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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.

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A 4.9-magnitude earthquake rattles Swat and surrounding areas.

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Late on Thursday night, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 shook the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as the surrounding districts of Swat.

Fearfully, people emerged from their houses and began reciting passages from the Holy Quran. The earthquake did not cause any documented casualties or damage to property in any area in Swat.

The earthquake’s epicenter, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre in Islamabad, was situated 71 kilometers deep in the border region between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake that struck earlier in the day rocked several Pakistani cities, including Islamabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, and the Swat valley. In addition, Lower Dir, Malakand, and Muzaffarabad all experienced earthquakes.

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LHC requests report on dangers to PTI founder’s life

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The Punjab Advocate General’s report about threats to the life of PTI founder Imran Khan while he was incarcerated was requested by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday.

Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed Khan of the LHC Court made the order while considering a request for the PTI founder’s security in jail made by President Afzal Azim of the Tehreek-e-Insaf Lawyers Forum.

Advocate Afzal requested that the court impose severe security measures on the PTI founder, arguing that the jail authorities had prohibited their meeting with him due to security concerns.

Advocate General Khalid Ishaq questioned the application’s maintainability as soon as the proceedings began. He stated that since it was the Punjab government’s responsibility to safeguard him, he would request a report on security concerns.

We cannot afford any more significant mishaps, Chief Justice Khan said. While Benazir Bhutto and Liaquat Ali Khan were slain, the founder of the PTI managed to elude a murderous attempt on his life.

He gave the counsel general instructions to find out how concerned the PTI founder is about security.

The plea can be heard in the Rawalpindi bench, not in the primary seat, the advocate general objected.

The hearing was postponed till April 3 by Chief Justice Khan, who instructed Attorney Afzal to present his petition on the following date.

Recall that on Thursday, Advocate Afzal petitioned the court to order the Punjab Home Department and the federal government to give the PTI founder greater security.

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Eid package for deserving individuals approved by KP cabinet

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Details reveal that the cabinet also gave its approval for the purchase of cars and security gear for the police in the combined districts, totaling Rs 7.6 billion.

The decision was granted today in Peshawar at a cabinet meeting presided over by provincial chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

The Information Technology Board and a Special Technology Zone Authority’s Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of Pakistan Digital City were approved at the meeting.

The Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization’s executive committee members and chief executive officer are appointed according to guidelines that the cabinet has agreed upon.

It is important to note that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur previously declared that his government’s top goal was to restore peace and order to the province. He also stated that a detailed strategy had been established for this purpose.

He declared that the plan will soon be put into action because improving the state of law and order is essential to the development of any area.

He added that the protection of the police and other troops would also be a priority.
According to the chief minister, the government has brought back the “health card” feature.

He declared, “We have to improve the treatment facilities at public hospitals” and expressed hope that soon everyone will be able to receive treatment at public hospitals without needing to go to private ones.

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