Pilgrims take a selfie after the symbolic stoning ritual during the Hajj in Mina, near Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AP
Pilgrims take a selfie after the symbolic stoning ritual during the Hajj in Mina, near Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AP
A woman pilgrim prays after the stoning ritual. AP
A woman pilgrim prays after the stoning ritual. AP
Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar representing the devil, one of several rituals that form part of the annual Hajj. Reuters
Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar representing the devil, one of several rituals that form part of the annual Hajj. Reuters
A pilgrim flings a stone at a pillar symbolising Satan. Reuters
A pilgrim flings a stone at a pillar symbolising Satan. Reuters
An official in Mina, near Makkah, directs a pilgrim during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
An official in Mina, near Makkah, directs a pilgrim during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Coronavirus hit the Hajj for a second year running. An event that annually attracts about 2. 5 million Muslims from around the world this year is unrecognisable in scale with strict health restrictions in place.
Coronavirus hit the Hajj for a second year running. An event that annually attracts about 2. 5 million Muslims from around the world this year is unrecognisable in scale with strict health restrictions in place.
Pilgrims at prayer after participating in the symbolic stoning of the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims at prayer after participating in the symbolic stoning of the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
A pilgrim during prayer after the stone-throwing ritual.
A pilgrim during prayer after the stone-throwing ritual.
Pilgrims cast stones in a ritual stoning of Satan during Hajj.
Pilgrims cast stones in a ritual stoning of Satan during Hajj.
Pilgrims pray after the stone-throwing ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims pray after the stone-throwing ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
A Hajj pilgrim in Mina, near Makkah, casts a stone at a pillar representing Satan.
A Hajj pilgrim in Mina, near Makkah, casts a stone at a pillar representing Satan.
Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Hajj.
Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Hajj.
A pilgrim prays after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
A pilgrim prays after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
A worker distributes free water from the holy well of Zamzam to pilgrims.
A worker distributes free water from the holy well of Zamzam to pilgrims.
A Saudi policewoman, Samar, stands in front of the Kaaba.
A Saudi policewoman, Samar, stands in front of the Kaaba.
A pilgrim casts stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
A pilgrim casts stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
Pilgrims throw stones at pillars symbolising Satan during Hajj in Mina, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims throw stones at pillars symbolising Satan during Hajj in Mina, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims have their heads shaved on the second day of Eid Al Adha after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
Pilgrims have their heads shaved on the second day of Eid Al Adha after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
Pilgrims, keeping social distancing and wearing protective masks, cast stones at pillars symbolising Satan.
Pilgrims, keeping social distancing and wearing protective masks, cast stones at pillars symbolising Satan.
Pilgrims pray on top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, near Makkah.
Pilgrims pray on top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, near Makkah.
Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat during Hajj.
Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat during Hajj.
A pilgrim prays in front of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
A pilgrim prays in front of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma, or the Mountain of Mercy.
Pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma, or the Mountain of Mercy.
Muslim pilgrims at Mount Arafat.
Muslim pilgrims at Mount Arafat.
Vaccinated pilgrims performing Hajj.
Vaccinated pilgrims performing Hajj.
Pilgrims shelter from the sun under an umbrella.
Pilgrims shelter from the sun under an umbrella.
Participants remained socially distanced and wore masks as the coronavirus took its toll on the Hajj for a second year running.
Participants remained socially distanced and wore masks as the coronavirus took its toll on the Hajj for a second year running.
Officials replace the covering cloth of the Kaaba.
Officials replace the covering cloth of the Kaaba.
Aerial view of the Mina area during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah.
Aerial view of the Mina area during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah.
The Kaaba is covered with the Kiswa cloth.
The Kaaba is covered with the Kiswa cloth.
Another view of the Mina area.
Another view of the Mina area.
Pilgrims must be under 65 and without a chronic disease.
Pilgrims must be under 65 and without a chronic disease.
Rules for the 2021 Hajj allow for a maximum of 60,000 citizens and residents Saudi Arabia.
