MINA: Thanks to computer technology and SMS messaging, pilgrims were able to make their Eid Al-Adha sacrifice without getting blood on their hands.
The more than 1.8 million pilgrims from around the world had the option of computerized coupons to order a sacrifice — without even seeing the animal.
Many among the world’s more than 1.5 billion Muslims themselves pick up a knife and kill sheep or other animals to mark Eid Al-Adha.
“If each pilgrim himself sacrificed a sheep, there wouldn’t be enough space,” said Rabie Saleh, a Sudanese in line at a Saudi Post office at the Jamrat Bridge.
In the past, pilgrims themselves sacrificed animals before handing meat to the poor.
“But now there are millions of pilgrims. If each sacrificed a sheep, that would take days and days,” said 33-year-old Saudi pilgrim Mishal Al-Qahtani.
So the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) devised the electronic coupon system.
For SR460 this year, agencies located around holy sites visited by the pilgrims take charge of the sacrifice.
“As soon as someone buys from us, a request is sent to the bank through our system and a sheep is slaughtered in an abattoir,” explained Mansour Al-Malki, 45, a Saudi Post employee.
The meat is then cut up and handed out to the less fortunate in and around Makkah or sent overseas, said Al-Malki. “Before, there were paper coupons but now it is computerized.”
Al-Qahtani received a receipt showing he had paid for the sacrifice.
“They told me that I will soon get an SMS to tell me that a sheep has really been slaughtered,” Al-Qahtani said.
Haj goes high-tech for bloodless Eid sacrifices
Haj goes high-tech for bloodless Eid sacrifices
Saudi meteorology center warns of heavy rain across Kingdom, public told to avoid flood-prone areas
- Stay away from valleys and waterways at least until Thursday, Civil Defense cautions
- National Center for Meteorology center warns of possible thunderstorms and dust storms
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned of thunderstorms across the Kingdom that could lead to flash floods, and officials cautioned the public against venturing in low-lying places prone to flooding.
In its weather forecast for Sunday, the meteorology center said “moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and active winds that will stir up dust and sand” in several provinces of the Kingdom.
These include Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and parts of the Eastern Province. Light to moderate storms are expected in parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf and Tabuk, the NCM said.
In a separate advisory, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to avoid places prone to flash floods and valleys at least until December 18.
Since the past few days, various parts of Saudi Arabia had been blessed with light to moderate rain as full winter weather set in.
In separate reports, the Saudi Press Agency published images of beautiful landscapes that have emerged after being revitalized by rain.
Deserts rejuvenated
Among these are Al-Nafud (The Great Nafud Desert) in the Kingdom’s north, where moderate to heavy rainfall have “transformed the landscape, turning the golden sand dunes into stunning formations,” and also created streams and lakes.
“The cool weather has since made the Nafud a prime destination for desert and camping enthusiasts from inside and outside (Rafha) governorate,” SPA said.
Rain have also rejuvenated the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, the Kingdom’s second-largest nature reserve, spanning parts of the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf and Eastern Province.
In the Northern Borders province, the Wadi Arar has come alive, refilling the province’s 11 operational dams.
“The deserts of Arar City ... have become an enchanting destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts following recent rainfall. The resulting rainfalls have created a stunning scenery, with flowing streams winding through sand dunes and ravines,” SPA said.
Cool, verdant mountains
In Asir and adjacent provinces in the southwest, fog shrouding mountain peaks and the city of Abha have resulted in beautiful winter sceneries, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Futher south in Najran province, days of rain have increased vegetation cover and revitalized the valley’s natural streams.
One of the foremost attractions is the Wadi Mughaydid on the slopes of the Sarawat range’s Maghra Mountains in northwest Najran, renowned for its pristine natural beauty.
Stretching 25 kilometers from Bir Askar Park to Shaab Baran, the valley’s unique geography combines verdant plains with towering mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature enthusiasts, according to SPA.
