Saudi disability body, Amazon introduce Alexa tech to help educate children
Updated 12 March 2024
SPA
RIYADH: The Children with Disability Association in Saudi Arabia has collaborated with Amazon to introduce an Alexa program designed for education and rehabilitation.
Arabic content has been created for Alexa devices to address the specific rehabilitation needs of children, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
There have been 28 Alexa devices set up in various classrooms and rehabilitation areas, to help modernize the association’s learning environments.
Ahmed Al-Tamimi, CEO of the Children with Disability Association, led a delegation — including representatives from Alexa, Amazon and the Ministry of Education — on a tour of the Riyadh center on March 7.
The visit showcased how Alexa devices are integrated into the center’s programs and explored the potential of the technology to further support services for specialists and children with disabilities.
Saudi medical team performs brain surgery on Turkish pilgrim
70-year-old Turkish female Hajj pilgrim suffered a hemorrhage
Updated 7 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: A Saudi medical team from the neurosciences center at King Abdullah Medical City performed a complex brain operation on a 70-year-old Turkish female Hajj pilgrim who had suffered a hemorrhage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The team acted quickly to relieve pressure on the woman’s brain, drilling a hole in the skull and inserting a drainage tube.
X-rays identified an arteriovenous malformation in a critical area of the brain, which was treated using advanced medical techniques. There were no complications.
When the patient regained consciousness she was able to be taken off the respirator.
Her health is gradually improving, and plans are being made to allow her to complete Hajj with full medical supervision.
Hajj pilgrims from around the world celebrate Eid Al-Adha at the holy sites
Abdullah, a pilgrim from Egypt, told Arab News: “Praise be to God, this is our first hajj and thankfully it went smoothly”
Updated 21 min 14 sec ago
Ghadi Joudah
MAKKAH: Hajj pilgrims, hailing from various corners of the globe, embarked on a profound journey from Muzdalifah to Jamarat on Sunday, culminating in a joyous celebration of Eid Al-Adha.
The diversity of languages, cultures, and backgrounds present at Jamarat showcased the universal appeal of Islam and the importance of coming together in shared faith.
Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice in English, has its roots in the story of the Prophet Ibrahim, who God instructed in a dream to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as a test of faith.
The diversity of languages, cultures, and backgrounds present at Jamarat showcase the universal appeal of Islam. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
As he was about to make the sacrifice, God intervened and sent the Angel Gabriel with a ram to be sacrificed instead.
Devoted individuals, who traversed vast distances to partake in the sacred pilgrimage, unite in shared reverence and harmony to mark the significant occasion.
Abdullah, a pilgrim from Egypt, told Arab News: “Praise be to God, this is our first hajj and thankfully it went smoothly.”
Abdullah said that he and his mother went to Arafat, and from Arafat to Muzdalifah, then on to Mina. “We came to Jamarat here, and thank God everything went well.
“Honestly, it is an indescribable feeling for someone experiencing it for the first time. It is a blessing from God that he brought us here, and may he grant us this opportunity every year,” he said.
As his son was cutting his hair, Suleiman Ali, a 70-year-old pilgrim from Indonesia, told Arab News that he is blessed to be spending Eid Al-Adha in Makkah with his family.
“The first time I performed Hajj was in 1993, and I never thought God would bless me with another chance but with my family this time.”
Asma, a pilgrim from India, told Arab News it is her first time in Saudi Arabia and performing Hajj.
“I am happy to be here with my parents, my husband, my brother-in-law, and his wife,” she said.
“It is a very emotional journey for us because we always dreamed of celebrating Eid Al-Adha here.”
Asma said that they still have not performed their animal sacrifice but they are excited to do so.
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah and the holy sites brings together people from all walks of life, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of unity among believers.
The diversity and unity among pilgrims serve as a poignant reminder of the universal bond that transcends geographical borders and cultural differences.
MINA: The Saudi National Water Company has reported that the amount of water that was pumped and distributed to Makkah and the holy sites on Arafat Day reached around 1 billion liters.
It added that the holy sites consumed 286 million liters, while over 704 million liters were distributed through Makkah’s public water systems.
It said the distribution was supported by the supervision and follow-up of the company’s engineers and supervisors from the working areas covering Makkah and the holy sites.
The company said its operations and water supplies work were in accordance with the plans set in advance to serve pilgrims. These plans included pumping water to the holy sites and the Grand Mosque’s facilities 24/7, in addition to maintaining pumping 21 hours per day for the neighborhoods in Makkah.
It emphasized the absence of any disruptions to its operations, affirming that field teams were always ready to handle and address any emergency.
The company said it carried out about 4,840 laboratory tests on Arafat Day to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims.
Saudi crown prince receives Eid Al-Adha greetings from Bahraini king
King Hamad lauded the exceptional organization witnessed during this year's Hajj season
Updated 16 June 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Sunday from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during which they exchanged with them Eid Al-Adha greetings, Saudi Press Agency reported.
King Hamad lauded the exceptional organization witnessed during this year's Hajj season, which facilitated pilgrims performing their religious rituals with safety and ease.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his gratitude to King Hamad for his noble sentiments, asking God to accept the pilgrims’ Hajj and good deeds.
It is here Muslims believe devil tried to talk Prophet Ibrahim out of submitting to God’s will
Pilgrims then return to Makkah to do Tawaf, circumambulation of Kaaba
Updated 16 June 2024
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Hajj pilgrims on Sunday reached Jamarat Bridge as they advanced through Mina for the final rite, the stoning of the devil, on the first day of Tashreeq.
It is here that Muslims believe the devil tried to talk the Prophet Ibrahim out of submitting to God’s will. On the 10th day of Dul Hijjah, Hajj pilgrims collect small stones that they throw at three pillars in the Jamarat Al-Aqaba, representing the devil.
Huge crowds lined up to perform the rite, many holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. The pilgrims say “Allah-u Akbar” (“God is the greatest”) each time they cast a pebble.
Pilgrims can stone the pillars any time from midday to midnight on the day of the ritual.
After finishing the ritual, male pilgrims traditionally shave or cut their hair and change out of their ihram. Women cut a lock of their hair.
The ihram symbolizes equality, religious unity and the pursuit of spiritual renewal.
Security guards sprayed the pilgrims with water as they braved searing heat to reach the Jamarat complex. Temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius have been recorded at the Hajj this year.
The pilgrims will then return to Makkah to do Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kaaba.
Junaid Nizami, a pilgrim from Pakistan, told Arab News that he was impressed by the arrangements in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
“My experience in Jamarat was good and they prepared very well for the pilgrims. Also, the system (is created) in a way where no one can clash with each other. There are police, medical staff and helpers who are supporting the people.”
After dawn prayers, when pilgrims leave Muzdalifah and proceed to Jamarat to take part in the stoning rite, women and older pilgrims can delegate this responsibility to a male in their spiritual journey.
