Pilgrims performed the farewell Tawaf on Monday in an initial wrapping up of a successful Hajj season, as many lauded the efforts of the Saudi government in ensuring a safe and efficient pilgrimage.
In 2020 and 2021, Hajj was restricted to Saudi Arabia residents only due to Covid-19, and limited to 60,000 pilgrims, compared with pre-pandemic numbers of 2.5 million.
This year, with the lifting of most of Covid-19 restrictions, Saudi Arabia has welcomed nearly one million domestic and foreign pilgrims.
Hajj operations at the holy sites have been overseen by Prince Khaled Al Faisal, the governor of Makkah, and Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud. A number of agencies, including security authorities and health workers, have also been involved in providing all the services that pilgrims might had required.
Fahd Al Jalajel, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health, on Monday confirmed that this year's Hajj was free from any outbreaks or public health issues.
“I am pleased to announce the success of Hajj plans for this year 1443AH at all levels of security, service and health without recording any accidents or epidemic diseases among the pilgrims,” he said.
The minister said the Saudi Red Crescent had provided flying ambulance services for 17 of 38 Covid-19 cases recorded, which were treated in accordance with health protocols.
The governor followed suit by confirming the absence of health-related problems and congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for the material support, development projects and teams provided by the government in service of the pilgrims.
The Ministry of Health said 97,262 pilgrims had received treatment in hospitals or health centres in Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina and Jamarat, up to Sunday.
The ministry announced that the Seha Virtual Hospital SVH Riyadh had provided excellent services, and more than 1,700 pilgrims had benefited from virtual medical consultation through the Sehaty app.
The app contributed to the diagnosis of four cases of stroke, completed the analysis of six remote X-rays and helped to save the life of a complex case that required remote critical care service.
Hamad Al Otaibi, Makkah Health Affairs representative, on Monday said government efforts had ensured “a safe and healthy Hajj season”.
“Thank God we saw the successful return of the Hajj season with nearly one million pilgrims and we rest assured that we will see that capacity expanded in the years to come as we saw that a successful, safe and healthy Hajj season can be held in these circumstances,” he said.
Mr Al Otaibi said 23 medical sites — spread across Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa and including major hospitals, clinics and emergency units — were set up to ensure that pilgrims had continuous access to the 25,000 medical practitioners who worked during this Hajj season.
None were more grateful of the government's efforts than the guides who were able to attend and supervise this year's Hajj. The general supervisor of the Hajj team responsible for guiding pilgrims from Indonesia, Adnan Mandoura, thanked King Salman and the Crown Prince Mohammed for their guidance.
“It is with gratitude that we thank the sponsors of the custodians for their efforts in the service of the pilgrims,” he said.
“Our team was working hard, minute-by-minute and not just by the hour, to make sure our guests are satisfied. There was a void of not hosting our honoured guests from outside of the kingdom the past two years, but we were able to welcome them back this year.”
Regional praise
Bahrain's King Hamad Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman Al Khalifa also congratulated King Salman on a successful Hajj pilgrimage. King Hamad commended the effort of Saudi Arabia in holding a Hajj pilgrimage while enforcing Covid-19 precautionary measures.
Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, also praised the efforts of the Saudi government in serving the holy sites and Hajj pilgrims, and congratulated the kingdom on organising a successful Hajj season.
He also reserved a special mention for those who worked during Hajj within the many sectors that oversaw the organisation of this year’s pilgrimage.
Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawki Allam valued the kingdom's efforts and the great steps it has taken in providing pilgrims with advanced technological services.
His comments came in a statement after his meeting with the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Abdul Latif bin Al Sheikh, on the first day of Tashreeq, at the Ministry's headquarters in Mina.
Muslims around the world celebrated Eid Al Adha on Saturday as pilgrims in Saudi Arabia began performing the final rituals of Hajj.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
BRAZIL%20SQUAD
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
The%20Afghan%20connection
%3Cp%3EThe%20influx%20of%20talented%20young%20Afghan%20players%20to%20UAE%20cricket%20could%20have%20a%20big%20impact%20on%20the%20fortunes%20of%20both%20countries.%20Here%20are%20three%20Emirates-based%20players%20to%20watch%20out%20for.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHassan%20Khan%20Eisakhil%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Nabi%20is%20still%20proving%20his%20worth%20at%20the%20top%20level%20but%20there%20is%20another%20reason%20he%20is%20raging%20against%20the%20idea%20of%20retirement.%20If%20the%20allrounder%20hangs%20on%20a%20little%20bit%20longer%2C%20he%20might%20be%20able%20to%20play%20in%20the%20same%20team%20as%20his%20son%2C%20Hassan%20Khan.%20The%20family%20live%20in%20Ajman%20and%20train%20in%20Sharjah.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMasood%20Gurbaz%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20opening%20batter%2C%20who%20trains%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Academy%2C%20is%20another%20player%20who%20is%20a%20part%20of%20a%20famous%20family.%20His%20brother%2C%20Rahmanullah%2C%20was%20an%20IPL%20winner%20with%20Kolkata%20Knight%20Riders%2C%20and%20opens%20the%20batting%20with%20distinction%20for%20Afghanistan.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOmid%20Rahman%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20fast%20bowler%20became%20a%20pioneer%20earlier%20this%20year%20when%20he%20became%20the%20first%20Afghan%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE.%20He%20showed%20great%20promise%20in%20doing%20so%2C%20too%2C%20playing%20a%20key%20role%20in%20the%20senior%20team%E2%80%99s%20qualification%20for%20the%20Asia%20Cup%20in%20Muscat%20recently.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
