Pilgrims from 120 Different Countries to Participate in Hajj 2021

A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Pilgrims from 120 Different Countries to Participate in Hajj 2021

A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the holy site of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

This year's exceptional Hajj season, the second of its kind since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, will see 60,000 pilgrims from 120 different nationalities perform rituals under a host of health preventive measures.

On Monday, the Central Hajj Committee announced that facilities, receptions, transport stations, and service centers present in Makkah are now ready to receive and serve the 60,000 pilgrims selected from a set of 558,000 applicants that filed to take part in Hajj 2021.

Only Saudi Arabia's citizens and residents will be undertaking Hajj this season.

Headed by Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the Committee also launched the "Shaaer Card" (rites card) to be used by both Hajj pilgrims and workers on holy sites.

The pass is linked to all offered services such as camp gates, hotels, and transportation services. It will also help guide pilgrims who get lost and aid authorities in organizing crowds of pilgrims more accurately.

Concerning transportation services, 3,000 buses will be available to pilgrims. Each bus will move around 20 pilgrims, accompanied by a group leader and a designated guide.

Each group will be briefed on applied preventive health measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

As for accommodation and catering, the utmost safety and security measures will be observed to ensure the health and protection of pilgrims.

Premium pre-prepared meals, guaranteeing the highest food security standards, will be offered to pilgrims during this year's Hajj.

Health authorities have also set up medical facilities to provide necessary health care to pilgrims. Medics will assist and treat pilgrims at the Arafat and the Mina Al-Wadi hospitals and through a mobile infirmary.

Several health centers will also be available to pilgrims.

Field preventive medical teams will implement a comprehensive health plan that includes check-ups and residence visits. This will help complete vital preventive measures in the event of any infectious disease being detected.

Promoting health awareness, education and supervisory campaigns will focus on pilgrims implementing the required preventive measures whether at their accommodations or while traveling.



Saudi Arabia, IAEA Discuss Advances in Kingdom's National Atomic Energy Project

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, IAEA Discuss Advances in Kingdom's National Atomic Energy Project

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in Riyadh on Wednesday.

They discussed issues of mutual interest, including advancements in the Saudi National Atomic Energy Project and progress in cooperation with the IAEA.

Discussions also tackled boosting technical and technological collaboration and implementing the highest international standards for nuclear safety and security.

A key point of discussion was the arrangements for the International Conference on Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies, which the Kingdom, through its Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission, will host in Riyadh in cooperation with the IAEA in December.

The meeting underscores the ongoing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the IAEA. The collaboration encompasses various areas, such as the exchange of expertise and strengthening national capabilities in nuclear and radiological energy, all aimed at developing the nuclear infrastructure.

These efforts support the sector’s role in diversifying the energy mix and achieving sustainability in line with Saudi Vision 2030.