Prophet's Mosque Prepares for Hot Weather as Pilgrims Arrive

A high-efficiency air conditioning system is at the forefront of these efforts - SPA
A high-efficiency air conditioning system is at the forefront of these efforts - SPA
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Prophet's Mosque Prepares for Hot Weather as Pilgrims Arrive

A high-efficiency air conditioning system is at the forefront of these efforts - SPA
A high-efficiency air conditioning system is at the forefront of these efforts - SPA

The Saudi General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques has prepared for the summer heat as Hajj pilgrims arrive. With rising temperatures, the authority implemented special services to ensure the comfort and well-being of worshippers.
A high-efficiency air conditioning system is at the forefront of these efforts. It adjusts cooling based on external temperatures to maintain a balanced coolness throughout the Prophet's Mosque. The central station boasts the world's largest water-cooling condenser, utilizing cutting-edge technology to distribute cool air efficiently, SPA reported.

Moving to the courtyards, visitors will find protection from the summer sun under 250 giant umbrellas, operating with an automatic system. Misting fans further cool the atmosphere while the central misting water network undergoes continuous sterilization to ensure hygiene and visitor safety.
The authority's commitment to pilgrim comfort extends to the materials used in the mosque's construction. Areas designated for prayer in the courtyards are covered with white Thassos marble, which reflects heat and light, offering a natural cooling effect. Tiny pores allow the marble to absorb moisture at night and release it during the day, maintaining coolness during peak temperatures.
These comprehensive measures by the authority showcase Saudi Arabia's dedication to providing a comfortable and safe environment for worshippers, especially during the hot summer months.



South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary Plan Blocked at Int’l Meeting

A juvenile pygmy blue whale swims, following a rescue operation by members of the Department of Conservation New Zealand in Kawau Island, New Zealand, September 16, 2024. Department Of Conservation New Zealand/Handout via REUTERS
A juvenile pygmy blue whale swims, following a rescue operation by members of the Department of Conservation New Zealand in Kawau Island, New Zealand, September 16, 2024. Department Of Conservation New Zealand/Handout via REUTERS
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South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary Plan Blocked at Int’l Meeting

A juvenile pygmy blue whale swims, following a rescue operation by members of the Department of Conservation New Zealand in Kawau Island, New Zealand, September 16, 2024. Department Of Conservation New Zealand/Handout via REUTERS
A juvenile pygmy blue whale swims, following a rescue operation by members of the Department of Conservation New Zealand in Kawau Island, New Zealand, September 16, 2024. Department Of Conservation New Zealand/Handout via REUTERS

A proposal to establish a sanctuary for whales and other cetacean species in the southern Atlantic Ocean was rejected at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) on Thursday, disappointing animal conservationists, Reuters reported.
At the IWC's annual session in Lima, Peru, 40 countries backed a plan to create a safe haven that would ban commercial whale hunting from West Africa to the coasts of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, extending a protected area already in place in the Southern Ocean.
However, 14 countries opposed the plan, meaning it narrowly failed to get the 75% of votes required.
Among the opponents were Norway, one of the three countries that still engage in commercial whaling, along with Iceland and Japan. Iceland abstained, while Japan left the IWC in 2019.
Petter Meier, head of the Norwegian delegation, told the meeting that the proposal "represents all that is wrong" about the IWC, adding that a sanctuary was "completely unnecessary".
Norway, Japan and Iceland made 825 whale catches worldwide last year, according to data submitted to the IWC.
Whaling fleets "foreign to the region" have engaged in "severe exploitation" of most species of large whales in the South Atlantic, and a sanctuary would help maintain current populations, the proposal said.
The South Atlantic is home to 53 species of whales and other cetaceans, such as dolphins, with many facing extinction risks, said the proposal. It also included a plan to protect cetaceans from accidental "bycatch" by fishing fleets.
"It's a bitter disappointment that the proposal ... has yet again been narrowly defeated by nations with a vested interest in killing whales for profit," said Grettel Delgadillo, Latin America deputy director at Humane Society International, an animal conservation group.
An effort by Antigua and Barbuda to declare whaling a source of "food security" did not gain support, and the IWC instead backed a proposal to maintain a global moratorium on commercial whaling in place since 1986.
"Considering the persistent attempts by pro-whaling nations to dismantle the 40-year-old ban, the message behind this proposal is much needed," said Delgadillo.