Rules for the 2021 Hajj allow for a maximum of 60,000 citizens and residents Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to be allowed entry.
Pilgrims must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to be allowed entry.
It is the second consecutive year that numbers at Hajj are limited due to pandemic.
It is the second consecutive year that numbers at Hajj are limited due to pandemic.
Muslim pilgrims, wearing protective face masks, circle the Kaaba.
Muslim pilgrims, wearing protective face masks, circle the Kaaba.
Coronavirus precautions are taken across the site.
Coronavirus precautions are taken across the site.
Pilgrims arrive at their tented camp in Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims arrive at their tented camp in Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Time for prayer and reflection.
Time for prayer and reflection.
For some worshippers, this year’s Hajj is a strange experience because it has been scaled down to such an extent.
For some worshippers, this year’s Hajj is a strange experience because it has been scaled down to such an extent.
A pilgrim recites the Quran.
A pilgrim recites the Quran.
Saudi pilgrim Irak al Dofairy, 65, reads the Quran on his mobile phone at a camp in Mina.
Saudi pilgrim Irak al Dofairy, 65, reads the Quran on his mobile phone at a camp in Mina.
A pilgrim sits cross-legged.
A pilgrim sits cross-legged.
.Mina sits in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains.
.Mina sits in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains.
Visitors partake in the rituals of the great pilgrimage.
Visitors partake in the rituals of the great pilgrimage.
Walking around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
Walking around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
Back at the camp.
Back at the camp.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, started with only 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents allowed to take part this year because of the pandemic.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, started with only 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents allowed to take part this year because of the pandemic.
Pilgrims pour into Makkah for first Hajj rituals amid strict health measures.
Pilgrims pour into Makkah for first Hajj rituals amid strict health measures.
A pilgrim takes a selfie at the Grand Mosque as he wears a mask and stands on social distancing signs.
A pilgrim takes a selfie at the Grand Mosque as he wears a mask and stands on social distancing signs.
A total of 60,000 assembled in Mina on Sunday before moving to Arafat on Monday.
A total of 60,000 assembled in Mina on Sunday before moving to Arafat on Monday.
Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba.
Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba.
A robot sterilises an area of the Grand Mosque before Hajj.
A robot sterilises an area of the Grand Mosque before Hajj.
The pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.
The pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque.
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque.
Workers disinfect the grounds.
Workers disinfect the grounds.
Muslim pilgrims walk around the cubic building of the Kaaba.
Muslim pilgrims walk around the cubic building of the Kaaba.
A Muslim pilgrim walks past a sign reminding Hajj participants of social distancing.
A Muslim pilgrim walks past a sign reminding Hajj participants of social distancing.
A pilgrims arrives to atend the Hajj season in Makkah.
A pilgrims arrives to atend the Hajj season in Makkah.
Hajj authorities have been disinfecting the Grand Mosque around the clock to ensure pilgrims' safety.
Hajj authorities have been disinfecting the Grand Mosque around the clock to ensure pilgrims' safety.
The pilgrimage remains a deeply personal experience for many, despite the downsizing for the second year running.
The pilgrimage remains a deeply personal experience for many, despite the downsizing for the second year running.
A person can perform Hajj on behalf of someone who has died or is unable to come to Makkah but only if they have already performed the pilgrimage for themselves.
A person can perform Hajj on behalf of someone who has died or is unable to come to Makkah but only if they have already performed the pilgrimage for themselves.
A man hands a bottle of water to a pilgrim at the Grand Mosque.
A man hands a bottle of water to a pilgrim at the Grand Mosque.
The annual ritual is an important part of Islam.
The annual ritual is an important part of Islam.
Pilgrims are dotted around the site.
Pilgrims are dotted around the site.
Saudi troops stand guard as the first pilgrims arrive at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
Saudi troops stand guard as the first pilgrims arrive at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
A person takes a video as pilgrims perform Tawaf, the rite of circumambulating the Kaaba.
A person takes a video as pilgrims perform Tawaf, the rite of circumambulating the Kaaba.
Pilgrims pray in the evening near the Kaaba.
Pilgrims pray in the evening near the Kaaba.
A Saudi security officer watches as pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba
A Saudi security officer watches as pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba

