Pilgrims Take Photos to Document Their Spiritual Journey

 Pilgrims document their journey of faith with a mobile camera (Photo: Adnan Mahdali)
 Pilgrims document their journey of faith with a mobile camera (Photo: Adnan Mahdali)
TT

Pilgrims Take Photos to Document Their Spiritual Journey

 Pilgrims document their journey of faith with a mobile camera (Photo: Adnan Mahdali)
 Pilgrims document their journey of faith with a mobile camera (Photo: Adnan Mahdali)

The pilgrims are immersed in a spiritual and ethereal atmosphere as they perform the fifth pillar of Islam in the sacred sites of Makkah. A profound experience that will forever be etched in their minds as they eagerly recount every detail to their loved ones, longing to come back again the years to come.

The pilgrims talk about the place, the people, the services, the huge facilities, and the civilized structures of the sacred sites, which they convey through their phones in photos and video clips.

Bassam Muadi, who comes from Jordan to perform the religious rituals, says that the image and the video clip inside the sacred sites have a great impact, because they document his visit to the purest parts of the earth.

Muadi, 54, said that he was in constant contact with his family, to convey the spirituality of the place, the hospitality of the people, and the services provided to the guests of Rahman, which he said were a source of pride for every Arab and Muslim.

For his part, Bassam Abdullah, from Syria, said that words cannot describe the extent of the love and magnificence of the place, pointing out, after taking the picture with his family in the holy sites: “The sacred sites are truly indescribable. It is a journey that I have waited for many years... I will tell my family and friends about the beauty of the place and human generosity, about the splendor of the facilities and the great efforts devoted to serving everyone.”

In turn, Ahmed Ali al-Hajj, from Somalia, said: “The photo may be natural, but years later it will have a special impact on the soul. So preserving all the images and clips is absolutely necessary and at the forefront of priorities...”

Hajj Ahmed continued, "Here lies a spirituality unmatched, and an Islamic gathering like no other... We have come from the far corners of the Earth, with sincere prayers and eyes brimming with tears, seeking forgiveness from the Almighty."



Saudi FM: Kingdom Will Do Everything it Can to Reach a Ceasefire in Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
TT

Saudi FM: Kingdom Will Do Everything it Can to Reach a Ceasefire in Gaza

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks to journalists before the start of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024. (AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stressed on Wednesday that the Kingdom will do everything it can to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and reach a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

He also expressed rejection of the genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution in Riyadh, he said the establishment of a Palestinian state is the main condition for forming relations with Israel, echoing remarks made by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The security of the region is tied to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Prince Faisal stressed.

Major western and eastern countries have started to discuss the possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state, he added.

He revealed that an Arab Islamic summit will be held to discuss the situation in Gaza and Lebanon.

Wednesday’s meeting in Riyadh is the first in several steps towards the establishment of the Palestinian state. Ninety countries and organizations are taking part in the meeting.

On Gaza, Prince Faisal condemned Israel’s “barbaric actions, total siege and genocide” aimed at driving the Palestinians out of their land.

The Kingdom will do everything it can to mobilize international public opinion to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and reach a permanent solution to the crisis, he added, while expressing support for UNRWA.

The ministerial contact group for the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and European Union and Norway are taking part in the Riyadh meeting, which will be held over two days.

Also attending are diplomats and envoys from several countries and regional and international organizations. The meeting aims to set a timeframe for establishing a Palestinian state and implementing the two-state solution.