MAKKAH: Director General of Civil Defense Gen. Sulaiman Al-Amro said the directorate is fully prepared with all human cadres and equipment to handle any situation that might arise during Hajj.
The Special Emergency Forces bear a great responsibility in knowing how to deal with accidents and risks. These teams normally undergo a series of training programs to carry out their missions during the Hajj season, in addition to the implementation of daily training programs in areas where they are stationed. The training covers mock and field applications and programs to reach the highest readiness levels to safeguard the pilgrims. Two drills have already been carried out and a third was being staged in the Arafat camps to simulate a fire, he said.
Police dogs have been trained to deal with potential risks such as floods and landslides arising from heavy rains. The mountains and valleys of Makkah were the scene of the training for the Civil Defense staff on how to use trained dogs in rescue situations. The search section, which works under the Special Emergency Forces within Civil Defense during Hajj, comprises a group of trained sniffer dogs. They are assigned to joint search and rescue operations for victims who are trapped under rubble or buried beneath mud in the valleys.
For his part, the Civil Defense commander in Arafat, Brig. Gen. Abdullah Al-Hammad, said that Civil Defense forces conducted the necessary training programs in all specialties. Coordination with other concerned parties for a major mock exercise was also carried out, he said.
Preparations in place to deal with potential risks during Hajj: Saudi Civil Defense
Preparations in place to deal with potential risks during Hajj: Saudi Civil Defense
Winners soar at King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival
- Global falconers celebrate Milwah victories and Mazayen beauty contests in Riyadh
RIYADH: Twelve international professionals were recently crowned winners of the King Abdulaziz Cups in the Milwah lure-racing competition at the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival.
Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, the festival is being held at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, until Saturday, with wide international participation.
The international rounds featured 224 competing falcons. Bahraini falconers claimed four cups, while Emirati participants also won four titles, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The Mazayen beauty pageant also began on Monday, attracting falconers and enthusiasts from within the Kingdom and abroad. The competition will run until Jan. 8.
Cash prizes are awarded for each Mazayen round: SR300,000 ($80,000) for first place, SR175,000 for second, SR100,000 for third, SR30,000 for fourth, and SR20,000 for fifth.
The festival includes participants from the Gulf, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Pakistan, and the Syrian Arab Republic, the SPA reported.
The event has attracted exceptional numbers since its launch in 2019. It continues to expand its global profile, having previously set three Guinness World Records as the world’s largest falcon festival in terms of participating birds.
The festival features 139 rounds and offers 1,012 prizes worth over SR38 million, including for the Milwah (400 meters) and Mazayen competitions.
The Milwah race includes categories for owners, amateurs, professionals, and elite competitors, with separate rounds for local and international falconers. The Mazayen contest evaluates falcons based on strict beauty standards.
