Muslim pilgrims pray on top of Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat during Hajj. AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray on top of Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat during Hajj. AFP
A Syrian man prays inside a tent near Mount Arafat. AFP
A Syrian man prays inside a tent near Mount Arafat. AFP
Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, to the south-east of Makkah. EPA
Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, to the south-east of Makkah. EPA
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA
Syrian men pray inside a tent near Mount Arafat. AFP
Syrian men pray inside a tent near Mount Arafat. AFP
Libyan pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat. AFP
Libyan pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat. AFP
Muslim pilgrims walk on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA
Muslim pilgrims walk on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA
A woman prays on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA
A woman prays on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA
Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to protect themselves from the heat. EPA
Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to protect themselves from the heat. EPA
A Muslim man prays on Mount Arafat. EPA
A Muslim man prays on Mount Arafat. EPA
Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat during Hajj. Pilgrims who do not visit Mount Arafat on Tuesday will not have completed Hajj. AFP
Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat during Hajj. Pilgrims who do not visit Mount Arafat on Tuesday will not have completed Hajj. AFP
A pilgrim protects herself from the sun near the holy city of Makkah. AP
A pilgrim protects herself from the sun near the holy city of Makkah. AP
The crowd on Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
The crowd on Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
Pilgrims collect pebbles at Mount Arafat. Worshippers are recommended to collect 70 pebbles so they may participate in Jamarat. AFP
Pilgrims collect pebbles at Mount Arafat. Worshippers are recommended to collect 70 pebbles so they may participate in Jamarat. AFP
Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP
Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP
On the second day of Hajj millions of pilgrims will perform Fajr in Mina, then make their way to Mount Arafat, about 21 kilometres away. AFP
On the second day of Hajj millions of pilgrims will perform Fajr in Mina, then make their way to Mount Arafat, about 21 kilometres away. AFP
Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP
Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP
The mountain is where Prophet Mohammed is said to have delivered his final sermon. AFP
The mountain is where Prophet Mohammed is said to have delivered his final sermon. AFP
Pilgrims typically spend the full day at Mount Arafat, praying and supplicating to God. AFP
Pilgrims typically spend the full day at Mount Arafat, praying and supplicating to God. AFP
Rituals end at sunset, when pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah, south of Mina, for shortened Maghrib and Isha prayers. EPA
Rituals end at sunset, when pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah, south of Mina, for shortened Maghrib and Isha prayers. EPA
Muslim pilgrims pray at Namira Mosque on the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray at Namira Mosque on the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Reuters
Syrian amputees rest inside their tent near Mount Arafat. AFP
Syrian amputees rest inside their tent near Mount Arafat. AFP
Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat near Makkah, Saudi Arabia for the second day of Hajj. Reuters
Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat near Makkah, Saudi Arabia for the second day of Hajj. Reuters
Water mist is sprayed to help pilgrims keep cool as temperatures on Mount Arafat reach extreme highs. Reuters
Water mist is sprayed to help pilgrims keep cool as temperatures on Mount Arafat reach extreme highs. Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Makkah. Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Makkah. Reuters
Saudi authorities expect more than 2 million pilgrims to undertake Hajj this year following the lifting of Covid restrictions. Reuters
Saudi authorities expect more than 2 million pilgrims to undertake Hajj this year following the lifting of Covid restrictions. Reuters
On the second day of Hajj, pilgrims travel from Mina, near Makkah, to Mount Arafat, where they will hear a sermon by Sheikh Yousef bin Mohammad. Reuters
On the second day of Hajj, pilgrims travel from Mina, near Makkah, to Mount Arafat, where they will hear a sermon by Sheikh Yousef bin Mohammad. Reuters
On the morning of the Day of Arafah, the second day of Hajj, pilgrims offer a prayer at Nimrah mosque before heading to Mount Arafat. Reuters
On the morning of the Day of Arafah, the second day of Hajj, pilgrims offer a prayer at Nimrah mosque before heading to Mount Arafat. Reuters
Muslim pilgrims gather at top of the rocky hill known as Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed gave his final sermon. AP
Muslim pilgrims gather at top of the rocky hill known as Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed gave his final sermon. AP
This year's sermon will be translated into 20 languages and is expected to be heard by around 300 million listeners. AP
This year's sermon will be translated into 20 languages and is expected to be heard by around 300 million listeners. AP
Pilgrims typically spend the full day at Mount Arafat, praying and supplicating to God. Reuters
Pilgrims typically spend the full day at Mount Arafat, praying and supplicating to God. Reuters
Mount Arafat is said to be where Adam and Eve were reunited on Earth after falling from heaven. Reuters
Mount Arafat is said to be where Adam and Eve were reunited on Earth after falling from heaven. Reuters
Dhuhr (past midday) and Asr (late afternoon) prayers will be performed communally in the Arafat valley after the Hajj sermon is read. Reuters
Dhuhr (past midday) and Asr (late afternoon) prayers will be performed communally in the Arafat valley after the Hajj sermon is read. Reuters
Rituals end at sunset, when pilgrims will make their way to Muzdalifah, south of Mina, for shortened Maghrib and Isha prayers. Reuters
Rituals end at sunset, when pilgrims will make their way to Muzdalifah, south of Mina, for shortened Maghrib and Isha prayers. Reuters
All over the world, millions of Muslims not undertaking Hajj this year will mark the Day of Arafah by fasting. Reuters
All over the world, millions of Muslims not undertaking Hajj this year will mark the Day of Arafah by fasting. Reuters