Gulf

Pilgrims reflect on a ‘magnificent’ Hajj

Technology and strict guidelines helped keep pilgrims safe from Covid-19 this year

Balquees Basalom
Mariam Nihal
Makkah

July 21, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Pilgrims celebrated the beginning of Eid Al Adha in Makkah on Wednesday as Saudi Arabia’s Hajj began winding down.

Worshippers wearing masks repeated the Jamarat stoning of the devil ritual, throwing pebbles at all three stone pillars, before spending the evening in their camps in Mina.

Those taking part told The National they felt elated at the opportunity to undertake this once-in-a-lifetime Hajj.

“Those who perform Hajj are believed to be like a new baby, all their mistakes are gone, and I'm feeling this. By every step of the rituals we do, I feel a part of me is getting purer. I feel gradually I'm being reborn,” Atheer Bahakim, 18, said.

Ms Bahakim said she had not known what to expect for her first Hajj, but so far, it was the journey of a lifetime.

The most significant moment was when people were walking together and saying the special prayer dedicated to Hajj, called talbiyah, she said.

“They were all saying 'labaik Allahuma labaik' together. It was so majestic. I got goosebumps from it.”

Ms Bahakim's mother, who is also performing Hajj this year, agreed this point was the most significant.

“I was tearing up when I heard the talbiyah. All these people are here for one purpose and asking the same God, all are here for this journey and all are saying the same words. It is really a magnificent scene.”

In down time between Hajj activities, pilgrims began to celebrate Eid Al Adha, buying gifts to take home for loved ones, such as prayer beads, personalised prayer mats, Qurans, prayer books and locally made jewellery as shops opened on the second day of the holiday.

Food is also a main attraction, with pilgrims queuing at the famous Al Baik chicken shop and enjoying coffee and cake in cafes.

“We see people here wishing to be with their families, but not everyone can. We are lucky to be here on this holy journey together, and we hope God accepts our Hajj,” pilgrim Shatha Al Haddah said.

The day spent at Arafat was the most meaningful for her.

“When we were in Arafat, it was like a dream. I couldn't believe we were actually there,” said the 36-year-old.

Her sister, Shahad Al Haddah, said that despite the challenging journey, all pilgrims are bearing with the heat and the hardship for the emotional blessing of performing the pilgrimage. “I also admired how despite all, these people are still smiling, praying and helping each other,” she said.

Keeping this year’s 60,000 pilgrims safe during the Covid-19 pandemic has been a complex logistical challenge that started with strict criteria on who was allowed to attend.

Only those who had been fully vaccinated with no underlying conditions and who already resided in the kingdom were accepted.

A number of technological methods were also put in place to aid social distancing, including smartcards.

The plastic cards are available in green, red, yellow and blue. The colours correspond to markings on the ground guiding pilgrims through the different stages of the Hajj.

The digital system also allows authorities to guide the tens of thousands who attend the annual event, which in years past has at times been marred by deadly stampedes and accidents.

Each card contains basic information about each pilgrim, including their registration number, exact location of their accommodation, mobile phone number and the ID number of their guide.

- Agencies contributed to this report

Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Will the pound fall to parity with the dollar?

The idea of pound parity now seems less far-fetched as the risk grows that Britain may split away from the European Union without a deal.

Rupert Harrison, a fund manager at BlackRock, sees the risk of it falling to trade level with the dollar on a no-deal Brexit. The view echoes Morgan Stanley’s recent forecast that the currency can plunge toward $1 (Dh3.67) on such an outcome. That isn’t the majority view yet – a Bloomberg survey this month estimated the pound will slide to $1.10 should the UK exit the bloc without an agreement.

New Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said that Britain will leave the EU on the October 31 deadline with or without an agreement, fuelling concern the nation is headed for a disorderly departure and fanning pessimism toward the pound. Sterling has fallen more than 7 per cent in the past three months, the worst performance among major developed-market currencies.

“The pound is at a much lower level now but I still think a no-deal exit would lead to significant volatility and we could be testing parity on a really bad outcome,” said Mr Harrison, who manages more than $10 billion in assets at BlackRock. “We will see this game of chicken continue through August and that’s likely negative for sterling,” he said about the deadlocked Brexit talks.

The pound fell 0.8 per cent to $1.2033 on Friday, its weakest closing level since the 1980s, after a report on the second quarter showed the UK economy shrank for the first time in six years. The data means it is likely the Bank of England will cut interest rates, according to Mizuho Bank.

The BOE said in November that the currency could fall even below $1 in an analysis on possible worst-case Brexit scenarios. Options-based calculations showed around a 6.4 per cent chance of pound-dollar parity in the next one year, markedly higher than 0.2 per cent in early March when prospects of a no-deal outcome were seemingly off the table.

Bloomberg

Asia Cup Qualifier

Final
UAE v Hong Kong

Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am

School uniforms report
On Women's Day
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club:

1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10

2nd ODI, Friday, April 12

3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14

4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Bio:

Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour

Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people 

Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite food: Fish and vegetables

Favourite place to visit: London

UAE currency
On Women's Day
Match info

Uefa Champions League Group C

Liverpool v Napoli, midnight

Four-day collections of TOH

Day             Indian Rs (Dh)        

Thursday    500.75 million (25.23m)

Friday         280.25m (14.12m)

Saturday     220.75m (11.21m)

Sunday       170.25m (8.58m)

Total            1.19bn (59.15m)

(Figures in millions, approximate)

The biog

From: Upper Egypt

Age: 78

Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila

Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace

Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures

October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA

Teachers' pay - what you need to know

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20JustClean%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20with%20offices%20in%20other%20GCC%20countries%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202016%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20160%2B%20with%2021%20nationalities%20in%20eight%20cities%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20online%20laundry%20and%20cleaning%20services%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2430m%20from%20Kuwait-based%20Faith%20Capital%20Holding%20and%20Gulf%20Investment%20Corporation%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

Scorecard

Scotland 220

K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35

UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs

C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out

Updated: July 21, 2021, 6:00 PM
Hajj 2025Eid Al Adha 2025Saudi Arabia