The governor of Makkah province, Prince Khalid Al Faisal, on Sunday asked global media to convey a message from the two million pilgrims who attended Hajj that Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance.
In remarks reported by the official Saudi Press Agency, he stressed the kingdom's "absolute rejection" of exploiting the Hajj for political or economic purposes and said Saudi Arabia strived to provide "all possible assistance" to meet the religious needs of pilgrims.
He said some Iranian pilgrims had "[attempted] to raise sectarian and political slogans in the Grand Mosque".
"We beg everybody [who comes] to come for Hajj and worship only because this is a land of worship," the prince added.
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Read more:
Saudis hail successful Hajj season
Saudi Arabia reports 30 per cent increase in Hajj pilgrims from Qatar
Muslim worshippers seek green inspiration at Hajj
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It came a day after Saudi officials said they were satisfied that this year's Hajj had passed without any security incidents or accidents.
Prince Khalid said the numbers attending this year's Hajj had risen by 30 per cent and announced plans for the development of Makkah's holy sites in order to accommodate increasing numbers of pilgrims. More information about this would be announced in a timely manner, he added.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
