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Pilgrims scale Mount Arafat in high point of biggest Covid-era Haj

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Huge crowds of pilgrims started praying on Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat early on Friday, the high point of the biggest Haj pilgrimage since the pandemic forced drastic cuts in numbers for two years in a row.

The worshippers, capped at one million including 850,000 from abroad chosen by lottery, spent the night at camps in the valley of Mina, seven kilometres from Makkah’s Grand Mosque.

In the early hours of Friday, they converged on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) delivered his final sermon, for the most important of the Haj rituals.

They will stay all day at the site, praying and reciting the Quran.

Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters
Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters

After sunset, they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they will sleep under the stars before performing the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ceremony on Saturday.

This year’s Haj is taking place against the backdrop of a resurgence of Covid-19 in the region, with some Gulf countries tightening restrictions to keep outbreaks in check.

All participants were required to submit proof of full vaccination and negative PCR tests. Upon reaching Mina on Thursday, they were handed small bags containing masks and sanitisers.

Pilgrims walk under sprinklers as they make their way for prayers outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's Makkah. — AFP
Pilgrims walk under sprinklers as they make their way for prayers outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah. — AFP

The Haj, usually one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, is among the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives.

In 2019, some 2.5 million Muslims from around the world took part, as in previous years.

But the coronavirus outbreak has since forced Saudi authorities to dramatically downsize the Haj. Just 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents of the kingdom participated in 2021, up from a few thousand in 2020.

Sun and tears

The pilgrimage can be physically draining even in ideal conditions, but worshippers this year have faced an added challenge: scorching sun and temperatures rising to 42 degrees Celsius.

Islam forbids men from wearing hats once the rites start, and many have been seen shielding themselves with umbrellas, prayer mats and even, in one case, a small bucket filled with water.

Women, meanwhile, are obliged to cover their heads with scarves.

On the mountain Friday morning, many of the worshippers wept as they prayed, and carried umbrellas in preparation for the high temperatures later in the day.

Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters
Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters

Extreme conditions

“We can tolerate (the heat). We are here for the Haj. The more we tolerate, the more our pilgrimage is accepted,” Laila, a 64-year-old Iraqi pilgrim who gave only her first name, told AFP in Makkah before reaching the mount.

Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters
Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters

Saudi officials have touted their preparations for the extreme conditions, highlighting the hundreds of hospital beds allocated for heat stroke patients and the “large number of misting fans” they have provided.

A truck has also been allocated to distribute umbrellas, water bottles and small fans.

Nevertheless, the National Centre for Meteorology, which has set up an office in Mina, is sending warnings to pilgrims on their mobile phones, urging them to avoid outdoor rituals at certain times of the day, especially at noon.

Pilgrims pray on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj. — Reuters
Pilgrims pray on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj. — Reuters

On Saturday, pilgrims will take part in the “stoning”, the last major ritual of this year’s Haj.

This ritual has in past years led to deadly stampedes, as hundreds of thousands of participants converge on a small space.

After the stoning ritual, pilgrims return to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform a final “tawaf” or circling of the Kaaba. Eidul Azha marks the end of Haj.

Education

Students from Balochistani start their academic adventure in China.

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China is the destination of ten Gwadar Institute of Technology (GIT) students who are going there for school. They will be pursuing Associate Engineering Diplomas at Hebei Jiaotong Vocational and Technical College after being chosen for the Sino-Pak Dual Diploma Program.

These students had the privilege of seeing the Chinese Consul General in Karachi prior to their departure, where they were greeted with warmth and given support for their future ambitions.

These ten people, who are from Pasni, Turbat, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, and Surab, among other places, exemplify the talent and diversity of Balochistan.

The Government of Balochistan and the well-known Chinese corporation Tang are supporting this opportunity, which gives these youngsters a grant to help with their study overseas.

The children would want to express their sincere gratitude to the Pakistan Army and the Government of Balochistan for making this opportunity possible.

They are excited to take advantage of this opportunity to continue their studies and support Balochstan’s growth, especially through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

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Amid controversy surrounding judges’ letters, PM Sharif will meet with CJP Isa today.

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Today’s key meeting between Pakistan’s Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is planned in the midst of ongoing discussions regarding a letter sent by six justices of the Islamabad High Court regarding outside meddling in court cases.

Azam Nazir Tarar, the minister of law, and Mansoor Usman Awan, the attorney general for Pakistan, are expected to accompany Prime Minister Sharif to the CJP meeting.

The meeting follows a full court session that CJP Isa called on Wednesday, with the express purpose of addressing issues brought up in a letter signed by six judges of the Islamabad High Court.

All of the participating judges carefully examined the letter’s contents during the session, analyzing both its constitutional and legal consequences. Discussions about the letter’s publication’s legal and constitutional ramifications were also included in the session.

All of the judges actively participated in the lengthy two hours and twelve minute discussion, offering their thoughts on the subject at hand.

According to sources, the top judge of Pakistan is expected to chair another full court meeting today. It is anticipated that this session would examine the letter’s contents in greater detail, with additional evaluation and discussion among the SC judges.

On Wednesday, the bar associations of the High Courts of Islamabad, Lahore, Sindh, and Balochistan urged that the CJP conduct a “transparent inquiry” into the matter and that those responsible for it face legal repercussions.

Its cabinet “strongly condemned the interference of one institution into the matters of another institution,” according to a press release from the IHCBA.

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Jordan and Pakistan emphasize how vital a ceasefire in Gaza is.

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Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, called Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Dar said on his X timeline that during the discussion, they talked about the state of affairs in Gaza and denounced the actions of Israel.

The two leaders demanded that help be sent to Gaza without hindrance.

“I am excited to collaborate closely with the foreign minister of Jordan to develop our bilateral relations into a multi-level partnership,” he said.

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