MINA: US pilgrims said the Hajj was an annual gathering in which pilgrims feel fraternity and unity. They also praised the Kingdom’s efforts to organize the crowds.
Arab News surveyed several American pilgrims in Mina to learn their feelings about the Hajj, and the organization and preparedness they witnessed.
At the residence of the American pilgrims, Annewil Junil Camsel, a US citizen residing in Haiti, said that the whole world appreciates the ability of the Saudis to organize and control such massive crowds. “The hosting of more than 2 million pilgrims over a few days, and in a narrow geographical area, is very difficult,” he said.
Camsel also said “Saudi society is good, tolerant and cooperative.” He mentioned that he had lost his way when trying to find his tent, and when he approached several Saudis for directions, they insisted on taking him to its location.
Mutawwif Zaki Kamal of the National Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims of Turkey and Muslims of Europe, Americas and Australia, said that the “35 office” provides all necessary facilities and guidance and helps pilgrims perform their pilgrimage with ease.
“The American pilgrims love reading books, visiting historical places in Makkah and reading the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),” Kamal said. He also pointed out “American pilgrims are organized and committed to all schedules.”
American pilgrim Mu’in Al-Haq said he came from the southern United States and this was his seventh pilgrimage. He said he “used to organize travel arrangements for Americans coming to Makkah during the Hajj season,” and that he has a great desire to revisit the holy sites as often as he can.
“Hajj is a global forum that allows everyone to have the opportunity to meet and become acquainted with each other, and share experiences. It is a universal occasion that brings together Muslims who are tolerant, equal in dress, rights and duties,” said Aref Hussein, an American pilgrim from Atlanta.
Hussein, who works for a gas company, said this was the fourth time he had come to Makkah on Hajj, which has allowed him to see new developments every year.
“The presence of Muslims from all over the world in Makkah at a specific time reflects the true meaning of life, and also shows the pilgrim as a lover of peace and coexistence, who renounces hatred,” he said.
US pilgrims: Hajj shows tolerance, peace and patience among Muslims
US pilgrims: Hajj shows tolerance, peace and patience among Muslims
Greening the rooftops: Can green roofs take root in Saudi Arabia’s cities?
- As giga-projects reshape the Kingdom, experts push for cooler, biodiverse cities
RIYADH: On Feb. 11, Riyadh marked a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s sustainability journey with the official launch of the Saudi Green Building Alliance.
Announced during the Developers and Green Building Leaders Forum, the initiative signals a shift toward embedding environmental performance at the core of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding built environment.
“SGBA is Saudi Arabia’s national green building council — an independent, nonprofit platform that brings together government, developers, investors, designers, contractors, and solution providers to accelerate sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient buildings and cities across the Kingdom,” said Mohammed Al-Surf, founder and CEO of SGBA.
“Our role is to align the market, support standards and best practice, build capacity, and help translate Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative into practical action in the built environment.”
Saudi Arabia is in the midst of one of the largest urban development cycles globally. New districts are taking shape, giga-projects are redefining skylines, and cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah are expanding at unprecedented speed. According to Al-Surf, the defining question is whether this growth will lock in decades of inefficiency and emissions — or set a global benchmark for resilient, climate-smart cities aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Across leading global cities, green rooftops are no longer seen as decorative luxuries but as functional infrastructure. In Saudi Arabia, they intersect directly with national priorities around livability, emissions reduction, and quality of life.
“Green rooftops are not just aesthetics — they are urban infrastructure. In a Vision 2030 context, they can support: Heat reduction and comfort in cities, Energy efficiency and peak load reduction, Healthier, more livable neighborhoods, Nature-based solutions that improve biodiversity and stormwater performance. They’re a practical way to bring climate resilience and quality of life into everyday buildings.” Al-Surf said.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Energy savings and asset value gains can offset upfront installation costs over time.
• Underused building tops represent one of the largest untapped spaces in urban Saudi Arabia.
• In arid climates, climate-fit design makes greening viable with non-potable water reuse.
