RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on people to sight the crescent of Dhu Al-Hijjah on Monday evening.
Dhu Al-Hijjah is the month during which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place and is the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Anyone who sees the crescent on Monday after sunset should inform the nearest court.
This year, the first of Dhu Al-Hijjah will fall on either July 21 or July 22 depending on the sighting of the crescent. Hajj will start on Dhu Al-Hijjah 8 and end on Dhu Al-Hijjah 12.
Muslims are required to perform Hajj once in their lifetime if they are healthy and have the financial means to do so.
Around 2.5 million pilgrims performed the Hajj in 2019 but the number of people doing Hajj this year will be significantly lower due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Saudi authorities have decided that a very limited number of people of various nationalities residing in the Kingdom will perform Hajj this year in order to ensure the safety of all.
Social distancing will be strictly adhered to and people must be between the ages of 20 and 50 to have been given permission to perform the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia calls on people to sight Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent on Monday
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Saudi Arabia calls on people to sight Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent on Monday
- Anyone who sees the crescent on Monday after sunset should inform the nearest court
- This year, the first of Dhu Al-Hijjah will fall on either July 21 or July 22 depending on the sighting of the crescent
Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide
- The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by studies covering 8 marine habitats
TABUK: Red Sea Global (RSG) has unveiled a science-based model aimed at achieving a 30 percent net positive conservation benefit across its tourism destinations by 2040.
The framework is now available for global adoption, according to a statement released by RSG.
Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Red Sea Global is the multi-project developer behind ambitious regenerative tourism destinations like “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA.”
As a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the company aims to diversify the national economy while setting new global benchmarks for sustainable, nature-positive development.
CEO John Pagano stated that openly sharing this detailed approach will help elevate the global tourism sector and secure a healthier environment for future generations.
The cornerstone of this initiative is the proprietary SIIG Model, a four-step framework:
• Survey: Establish biodiversity baselines and monitor long-term changes.
• Identify: Assess risks to priority habitats and species.
• Intervene: Execute evidence-based actions, such as regulating fishing and enhancing natural habitats.
• Gain: Measure and verify biodiversity improvements.
The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by extensive 2022–2023 environmental baseline studies covering eight marine habitats and priority species groups during 2022 and 2023.
A major intervention is the 5,015-square-kilometer Fishery Management Area in Al-Wajh Lagoon. The plan reserves 38 percent of the area for priority conservation—protecting 62 percent of local coral reefs—while allocating 61 percent for sustainable fishing.
According to scientific modeling, eliminating fishing in high-protection zones could increase reef fish populations by 113 percent, sharks and rays by 72 percent, and marine mammals by 24 percent. These measures are expected to boost coral resilience, support ecosystem recovery, and protect vulnerable species like sea turtles and seabirds.
Ihab Kindi, RSG’s Red Sea Destination Executive Director, called the data-driven model a practical roadmap for large-scale marine recovery. The complete methodology is available in the new report, “The SIIG Model: A Roadmap Toward Achieving Measurable Conservation Gains.”
