Hajj pilgrims innovate for comfort amid Saudi Arabia’s efforts to beat the heat

A sprinkler system comprising more than 8,000  water posts has been installed at the holy sites to mitigate the high temperatures. (SPA)
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A sprinkler system comprising more than 8,000 water posts has been installed at the holy sites to mitigate the high temperatures. (SPA)
Hajj pilgrims innovate for comfort amid Saudi Arabia’s efforts to beat the heat
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Pilgrims use rechargeable and battery-powered neck and handheld fans. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 June 2024
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Hajj pilgrims innovate for comfort amid Saudi Arabia’s efforts to beat the heat

Hajj pilgrims innovate for comfort amid Saudi Arabia’s efforts to beat the heat
  • Portable fans, personal water sprinklers among useful aids in scorching conditions

ARAFAT: Pilgrims have remained inventive in their quest for comfort, despite Saudi Arabia’s diligent efforts to mitigate the sweltering heat at the holy sites.

Alongside the Kingdom’s measures — which include extensive cooling systems — pilgrims are using rechargeable and battery-powered neck and handheld fans in their determination to offset the challenging conditions brought by the summer.




A sprinkler system comprising more than 8,000  water posts has been installed at the holy sites to mitigate the high temperatures. (SPA)

The portable fans provide much-needed relief by offering personal cooling in crowded areas where air circulation may be limited. They allow pilgrims to maintain comfort and focus on their religious duties without being overly affected by the extreme temperatures, thereby enhancing their overall pilgrimage experience.

According to online retail websites, the hands-free fans range from $4 to $8, while neck fans are between $32 to $60. However, some portable waist clip fans may cost from $30 to more than $110.

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Managed by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the sprinkler system at the holy sites disperses 230,000 cubic meters of water through a pipe network spanning over 190,000 meters.

In accordance with the Health Ministry’s warnings and instructions, many pilgrims are also being observed using small water sprinklers to cool themselves amid the high temperatures.




A sprinkler system comprising more than 8,000  water posts has been installed at the holy sites to mitigate the high temperatures. (SPA)

A report by the National Center for Meteorology noted that temperatures reached 46 C in Arafat on Saturday. In anticipation of such conditions, a massive water sprinkler system had been installed to reduce heat and refresh the air for pilgrims.

Saleh Al-Sufiyani, a Saudi pilgrim from Taif, said that he was aware of the weather conditions in Makkah and purchased a cooling gadget for SR150 (approximately $40).




Pilgrims are using rechargeable and battery-powered neck and handheld fans in their determination to offset the challenging conditions brought by the summer. (SPA)

He added: “The device provides direct airflow to my neck and face, which are sensitive areas for cooling the body. It helps me feel more comfortable as it reduces the sensation of heat.”

Maryam Jadallah, an Egyptian pilgrim, said that she had bought her portable battery-powered fan from Jeddah after learning about the high temperatures in Makkah.




Water is sprayed on Muslim pilgrims at the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabi, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)

She added: “The fan operates quietly, allowing me to hear everything around me without disturbing my supplications.”

She stressed that cooling the body during hot weather can help prevent heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heatstroke.




Volunteers spray water on Muslim pilgrims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AN photo by Huda Bashattah)

She said that despite having her fan with her, she often kept it off as fans and water sprinklers were installed everywhere to help the pilgrims stay cool.  

According to Kidana Development Company, a substantial sprinkler system comprising more than 8,000 water posts has been installed at the holy sites to mitigate the high temperatures.




Despite Saudi Arabia's diligent efforts to mitigate the sweltering heat in the holy sites, pilgrims remained inventive in their quest for comfort. (AN photo by Huda Bashattah)

Managed by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the system disperses 230,000 cubic meters of water through a pipe network spanning over 190,000 meters. It will operate for 15 hours daily across a span of 13 days.

A recent study published by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre revealed that heat-related deaths and strokes during Hajj have fallen by 47.6 and 74.6 percent respectively over a 40-year period because of the interventions by the Kingdom’s government.

 


Saudi Arabia condemns flare-up of violence in Sudan

Saudi Arabia condemns flare-up of violence in Sudan
Updated 37 min 45 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia condemns flare-up of violence in Sudan

Saudi Arabia condemns flare-up of violence in Sudan
  • Kingdom concerned over the continued escalation of fighting in Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned on Saturday the recent flare-up of violence in the eastern side of Sudan’s Al Jazeera State, which caused deaths among civilians.

