dressed in white robes signifying a state of purity, had to observe social distancing and wear face masks on Mount Arafat, the hill where Islam holds God tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son Ismail.
Mount Arafat is also where Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon.
“The first prayer is to ask God to lift this pandemic, this curse and this grief for all humanity and for Muslims, so in the next years they are able to attend Hajj and for millions to refill these holy sites,” said Maher Baroody, a Syrian pilgrim.
Masked Hajj pilgrims on Mount Arafat pray for COVID-free world
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Masked Hajj pilgrims on Mount Arafat pray for COVID-free world
- In previous years, more than two million pilgrims used to cover Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat
Haramain High-Speed Railway transports highest number of passengers in a single day since its launch
Haramain High-Speed Railway transports highest number of passengers in a single day since its launch
- Railway serves worshippers, Umrah and Hajj pilgrims year-round
- SAR has gradually increased the number of trips to reach 130 a day during the last 10 days of Ramadan
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Haramain High-Speed Railway has transported the highest number of passengers in a single day since its inauguration in 2018.
The Saudi Railway Company reported transporting about 48,000 passengers in a single day on the 15th of Ramadan.
Since the beginning of Ramadan in March, average daily ridership has surpassed 39,000 passengers, showing a strong demand for the Haramain services as the quickest way to reach Makkah.
The railway serves worshippers, Umrah and Hajj pilgrims year-round, connecting Makkah and Madinah and passing through Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City.
The SAR has gradually increased the number of trips since the start of Ramadan, reaching 130 trips a day during the last 10 days to accommodate Umrah performers, worshippers and visitors to the holy sites.
SAR has adjusted train schedules to align with peak times for worshippers and visitors during Ramadan and has provided additional lounges at the Madinah station to enhance the travel experience.
The railway operates on a 453-km electric line and ranks among the top 10 fastest trains in the world, with an operational speed of up to 300 km/h, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Comoros president performs Umrah
RIYADH: The President of Comoros Azali Assoumani performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Wednesday.
He arrived in the Kingdom on Tuesday, landing at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
In Madinah, the president visited and prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque.
Saudi manga producer participates in one of world’s largest anime events in Tokyo
- Held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, the four-day festival drew more than 150,000 visitors and featured over 100 global exhibitors
- A subsidiary of Misk, Manga Production’s participation underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing position in the global anime industry
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions made a historic debut as the first Middle Eastern sponsor of AnimeJapan 2025, one of the world’s largest anime events.
Held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, the four-day festival drew more than 150,000 visitors and featured over 100 global exhibitors, organizers said in a statement.
A subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, known as Misk, Manga Production’s participation underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing position in the global anime industry.
Attendees experienced interactive exhibitions, including traditional Saudi attire try-ons and authentic Saudi coffee tastings, offering a unique fusion of heritage and creativity.
Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, delivered a keynote speech titled “A New Era of Animation! The Future of ‘Saudinimation’ Driven by Japan and Saudi Arabia,” outlining the collaborative opportunities between the two nations.
He said: “The overwhelming response reflects our mission to position Saudi creativity globally. AnimeJapan 2025 was a milestone in fostering co-production and content partnerships, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision to be a hub for entertainment innovation.”
The pavilion also welcomed high-profile Japanese officials, including Akamatsu Ken, vice minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, and Kobayashi Fumiaki, vice minister of the environment, signaling strong governmental interest in cultural exchange.
Abdulaziz Al-Mowani, director of marketing and communications, said: “This platform allowed us to share Saudi Arabia’s creative identity while forging strategic media and industry connections.
“Effective storytelling bridges cultures, and the event proved the power of our narrative.”
Saudi hospital launches palliative care program for young patients
JEDDAH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has launched the first dedicated palliative care program for adolescents and young adults in the Arab world.
This initiative aims to improve the quality of life of young patients with life-threatening illnesses by offering integrated care throughout their treatment journey.
The program not only enhances patient care but also serves as a model for similar initiatives, addressing a critical gap in palliative services for young patients across the Arab world.
Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses, such as advanced cancers, heart disease, neurological disorders and organ failure. It also offers psychological and social support, aids decision-making and improves the overall patient experience.
For adolescents and young adults, the program addresses age-specific challenges including balancing treatment with education or work, coping with the psychological impact of illness and maintaining autonomy in care decisions.
The program features a multidisciplinary team of palliative care physicians, specialized nurses, social workers and mental health experts to support both patients and their families.
The World Health Organization reports that only 14 percent of patients globally who need palliative care receive it, highlighting a significant service gap.
Research shows that integrating palliative care into treatment plans for young patients with critical illnesses reduces symptom burden and improves overall quality of life. Cancer patients, in particular, often face inadequate pain management, psychological support, and guidance during their treatment.
The program has earned accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the European Society for Medical Oncology and the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care.
This ensures the highest standards of clinical competency, enabling healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based, culturally sensitive palliative care.
Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah
- Abdullah Al-Ghamdi explores advanced technologies for Grand Mosque operations and highway security
RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi has visited the Grand Mosque Operations Center in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He met the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, along with several security officials and Saudi programmers from the authority working at the center.
Al-Ghamdi reviewed the operations of the Baseer platform, developed by the authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, represented by Public Security.
The platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor and analyze the movement of visitors to the Grand Mosque, ensuring smooth crowd management and assisting in locating missing persons.
He also reviewed the Sawaher platform, designed to enhance the safety of the Grand Mosque, contributing to a secure and smart environment that facilitates worshippers and Umrah performers in performing their rituals seamlessly.
Al-Ghamdi also visited the Highway Security Center in Al-Shumaisi, where he was briefed on the Banan device, which enhances identity verification using biometric features.
He observed the center’s operations, the command room and the advanced technology used in the Saudi Lucid vehicle, which is equipped with AI tools.
