The rare sight of arid mountains in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah region have been turned into a lush green landscape after the kingdom saw heavy rainfall and thunder over the past few days.

Mountains in Makkah turn green after heavy rainfall

For the first time, Indian Hajis arriving at Jeddah Airport will travel to Makkah via the High-Speed Harmain Train, reducing their travel time by half.

Indian Hajis take high-speed train from Jeddah airport to Makkah for the first time

In a key initiative, Indian Hajis arriving at Jeddah Airport will now have the opportunity to travel to Makkah via the Haramain High-Speed Train, smoothening the overall pilgrimage.

In a key initiative, Indian Hajis arriving at Jeddah Airport will now have the opportunity to travel to Makkah via the Haramain High-Speed Train, smoothening the overall pilgrimage. Traditionally, all pilgrims travelling from Jeddah to Makkah have used buses provided by Saudi authorities. However, this year, special arrangements have been made by the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, in association with Saudi authorities, to transport around 32,000 Indian Hajis using the high-speed rail service. Also read: Goldman Sachs receives license to establish regional headquarters in Riyadh This new initiative promises a comfortable journey for the pilgrims and significantly reduces the travel time between Jeddah and Makkah. The Haramain High-Speed Train is capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h, cutting the travel time by half compared to the bus service. This development marks a significant improvement in the logistical arrangements for the pilgrimage, enhancing the overall experience for the Hajis. On May 26, the inaugural journey of this new service was marked by the presence of key officials. Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, and Consul General Mohd Shahid Alam escorted the first group of Indian pilgrims on the train from Jeddah Airport to Makkah. "This is not only a first for Indian pilgrims but also an inaugural experience for Saudi authorities in transporting Hajis by train directly from Jeddah Airport to Makkah," Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan said. The introduction of the high-speed train service is seen as a significant step towards improving the logistics of the Haj pilgrimage and also shows the collaborative efforts between Indian and Saudi authorities. Also read: Saudi Arabia`s national airline orders over 100 new Airbus jets They were accompanied by Eng. Al Harbi, Vice President of Saudi Arabian Railways, and other officials from the Ministry of Haj and the Ministry of Transport. The group of pilgrims had arrived in Jeddah on a Saudia Air flight from Mumbai. The Indian consulate in Jeddah has been working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure the smooth implementation of this new facility. This year, a total of 175,000 Hajis from India will perform the Hajj pilgrimage, with 140,000 of them facilitated by the Haj Committee of India. The remaining pilgrims will travel through private tour operators.

Indian Hajis take high-speed train from Jeddah airport to Makkah for the first time

The city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia hosted the second Open Yoga Asana Championship. The event was organised by Al Veda Saudi Arabia club with both boys and girls participating in the event.

Saudi Arabia Open Yoga Asana Championship in Makkah | First event held in Jeddah in 2022

Saudi Arabia's Makkah hosted the second Saudi Open Yoga Asana Championship on 27th January, Saturday. Hosted by Al-Wehda Saudi Club, the event saw the participation of several girls and 10 boys who competed at the championship.

The championship, a testament to the growing popularity of yoga in Saudi Arabia, attracted participants from Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Taif, and other cities, highlighting the diverse and widespread interest in the ancient practice.

Organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee, the festival was held under the auspices of the Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports, signaling the official recognition of yoga as a legitimate sporting activity.

Nouf Al-Marwaai, the President of the Saudi Yoga Committee, was present at the event emphasising the importance of yoga in promoting physical and mental well-being.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/imf-improves-world-growth-forecast-india-to-grow-by-67-per-cent-685223">IMF raises world economy growth forecast, pegs up India’s growth to 6.5 per cent</a>

Consul General of India, Mohammed Shahid Alam, also attended the championship, underlining the diplomatic and cultural exchange that events like these facilitate between Saudi Arabia and India.

The presence of international delegates underscored the event's significance on the global yoga stage, showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to embracing and promoting yoga as a holistic discipline.

The Saudi Open Yoga Asana Championship marked its debut in Jeddah in 2022, and its success prompted the expansion of the event to Makkah this year.

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The growing interest and participation in yoga are indicative of a broader societal shift towards embracing diverse forms of physical and mental fitness.

Yoga, which was officially allowed in the country in November 2017, has seen a steady rise in popularity as more people recognise its numerous benefits.

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The formation of the Saudi Yoga Committee in May 2021, subsequently recognised as the new Saudi Yoga Federation, further solidified the commitment to fostering a thriving yoga community in the country.

As Saudi Arabia continues to embrace the practice of yoga, events like the Saudi Open Yoga Asana Championship play a crucial role in promoting wellness, unity, and cultural exchange.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's Makkah hosted the second Saudi Open Yoga Asana Championship on 27th January, Saturday. Hosted by Al-Wehda Saudi Club, the event saw the participation of several girls and 10 boys who competed at the championship.

