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)
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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 Arabia Hopes Two-State Solution Alliance Meeting Would Reach Practical Steps in Backing Peace

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Hopes Two-State Solution Alliance Meeting Would Reach Practical Steps in Backing Peace

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government hoped on Tuesday that the first meeting of the first high-level meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution would reach practical steps supporting UN efforts and peace initiatives and establish a timeline for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and end the Israeli occupation.

The meeting will be held in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

At the beginning of the session, Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the Cabinet on the details of the telephone call he received from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and on his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of Saudi Arabia's recent participation in international meetings. This is a testimony to Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening partnerships and expanding cooperation in all fields to support multilateral efforts for development, prosperity, and addressing global challenges.

It reiterated the Kingdom's stance at the BRICS Plus 2024 Summit, emphasizing its rejection of the escalation in the region. It highlighted the severe threat posed by the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip to both regional and international security and underscored the urgency of an immediate ceasefire, the need of unhindered humanitarian aid, and a firm commitment to achieving lasting peace.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's emphasis at the International Conference in Support of Lebanon's People and Sovereignty on the need for collective assistance for Lebanon in facing its current crisis, mitigating its humanitarian consequences, and aiding the Lebanese state institutions in fulfilling their constitutional duties to establish sovereignty over all of Lebanon's territories.

Furthermore, during a conference hosted by the Kingdom, the Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the pledges of countries and donor entities to provide financial and in-kind contributions to support displaced people and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. The conference hosting is part of Saudi Arabia's keenness to respond to all efforts serving humanitarian causes and assisting affected and devastated communities worldwide.

The Cabinet welcomed the participants in the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII8) conference, which kicked off in Riyadh on Tuesday under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Cabinet looks forward to the conference contributing to boosting efforts to achieve economic stability and just development, combat climate change globally, and address issues related to artificial intelligence, innovation, and health.

The Cabinet highlighted the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during the Energy Localization Forum involving 117 entities from the public and private sectors. The deals, worth around SAR104 billion, aim to bolster localization efforts in the energy sector and develop human capital.

Additionally, the Cabinet commended the outcomes of the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum (MIPF) organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Cabinet underlined discussions during the forum on the role of industrial policies in boosting industrial integration between countries, empowering global supply chains, encouraging entrepreneurship, and leveraging modern and emerging technologies.

The Cabinet lauded the recent launches and agreements worth more than SAR55 billion announced at the Global Health Exhibition held in Riyadh, which aim to invest in the latest global technologies, strengthen international partnerships, localize pharmaceutical industries, and support research and development, showcasing the Kingdom's leadership in the health sector.

Additionally, the Cabinet highlighted the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of the inaugural Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum. It commended the forum for facilitating the signing of memoranda of understanding and discussions expected to open new horizons for sustainable social development, further boosting the Kingdom's achievements in this area.