Saudi Arabia has announced measures to enhance the experience and safety of pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season, including drones and an expansion of cooled roads.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser on Monday outlined preparations for the annual pilgrimage. He said there would be a 30 per cent increase in the use of flexible rubberised roads designed to ease the journey for pilgrims on foot.
He also announced an expansion of cooled roadways, which can reduce surface temperatures by about 12°C – an important measure in the extreme summer heat.
Each year, millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Makkah to perform Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and among the most significant spiritual journeys in the religion.
The pilgrimage spans several days and includes a sequence of highly structured religious rites.
So far, Saudi Arabia has welcomed more than one million pilgrims for this year's Hajj. “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 on Monday.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the kingdom to look for the crescent moon on Tuesday evening to determine the start of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijja, during which Hajj takes place.
Tuesday marks the 29th day of Dhu Al Qadah. If the crescent moon is sighted that evening, Dhu Al Hijja will begin on Wednesday, May 28, and Eid Al Adha will fall on Friday, June 6. If the moon is not sighted, Dhu Al Hijja will start on Thursday, and Eid Al Adha will be observed on Saturday, June 7.
The kingdom has also announced several penalties for those who violate regulations during Hajj – one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
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Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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