Women can register for Hajj without male guardian

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat southeast of the Saudi holy city of Makkah, on Arafat Day which is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP file photo)
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Updated 14 June 2021
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Women can register for Hajj without male guardian

  • Ministry approves three packages’ prices range between $3,230 and $4,426

JEDDAH: Three packages have been approved for this year’s pilgrimage, with a government ministry saying that people could register online for Hajj including women without a mahram (male guardian).

Registration for this year’s Hajj opened at 1 p.m on Sunday after the government said it would limit this year’s cohort to citizens and residents of the Kingdom.
Registration is available until 10 p.m. on June 23. There is no priority for early applicants.
Costs for the three approved packages are SR16,560.50 ($4,426), SR14,381.95, and SR12,113.95. VAT will be added to the price of each package.
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s website, people will be bussed to the holy sites and there will be a maximum of 20 pilgrims per vehicle.
They will be supplied with three daily meals in Mina and two meals (breakfast and lunch) in Arafat. They will be given dinner in Muzdalifah. Other food and beverage services will be available, but  pilgrims are not allowed to bring food with them from outside Makkah.
Applications will go through five stages. These include a prospective pilgrim reviewing and acknowledging health information and providing personal details based on their official papers. After that, the system will verify the applicant’s eligibility for Hajj based on the data provided by the National Information Center.
Once an application is accepted, the applicant will be given a registration number for further inquiries. After ensuring an applicant’s COVID-19 status — fully immune, immune by the first dose, or immune after recovery — a text message with the payment details will be sent out.

HIGHLIGHT

Costs for the three approved packages are SR16,560.50 ($4,426), SR14,381.95, and SR12,113.95. VAT will be added to the price of each package.

The ministry said that registering for Hajj did not mean a final Hajj permit had been granted.
“A Hajj permit will only be issued after an application is found to meet all the mandatory health conditions and regulations,” it added. “The ministry has the right to reject a request at any time, in case it was found to be violating the organizing regulations.”
Before a Hajj permit request can be sent, all applicants must acknowledge that they have not performed Hajj in the last five years, they are not suffering from any chronic disease, and are not infected with COVID-19.
People must also acknowledge that they have not been admitted to a hospital due to chronic diseases or for dialysis treatment in the past six months.
On Saturday it was announced that 60,000 pilgrims would be allowed to perform this year’s Hajj, which begins mid-July.
Authorities also said that those wishing to perform Hajj must be free of any chronic diseases and be aged between 18 and 65.
The decision was “based on the Kingdom’s constant keenness to enable the guests and visitors at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah,” the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said. “The Kingdom puts human health and safety first.”
The “sorting” phase of the Hajj application process starts on June 25, according to an official ministry tweet, which also said that applicants should pay for their package within three hours of selecting it to avoid cancelation. Priority will be for registered applicants who have never performed Hajj, it added.


Metal bands battle it out in Jeddah

Updated 04 May 2024
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Metal bands battle it out in Jeddah

  • Saudi band Wasted Land emerged as champions of the 2024 Wacken Metal Battle Middle East

JEDDAH: Wacken Metal Battle Middle East arrived in Jeddah’s Makan Music Center on Friday night, providing a platform for local metal bands to showcase their musical prowess.

The battle of the bands event featured Jaheem, Volfram, Kaizer, and Wasted Land aiming for top spot, creating a memorable experience for regional metal fans.

The battle of the bands event featured Wasted Land, Jaheem, Volfram, and Kaizer aiming for top spot, while 2023 winner, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind, took to the stage as guest performers. (AN photos/Supplied)

Wacken Metal Battle Middle East — supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi, and a competition connected with Germany famous Wacken music festival — featured a jury of music experts and international guests, including judges from Germany, who evaluated the bands based on technical ability, song composition, and musical interpretation. They also took into account the band’s uniqueness, stage presence, audience interaction, execution of sound checks, communication, punctuality, and overall attitude.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wacken Metal Battle Middle East was supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi Arabia, and a competition connected with Germany’s famous Wacken music festival.

• Saudi band Volfram described the night as a ‘unique and unforgettable experience.’

The jury selected Wasted Land as the champions of the competition, meaning they now have the chance to perform at the Wacken festival, which takes place annually in Hamburg. Adding to the excitement, the winners of the 2023 event, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind also took to the stage as guest performers.

The battle of the bands event featured Wasted Land, Jaheem, Volfram, and Kaizer aiming for top spot, while 2023 winner, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind, took to the stage as guest performers. (AN photos/Supplied)

Promoter Monika Bremer said, “Since its inception 10 years ago, Metal Battle Middle East has provided numerous emerging bands with the opportunity to showcase their talent and advance their careers. This anniversary edition is an important milestone for the regional metal scene.

“Thanks to the support of our partners, emerging metal bands have the opportunity to participate in this competition and gain valuable experience,” she added.

Emad Ashor, guitarist and vocalist of Jeddah-based death metal outfit Immortal Pain and one of the judges at the event, said, “Talent, passion, and professionalism are key. This platform allows all bands to explore new experiences and pursue their dream of victory.”

Karim Mounir, composer and bassist of Erasing Mankind, who was also a judge at the event, said: “Wacken is all about embracing the present moment and fostering camaraderie between bands and the audience. Live performances truly distinguish bands, and the Saudi metal scene’s exceptional talent and musicianship have demonstrated their worthiness for such a significant event.

“The band that can most effectively captivate Wacken’s lively and inclusive crowd would be a perfect representative from the Middle East.”

Saudi band Volfram described the night as a “unique and unforgettable experience.”

