Saudi Arabia has welcomed more than a million pilgrims for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
"The total number of pilgrims arriving from outside the kingdom via international ports until the end of yesterday, Sunday, exceeded one million and 70,000 pilgrims," Minister of Media Salman Al Dosari told a press conference in Riyadh on Monday.
Speaking at the conference, the kingdom's Health Minister, Fahad Al Jalajel, said the condition of pilgrims was "reassuring" and added that "no cases of epidemics that could affect public health have been detected so far".
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court on Sunday called on Muslims in the kingdom to watch for the appearance of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening that would signal the start of the month of Dhu Al Hijja, during which Hajj takes place.
Tuesday is the 29th day of Dhu Al Qadah and if the crescent moon is sighted that day, the month of Dhu Al Hijja will start on Wednesday, May 28. In this case, the first day of Eid Al Adha will take place on Friday, June 6.
If the crescent moon is not sighted on Tuesday evening, Dhu Al Hijja will start on Thursday and the first day of Eid will be on Saturday, June 7.
The court urged anyone who spots the crescent moon with the naked eye or through binoculars to promptly report to the nearest court and submit their testimony.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be undertaken by all Muslims who have the means to do so at least once in their lives. It is one of the world's largest religious gatherings.
Crackdown on violations
The kingdom had announced a range of penalties for people breaching regulations during the event, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.
Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said on Monday that security troops arrested five residents and nine citizens for violating Hajj regulations by transporting 44 people without Hajj permits.
The ministry said that seasonal administrative committees issued decisions against the transporters, their accomplices and the unauthorised pilgrims, SPA reported.
Penalties included imprisonment, fines of up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666), public naming of the violators and deportation of resident offenders with a 10-year re-entry ban to Saudi Arabia after serving their sentences, the ministry said.
The ministry also initiated judicial measures to confiscate the vehicles used in the offences and imposed a fine of up to 20,000 riyals on visitors who attempt to perform Hajj without a permit.
The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations to ensure a safe and secure Hajj for all.
Preparations in full swing
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has announced the readiness of the Mataf (circumambulation area) to receive pilgrims during this year's Hajj season, SPA reported.
The authority confirmed that the Mataf area is now equipped to accommodate up to 107,000 circumambulatory per hour across several levels, including the ground floor, first floor, first mezzanine, second mezzanine and rooftop.
The total worshipper capacity across all levels has reached 203,000. It further noted that the entire Mataf area has been dedicated exclusively for circumambulation, with several primary and secondary entrances allocated to enable access.
Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid has been appointed preacher at this year's Hajj on the Day of Arafah (the ninth day of Dhul Hijja), the Presidency of Religious Affairs announced.
Mount Arafat is a granite hill about 20km from the Kaaba. Ascending it is the most important rite in the annual pilgrimage of Hajj for millions of Muslims.
The Day of Arafah takes place on the second day of Hajj, when pilgrims make their way to Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon.
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
