Pilgrims perform Hajj at the holy mosque in Makkah. Saudi Ministry of Media
Pilgrims perform Hajj at the holy mosque in Makkah. Saudi Ministry of Media
Pilgrims perform Hajj at the holy mosque in Makkah. Saudi Ministry of Media
Pilgrims perform Hajj at the holy mosque in Makkah. Saudi Ministry of Media

Resumption of Umrah is a sign of renewed hope


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Today marks the resumption of the Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia for the first time since the Islamic rite was suspended in March this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2019, more than 19 million people performed the Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year. But starting today, the number will be capped at 6,000 each day.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage, which took place in July, was also scaled back, with fewer than 10,000 pilgrims performing Islam's holiest rite, instead of the usual 2 million people.

This difficult decision was necessary in order to protect worshippers from Covid-19. Increasing the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims was central to Saudi Vision 2030, a long-term plan to diversify the Saudi economy and enact social reforms. The Kingdom had hoped to attract over 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030, but the pandemic has forced the government to cut back on these goals.

The fact that the Hajj could take place at all, and without any health problems, is a victory for health authorities. In addition, the low number of pilgrims has made Hajj an even more intimate and memorable experience for pilgrims this year.

Organising pilgrimages in the age of Covid-19 poses immense logistical challenges. To perform the Umrah, worshippers are required to download an application – named I’tamarna – giving them access to the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, and allowing them to select modes of transport and meeting points. High-resolution thermal cameras have been installed at the entrances of the Grand Mosque, which will be washed 10 times a day.

Umrah will resume in three phases to ensure the safety of pilgrims. In the first two weeks, 6,000 Saudis will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage each day. From October 18, up to 15,000 residents and citizens of the Kingdom will be allowed to undertake Umrah daily. And in November, that number is expected to rise to 20,000, reaching 100 per cent capacity.

Suspending Umrah for seven months was a necessary precaution, but the fact that it has now resumed, even with limited capacity, brings solace to worshippers during challenging times.

Religion can bring people together, and give succour to believers in a time of crisis

Irfan Iqbal Khan, an Indian resident of Saudi Arabia for 23 years, told The National that the resumption of Umrah "came like a silver lining" during a particularly difficult period. This year has been marked by the pandemic, restrictions designed to contain its spread, and the consequent global economic downturn.

Religion can bring people together, and give succour to believers in a time of crisis. Yet the pandemic has made it challenging to hold religious events that bring communities together, often forcing them to commune from a safe distance. As our understanding of Covid-19, and the means to curb its spread, grow over time, some activities have resumed, albeit with many precautions.

The resumption of Umrah is a sign of resilience, and it brings much-needed hope in these difficult times.

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.

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Napoleon
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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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

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The%20specs
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Simran

Director Hansal Mehta

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey

Three stars

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

What's%20in%20my%20pazhamkootan%3F
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdd%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EParippu%20%E2%80%93%20moong%20dal%20and%20coconut%20curry%3Cbr%3ESambar%20%E2%80%93%20vegetable-infused%20toor%20dal%20curry%3Cbr%3EAviyal%20%E2%80%93%20mixed%20vegetables%20in%20thick%20coconut%20paste%3Cbr%3EThoran%20%E2%80%93%20beans%20and%20other%20dry%20veggies%20with%20spiced%20coconut%3Cbr%3EKhichdi%20%E2%80%93%20lentil%20and%20rice%20porridge%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOptional%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EKootukari%20%E2%80%93%20stew%20of%20black%20chickpeas%2C%20raw%20banana%2C%20yam%20and%20coconut%20paste%3Cbr%3EOlan%20%E2%80%93%20ash%20gourd%20curry%20with%20coconut%20milk%3Cbr%3EPulissery%20%E2%80%93%20spiced%20buttermilk%20curry%3Cbr%3ERasam%20%E2%80%93%20spice-infused%20soup%20with%20a%20tamarind%20base%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvoid%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPayasam%20%E2%80%93%20sweet%20vermicelli%20kheer%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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