“In Saudi cities, where roofs are a major source of heat gain, vegetated systems can significantly reduce surface temperatures, lower indoor cooling demand, and extend the lifespan of roofing membranes by protecting them from thermal stress.”
In Riyadh, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 45°C, urban heat is more than discomfort — it is a public health issue. Green rooftops can help mitigate the urban heat-island effect by cooling surrounding microclimates and reducing heat stress, particularly in dense neighborhoods. Their impact extends beyond temperature regulation, contributing to environmental resilience and community wellbeing.
Can green roofs work in the desert?
Skepticism persists about whether rooftop greening can truly succeed in arid, high-heat environments. The challenges are undeniable: Water scarcity, extreme summer temperatures, dust accumulation, intense ultraviolet exposure, and long-term maintenance demands all complicate rooftop planting in desert climates.
Yet technological and design advances are reshaping what is possible. Drought-tolerant native species, engineered lightweight soil substrates, drip irrigation systems, and smart water reuse technologies are making rooftop greening increasingly viable. Climate-responsive design remains essential.
Addressing misconceptions is equally important. Al-Surf said: “Three common misconceptions that green roofs are only for Europe. Not true — they just need Saudi-appropriate design. They require lots of water. (But ) not with xeriscape principles, smart irrigation, and non-potable reuse. They’re just decoration. (In reality) They’re thermal, social, and resilience infrastructure.”
One of the most persistent myths is that green roofs waste water. In practice, modern systems prioritize efficiency through xeriscaping principles, soil moisture sensors, weather-based irrigation controls, and the use of treated or non-potable water.
Olivia Jurado, an eco-holistic wellness practitioner who helped establish a regenerative rooftop garden in Dubai, points to regional examples as proof of concept.
“Many people believe it is not possible to grow green spaces in the desert,” she said. “But with the right planting methods and knowledge of what thrives locally, urban rooftop gardens can grow and flourish — and they don’t require excessive tending once mature.”
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She underscores the broader ecological and social dividends, from supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to creating small biodiversity corridors within cities and offering experiential learning spaces for schools and workplaces.
“Green rooftops provide so many benefits for the community and the environment. Including measurably reducing temperature, providing green spaces for wellbeing and connection to nature. They also help build community by providing a green space for connection, while tending to the space provides further learning opportunities. Rooftop and urban gardens also contribute to supporting and inviting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which are so important to our ecosystems.” Jurado said.
Many people believe that it is not possible to grow green spaces in the desert but it has been proven regionally that with the right planting methods and knowing the types of plants that thrive in the region (especially with regenerative gardening practices) urban rooftop gardens can and do indeed grow and thrive and they do not require much tending to once they are mature.
“Every building and community should be encouraged and incentivized to grown their own gardens, it would not only beautify the urban spaces and help cool them, it would also provide a space of wellbeing for their respective communities.”
“It would be amazing to see urban rooftop gardens peeking from the tops of a majority of buildings by 2030.”
For developers, cost often becomes the deciding factor. Green roofs require upfront investment and are frequently cut during value engineering. However, when positioned as long-term performance infrastructure rather than aesthetic add-ons, the financial case becomes more compelling. Reduced cooling loads translate into energy savings; protected roofing membranes extend asset lifespan; premium amenities enhance property value; and stronger ESG credentials improve market positioning.
“The business case is strongest when you frame green roofs as: Energy and thermal risk management, Asset value and tenant premium, Lifecycle savings, Certification and market access,” Al-Surf explained. While upfront costs are real, returns improve when systems are climate-fit, scaled appropriately, and designed as functional amenities rather than symbolic gestures.
Looking ahead, the Saudi Green Building Alliance plans to develop national guidelines tailored to arid climates, establish demonstration rooftops across regions, and cultivate local expertise.
As Saudi Arabia’s skylines continue to rise, rooftops remain vast and largely untapped surfaces. By 2030, they could evolve into gardens, habitats, and cooling systems integrated into everyday urban life — proof that even in the desert, cities can grow greener from the top down.
