Mina Prepares to Bid Pilgrims Farewell after Successful, Exceptional Hajj Season

 Pilgrims praying after stoning the devil at Mina’s Jamarat site (AP)
Pilgrims praying after stoning the devil at Mina’s Jamarat site (AP)
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Mina Prepares to Bid Pilgrims Farewell after Successful, Exceptional Hajj Season

 Pilgrims praying after stoning the devil at Mina’s Jamarat site (AP)
Pilgrims praying after stoning the devil at Mina’s Jamarat site (AP)

As the sun sets on the second day of the Tashriq days, which follow the Eid al-Adha holiday, the holy site of Mina prepares to bid farewell to Hajj pilgrims headed to Makkah to perform the final rite of their spiritual journey.

On the second day of Eid and the first day of the Tashriq days, Hajj pilgrims had carried out the stoning of the devil ritual at Mina’s Jamarat site.

The visitors of the holy sites were given the pebbles to throw at the three walls in a disinfected bag as part of the coronavirus preventive measures.

Pilgrims were then transported out of Jamarat according to a highly detailed plan that focuses on preventative health measures that ensure their safety.

Colored tracks, floor stickers, and guiding posters aided pilgrims in easily flowing in and out of the site under close supervision from civil and security authorities helping organize this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Jamarat is considered one of the key sites in Mina, and is comprised of five 12-meter stories that are fully serviced to ensure enough room for pilgrims to perform their rites at ease.

After leaving Jamarat, pilgrims headed back to their camps at Mina, commonly known as the City of Tents, where they would start preparing for the final stop in their pilgrimage journey.

This includes performing the last Tawaaf (floating around the Kabah seven times) in Makkah, which is part of a series of ritual acts that must be performed during Hajj.

As for emergencies reported during this year’s Hajj, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s land and air ambulance teams received more than 11,000 phone calls between July 17-20 and filed 1,893 emergency reports in the holy city and holy sites.

Ambulance teams stationed in Makkah city and holy sites responded to 1,269 medical and injury cases. Out of the total cases, 602 were transferred to hospitals, and 649 were attended to on the spot.

Statistic reports of the Authority show that during the last four days, a total of 979 medical and 177 injury cases were attended to by its teams.

The central Makkah city recorded the highest number of emergency cases with 755, out of which 37 of them were reported in the Grand Mosque, 274 in Mina, and 198 cases each in Arafat and Muzdalifah.



Albudaiwi Affirms Solidity of GCC Economy to Face Economic Challenges

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
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Albudaiwi Affirms Solidity of GCC Economy to Face Economic Challenges

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed the solidity and strength of the GCC economy and its ability to face economic challenges, the Saudi Press Agency said on Saturday.
Albudaiwi’s statement came in his recorded speech at the roundtable meeting between the GCC and American companies, which was held under the patronage of the US Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 27, 2024, in the US capital, Washington.
The steps taken by the GCC countries to strengthen trade and investment ties with the US focused greatly on the mutual benefits of this economic partnership, said Albudaiwi.
He also stressed that the six GCC countries enjoy long-term and strong trade and investment relations with the US, and these relations are witnessing clear and significant progress, explaining that these partnerships play a pivotal role in enhancing economic growth, innovation and development across various sectors.
During his speech, he projected some statistics that confirm the progress of cooperation between the two sides, such as achieving bilateral trade between the GCC countries and the US in 2023 of around $180 billion.
GCC countries have also achieved great success in the energy sectors, ranking first globally in crude oil production and reserves and second in natural gas reserves, he noted.
Touching on future strategic GCC projects, such as the GCC railway project, he said it will enhance connectivity between Middle Eastern countries and provide great cooperation opportunities with American partners. He added that the Council countries are working at an accelerated pace to develop digital infrastructure and transition to a technology-based diversified economy.
Albudaiwi concluded by expressing the commitment of the GCC countries to enhancing stability and development in the region, pointing to the ongoing GCC's efforts to resolve regional conflicts and maintain peace and security to achieve more growth and prosperity. He underscored the determination of the GCC countries to deepen cooperation with the US, and ensure sustainable economic growth for future generations on both sides.