logo
Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for most sacred day of Hajj

Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for most sacred day of Hajj

The National05-06-2025
Pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat on Thursday for the pinnacle of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, standing in prayer and reflection on the outskirts of Makkah.
Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day, as temperatures soar past 40°C. With more than two million pilgrims converging on Makkah this year, officials increased safety measures amid the heat, enforcing strict penalties against unauthorised visitors to curb overcrowding.
Hajj, one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, began this week. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is mandatory for Muslims who are able to do so to perform the pilgrimage once in their lives.
Thousands of worshippers made their way to the hill and surrounding plains of Arafat before dawn on Thursday, to commemorate the final sermon delivered by the Prophet Mohammed.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that 2,443 pilgrims from 100 countries, hosted under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Programme for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, had settled into their accommodation on Arafat.
The programme, overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in co-operation with other government agencies, provides comprehensive spiritual and logistical support, the agency said. Officials say all resources have been mobilised to ensure a safe, comfortable and spiritually fulfilling experience, the SPA added.
Authorities this week advised pilgrims to remain in their air-conditioned tents between 10am and 4pm on Thursday, when the desert heat peaks.
What is Arafat Day?
Arafat Day is one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. It falls on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijja, the final month of the lunar year, and represents the spiritual climax of Hajj.
Millions of pilgrims mark the day by gathering at Mount Arafat to perform wuquf – the ritual of standing in prayer and devotion. This rite is considered the most essential pillar of Hajj and, without it, the pilgrimage is deemed incomplete.
For Muslims not performing Hajj, Arafat Day is a time of fasting, worship and introspection. Fasting on this day is believed to expiate the sins of the previous and coming year.
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as several other Muslim-majority countries, Arafat Day is a public holiday. It precedes Eid Al Adha, the "festival of the sacrifice", which begins this year on Friday, June 6, and runs until Sunday, June 8.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

SGH achieves remarkable milestone: Five hospitals granted 5-star rating by Newsweek's Global Hospital Rating
SGH achieves remarkable milestone: Five hospitals granted 5-star rating by Newsweek's Global Hospital Rating

Zawya

time12 hours ago

  • Zawya

SGH achieves remarkable milestone: Five hospitals granted 5-star rating by Newsweek's Global Hospital Rating

Saudi German Health (SGH), a leading healthcare group in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has reinforced its industry leadership with five of its hospitals in Saudi Arabia earning five-star ratings in Newsweek's Global Hospital Rating. The hospitals in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Aseer, and Jeddah all received this rating, establishing SGH as the healthcare group with the most five-star-rated hospitals in the region. This latest milestone reinforces SGH's unwavering commitment to providing top-patient-centred healthcare, while upholding high clinical standards and embracing innovative healthcare solutions. It also reflects SGH's ongoing efforts to align with Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 goals, which aim to improve quality of life and elevate the Kingdom's healthcare sector to global standards. Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, Vice Chairman of Saudi German Health, said: 'We are proud to be recognised once again as the healthcare group with the highest number of five-star-rated hospitals in the region. This achievement is a testament to our dedication to clinical excellence, innovation, and exceptional service. It is not the first time we lead the region with such accomplishments — earlier this year, we were also honoured with having the highest number of top-ranked hospitals in the region in Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals 2025 list. These achievements reflect our strong leadership, our proud Saudi identity, and our alignment with Vision 2030's healthcare transformation goals.' These recognitions by Newsweek emphasise SGH's role as a pioneer of healthcare excellence in the Kingdom and the wider region. By consistently meeting the highest international standards and achieving outstanding results, Saudi German Health continues to influence the future of healthcare across Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, a sustainability standout at Expo 2025 Osaka, awarded The Well Health-safety Rating
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, a sustainability standout at Expo 2025 Osaka, awarded The Well Health-safety Rating

Zawya

time13 hours ago

  • Zawya

The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, a sustainability standout at Expo 2025 Osaka, awarded The Well Health-safety Rating

