In the beginning, they came “on foot and on every lean camel”, according to one Quranic verse. Today, the pilgrims fulfilling their once-in-a-lifetime commitment to undertake the Hajj are more likely to arrive by air.
However the two million believers now embarking on five days of spiritual renewal have travelled, they are becoming as one with a holy tradition that stretches back, unbroken, for centuries as they follow the steps first taken by Prophet Mohammed.
Hajj is a time for introspection as Muslim pilgrims begin their spiritual journey in the company of believers from all around the world. Despite cultural differences and language barriers, they are united by their faith in God and Prophet Mohammed. This year Muslims from more than 150 different nations have passed through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Every step of the modern pilgrim's path is smoothed by technology, from the innovative Makkah Route process, which allows travellers to complete immigration checks in their home country, to the battery of sophisticated passport-control and biometric systems that ensure they are welcomed and ushered quickly on their way upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. For the vast majority, this will be their first visit to the holy sites. The official Manasikana app will help pilgrims to navigate through the five stages of Hajj, while universal wifi and 4G coverage ensures they can remain in contact with distant families.
For pilgrims from faraway countries, travelling to Makkah was once an arduous journey by camel train, exposing them for months on end to the hardships and dangers of the desert.
As early as the eighth century, however, a road with rest houses and forts was constructed to ease the 1,400km journey from Iraq to Makkah. In 1908, the Hejaz railway was inaugurated to carry pilgrims the 1,320km from Damascus to Medina. Just after the Second World War, one of the first flights operated by the Kingdom’s fledging national airline carried pilgrims from Palestine to Jeddah.
Technology, in other words, has long been integral to the Hajj. Far from divorcing the experience of the modern pilgrim from that of the generations in whose footsteps they tread, the innovations of today serve only to reinforce a continuity of devotion and progress that spans the ages.
Today, those who have undertaken to make the great journey of a lifetime are as one with their predecessors as they are with each other, the highest and lowest levelled and united in pursuit of the same purpose. As they renew their commitment to the higher ideals of their faith, Muslims around the world will be wishing them well on their timeless spiritual journey.
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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More from Armen Sarkissian
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,050,000
On sale: now
