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2 Million Pilgrims Begin Hajj on Friday with Comprehensive Services at Their Disposal

The pilgrims will spend the day at Mina ahead of heading to Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
The pilgrims will spend the day at Mina ahead of heading to Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
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2 Million Pilgrims Begin Hajj on Friday with Comprehensive Services at Their Disposal

The pilgrims will spend the day at Mina ahead of heading to Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)
The pilgrims will spend the day at Mina ahead of heading to Arafat on Saturday. (SPA)

Over 2 million pilgrims will begin on Friday the annual Hajj pilgrimage, starting at Mina, and amid a comprehensive package of services at their disposal aimed at ensuring that they have a safe and smooth journey.

The pilgrims will spend the day at Mina where they will perform the Duhr, Asr, Maghreb and Isha prayers ahead of heading to Arafat on Saturday in what is the most important day of the Hajj.

Mina is considered the greatest tent city of the world and one Saudi Arabia’s mega projects. It stretches 2.5 million square meters to accommodate 2.6 million pilgrims.

Muslim worshippers pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on June 13, 2024, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)

The General Directorate of Passports revealed that it has registered 1,547,295 pilgrims this year.

Director of Public Security and head of the Hajj Security Committee Mohammad Al-Bassami inspected the readiness of the Hajj security forces and supporting military forces. He underscored their readiness in implementing security and organizational plans aimed at ensuring the safety of the pilgrims.

He stressed that the security forces will firmly confront anything that may undermine the safety of the pilgrims during their holy journey.

Pilgrims leave after offering prayers outside at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, early Friday, June 14, 2024. (AP)

The Saudi Royal Air Force will also be monitoring the Hajj to provide security and prevent any development that may impact the pilgrimage and worshippers.

Concerned parties at the Interior Ministry will follow up on the security plans and crowd control. They will monitor entrances to the holy city of Makkah to prevent anyone violating Hajj regulations from entering.

Meanwhile, the first of the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro trips kicked off on Thursday. It will transport pilgrims between nine stations spread between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. Seventeen trains will be operated by 7,500 employees.

The first of the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro trips kicked off on Thursday. (SPA)

The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence has provided the pilgrims with several digital services through the Tawakkalna app that is available in seven languages: Arabic, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Bengali, Urdu and Hindi. The app provides message, weather and Qibla services, a Quran, and prayer times. It also boasts features from the Nusuk Hajj digital card and other services.

The Public Health Authority will provide a number of services to the pilgrims. It has placed plans to combat infectious diseases, updated protocols and guidelines related to public health risks, and is constantly assessing risks.

The Ministry of Health is continuing its awareness campaign towards pilgrims throughout the holy sites. It is informing them of preventive measures that will help them protect their health and safety during the Hajj. This includes information on how to protect themselves from heat exhaustion due to the soaring heat. Pilgrims are advised to carry umbrellas and drink water.

The health ministry is also providing instant digital medical consultations around the clock. Pilgrims can contact consultants through a dedicated hotline with services provided in six languages: Arabic, English, French, Turkish, Persian and Urdu. They can also be contacted through the X platform or the Sehhaty app.

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Gulf

Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Several prominent figures from Yemen's Hadhramaut praised on Monday's Saudi Arabia's stance on the governorate that prevented it from sliding towards deeper unrest and instability.

The figures told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom's position was not limited to tackling the current crisis, but paves the way for a new phase of stability and development as parties prepare for a Riyadh conference on the southern issue.

The conference will mark a turning point in "rearranging" the political scene in the South, they remarked.

Hadhramaut is at a pivotal moment that demands united ranks that will come up with a unified vision that preserves the governorate's interests and allows it to play an effective role in any future political process, they added

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Arabia's "historic" stance and determination over the December 3 developments prevented the governorate from slipping into chaos.

Hadhramaut may have escaped the crisis, but it has embarked on a new path towards progress and development, he stated.

The call for intra-south dialogue is a sign that a secure and stable future is on the horizon, he noted.

"We are already seeing these signs with Saudi Arabia's brotherly support," he remarked.

Another member of the council, Al-Hakam Abdullah al-Nahdi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the support offered by Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, will be "etched in Hadhramaut's memory and relayed to generations to come."

"Hadhramaut represents a natural strategic depth to the Kingdom and its security is indivisible from Saudi Arabia's," he added.

"Were it not for Saudi Arabia's stance, we would have been mired in chaos," he went on to say.

He said he was optimistic about the future as long as Saudi Arabia was by Hadhramaut's side, calling on the people to "seize this opportunity by rallying together and shunning division."

Gulf

Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
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Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)

Somalia's government said on Monday that it was annulling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defense and ‌security cooperation, ‌citing ‌evidence ⁠the UAE had ‌undermined its national sovereignty. 

"The Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates, ⁠including those involving federal governmental ‌institutions, affiliated entities, and ‍regional administrations ‍operating within the territory ‍of the Federal Republic of Somalia," a statement from Somalia's Council of Ministers said. 

"This decision applies to all agreements ⁠and partnerships relating to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo ... (and) bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the statement added. 

Gulf

Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
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Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)

At a highly sensitive regional juncture, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali issued a clear warning against any unilateral recognition of breakaway regions, describing such moves as unviable and politically irresponsible, with negative repercussions for bilateral relations and regional stability.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ali stressed the alignment between Mogadishu and Riyadh on the need to shield the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical rivalries.

He said his second visit to Saudi Arabia within two weeks reflects the depth of coordination with the Kingdom amid rapidly evolving regional developments, particularly those related to maritime security and the Horn of Africa.

Objectives of the Saudi visit

Ali said the primary aim of his visit was close consultation with Saudi Arabia on accelerating regional developments, notably those affecting the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and maritime navigation security.

He added that discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across political, economic, security and development fields, while ensuring full coordination on issues touching on Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and stability.

He noted that the visit — his second to Riyadh in less than two weeks — underscored the intensity of engagement with the Kingdom at a delicate moment, saying that his previous meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan featured frank and constructive talks aimed at preventing escalation, maintaining regional balance and upholding international law.

Ali also highlighted the convening of an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address what he described as the “illegal violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” calling it further evidence of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in supporting regional stability.

Historic relations

The foreign minister described relations between Somalia and Saudi Arabia as “strong, historic and strategic,” grounded in shared faith, longstanding people-to-people ties and converging regional interests.

He said Somalia views the Kingdom as a key partner in national recovery, security-sector reform, economic stabilization and regional diplomacy, adding that current discussions are focused on translating this partnership into tangible outcomes that benefit both countries and reinforce wider regional stability.

Firm rejection of recognition of “Somaliland”

Ali stressed that the Somali federal government “categorically rejects” any declaration or action aimed at recognizing any part of Somalia as a separate entity. Such steps, he said, lack any legal basis, violate Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contravene international law, the UN Charter, the OIC charter and African Union principles.

He expressed Somalia’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s principled stance in support of Somali unity, as well as for regional and international partners that have voiced solidarity with Mogadishu.

He warned that unilateral recognition would not merely be a political position but a “destabilizing precedent” threatening the regional order. He added that Somalia is addressing the issue through balanced diplomacy and close coordination with regional and international partners.

A pivotal and constructive Saudi role

Ali said Saudi Arabia plays a “pivotal and constructive” role in promoting stability and security in the Arab world, the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa, noting that its leadership in diplomacy, de-escalation and maritime security is widely recognized and appreciated.

Potential repercussions

The foreign minister warned that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland would be “legally and practically null and void,” further exacerbating fragility in a region already facing serious security, humanitarian and climate challenges. He said that such moves encourage fragmentation, fuel proxy conflicts and open the door to external interference, undermining the security of the Horn of Africa and international maritime navigation.

Militarization of the Red Sea

Ali said Mogadishu and Riyadh share a vital interest in protecting one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, stressing the need to keep the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden free from militarization and illegal activities.

“We agree on the necessity of keeping the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden away from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical brinkmanship,” he underlined.