‘Express’ Hajj Pilgrims Prepare to Depart Mina

In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)
In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)
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‘Express’ Hajj Pilgrims Prepare to Depart Mina

In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)
In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)

The majority of Hajj pilgrims will prepare on Friday to depart the holy city of Makkah on the third day of Eid al-Adha and on the second day of Tashreeq, in what is known as the “day of haste”.

On the first day of Tashreeq, pilgrims cast stones at pillars representing the devil.

This year's pilgrimage was the first in three years to be held without coronavirus restrictions and drew over 1.8 million Muslims from all corners of the Earth.

This year the Hajj was held in intense heat, with daytime temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Saudi Health Ministry said it had treated over 1,700 cases of heat exhaustion or heat stroke on Thursday alone, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pilgrimage to over 8,400.

Mohammad Al-Abdel Ali, a Health Ministry spokesman, said Wednesday that some 4,000 pilgrims had been hospitalized.

The Health Ministry warned pilgrims to carry umbrellas and avoid direct sunlight at all times, and to drink plenty of water. Tens of thousands of health workers have been mobilized for the pilgrimage, and water and free drinks were being handed out to the pilgrims.

Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif inspected on Thursday the operation of the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah and the health services being provided to the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance managed to send over 17 million text messages of awareness to the pilgrims in ten different languages since the beginning of the Hajj.

The texts aim to raise awareness about the Hajj and Umrah rituals, introduce pilgrims to telephone and library services, and stress the need to abide by the state’s rules and regulations to ensure their safety.



Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Invitation from Iraqi President to Attend Arab Summits

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs received the invitation during his meeting with the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs received the invitation during his meeting with the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh. SPA
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Invitation from Iraqi President to Attend Arab Summits

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs received the invitation during his meeting with the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs received the invitation during his meeting with the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh. SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received on Sunday an invitation from Iraqi President Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid to attend the 34th Ordinary Session of the Council of the Arab League at the Summit Level, as well as the 5th Session of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, both of which will be hosted by Iraq later this month.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received the invitation during his meeting with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Fuad Hussein in Riyadh.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the fraternal relations between the two countries and discussed regional and world developments.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati.