Haj pilgrims have been urged to make use of the Kingdom’s sacrificial meat utilization program, which is aimed at helping the faithful perform their sacrifices in an orderly and hygienic manner in order to prevent environmental pollution at the holy sites of Mina and Makkah.
Ahmed Mohamed Ali, president of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), which supervises the prestigious "Adahi" program, has said that the Saudi government has spent more than SR1 billion to build infrastructure facilities for the project, which include advanced slaughter houses and huge cold storage.
“We deploy about 40,000 workers including veterinarians, administrators and butchers, to carry out the project every year,” Ali told a press conference at the IDB headquarters.
The meat for this year’s sacrificial animals will be distributed among the poor in 28 countries, as well as in different parts of Saudi Arabia.
Last year, the project utilized meat of 961,829 sheep. “We have made arrangements to utilize the meat of one million sheep and 10,000 cows and camels during this Haj season,” Ali said. This year, IDB has fixed the price of a single sacrificial sheep at SR490 ($131 or 99 euros). “Despite the rise in prices of livestock worldwide, we have managed to import an adequate number of sheep at a reasonable rate,” the president said.
He requested foreign Haj missions to encourage their pilgrims to purchase Adahi coupons for sacrifice, including hady, fidya, odhiya, sadaqa and aqeqa, through Al-Rajhi Bank, Saudi Post, Al-Amoudi Exchange and Haji & Mutamir Gift Association.
Hajis urged to support Adahi project
Hajis urged to support Adahi project
Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons
- It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content
TAIF: A special section highlighting key Saudi literary figures forms part of the Writers and Readers Festival in Taif.
The area explores the lives of distinguished writers, poets, and authors who have shaped the Kingdom’s creative landscape, influencing literature, journalism, theater and intellectual thought.
It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the festival runs until Jan. 15 and features 42 prominent publishing houses from Saudi Arabia and overseas, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest works in literature, philosophy and general knowledge.
Meanwhile, the festival’s interactive murals section engages visitors with openwork art panels, allowing them to contribute to the city’s features and identity.
The murals depict Taif’s natural and historical landmarks, including Al-Hada Mountain, the Taif rose gardens, and traditional Hijazi palaces. Others are inspired by Souq Okaz, a historic literary and commercial center linked to the region’s poetic heritage.
Designed by a visual artist, they blend folk-inspired elements with imaginative expression, creating a collaborative experience that celebrates the city’s beauty and brings art closer to the public.
