Pilgrims pray at dawn on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma or Mountain of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
Pilgrims pray at dawn on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma or Mountain of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
Pilgrims pray at dawn on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma or Mountain of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
Pilgrims pray at dawn on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma or Mountain of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

Hajj authorities introduce ways to bring pilgrims relief from intense heat


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From misting systems to heat-reflective road coverings and new recycled rubber asphalt pavements, Saudi officials are working to help this year’s Hajj pilgrims to cope with the searing heat.

The annual pilgrimage, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, coincides again this year with the height of Saudi summer, with officials predicting highs of 45°C.

On Saturday, pilgrims will make an arduous 14km journey on foot from the Plains of Arafat, where the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage is taking place, to Muzdalifah.

One of those initiatives includes the use of recycled flexible rubber asphalt in pedestrian walkways from Mina to the Plains of Arafat. The new roads are made with recycled rubber from tyres in an asphalt mixture, which helps reduce tyre waste accumulation and minimises pollution from tyre burning.

“We realise as we welcome more pilgrims each year post the coronavirus pandemic that we have to come up with innovative ways to ease and facilitate the pilgrims’ journeys in the holy sites as best as possible,” said Saleh Al Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services.

“Experiments have shown that the hardness of standard asphalt surfaces and sidewalks causes discomfort and issues for the ankles and feet of pilgrims, particularly the elderly, who make up 53 per cent of all pilgrims.”

Pilgrims shelter from the heat under a parasol as worshippers gather around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AFP
Pilgrims shelter from the heat under a parasol as worshippers gather around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AFP

This will be a reality facing pilgrims during the Hajj journey, said Dr Mohammed Al Abdali, spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Health.

“This will be the greatest challenge in this year’s Hajj season.”

The pilgrimage, which takes most people at least five days to complete, is a marathon, Dr Al Abdali said.

He said that pilgrims, especially those who are elderly or have health issues, “are exposed to the risk of exhaustion or heat stroke, which are dangerous”.

Last year, more than 10,000 cases of heat-related illnesses were documented, 10 per cent of which were heat stroke, according to the Health Ministry.

Since last year, roads used by pilgrims have been covered in a white cooling material that Hajj officials say reduces the temperature of the asphalt by 20 per cent.

Water is sprayed on Muslim pilgrims at the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AP
Water is sprayed on Muslim pilgrims at the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AP

The Ministry of Health has been sending awareness and guidance messages to pilgrims, stressing the significance of parasols for protection from sunstroke, particularly during the peak temperatures between 11am and 3pm.

For the first time, Hajj authorities have introduced a unit specialising in heat-related cases within Al Noor Hospital in Makkah.

“This unit deals only with heat exhaustion and heatstroke cases and includes modern beds with lower and upper mist sprinklers and special cooling devices,” Dr Ahmed Hawsawi, deputy executive director of Al Noor Hospital, told The National.

Across the sites of Makkah, Hajj authorities have also added infrastructure to tackle the heat challenges.

Near the Kaaba, the black cubic structure in the Grand Mosque towards which all Muslims pray, new air-conditioned spaces allow pilgrims to cool off, and a climate-controlled pathway now connects the hills of Safa and Marwa inside the mosque compound.

A pilgrim sprays his face with water to cool down on his arrival at the Mina tent camp during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near Makkah on Friday June 14, 2024. AFP
A pilgrim sprays his face with water to cool down on his arrival at the Mina tent camp during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near Makkah on Friday June 14, 2024. AFP
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Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

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Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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On sale: Later this year
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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Uefa Nations League

League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands

League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey

League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania

League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar

Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

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Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

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Price: From Dh147,000

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sav%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Purvi%20Munot%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%20as%20of%20March%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Happy Tenant

Started: January 2019

Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana

Based: Dubai

Sector: Technology, real-estate

Initial investment: Dh2.5 million

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 4,000

The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

Price, base: Dh315,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

Updated: June 15, 2024, 7:48 AM