Saudi Arabia's Makkah hosted the second Saudi Open Yoga Asana Championship on 27th January, Saturday. Hosted by Al-Wehda Saudi Club, the event saw the participation of several girls and 10 boys who competed at the championship. The championship, a testament to the growing popularity of yoga in Saudi Arabia, attracted participants from Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Taif, and other cities, highlighting the diverse and widespread interest in the ancient practice. Organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee, the festival was held under the auspices of the Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports, signaling the official recognition of yoga as a legitimate sporting activity. Nouf Al-Marwaai, the President of the Saudi Yoga Committee, was present at the event emphasising the importance of yoga in promoting physical and mental well-being. Also Read | IMF raises world economy growth forecast, pegs up India’s growth to 6.5 per cent Consul General of India, Mohammed Shahid Alam, also attended the championship, underlining the diplomatic and cultural exchange that events like these facilitate between Saudi Arabia and India. The presence of international delegates underscored the event's significance on the global yoga stage, showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to embracing and promoting yoga as a holistic discipline. The Saudi Open Yoga Asana Championship marked its debut in Jeddah in 2022, and its success prompted the expansion of the event to Makkah this year. Also Read | Indian Navy rescues hijacked Sri Lankan vessel, all six crew members safe The growing interest and participation in yoga are indicative of a broader societal shift towards embracing diverse forms of physical and mental fitness. Yoga, which was officially allowed in the country in November 2017, has seen a steady rise in popularity as more people recognise its numerous benefits. Watch | Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on India-Maldives ties × The formation of the Saudi Yoga Committee in May 2021, subsequently recognised as the new Saudi Yoga Federation, further solidified the commitment to fostering a thriving yoga community in the country. As Saudi Arabia continues to embrace the practice of yoga, events like the Saudi Open Yoga Asana Championship play a crucial role in promoting wellness, unity, and cultural exchange.

Saudi Arabia's Makkah hosts Yoga event

A citizen of Saudi Arabia was detained and thrown over to the Public Prosecution after it was claimed that he helped an Israeli-American journalist reach Mecca, the holiest shrine in Islam and a place that only Muslims are permitted to visit.

In violation of a restriction on non-Muslims, journalist Gil Tamary of Israel’s Channel 13 posted a video on Twitter on Monday showing himself sneaking into Mecca, the holiest city of Islam.

According to a police spokeswoman quoted by the Saudi Press Agency, Mecca regional police have “referred a citizen” to prosecutors for alleged involvement in “transferring and aiding the arrival of a (non-Muslim) journalist.”

The journalist, who is an American citizen, has also had his case forwarded to prosecutors so they can “take the necessary procedures against him in compliance with the applied laws,” according to Saudi Press Agency, which did not give the journalist’s identity. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-welcomes-1-million-for-biggest-hajj-pilgrimage-since-pandemic-494576">Also read | Saudi Arabia welcomes 1 million for biggest hajj pilgrimage since pandemic</a>

Saudi Arabia does not recognise Israel and did not sign the 2020 Abraham Accords, which were mediated by the US and saw the Jewish state forge connections with two of the kingdom’s neighbours, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, despite developing behind-the-scenes business and security contacts.

In his approximately ten-minute video, Tamary travels to Mount Arafat, where robed Muslim pilgrims assemble each year to pray at the pinnacle of the hajj pilgrimage.

He states unequivocally that he is aware his actions are forbidden, but yet claims he did it to highlight “a site that is so significant to our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

Tamary’s defence and later apologies failed to appease angry Saudi online comments.&nbsp;

Gil Tamary, the foreign affairs correspondent for Israel’s Channel 13, reported last Sunday that he was the first to finish a news report in Hebrew at the holiest place in Islam. Tamary acknowledged at the outset of his report, which the station aired, that he had entered Mecca without the Saudi government’s consent.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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A citizen of Saudi Arabia was detained and thrown over to the Public Prosecution after it was claimed that he helped an Israeli-American journalist reach Mecca, the holiest shrine in Islam and a place that only Muslims are permitted to visit.

A citizen of Saudi Arabia was detained and thrown over to the Public Prosecution after it was claimed that he helped an Israeli-American journalist reach Mecca, the holiest shrine in Islam and a place that only Muslims are permitted to visit. In violation of a restriction on non-Muslims, journalist Gil Tamary of Israel’s Channel 13 posted a video on Twitter on Monday showing himself sneaking into Mecca, the holiest city of Islam. According to a police spokeswoman quoted by the Saudi Press Agency, Mecca regional police have “referred a citizen” to prosecutors for alleged involvement in “transferring and aiding the arrival of a (non-Muslim) journalist.” The journalist, who is an American citizen, has also had his case forwarded to prosecutors so they can “take the necessary procedures against him in compliance with the applied laws,” according to Saudi Press Agency, which did not give the journalist’s identity. Also read | Saudi Arabia welcomes 1 million for biggest hajj pilgrimage since pandemic Saudi Arabia does not recognise Israel and did not sign the 2020 Abraham Accords, which were mediated by the US and saw the Jewish state forge connections with two of the kingdom’s neighbours, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, despite developing behind-the-scenes business and security contacts. In his approximately ten-minute video, Tamary travels to Mount Arafat, where robed Muslim pilgrims assemble each year to pray at the pinnacle of the hajj pilgrimage. He states unequivocally that he is aware his actions are forbidden, but yet claims he did it to highlight “a site that is so significant to our Muslim brothers and sisters.” Tamary’s defence and later apologies failed to appease angry Saudi online comments. Gil Tamary, the foreign affairs correspondent for Israel’s Channel 13, reported last Sunday that he was the first to finish a news report in Hebrew at the holiest place in Islam. Tamary acknowledged at the outset of his report, which the station aired, that he had entered Mecca without the Saudi government’s consent. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Non-Muslim journalist enters Mecca; Saudi police arrest citizen who helped him

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