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New environmental monitoring technologies used for this year鈥檚 Hajj

New environmental monitoring technologies used for this year鈥檚 Hajj
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The National Center for Environmental Compliance is using high-tech satellite technology to monitor the environment at Hajj sites. (Supplied)
New environmental monitoring technologies used for this year鈥檚 Hajj
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The National Center for Environmental Compliance is using high-tech satellite technology to monitor the environment at Hajj sites. (Supplied)
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Updated 03 June 2025

New environmental monitoring technologies used for this year鈥檚 Hajj

New environmental monitoring technologies used for this year鈥檚 Hajj
  • High-tech monitoring systems analyze air, water and soil quality
  • Satellites allow center to dispatch emergency teams rapidly

Jeddah: 萝莉视频鈥檚 National Center for Environmental Compliance has begun using new satellite monitoring technologies to protect the environment for this year鈥檚 Hajj.

The NCEC uses satellite data to monitor and analyze environmental media, including air, water and soil quality.聽

The center relies on satellites to monitor environmental challenges across wide geographic areas at high speed, enabling emergency teams to quickly reach affected sites.

Hani Al-Subhi, director-general of the Makkah Region branch, spoke to Arab News about the center鈥檚 use of satellite technology.

鈥淭hese technologies help pinpoint the precise locations of environmental challenges, facilitating a rapid response and enhancing the provision of a healthy, pollutant-free environment for pilgrims,鈥 he said

Meanwhile, Abu Talib Zaki, a technical expert in monitoring, spoke about how the center cooperates with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to collect two types of satellite imagery.

The first is passive remote sensing, which measures reflections of light emitted from other objects.

The second is active remote sensing, which uses light from the satellite itself to create images.

The spatial resolution of the images used reaches 30 cm, meaning that each pixel of the image covers 30x30 cm, allowing for high-precision monitoring of environmental phenomena.

The National Center for Environmental Compliance earlier this week completed 90 percent of the preemptive inspections to ensure the safety of water, air, and soil for Hajj.

Monitoring efforts will continue until pilgrims complete their rituals in a healthy, pollutant-free environment.

The center also uses nine air quality monitoring stations 鈥 six located in Makkah and the holy sites and three in Madinah.

These stations operate around the clock to measure air quality, and if any pollutant is detected, field teams are dispatched immediately to the site to identify the source and coordinate with the authorities to eliminate the cause of pollution.


Global traditions shine at Ithra鈥檚 Eid festivities

Global traditions shine at Ithra鈥檚 Eid festivities
Updated 10 sec ago

Global traditions shine at Ithra鈥檚 Eid festivities

Global traditions shine at Ithra鈥檚 Eid festivities
  • Visitors of all ages enjoyed more than 31 events, including artistic displays, live performances and interactive experiences under the theme 鈥淭he Ribbon of Giving鈥

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed more than 31 events, including artistic displays, live performances and interactive experiences under the theme 鈥淭he Ribbon of Giving.鈥

Highlights included a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, known for blending classical Arabic music with modern styles.

The 鈥淎 Melody from Every Land鈥 event drew large crowds by showcasing diverse Eid customs and traditions from various cultures.

The center was beautifully decorated to reflect the spirit of giving. The Ithra Library shared Eid stories exploring different aspects of generosity.

The Energy Exhibit featured interactive displays such as 鈥淣ature鈥檚 Bounty,鈥 鈥淭reasures from the Desert,鈥 鈥淲ings of Giving鈥 and 鈥淲ealth of Nature.鈥

In Ithra Gardens, visitors engaged with experiences such as 鈥淭he Gift of Storytelling鈥 and 鈥淧athways of Earth and Palm.鈥

The Children鈥檚 Museum offered a range of activities, including 鈥淭he Kindness Keeper,鈥 鈥淭he Giving Reflection,鈥 鈥淭he Art of Giving,鈥 鈥淭he Eid Journey,鈥 and 鈥淭he Gift of Us.鈥

Ithra Cinema screened content featuring the Japanese manga character Chibi Maruko-chan, along with the animated fantasy film 鈥淜iki鈥檚 Delivery Service,鈥 subtitled in Arabic.

Other festive highlights included a 96 km trek along the historic Hajj trail, reviving stories of persistence and generosity passed down through generations.


Hajj moves on: Pilgrimage shifts to cooler seasons for next 25 years

Hajj moves on: Pilgrimage shifts to cooler seasons for next 25 years
Updated 11 June 2025

Hajj moves on: Pilgrimage shifts to cooler seasons for next 25 years

Hajj moves on: Pilgrimage shifts to cooler seasons for next 25 years
  • Over the next two decades, the Islamic lunar calendar will bring Hajj progressively into cooler seasons

MAKKAH: Hajj this year will be remembered not only for its spiritual significance but also for its climatic turning point. According to the National Center of Meteorology, the 1446 Hajj season officially marks the end of the pilgrimage coinciding with the peak summer months, a pattern that will not return for another 25 years.

Over the next two decades, the Islamic lunar calendar will bring Hajj progressively into cooler seasons. Eight upcoming pilgrimages will take place in spring, followed by another eight in winter. After that, the dates will fall in autumn, gradually warming again until Hajj re-enters the summer cycle around the year 2050.

This shift is part of the natural lunar cycle, which causes the Islamic calendar to shift backward by about 10 to 11 days each Gregorian year. For Saudi authorities, climate experts, and pilgrims alike, the change provides relief from one of the most challenging aspects of performing Hajj: having to endure blistering desert temperatures.

