عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Benten to Asharq Al-Awsat: Qatari Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia Via Kuwait

An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA
An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA
TT
TT

Benten to Asharq Al-Awsat: Qatari Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia Via Kuwait

An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA
An aerial view of the holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque compound during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. EPA/MAST IRHA

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Benten confirmed the arrival of the Qatari pilgrims to Saudi Arabia via Kuwait to perform the pilgrimage in Makkah despite a decision from their country to remove an electronic access through which pilgrims coming from the country would register.

“There is no objection to welcome our brothers in Qatar wishing to perform the Hajj rituals,” Benten told Asharq Al-Awsat, saying there are clear Royal directives concerning this issue.

The minister said that the Qatari pilgrims can make the trip by air and land either at King Abdulaziz International Airport or Prince Mohammed Airport in Medina, adding that they would be treated as internal pilgrims.

Qatar has prevented its citizens from traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and has deleted the special electronic access established by the Kingdom for them to register for the fifth pillar of Islam.

Currently, there are around 1.5 million people from around the world in Makkah to perform the pilgrimage.

Until Tuesday, 821,080 pilgrims had arrived in Medina, according to daily data issued by the Unit of Media and Social Communication in Hajj Committee in Medina.

The Minister reiterated that the Kingdom welcomes all Qatari nationals wishing to perform the Hajj for this year and said they would be provided with all the facilities and services that will enable them to perform the pilgrimage in ease, peace and comfort.

Meanwhile, pilgrims started to leave for Medina on the fifth day of Dhul Hijjah month, which coincides on Thursday.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month as per the Islamic calendar.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Saudi FM, Arab and Islamic States Condemn Israeli Actions against Gaza Flotilla Activists

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
TT
TT

Saudi FM, Arab and Islamic States Condemn Israeli Actions against Gaza Flotilla Activists

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye strongly condemned the appalling conduct of extremist Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against activists in the Gaza-bound flotilla while they were held in Israeli detention.

The ministers stressed that Ben-Gvir’s deliberate public humiliation of detainees constitutes a disgraceful affront to human dignity and a blatant violation of Israel’s obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The ministers further condemned in the strongest terms the illegal and extremist acts of incitement and violence by Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials directed against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The ministers warned that Ben-Gvir’s provocative actions fuel hatred and extremism, and obstruct efforts to advance a just and lasting peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

The ministers demanded accountability for the actions of Ben-Gvir and called for concrete measures to end his repeated provocations, incitement, and violations. They also urged steps to prevent him from posing further threats, and to ensure that such actions are neither tolerated nor repeated.

They further stressed the imperative of protecting human rights, safeguarding the dignity and humane treatment of all detainees, and ensuring full respect for international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Gulf

Hajj Pilgrims Flock to Mina on Day of Tarwiyah

Pilgrims flock to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah. (SPA)
Pilgrims flock to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah. (SPA)
TT
TT

Hajj Pilgrims Flock to Mina on Day of Tarwiyah

Pilgrims flock to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah. (SPA)
Pilgrims flock to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah. (SPA)

Hajj pilgrims will complete their arrival to Mina on Monday to complete the Day of Tarwiyah amid an integrated system of services prepared by Saudi authorities to ensure that they have a smooth journey throughout their pilgrimage and stay in the Kingdom.

Saudi Health Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel stressed that no diseases or viruses were detected at the Hajj, easing concerns over the Hantavirus that has captured headlines in recent weeks.

There is no need to be alarmed and pilgrims are in good health, he assured.

Thousands of security forces are on the ground to ensure that the pilgrims flock to Mina safely through dedicated routes. The holy sites in the Makkah are connected through several roads, tunnels and dedicated walking paths.

The pilgrims were making their way from Makkah to Mina without incident thanks to the integrated transportation system made available by the authorities overseeing the Hajj.

The Health Ministry has issued guides for the pilgrims on the optimal use of their umbrellas amid the high temperatures and to avoid heatstroke and UV rays, especially as they make their way to the holy sites.

Meanwhile, the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro line operated its first ride on Sunday. It will transport pilgrims across the holy sites, including Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. Each of the nine trains can transport 3,000 passengers. This year’s operational plan for the Hajj is aiming to transport over 2 million passengers over 2,000 trips.

The train plays a pivotal role in ensuring the transport is smooth across the holy sites. It has also helped ease traffic after over 50,000 bus rides were cancelled in favor of the use of the trains.

Gulf

Yemeni Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hajj Pilgrims Have Been Registered Away from Political, Sectarian Affiliations

Yemeni Minister of Awqaf and Guidance Sheikh Turki bin Abdullah Al-Wadaei. (Yemeni Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance)
Yemeni Minister of Awqaf and Guidance Sheikh Turki bin Abdullah Al-Wadaei. (Yemeni Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance)
TT
TT

Yemeni Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hajj Pilgrims Have Been Registered Away from Political, Sectarian Affiliations

Yemeni Minister of Awqaf and Guidance Sheikh Turki bin Abdullah Al-Wadaei. (Yemeni Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance)
Yemeni Minister of Awqaf and Guidance Sheikh Turki bin Abdullah Al-Wadaei. (Yemeni Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance)

Yemeni Minister of Awqaf and Guidance Sheikh Turki bin Abdullah Al-Wadaei stressed that Hajj pilgrims from his country have been registered regardless of their political and sectarian affiliations.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added that his ministry was dealing with pilgrims from Houthi-held regions as Yemeni citizens and they are offered the same facilitations and services like all other citizens.

The ministry applies justice and equality away from political, partisan, and sectarian slogans, he declared. “Hajj is about worship, not slogans,” said the minister.

The ministry hopes that all pilgrims will be able to perform the Hajj smoothly and at ease, and that they return home safely.

Al-Wadaei revealed that 21,098 Yemeni’s have been registered to perform this year’s Hajj.

Moreover, he praised the facilitations that were offered to Yemeni pilgrims and the warm welcome they were accorded in Saudi Arabia.

He noted that their entry to the Kingdom, whether by land or air, was smooth, reflecting the facilitations offered by local authorities.

He hoped that God Almighty will bless the Kingdom, its leadership and people for the efforts they have invested in making the Hajj a smooth journey.

The Yemeni pilgrims have hailed the smooth measures and warm welcome from the moment they arrived in the Kingdom, saying the services have eased the burdens of travel and demonstrated Saudi generosity and hospitality.

The integrated and advanced border services and procedures have ensured that pilgrims from Yemen are registered in a short time and in an organized manner.

Upon their arrival at the Wadiah border crossing, the Yemeni pilgrims are welcomed with a variety of services, such as guidance, warm meals, cold and hot beverages, and souvenir gifts of their journey.