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.



21 Countries Sign Makkah Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Corruption

Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)
Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)
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21 Countries Sign Makkah Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Corruption

Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)
Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)

The second ministerial meeting of the Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted in Doha over two days, witnessed the signing of the Makkah Agreement on cooperation among OIC member states in combating corruption by 21 member states.

The large number of signatories on the same day represents a historic milestone, expected to expedite the ratification process and bring the agreement into force. This development underscores the member states’ awareness of the dangers posed by corruption and related crimes, as well as their commitment to strengthening cooperation in addressing these challenges.

In this context, the OIC General Secretariat called on the remaining member states to promptly sign and ratify the Makkah Agreement on anti-corruption cooperation, emphasizing its importance in establishing a framework for collective action against this serious threat.

The agreement aims to enhance collaboration between anti-corruption authorities, ensuring efficient and timely operations. It also advocates for joining the Riyadh Global Initiative (GlobE Network), which provides a legal framework for the direct and swift exchange of information and investigations. This initiative is expected to prevent corruption and limit safe havens for corrupt individuals.

Mazin Al-Kahmous, President of Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to making anti-corruption a core pillar of its Vision 2030.

Speaking at the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities from the OIC member states, Al-Kahmous highlighted the far-reaching consequences of cross-border corruption on Islamic societies and their development. He underscored that united efforts at the local and international levels are crucial for fostering prosperity and supporting the sustainable development goals of Islamic nations.

Al-Kahmous further recalled Saudi Arabia’s leadership in hosting and presiding over the first ministerial meeting, which led to the adoption of the Makkah Agreement that he described as an ideal framework for enhancing anti-corruption efforts and strengthening international collaboration in this area.

He also welcomed the adoption of a Saudi-proposed resolution encouraging cooperation between OIC member states, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other relevant organizations to develop methodologies and indicators for measuring corruption.

The first ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities in OIC member states was convened by Saudi Arabia during its chairmanship of the 14th Islamic Summit. Organized in collaboration with the OIC, the event brought together leaders of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies, international organizations, and a distinguished group of local and global experts.