JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and interior minister, deserves the title of “royal military commander” for having been at the forefront of the fight against terrorists attempting to undermine
the country.
Prince Mohammed, who has received royal honors for his efforts, has considerable expertise in the security arena, having established one of the most advanced and effective services in the world.
There have been four attempts on his life, which he survived thanks to the grace of God. More than six years ago, during Ramadan, an extremist who claimed he wanted to turn himself in, blew himself up causing the prince slight injuries. He was also attacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists in Yemen.
Prince Mohammed has been widely credited for successfully taking on the most dangerous assignment ever to face an interior minister anywhere. Even as a deputy minister, he was able to combat the rising threat of Al-Qaeda in 2003.
Since assuming the role as head of counter-terrorism measures, Prince Mohammed has revamped the structure of the various agencies involved in keeping the country safe, including the revision of anti-terrorism legislation.
He has ensured a crackdown on terrorist organizations, with legal action taken against criminals in accordance with Islamic law, while tight restrictions were imposed on the manufacture, import, sale, trade and acquisition of weapons, ammunition, equipment and spare parts. This was in accordance with the arms and ammunition regulations issued in 1981 and updated in 2005.
Prince Mohammed has introduced several innovations to fight extremism and terrorism, including the adoption of modern technology, training by providing scholarships for Saudis to study abroad, and special courses in the Kingdom for officers.
Among the most recent changes, Prince Mohammed has made it easier for citizens and residents to take advantage of the Interior Ministry’s services, with most available online.
There has also been a smartphone application launched that allows citizens and residents to inform the ministry about any security, criminal or traffic reports directly and anonymously from their phones, either through a video or sound clip.
Officers have been tasked to receive and address these reports through 39 operation rooms across the country. Citizens and residents can also follow up on reports made through the app.
Prince Mohammed’s initiatives at the ministry have received widespread acclaim locally, regionally and globally. The Kingdom’s unique experiences have been used as a model by other countries in their efforts to fight terrorism.
The prince was formerly honored by the late King Fahd with a sash belonging to King Faisal for successfully storming and rescuing passengers on board a Russian plane hijacked at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah in 2001. The late King Abdullah awarded him the sash of King Abdulaziz in 2009.
Mohammed bin Naif — at the forefront of anti-terror efforts
Mohammed bin Naif — at the forefront of anti-terror efforts
900,000 copies of the Quran for pilgrims at Madinah airports
- Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs has meticulously prepared the Al-Khandaq, Sayyid Al-Shuhada, and Qiblatain mosques with an integrated service system
- Ministry has arranged for the distribution of copies of the Quran — a gift from the Saudi leadership — to the departing pilgrims.
MADINAH: Osama Madkhali, director of the Madinah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, said preparations are ongoing to assist departing pilgrims, especially those who quickly proceed to visit Madinah and leave through its airports.
He highlighted that coordination with the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran in Madinah has ensured the allocation of more than 900,000 copies of the Quran to the region. These copies have been stored and distributed to locations at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport in Yanbu, where the departure halls at both airports have been prepared to assist pilgrims.
The ministry has also completed its preparations to receive the first group of Hajj pilgrims, especially those departing quickly after fulfilling their Hajj rituals.
The ministry’s branch in Madinah has meticulously prepared the Al-Khandaq, Sayyid Al-Shuhada, and Qiblatain mosques with an integrated service system. This includes thorough cleaning, maintenance, air-conditioning units, water coolers and effective crowd management.
In addition to distributing guidance and awareness books to pilgrims visiting the large mosques, the ministry has arranged for the distribution of copies of the Quran — a gift from the Saudi leadership — to the departing pilgrims.
Paramedics in Makkah saving lives amid scorching heat
- Doctor Nawaf Karshami: It’s an amazing feeling to be able to help the pilgrims that need the help, and especially the elderly persons who are unable to walk
- Doctor Loui Al-Sulimani said that pilgrims can avoid heat exhaustion through proper hydration, self-cooling and avoiding the outdoors during peak heat hours
MAKKAH: Doctors and paramedics are saving the lives of pilgrims in Makkah amid scorching summer temperatures.
Arab News interviewed a Disaster Medical Assistant Team from the Ministry of Health. The team of doctors, who arrived from hospitals around Saudi Arabia, are putting their skills to use for Hajj.
Nawaf Karshami, a doctor and emergency medicine specialist, told Arab News that most of the pilgrim patients treated by the team are suffering from exhaustion due to high temperatures.
“We have very high degrees, especially here in Makkah. So, most of the pilgrims came in need of hydration and needed to be covered from the sun with ice bags.
“Thankfully, we did our best to help the pilgrims, to smooth the way of the pilgrims to do their Hajj and perform their Hajj. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to help the pilgrims that need the help, and especially the elderly persons who are unable to walk.”