Reflecting on the band’s journey to the final of the Wacken Metal Battle, a member of Kaizer said, “Being part of this competition is an honor in itself, and sharing the stage with incredible bands is an experience we will always treasure.

“Kaizer is just beginning and has so much more to offer. Our goal is to represent the Saudi metal scene in the most intense and impactful way possible. Earning the title of Jeddah’s Heaviest Music from the crowd is a recognition we deeply appreciate.”

 


Meet the Russian stylist living ‘blissfully’ in Saudi Arabia

Since her arrival, Margo Marsden has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. (Supplied)
Updated 04 May 2024
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Meet the Russian stylist living ‘blissfully’ in Saudi Arabia

  • “True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News

RIYADH: Margo Marsden relocated to Saudi Arabia two years ago when her husband — a British oil and gas engineer — accepted a job in the Kingdom. Since her arrival, she has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. Her TikTok profile states she is a “Russian mother married to British father … living blissfully in Saudi Arabia.”

“True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News. “Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan. In my view, Saudi Arabia stands as the premier destination for living in 2024.”

Marsden was born and raised in Kazakhstan before moving to Russia with her parents when she was 14 years old. She lived in several countries before relocating to Saudi Arabia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Turkiye, Lebanon, Thailand, the UK, and Norway.

Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.

Margo Marsden, Russian stylist in KSA

Marsden had worked in Riyadh for a month in 2019 with fashion retailer Zara during Ramadan, and when her husband told her about his job offer, she was thrilled at the prospect of visiting the Kingdom again.

“I love it here, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with local and expat women, to elevate their confidence and refine their fashion identity,” she said.

Marsden now has more than two decades of experience in the fashion industry. It’s a passion that began in her childhood, when she would meticulously craft outfits for her Barbie dolls with her mother’s guidance.

Marsden said she worked as a model — treading catwalks in Russia, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, and Thailand — before moving into the business side of the industry, studying fashion design at Accademia Italiana in Bangkok and personal styling at the London College of Style. She has worked as a buyer, content creator and stylist.

“My artistic pursuits also extend behind the camera; I coordinated photoshoots for both personal and corporate clients,” she added.

As a stylist, she said, her main objective is “to enhance my client’s natural beauty and instill confidence in each customer I work with.” While Marsden doesn’t currently have any clients in the Kingdom, she is hoping to establish her own business eventually.

“I’m eager to offer my expertise to individuals keen on enhancing their appearance. Helping others look and feel their best is immensely fulfilling to me,” she added.

To follow Marsden’s journey in Saudi Arabia, visit her Instagram @margo.marsden.

 


Riyadh forum to explore role of translation in promoting Saudi identity

Updated 04 May 2024
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Riyadh forum to explore role of translation in promoting Saudi identity

  • The conference aims to contribute to a key objective of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in promoting Islamic values and national identity, by encouraging Saudis to translate these concepts into other languages and cultures

RIYADH: The College of Languages at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh will host a conference titled “Translating the Saudi identity through other languages and cultures” on May 15.

The event, carrying the slogan “We translate our identity,” will take place at the Department of Conferences and Seminars, and is sponsored by Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan.

It will focus on sharing the Kingdom’s cultural, historical, literary and intellectual heritage with a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

HIGHLIGHT

The conference will attract researchers and enthusiasts interested in Saudi identity and its translation for foreign cultures. Students specializing in national identity and translation will take part, alongside representatives from sectors focused on translating Saudi identity, including ministries, agencies and companies.

The role of translation in promoting a positive image of the Kingdom will also be discussed, as well as fostering international recognition and underscoring the Kingdom’s cultural impact.

The conference aims to contribute to a key objective of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in promoting Islamic values and national identity, by encouraging Saudis to translate these concepts into other languages and cultures.

A competitive environment will be established among university students to introduce them to their identity through other languages and cultures.

The conference will attract researchers and enthusiasts interested in Saudi identity and its translation for foreign cultures. Students specializing in national identity and translation will take part, alongside representatives from sectors focused on translating Saudi identity, including ministries, agencies and companies.

Six scientific sessions and workshops will be hosted at the conference, as well as topic-related exhibitions and cultural events. Sessions will cover themes including “Saudi family identity,” “National identity,” “Linguistic communication,” “The role of translation and publishing in sharing the Saudi identity with the world,” “Translating national heritage into global languages” and “National identity in film translation.”

The conference’s workshops will focus on topics including translating the Saudi identity within the tourism sector.

The College of Languages organized the event as part of its commitment to the 2025 strategic goals of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

 


King Salman issues royal decree to appoint investigative lieutenants at Public Prosecution

Updated 04 May 2024
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King Salman issues royal decree to appoint investigative lieutenants at Public Prosecution

RIYADH: King Salman issued a royal decree on Saturday to appoint 261 investigative lieutenants at the Ministry of Justice’s Public Prosecution, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib thanked the king for the royal decree and said it reflected the support provided by the King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the ministry and its departments, SPA added.

Al-Mujib praised the commitment to advancing the development and prosperity of the justice ministry in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.


Tripartite committee discusses enhancing defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan

Updated 04 May 2024
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Tripartite committee discusses enhancing defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan

  • The Saudi-Turkish bilateral defense cooperation committee also met in Istanbul

ISTANBUL: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan’s tripartite committee held its third meeting recently in Istanbul to discuss ways to enhance defense cooperation.

Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defense Bilal Durdali, and Lt. Gen Mohammed Owais from Pakistan were among the officials present at the meeting, the Defense Ministry said in a report on Saturday.

The meeting focused on joint cooperation in defense, the transfer and localization of technology, and the development of scientific research in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry stated.

The Saudi-Turkish bilateral defense cooperation committee also met in Istanbul recently.