ARAFAT, 19 December 2007 — In scenes suggestive of the Day of Judgment, millions of Muslim faithful, wearing white robes, assembled on the Plains of Arafat yesterday at the peak of this year’s Haj.
JEDDAH, 19 December 2007 — The official pardon of “Qatif Girl”, which was released late Monday night by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, said that the “Qatif Girl” had been subjected
JEDDAH, 19 December 2007 — Citizens and expatriates across Saudi Arabia are fully geared up for today's Eid Al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, which marks the end of annual Haj. In Jeddah
ARAFAT, 19 December 2007 — It is hot — very, very hot. The sun is out in full force and is beating down on the pilgrims. Nonetheless, they seem unperturbed. On the horizon far ahead, the magnificent
MINA, 19 December 2007 — Hours after midnight on Monday, the first groups of Haj pilgrims flowed out of Mina, heading to Arafat. The pilgrims’ movement out increased considerably into yesterday morning.
RIYADH, 19 December 2007 — Riyadh Municipality announced its directives yesterday for organizing the slaughtering of sacrificial sheep on the first day of Eid Al-Adha. The municipality announced
ARAFAT, 19 December 2007 — For the first time, the Haj is Wi-Fi compatible; about 70 access points have been established in and around the holy sites. The service is free, being provided by both of
MAKKAH, 19 December 2007 — For many people residing in the Hejaz, Haj is an opportunity to reap rewards by serving pilgrims. Across Makkah, do-gooders can be seen doing small but immeasurable acts
ARAFAT, 19 December 2007 — At the Lost Children’s Center in Arafat, twelve year-old Bassam helps in assisting with younger lost children. The young Egyptian haji, who was separated from his parents
MAKKAH, 19 December 2007 — “I cannot believe that I am here in Makkah, near the Grand Mosque performing Haj,” said Amina Abu Al-Maati bursting into tears. Al-Maati is one of 120 pilgrims who
ARAFAT, 19 December 2007 — Mobily umbrellas were everywhere at Arafat yesterday. They were providing the pilgrims a useful shade from the blistering rays of the midday sun. There were umbrellas from
MINA, 19 December 2007 — Munseya Al-Juaid, 36, is a Saudi mother of two and a nurse working the Haj shift at Mina Al-Jesser Hospital. She has been a nurse for the past 16 years and entered the profession
MAKKAH, 19 December 2007 — At different hospitals in Makkah, many sick pilgrims were afraid of being unable to go to Arafat and pray there. They were, however, provided with a medical team and equipped
MINA, 19 December 2007 — One of the preconditions for a woman, regardless of her age, to perform Haj is that she be accompanied by her mahram (a male relative such as a father, son, brother or husband). There