Doctor Loui Al-Sulimani, a consultant in emergency and disaster medicine, said pilgrims can avoid heat exhaustion through proper hydration, self-cooling and avoiding the outdoors during peak heat hours.
He also advised pilgrims to “wear protective, cool clothes, and also use an umbrella and any coverage for your head.”
The unit has received many cases of foot injuries, Al-Sulimani said, adding: “Because of the hot weather, most of the cases related to the suboptimal shoes.
“We are glad that we are participating this year and the previous year, and high season, with all responding agencies here to provide the best care for our pilgrims.”
Doctor Abdulqader Salman, a doctor and emergency specialist, described the “incredible experience” of helping pilgrims.
“We did not face any difficult challenges, thank God. As the Disaster Medical Assistant Team, we really worked together to help out the pilgrims.”
Health services provided to worshipers include medical and specialized clinics, pharmacies, dialysis centers, intensive care units and isolation units, the Health Ministry said in a report quoted by the Saudi Press Agency.
The ministry also has 250 employees and health practitioners on hand to aid pilgrims, including 50 doctors specialized in intensive care, cardiology, emergency, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, family and community medicine, and fighting infections.
The Saudi health system seeks to provide the highest levels of care for pilgrims with health facilities across Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.
Before the beginning of the Hajj season, the ministry urged people in Saudi Arabia to receive vaccinations and to register them via the Sehhaty app, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Mandatory vaccinations include a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and one of the influenza vaccines taken this year, along with a dose of the meningitis vaccine taken within the past five years.
Pilgrims cast stones at Jamarat on first day of Tashreeq
- Numerous designated pathways across the various floors of the Jamarat facility ensured a smooth flow of pilgrims
- Innovative, multilevel structure was engineered to distribute pilgrims efficiently during the throwing ritual
MINA: Hajj pilgrims began the ritual stoning of the devil, throwing pebbles at the Jamarat, three stone pillars, on the first day of Tashreeq, which also coincides with the second day of Eid Al-Adha.
The ritual stoning began with Jamarat Al-Oula (the small pillar), continuing with Jamarat Al-Wusta (the middle pillar) and finally Jamarat Al-Aqaba (the large pillar), following in the Prophet Muhammad’s footsteps, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Numerous designated pathways across the various floors of the Jamarat facility ensured a smooth flow of pilgrims and eased crowd management. The innovative, multilevel structure was engineered to distribute pilgrims efficiently during the throwing ritual.
Pedestrian bridges connect the Jamarat to the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro Line and surrounding pilgrim camps in Mina, allowing for safe and convenient movement, SPA reported.
Egyptian president leaves Jeddah after performing Hajj
RIYADH: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi left Jeddah on Monday after performing Hajj, Saudi Press Agency reported.
El-Sisi arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday and prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before performing his Hajj rituals.
Ensuring Hajj safety, security from the skies
- The patrols are crucial for monitoring the density of pilgrim crowds
- The helicopter also includes medical rescue and care devices that can be installed inside the cabin as needed
MINA: Saudi authorities are carrying out helicopter surveillance flights around the clock to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during Hajj.
Under the Hajj Security Forces, the Security Aviation Command, operating under the Presidency of State Security, in collaboration with the Royal Saudi Air Force, this Hajj season is witnessing the deployment of advanced aircraft to oversee the movements of pilgrims in Makkah and its surrounding holy sites.
Speaking to the Interior Ministry’s Snapchat account, Col. Shaker bin Sulaiman Al-Tuwaijiri, deputy commander of the Hajj Security Forces’ aerial surveillance operations, said that the Hajj security forces are supervising the movement of pilgrims from the sky day and night.
“Flights of the General Security Aviation Command and the Royal Saudi Air Forces are deployed using top-tier helicopters, the latest technological enablers and artificial intelligence,” he said, adding that staff members are highly qualified due to their cumulative experience.
The patrols are crucial for monitoring the density of pilgrim crowds, ensuring that potential disruptions and dangers are swiftly identified and addressed, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The mission is closely integrated with the Hajj Command and Control Center, which receives live videos and images for prompt analysis and responsive action on the ground.
The information helps ground personnel manage the movement of vehicles and pilgrims between locations.
Some security helicopters, such as the S-92, are equipped with 270-foot rescue winches, thermal cameras operating in infrared and laser wavelengths, and a cargo hook capable of lifting more than 4.5 tonnes.
The helicopter also includes medical rescue and care devices that can be installed inside the cabin as needed. Passenger cabin seats can be configured for evacuation purposes.
The S-92 features an autopilot system and flight management and planning controls, according to the Interior Ministry’s website.