The foreign ministry, in a statement, expressed the Kingdom’s concern over the continued escalation of fighting in Sudan that has impacted women and children, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia “condemns the recent [violence] in the eastern part of Al-Jazeera State, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries among civilians, as this constitutes a violation of international law and the principle of protecting civilians.”

The Kingdom has also “urged the warring parties to ceasefire, end the conflict and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected. The Kingdom reaffirms its position in supporting the stability and unity of Sudan.”

Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital Khartoum and spread to other regions including western Darfur.

The war has killed more than 24,000 people so far, according to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a group monitoring the conflict since it started.

Britain, which assumed the presidency on Friday of the Security Council for November, said the 15-member body would meet in Sudan on Nov. 12 to discuss “scaling up aid delivery and ensuring greater protection of civilians by all sides.”

“We will be shortly introducing a draft Security Council resolution ... to drive forward progress on this,” Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward told a press conference.

She said the draft would focus on “developing a compliance mechanism for the warring parties’ commitments they made on the protection of civilians in Jeddah over a year ago in 2023 and ways to support mediation efforts to deliver a ceasefire, even if we start local ceasefires before moving to a national one.”

A resolution needs at least 9 votes in favor and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, Russia or China to be adopted.

The move comes as a three-month approval given by Sudanese authorities for the UN and aid groups to use the Adre border crossing with Chad to reach Darfur with humanitarian assistance is due to expire in mid-November.

With agencies


Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition

Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition
Updated 02 November 2024
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Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition

Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition

RIYADH: The Sports Boulevard Foundation has received best-in-class recognition from active travel accreditation ActiveScore — awarded Platinum Communities Certification for the Sports Boulevard Masterplan and Platinum Certification for the Global Sports Tower.

The Sports Boulevard project will help revolutionize urban planning in Riyadh. 

It features more than 4.4 million square meters of green and open spaces, along with up to 50 multi-disciplinary sports facilities and integrated infrastructure. This project is dedicated to enhancing the city’s quality of life for residents and visitors, with features such as pathways, cycling tracks, and horse-riding trails.

The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world, is a key landmark of the project. It will feature more than 30 sports facilities, including the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall, at 98 meters.
 


Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction

Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction
Updated 02 November 2024
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Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction

Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction
  • Evening’s highest bid went to a Shaheen fledgling known as “Trah Amlaj Al-Hassi,” selling for SR79,000
  • Auction runs until Nov. 15, showcasing the club’s comprehensive support for the falconry community

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcon Club’s 2024 auction saw four prestigious birds change hands for a combined SR277,000 ($73,756) during its 13th night at the Malham headquarters north of Riyadh.

The evening’s highest bid went to a Shaheen fledgling known as “Trah Amlaj Al-Hassi,” owned by falconers Younis and Abdulrahman Al-Jahni, selling for SR79,000. Close behind was another Shaheen fledgling, “Trah Farasan,” from owners Ali Suhail and Ahmad Al-Aqili, which fetched SR77,000.

A third Shaheen, “Trah Dhulm,” owned by falconers Nader, Saud, and Fahad Al-Otaibi, commanded SR71,000, while “Trah Al-Sawarima,” a fledgling from Jazan region, rounded out the night’s sales at SR50,000.

The auction, which runs until Nov. 15, showcases the club’s comprehensive support for the falconry community. Regional teams across the Kingdom facilitate participation by providing accommodation and transportation for falcon owners, known as tawarih, to the auction venue.

Each sale is broadcast live on television and social media platforms, allowing enthusiasts nationwide to witness these historic transactions, featuring competitive bidding in a fast-paced environment.
 

 

 


80-year-old Saudi tour guide welcomes foreign visitors to Najran with English tours

80-year-old Saudi tour guide welcomes foreign visitors to Najran with English tours
Updated 02 November 2024
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80-year-old Saudi tour guide welcomes foreign visitors to Najran with English tours

80-year-old Saudi tour guide welcomes foreign visitors to Najran with English tours
  • Europeans are drawn to the region because of its cultural significance, he says

MAKKAH: Clips of 80-year-old Saudi citizen Saeed bin Saleh have gone viral on social media, showing him fluently conversing in English with European tourists in the Najran region of southern Saudi Arabia.

Bin Saleh’s life has been a remarkable journey. Early on, he moved to the Eastern Province in search of work, driven by the need to support his mother after losing his father at a young age.

In Dhahran, he worked alongside Americans and Europeans, which marked a turning point in his life. This experience not only improved his living conditions but also allowed him to master English.

He told Arab News that he has developed a strong and enduring connection with Western tourists who regularly visit Najran. They praise the area for its rich history, abundant with ancient artifacts and remnants of past civilizations, including the renowned Al-Okhdood site and relics from the Paleolithic era, which date back thousands of years.

He noted that the tourists he speaks with are often impressed by his fluent English, particularly considering that he is over 80 years old, and admire the detailed answers they receive to their historical inquiries.

Their questions often center around significant sites like the Al-Okhdood ruins, the Hima wells, the unique rock formations, and the region’s wealth of archaeological inscriptions, Bin Saleh said.

Reflecting on his early experience with the English language, Bin Saleh explained that he left Najran as a young man in search of work in the Eastern Province, particularly in Dhahran.

After losing his father, he took on the responsibility of supporting his mother, determined to improve their situation. Bin Saleh eventually crossed paths with an American who offered him a job assisting with preparations on the golf courses that were popular in Dhahran at that time.

His close interaction with the American gave him the opportunity to learn English at a young age, which led to a 30-year career in the Eastern Province.

During this time, he worked with several companies, including Aramco and American Airlines, before transitioning to Indian Airlines, which further helped him refine his language skills.

After many years, he decided to return to Najran, where he continued his career with the Ministry of Health as an ambulance driver. Upon retiring, he chose to dedicate his time to being close to his children and grandchildren.

Bin Saleh explained that Europeans are drawn to Najran because of its deep historical and cultural significance. They are particularly captivated by the Arabic inscriptions in Kufic script from the early Islamic period and the ancient South Arabian Musnad script.

Najran is also renowned for its bustling heritage markets, where traditional crafts such as daggers, or jambiyas, and historically significant mosques built from stone and clay can be found. In addition to its rich Islamic history, the region is home to numerous monuments from the ancient civilizations of southern Arabia.

He said that, at his age, he is no longer a full-time tour guide but is always eager to help visitors and those interested in the heritage of the region.

Najran, a key stop on the ancient caravan routes connecting the southern and northern Arabian Peninsula, is renowned for its remarkable rock carvings, including depictions of hunting and grazing scenes and human figures, alongside inscriptions in Thamudic, Musnad, and Kufic scripts — some dating to 7,000 B.C.

Bin Saleh said that Najran has gained significant attention in the eyes of visitors, particularly following the inclusion of the Hima Cultural Area on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ongoing archaeological discoveries, led by Saudi and international teams, continue to unveil the region’s rich historical legacy.

Bin Saleh urges Saudi youth interested in becoming tour guides to immerse themselves in the region’s history, while also mastering English.

He stressed the importance of representing the true beauty of Saudi Arabia and showcasing the country’s cultural and archaeological treasures, which make it a unique and historically vibrant destination.


Saudi Arabia to host global symposium for sea turtle conservation in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia to host global symposium for sea turtle conservation in Jeddah
Updated 02 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia to host global symposium for sea turtle conservation in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia to host global symposium for sea turtle conservation in Jeddah
  • Symposium organized by General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS)

JEDDAH: The Red Sea will take center stage in global marine conservation efforts as the first International Symposium for the Conservation of Sea Turtles is set to take place in Jeddah from Nov. 3 to 6.

The event will bring together an elite gathering of over 30 local and international experts and researchers focused on protecting endangered sea turtle species and preserving marine biodiversity, Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.

The symposium, organized by the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS), will feature presentations and panel discussions on the latest scientific research, innovative solutions for sea turtle protection, and strategies for international collaboration.

In a statement, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture highlighred the importance of the symposium as a platform to drive effective conservation strategies and ensure the sustainable future of the Red Sea’s unique marine ecosystem.

SHAMS’ initiatives aim to develop advanced conservation policies and elevate environmental awareness around the Red Sea, particularly through innovation in marine protection.

According to the Ministry, this event will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s standing in the field of marine environmental protection while supporting the sustainable conservation of marine species and their natural habitats in the Red Sea.