
Kuwaiti hajj mission fully prepared as pilgrims reach holy sites
Kuwait mobilizes government and volunteer efforts to support 8,000 pilgrims
MAKKAH: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Head of the Kuwaiti hajj Mission Dr Bader Al-Mutairi, announced on Tuesday that all Kuwaiti pilgrims—estimated at approximately 8,000—have arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of 60 organized hajj convoys. The announcement comes as preparations intensify for the start of the annual pilgrimage.
In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Dr Al-Mutairi said that mission teams from various participating entities are operating at full capacity and are providing services around the clock at the holy sites to ensure the comfort and safety of Kuwaiti pilgrims.
He added that preparations at the key pilgrimage sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah have been completed in advance, underscoring the mission's goal of facilitating a safe and organized environment for pilgrims to carry out their religious duties.
Dr Al-Mutairi urged all Kuwaiti pilgrims to adhere to official guidelines issued by the Saudi authorities and to cooperate with the supervisory and service teams accompanying the Kuwaiti hajj mission.
The mission includes several government and NGOs tasked with supporting pilgrims. These include the Ministries of Islamic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Information, and Health, along with the General Fire Force, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, the Public Authority for Youth, and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS).
In a related development, KRCS Secretary-General Fahad Al-Mandeel confirmed the organization's participation in this year's hajj mission. KRCS volunteers will provide humanitarian aid, first aid services, and logistical support to pilgrims.
Al-Mandeel told KUNA that both male and female volunteers from the society will take part in the mission as part of KRCS's ongoing humanitarian role in serving pilgrims. He highlighted the society's continued collaboration with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and other official bodies.
He also commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its extensive efforts in organizing the hajj season, noting the early preparations, high-quality services, and coordination with international hajj missions, including Kuwait's.
According to Al-Mandeel, the KRCS delegation will deliver field medical services in coordination with Kuwaiti medical teams, assist elderly and ill pilgrims, and distribute necessary medical and informational materials. This is part of a broader, pre-planned program aimed at supporting pilgrims throughout the season.
He praised the dedication of KRCS volunteers, describing their participation as both a national and humanitarian responsibility. Al-Mandeel concluded by thanking all cooperating entities and expressing hope for a safe and spiritually fulfilling hajj for all pilgrims. — KUNA

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
KFAED illuminates its headquarters in blue to mark World Refugee Day
KUWAIT CITY, June 19: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) lit its headquarters in blue to mark World Refugee Day, reaffirming Kuwait's unwavering humanitarian stance and emphasizing the importance of international solidarity in alleviating the suffering of refugees around the globe. In a press statement issued Thursday, Acting Director General of the Fund, Waleed Al-Bahar, underscored Kuwait's and the Fund's long-standing commitment to supporting refugees through collaboration with global humanitarian agencies and organizations concerned with refugee welfare and human rights. Al-Bahar highlighted KFAED's strategic partnerships with major international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). He further noted that the Fund also works closely with regional humanitarian and medical institutions, including the Children's Cancer Center in Lebanon, the King Hussein Cancer Foundation in Jordan, and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), by signing agreements to finance development projects that enhance the living and health conditions of Syrian, Palestinian, and Rohingya refugees. "This cooperation reflects our belief in the necessity of providing a dignified life and sustainable daily support for refugees," Al-Bahar stated. "Kuwait, throughout its humanitarian history, has continuously adopted and implemented initiatives to support vulnerable populations, reflecting the nation's enduring legacy of compassion and generosity." Al-Bahar pointed out that World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, serves to honor the resilience and courage of displaced individuals who have fled their homelands due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. He emphasized the Fund's commitment to continuing its support through effective development and humanitarian partnerships in coordination with both regional and international allies. 'The Kuwait Fund will remain steadfast in its mission to uplift refugees and improve their living conditions as part of a broader global effort to ensure protection, stability, and dignity for all,' he concluded.


Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
New Kuwait Int'l Airport embraces universal accessibility code: Minister
KUWAIT CITY, June 18: Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, announced on Wednesday that the new Kuwait International Airport fully implements the 'Kuwait Code for Accessibility according to the Universal Design.' This commitment aims to create an inclusive and safe environment catering to all segments of society, with particular attention to the disabled, elderly, and those with special needs. The project includes support facilities such as sensory rooms designed to accommodate individuals who may struggle with external stimuli, including children with autism, people with mental disabilities, and elderly individuals affected by conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Al-Huwailah highlighted that the Public Authority for the Affairs of the Disabled collaborated closely with the Ministry of Public Works, Kuwait Municipality, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to implement directives from the country's leadership. These efforts are intended to streamline procedures and ensure smooth operations, reflecting Kuwait's dedication to social justice and comprehensive design in major national projects. She emphasized that applying the national accessibility code in the new airport exemplifies institutional cooperation and the state's vision of developing an urban environment that includes all community members without exception. The Kuwait Code for Accessibility, based on Universal Design principles, is a set of technical and engineering standards approved in Kuwait. It guarantees that public and private buildings, facilities, and roads are accessible and usable by all citizens, especially people with disabilities and the elderly.

Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's first professional female photojournalist shares journey of documenting country's transformation
In 1979, a young American woman arrived in Kuwait — camera in hand and eyes wide open. Claudia Al-Rashoud, Kuwait's first professional female photojournalist, found a country at a crossroads: Rich in heritage, yet pulsing with change. Her mission was clear — to document Kuwait's transformation, one frame at a time. 'It was a fascinating period. Kuwait was evolving so rapidly, and I felt compelled to document it - not just through photographs, but in words too,' she recalled. Despite being a young woman in a male-dominated field, Al-Rashoud told Kuwait Times she found support rather than skepticism. 'Kuwait wasn't like the West. People were kind, respectful and curious. I felt incredibly safe, even walking alone late at night - which I never did back in Southern California.' Early in her career, she partnered with Palestinian journalist Sabah Hassounah. 'Sabah took me under her wing, and her family embraced me,' Al-Rashoud said. 'She introduced me to the media world in Kuwait.' But the road wasn't always smooth. One of the biggest shocks came when she stepped into the newspaper's darkroom. Used to a temperature-controlled lab in California, she was stunned to find trays of chemicals left open in the heat, coated with sand. 'They even tested developer temperature with their fingers. I had to adapt quickly,' she laughed. One of her most vivid early memories isn't of a photo she took - but of a photographer spitting on his hand to clean a negative. 'To my shock, it worked. I learned to do the same,' she said. Over the decades, Al-Rashoud captured many of Kuwait's most defining moments. After the 1991 liberation, she photographed the burning oil wells - towering infernos that roared like jet engines. She was there when Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah turned the wheel to extinguish the last one. But not all moments were dramatic. She remembers a man quietly visiting his childhood home before its demolition, pausing for one final photo. Her storytelling eventually expanded beyond journalism. In 1988, she co-authored 'Kuwait: A Personal View' with Keith Wells. After he left, she continued the work on her own. She also wrote 'Kuwait's Age of Sail', a tribute to the country's maritime legacy, and 'Kuwait Before and After the Storm', contrasting the country's pre- and post-invasion landscapes. Through it all, she remained deeply connected to Kuwaiti culture. Her book 'Kuwait Kaleidoscope' aimed to show residents that the country offered more than met the eye - from camel races to archaeological treasures. Another work, 'Dame Violet Dickson: Umm Saud's Fascinating Life in Kuwait', was born out of post-war rumors and evolved into a well-researched biography, supported by the Dickson family and Shaikha Hussa Al-Sabah. In recent years, her lens has focused on animal welfare. Working with local shelters, she documented the plight of stray animals and advocated for compassion and education. Her presentations, often given to schoolchildren, use powerful yet thoughtful visuals - like an x-ray of a dog riddled with pellets - to raise awareness without causing trauma. 'Photography is a tool for empathy,' she said. 'Pictures can speak louder than words.' Today, the photography landscape has changed dramatically. 'Smartphones and social media have democratized photography,' she noted. 'In the early days, hardly anyone took pictures. Now everyone's a photographer.' Yet for her, the essence of photography remains unchanged: Authenticity, honesty and heart. 'Be true to yourself,' she said. 'And use your camera as a voice — for yourself, and for those who can't speak.' Claudia Al-Rashoud Traditional door of a house scheduled for demolition. Claudia Al-Rashoud's books