For decades, the Kingdom鈥檚 efforts to enhance infrastructure and expand services during Hajj have often had to work around the burden of extreme heat. From providing cooling mist fans and shaded walkways to using emergency teams trained in heatstroke response, the challenge of keeping millions of pilgrims safe during peak summer has been central to planning.

鈥淭his marks a pivotal moment,鈥 said Hamza Al-Dosari, a Riyadh-based geographer and climate researcher. 鈥淭he summer pilgrimage has always brought with it additional risks 鈥 dehydration, heat exhaustion, and logistical pressures. Moving into spring and winter seasons means significantly reduced heat exposure for the pilgrims, and this will have both health and operational implications.鈥

Al-Dosari said the coming years will offer a rare opportunity to rethink how the Hajj experience is managed. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be seeing pilgrimages that occur in temperatures often 10 to 15 degrees lower than what we鈥檝e dealt with in recent years. This changes everything, from the energy load on cooling systems to how fast emergency response teams can work. It also makes the pilgrimage more accessible to the elderly and those with chronic conditions.鈥

He also noted that this shift does not remove the need for continued environmental preparation. 鈥淪pring and winter bring their own weather patterns 鈥 rain, wind, occasional cold snaps. The planning doesn鈥檛 get easier; it just changes. But it will be a welcome adjustment for many.鈥

For pilgrims such as Sarah Al-Abdulmohsen, who performed Hajj this year, the news that future seasons will be cooler came with mixed emotions.

鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly grateful I made it this year, but the heat was truly overwhelming,鈥 said the 32-year-old Saudi from Dhahran. 鈥淎t one point in Mina, I checked my phone and it said 47掳C. You try to focus on your prayers, but your body is screaming for shade and water.鈥

Al-Abdulmohsen said she was thrilled to hear that future pilgrims will perform their rituals under gentler weather. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good news. This will make a huge difference for the elderly and for families who鈥檝e always worried about how the heat might affect their loved ones.鈥

She added that the intense conditions only strengthened her admiration for the logistics of the pilgrimage. 鈥淒espite the temperature, I saw volunteers helping people constantly 鈥 giving out water, spraying cooling mist. But you can鈥檛 deny that cooler seasons will make Hajj more comfortable, even emotionally. You鈥檒l have more clarity of mind, more presence in your prayers.鈥

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques have not yet released public statements on how this seasonal shift will influence future planning, but the long-term outlook is promising.

鈥淭his could be a historic period for rethinking pilgrim services,鈥 Al-Dosari said. 鈥淭hink about transportation, food distribution, energy consumption 鈥 all of these improve in moderate weather. Even spiritual engagement may deepen, as pilgrims won鈥檛 be fighting against their physical limits to complete the rituals.鈥

With temperatures expected to be in the 20s and 30s Celsius in future seasons, planners may also be able to expand the use of outdoor spaces and reduce reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems, helping to align Hajj services with 萝莉视频鈥檚 broader sustainability goals under Vision 2030.

While many are welcoming the change, some seasoned pilgrims may find themselves nostalgic. Summer Hajj has been the norm for most Saudis under 40, with its own rhythm, expectations, and sense of trial. The struggle against heat has long been part of the journey鈥檚 narrative, testing faith and endurance.

Yet, for many others, especially those who delayed Hajj because of health concerns, this shift will finally open the door. With temperatures easing, the coming years could mean an increase in the number of pilgrims who were previously unable to perform the rituals due to medical or age-related reasons.

As the lunar calendar resets the course of one of Islam鈥檚 most important rituals, this transition may redefine what Hajj looks and feels like for an entire generation, not just spiritually, but physically and emotionally as well.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief delivers food to needy

Saudi aid agency KSrelief delivers food to needy
Updated 11 June 2025

Saudi aid agency KSrelief delivers food to needy

Saudi aid agency KSrelief delivers food to needy
  • The distribution is a part of the 2025 emergency food and clothing aid project in Lebanon

RIYADH: 萝莉视频鈥檚 aid agency KSrelief has distributed 360 food packages to vulnerable individuals in Lebanon鈥檚 cities of Tripoli and Jbeil, benefiting 1,800 people.

The distribution is a part of the 2025 emergency food and clothing aid project in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the charity distributed 1,780 sacrificial animals in the Al-Madinah and Al-Wadi districts of Yemen鈥檚 Marib governorate on Sunday.

The initiative benefited 3,560 families under an Eid Al-Adha project in Yemen.


Newly appointed Saudi ambassador to Mexico presents his credentials

Newly appointed Saudi ambassador to Mexico presents his credentials
Updated 11 June 2025

Newly appointed Saudi ambassador to Mexico presents his credentials

Newly appointed Saudi ambassador to Mexico presents his credentials

RIYADH: 萝莉视频鈥檚 newly appointed ambassador to Mexico has presented his credentials to the North American state鈥檚 foreign ministry, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Fahad bin Ali Al-Manawer handed over a copy of his credentials to Ambassador Jonathan Chait Auerbach, the director general of protocol at the ministry, at a reception held on Tuesday. 
The diplomats also reviewed relations between their nations at the meeting.
Al-Manawer took his oath of office in from to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March, in a ceremony attended by the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.


Saudi FM attends Oslo Forum in Norway

Saudi FM attends Oslo Forum in Norway
Updated 10 June 2025

Saudi FM attends Oslo Forum in Norway

Saudi FM attends Oslo Forum in Norway
  • Forum hosts global leaders and conflict mediators
  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan will meet foreign officials

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the Norwegian capital on Tuesday to take part in the Oslo Forum.

The annual event, organized by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue in Switzerland, hosts global leaders and conflict mediators.

Prince Faisal will meet foreign officials to strengthen relations with the Kingdom and discuss various regional and international issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported.