GCC Secretary-General Meets with Swiss FM in Türkiye
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi met on Friday with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Antalya, Türkiye, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
During the meeting, they discussed several regional and international issues, including the recent Iranian attacks on GCC states and their serious implications for regional security and stability, as well as the regional and global economy.
The secretary-general expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s supportive stance toward the GCC position on these attacks.
Cassis reaffirmed his country’s condemnation of the Iranian attacks and its support for all measures taken by GCC states. He also expressed condolences for the loss of lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening political coordination under the memorandum of understanding between the GCC and Switzerland, contributing to security, stability, prosperity, and development for the two sides.
Masjid al-Namirah: The Mosque Where Only One Prayer is Held Each Yearhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5277431-masjid-al-namirah-mosque-where-only-one-prayer-held-each-year
Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Huthaify, in his Day of Arafat sermon, called for the glorification of God's rites, adherence to calmness and order, and avoidance of anything that undermines the spirit of the pilgrimage. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Masjid al-Namirah: The Mosque Where Only One Prayer is Held Each Year
Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Huthaify, in his Day of Arafat sermon, called for the glorification of God's rites, adherence to calmness and order, and avoidance of anything that undermines the spirit of the pilgrimage. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Masjid al-Namirah is considered one of the most prominent Islamic landmarks associated with the Hajj season, drawing the attention of millions of Muslims on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah each year to listen to the Arafat Sermon and perform the Dhuhr and Asr prayers combined and shortened behind the imam and khatib of Masjid al-Haram.
The mosque is located in the plain of Arafat, west of Jabal al-Rahmah, and takes its name from the Namirah area where it was built. It has acquired major religious and historical significance because of its connection to the Farewell Sermon delivered by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gather at Masjid al-Namirah from the early morning hours to listen to the Arafat Sermon. (SPA)
Masjid al-Namirah is distinguished by a unique characteristic, as only one congregational prayer is held there each year: the prayer on the Day of Arafat. The mosque and its courtyards are filled with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who arrive from the early morning hours to listen to the Arafat Sermon, regarded as one of the most spiritually significant moments of the Hajj season.
Large numbers of pilgrims arrived to perform the ritual of standing at Arafat amid an integrated system of services and organization, while the Arafat Sermon was broadcast live to countries around the world in multiple languages, reflecting the immense Islamic significance of the occasion.
Masjid al-Namirah hosted the Day of Arafat sermon delivered by Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Huthaify, who spoke about the meanings of piety, preparation for the Day of Judgment, and the importance of attaining salvation through obedience to God and avoidance of sins and wrongdoing, on what is considered one of the greatest days of the year in Islam.
Masjid al-Namirah is one of the most prominent Islamic landmarks associated with the Hajj season. (SPA)
The Arafat preacher stressed that the Hajj season brings Muslims together from every corner of the world in unified worship and shared rituals, calling for the glorification of God's rites, adherence to calmness and order, and avoidance of anything that disrupts the spirit of the pilgrimage.
He also emphasized that the Day of Arafat is among the greatest occasions for prayers to be answered, urging Muslims to increase their remembrance of God and supplication on this blessed day, particularly the phrase: "There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and praise, and He has power over all things."
The Arafat preacher urged pilgrims to maintain calmness, avoid overcrowding, follow the instructions of the organizing authorities, and adhere to crowd movement regulations and grouping schedules in order to serve the public interest, prevent harm and disorder, protect lives, and facilitate the performance of the rituals.
Sheikh Dr. Al-Huthaify noted that Hajj embodies manifestations of acquaintance, harmony, cooperation, and solidarity among Muslims as they perform the rituals together despite differences in language, color, and nationality, united as brothers in faith.
Sheikh Al-Huthaify said that Hajj is free of political slogans and partisan calls, and is instead devoted entirely to submission to God, adherence to the Prophet's teachings, and purity both outwardly and inwardly.
In his sermon, Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Huthaify also reviewed the rites of Hajj, beginning with the standing at Arafat, regarded as the greatest pillar of Hajj, followed by the overnight stay in Muzdalifah, then proceeding to Mina for the stoning of the Jamarat, the sacrificial offering, shaving the head, and Tawaf al-Ifadah.
During the Days of Tashreeq, pilgrims stone the three Jamarat with seven pebbles at each site every day. It is preferable to remain until the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, although pilgrims may depart earlier on the 12th day. Before leaving, pilgrims perform the Farewell Tawaf.
The mosque is considered one of the largest in the world, covering a total area of more than 110,000 square meters. It includes hundreds of entrances, restroom facilities, and modern air-conditioning and audio systems, enabling it to accommodate the massive numbers of pilgrims on the Day of Arafat.
Large numbers of pilgrims arrive to perform the Standing at Arafat ritual amid an integrated system of services. (SPA)
Saudi authorities annually ensure that the mosque is fully prepared with healthcare, organizational, and technical services to guarantee pilgrims' comfort and enable them to perform their rituals with ease and reassurance as part of the Kingdom's extensive efforts to serve pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The mosque features a distinctive Islamic architectural design, extending 340 meters from east to west and 240 meters from north to south. It includes six minarets, each 60 meters high, three domes, ten main entrances, and 64 gates to ensure smooth crowd movement.
The mosque has also been equipped with the latest technological and service systems, including advanced audio and live-broadcast systems to transmit the Arafat Sermon and the Dhuhr and Asr prayers around the world, in addition to air-conditioning and ventilation systems, shaded courtyards, digital screens, and safety and surveillance systems designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for pilgrims on the greatest day of Hajj.
Pilgrims Pray on Mount Arafat as Hajj Reaches Peakhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5277271-pilgrims-pray-mount-arafat-hajj-reaches-peak
Pilgrims Pray on Mount Arafat as Hajj Reaches Peak
The flow of pilgrims to Mina proceeded smoothly and easily, supported by all services (Photo: Ali Khamaj)
Huge numbers of Muslims prayed on Mount Arafat on Tuesday at the climax of the hajj pilgrimage.
From daybreak, thousands of white-robed worshippers recited Quranic verses on the 70-meter rocky hill near Makkah.
Law enforcement personnel and field teams managed crowd flows along vehicle and pedestrian routes, while comprehensive medical, ambulance, and logistical networks stood fully prepared to support the pilgrims.
After Mount Arafat, pilgrims will spend the night in Muzdalifah, where they will collect pebbles for the symbolic "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina, starting on Wednesday.
Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajjhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5277128-saudi-joint-chiefs-staff-director-inspects-armed-forces-preparations-hajj
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
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Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajj
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari, on behalf of Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, inspected on Monday the readiness of Armed Forces units involved in this year’s Hajj across the holy sites to ensure support for security and government agencies serving pilgrims.
The tour included the air force detachment at Arafat Airport, Ministry of Defense camps, religious affairs facilities, military police operations at the Grand Mosque, Armed Forces headquarters in Al-Awali, and the Defense Ministry’s field hospital in Mina.
Al-Omari reviewed operational plans, awareness programs, crowd management efforts, and medical preparedness to support pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.
The Military Police of the Royal Saudi Land Forces is participating in the Ministry of Defense's comprehensive Hajj plan, coordinating with internal security forces to manage crowd movement in the Grand Mosque's courtyards, oversee the Grand Mosque's gates, and organize the flow of pilgrims arriving from Mina, ensuring smooth movement during peak times.
The participating force underwent intensive training and exercises simulating various scenarios to boost its capacity for effective response and crowd management in coordination with relevant security entities.
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