Gulf

Saudi Arabia

Differences are no reason for conflict, hear pilgrims during message for unity on Arafat

Sheikh Yusuf bin Mohammad bin Saeed preached about equality among Muslims of different races and backgrounds

  • English
  • Arabic

Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here

Muslims should unite in word, prayers and action, and should avoid conflict, Hajj preacher Sheikh Yusuf bin Mohammad said in his sermon on Mount Arafat on Tuesday.

Sheikh Yusuf, who has held several of the highest religious positions in Saudi Arabia before being appointed preacher at this year's Hajj, reminded the world that racism has no basis in Islam, quoting a hadith – or saying – by the Prophet Mohammed.

Read more

Saudi Arabia brings women to the forefront as Hajj 2023 pilgrimage begins

“There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and no superiority for a white-skinned person over a black-skinned person, except due to one’s consciousness of Allah.”

Sheikh Yusuf said: “God has forbidden amongst you the spilling of blood, looting of wealth and violation of honour.

“The difference in languages, colours and ethnicities does not justify falling into discords and divisions.”

Allah has commanded for “unity, love harmony and prohibits disputes and divisions”, Sheikh Yusuf added.

The sermon was translated into 20 languages and broadcast in its original Arabic with simultaneous sign language interpretation.

Millions of pilgrims listened to the sermon and many more watched abroad.

“We are all watching the Hajj sermon live on YouTube,” Diana Wijaya from Indonesia told The National.

Pilgrims were due to combine their dhuhr and asr prayers in shortened forms, before making their way to Muzdalifah, an open area near the holy city of Makkah, near Mina, the “city of tents”.

“It’s extremely hot, but we are lucky to be here. Very blessed and we don’t take that for granted,” said Eman Ali, a local pilgrim.

At Muzdalifah, pilgrims gather pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual that begins on Wednesday, which is also the start of the Eid Al Adha feast of sacrifice marked by more than 1.5 billion Muslims globally.

Sheikh Yousef has been a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and served as a teacher at the Grand Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet Mohammed's mosque in Madinah among others.

He has also served as a preacher during Eid sermons for 20 years. Most recently, Sheikh Yousef was Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance for four years.

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While you're here
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

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  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
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  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

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Updated: June 27, 2023, 11:26 AM`
Saudi ArabiaHajj 2025