Saudi Arabia opened the Hajj Symposium in Jeddah on Thursday, part of three days of public exhibitions ahead of the annual pilgrimage.
Authorities at the Ritz Carlton showcased Hajj preparations and the services and facilities available for pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah and at the holy sites, including self-driving buses.
The 47th symposium is happening under the title “Jurisprudence Facilitation in Hajj”. Other events have taken place in Makkah and Madinah.
“With this event we invite locals and residents to visit and learn about Saudi Arabia's initiatives,” said Abdullah Al Maghlouth, director general of the Centre for Government Communication.
Abdulfattah Mashat, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, were at the exhibition, along with Hajj delegations.
Modern facilities
Self-driving buses will transport pilgrims from Arafah to Muzdalifah for the first time this Hajj season.
The vehicles will drive a specific route using artificial intelligence, cameras and sensors. Buses seat 11 people and have a top speed of 30kph.
A total of 400 service packages are on offer to more than a million pilgrims this year, with 20,000 buses deployed as Hajj returns to its pre-pandemic capacity.
Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, spoke at the event about the modern facilities and streamlined procedures for pilgrims.
Saudi Railways is stepping up its services on the Haramain Express route to provide more than 3,400 journeys to more than 1.5 million pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Saudi Arabia is deploying 32,000 health professionals at 14 health centres.
Technological advancements are a key part of Hajj, Mr Mashat said. He pointed to smart Hajj bracelets with each pilgrim's complete information and the Tafweej platform to map and manage crowd movements to avoid overcrowding, both being used this year.
At the exhibit in Jeddah, visitors could watch a black and white film of King Abdulaziz, founder of Saudi Arabia, and other recordings of early Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages.
A live embroidery session allowed visitors to learn about the Kiswa covering of the Kaaba at the heart of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Other stands showcase the Nusuk Hajj planning application and its numerous features, alongside new projects under way in the kingdom.
Security measures
Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, Minister of Interior and head of the Supreme Hajj Committee, attended a parade of security forces this week, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The forces took part in a number of drills during the event.
Gen Mohammed Al Bassami, director of public security, said that forces were deployed in Makkah, Madiniah, at the holy sites and on all roads leading to Hajj areas.
The government was doing everything possible to ensure the safety of pilgrims, he said.
The year's Hajj season starts on Monday, with more than two million pilgrims expected to attend.
A total of 813,658 pilgrims have already arrived to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. They will continue to Makkah at the weekend.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
