Saudi Hajj minister meets Malaysian PM

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah meets with Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur. (Supplied)
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Updated 28 February 2023
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Saudi Hajj minister meets Malaysian PM

  • The Malaysian prime minister also praised the services provided by the Kingdom to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and his accompanying delegation met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and issues related to the quota for Hajj and Umrah. They also discussed initiatives that can be implemented to improve cooperation in tourism, education, investment and trade.

The Malaysian prime minister also praised the services provided by the Kingdom to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Recently, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a program to train the leaders of foreign Hajj pilgrim groups before their arrival in the Kingdom.

The first session was held in Tabung Haji, Kuala Lumpur, and was attended by more than 30 group leaders.

The aim of the program is to improve the quality of services for pilgrims, facilitate their trips and enrich their religious and cultural experiences, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The training session was held on the sidelines of Al-Rabiah’s official visit to Malaysia, accompanied by a delegation from government agencies and the Saudi private sector.

Further sessions will be organized in other countries before the start of this year’s Hajj season.

The training program includes a detailed explanation of pilgrims’ trips and covers all aspects of performing Hajj and crowd management skills.

 


Little Farm: A countryside escape in the heart of Jeddah

Updated 57 min 43 sec ago
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Little Farm: A countryside escape in the heart of Jeddah

  • The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time

During weekends, I always like to take my 18-month-old son somewhere that stimulates his senses and curiosity. While searching for family-friendly farms in Jeddah, I discovered Little Farm, located in the Al-Manarat district. With a 4.2 rating, it seemed like a convenient nearby option.

My first impression upon entering was very positive. The venue also hosts children’s themed parties, and the cashier explained the available activities, which cater to children as young as one year old. Visitors can access the animal farm area starting from SR39 for both adults and children.

Older children can participate in interactive experiences such as goat milking, which is offered for an additional fee. Visitors can also explore dedicated rabbit and cat halls, both available at an extra charge. These halls allow children to interact with animals from various breeds in a safe environment, under the supervision of trained animal specialists. Another section of the venue is the vertical farm zone, where families can explore hanging fruits and vegetables and learn about modern farming methods.

I purchased tickets for the animal farm and paid an additional SR25 for a basket of animal feed, which included cattle feed, bird food, clover, grains and lettuce. Visitors can keep the reusable straw basket for future visits. The dark brown basket with a blue base adds to the countryside aesthetic. The farm opens daily to visitors at 4:30 p.m.

A toddler gets a close encounter with a goat at the Little Farm. (AN photo by Nada Hameed)

The maze-like entrance creates the atmosphere of a secret garden. Visitors are first greeted by a group of large turkeys, loudly announcing their presence. I quickly moved toward the duck pond, as ducks are my son’s favorite birds. We enjoyed feeding them lettuce by the water. Both the ducks and the pond were clean, and the experience was enjoyable enough that my son wanted to stay there for the rest of the visit.

We then moved to the turtle enclosure, where the animals appeared active and eager to be fed. In the goat section, children were allowed to hold a baby goat, which quickly became a highlight for many families. We also fed goats and sheep, the farm indeed provided an engaging and educational experience for children. Ponies, cows, donkeys and geese were also there.

The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time. The reactions are truly priceless.

The animal shelters were clean and spacious, and the farm offers a good variety of animals. Staff members were helpful and welcoming, and overall prices were reasonable for the experience offered. For more information, check the farm’s Instagram account @littlefarmksa.