The Saudi Arabia Pavilion is the only International Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which has been recognized by the International WELL Building Institute in the category of Health–Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management. This global standardized rating system is designed to help organizations deliver more thoughtful and intentional spaces that enhance human health and well-being. This international recognition of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion exemplifies the sustainability theme of Expo 2025 Osaka, which is to design a future society for our lives by bringing together diverse perspectives and solutions to address global challenges. Osaka, Japan — The Saudi Arabia Pavilion has been recognized as the only International Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka to receive the WELL Health-Safety Rating. The International WELL Building Institute Certification focuses on enhancing health and well-being within the built environment, backed by scientific research that aims to advance human health through design interventions, operational protocols and policies that foster a culture of health and well-being. At a ceremony held at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, Mr. Jack Noonan, Senior Vice President, Head of Asia Pacific at the International WELL Building Institute, presented the certification to Dr. Ghazi bin Faisal Binzagr, the Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion. The certification confirms that the Saudi Arabia Pavilion complies with global standards for temporary buildings based on their impact on occupants' health, across various categories such as air quality, water quality, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. Designed by Foster + Partners, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion also won Gold at the New York Architectural Design Awards in the category of Cultural Architecture for Interactive and Experiential Spaces. It draws inspiration from traditional Saudi Arabian towns and features key attributes that contribute to this certification. The Pavilion's design incorporates sustainability throughout the venue, featuring renewable energy and low-carbon materials, an innovative façade with lightweight stone panels that are easily dismantlable, and a reusable structural framework aimed at reducing the Pavilion's overall environmental impact. Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, said, 'We are delighted to be awarded the WELL Certification and gain recognition for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion in sustainable design and operational excellence. By integrating WELL Building Standards into our facility management and operations, we ensure the Saudi Arabia Pavilion is committed to ensuring health and safety for our employees, as well as providing guests with an exciting experience of the Kingdom when they visit the Pavilion reaffirming our dedication that health and wellness are at the heart of our operations management.' The Saudi Arabia Pavilion offers an exciting visitor journey across seven immersive rooms and galleries where every visitor can see up close the Kingdom's global impact. The full program of events for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is available on the official website:

Tarshid completes solar panel installation work at Saudi hospital
Tarshid completes solar panel installation work at Saudi hospital

Zawya

time19 hours ago

  • Zawya

Tarshid completes solar panel installation work at Saudi hospital

Bahrain - The National Energy Services Company (Tarshid) has announced that it has completed the installation of solar panels and systems across Al Iman General Hospital's buildings and facilities in Riyadh. The solar project, which was implemented in co-ordination with Al Iman General Hospital, will have a total capacity of 638 kilowatts, which is expected to result in annual energy savings of approximately 1 million kilowatt-hours. Tarshid said the move was mainly aimed at improving the hospital's energy efficiency and reduce consumption by generating solar power for on-site use as per the highest international standards and best practices. By achieving significant energy savings and reducing carbon emissions, Tarshid supports the Kingdom's strategic sustainability goals in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Tarshid Board Member and CEO Waled Al Ghreri said the company first conducted field surveys and technical studies on the buildings and facilities within the project's scope. These studies highlighted the importance of improving energy efficiency and reducing consumption by installing solar panels and systems on rooftops. This is a key measure to boost efficiency by enabling on-site electricity generation and supplying the hospital with clean, renewable energy for self-consumption, stated Al Ghreri. He said the total targeted annual electricity consumption for the project was approximately 22.8 million kilowatt-hours. "Following the installation, the consumption is expected to drop to 21.8 million kilowatt-hours annually," he noted. The anticipated savings from the project are equivalent to conserving over 1,500 barrels of oil and avoiding approximately 560 metric tons of harmful carbon emissions—an environmental impact comparable to planting more than 9,000 seedlings every year, he added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store