Latest news with #EidalAdha
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
18 Pakistani pilgrims die during Hajj 2025
The Ministry of Religious Affairs said that 18 Pakistani pilgrims lost their lives during the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, ARY News reported. According to the ministry, the deceased included 10 men and eight women, mostly elderly individuals who died due to heart attacks and other health issues. All the deceased pilgrims were buried in Jannatul Baqi. Notably, this year's death toll is significantly lower compared to 2024, when 35 Pakistani pilgrims died during the Hajj, as per ARY News. The Hajj 2025 saw a massive gathering of 1,673,230 pilgrims from around the world, including 1,506,576 international pilgrims from 171 countries. According to Saudi Arabia records, 166,654 domestic pilgrims participated Hajj this year, creating one of the most balanced gender ratios in Hajj history, with 877,841 men and 795,389 women. Saudi officials applied comprehensive cooling strategies following last year's tragic 1,301 death toll due to intense temperatures reaching 51.8°C (125°F). According to ARY News, precautions included widened darkened areas, cooling stations, and medical teams to ensure the pilgrims' safety. Strict controls on unauthorised pilgrims also helped reduce crowd density and enhance security at holy sites. The end of the Hajj coincides with the beginning of Eid al Adha, an annual feasting holiday marked by the slaughter of an animal, typically a goat, sheep, cow, bull or camel. According to the General Authority for Statistics, most pilgrims arrived by air (1,435,017), while 66,465 came by land and 5,094 by sea. As the Hajj 2025 repatriation process begins, authorities are dedicated to enabling a safe and efficient return for all pilgrims.
Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Stronger trading drives weekly gains on MSX
MUSCAT: Trading activity on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) picked up pace last week, with average daily volumes rising 19.2 per cent to RO 13.1 million, compared to RO 11 million the previous week. This increase came despite a shorter trading week due to the Eid al Adha holiday. The uptick was fuelled by robust investor interest in companies affiliated with the Oman Investment Authority, which reported strong financial results. Local institutional investors and funds were also active net buyers, accounting for 69.3 per cent of total trading value. The combined trading value for the week reached RO 39.3 million. Notable contributors included OQ Basic Industries (RO 7.69 million), OQ Gas Networks (RO 6.1 million), OQ Exploration and Production (RO 6.07 million), and Asyad Shipping (RO 4.69 million). Together, these four companies accounted for 62.4 per cent of total trading. Despite the increased activity, the MSE's main index slipped by 35 points to close at 4,543 points, ending a six-week streak of gains amid profit-taking in key stocks. The industrial index fell 94 points, financials were down 44 points, services dropped by 12 points, and the Shariah index edged down 3 points to 441. Market capitalisation rose by RO 82 million, closing at RO 28.88 billion. This was largely driven by gains in OQ Exploration and Production, whose market cap increased by RO 136 million after shares climbed by 17 baisas to 312 baisas. The company has scheduled an extraordinary general assembly for June 24 to consider amending its articles of association, including a proposal to allow share buybacks. Elsewhere, Al Anwar Investments invited shareholders to its AGM on June 30 to discuss a 4 baisa-per-share dividend and 4 per cent bonus shares. The company's shares ended the week at 85 baisas. Meanwhile, Fincorp Financial Services announced plans to exit the brokerage sector and transition into investment activities, pending approval from the Financial Services Authority and shareholder consent at an EGM on June 29. In the education sector, the Omani Education and Training Investment Company reported a net profit of RO 7.2 million for the first nine months of its fiscal year ending 31 August—up from RO 6.5 million in the same period last year. — ONA
Muscat Daily
11-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Dhofar region gears up for khareef
Muscat – Dhofar governorate is preparing for the 2025 khareef season with a series of new tourism projects aimed at improving visitor experience and increasing regional appeal. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) is set to open the Dhofar Private Museum and a new three-star hotel in Mirbat offering 84 rooms. Additionally, 216 luxury hotel apartments will be inaugurated in Salalah. These additions will raise the number of licensed tourism establishments in the governorate to 100, with a combined capacity exceeding 8,000 rooms. A tourism information centre is also scheduled to open at the Al Haffa Beach Market in Salalah to support visitors. Khalid bin Abdullah al Abri, Director General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar, said the khareef season remains one of the most important periods for domestic and regional tourism, drawing large numbers from across Oman and the wider Gulf region due to the governorate's unique monsoon climate. The ministry's strategy for 2025 includes extending the season to 100 days, dividing it into three operational phases, and increasing GCC tourist numbers through targeted promotions and improved connectivity. From June 21 to July 14, occupancy rates are expected to range between 35 and 40%, with the peak period from July 15 to August 30 drawing the highest footfall. The final phase, from September 1 to 21, is projected to see occupancy between 30 and 35%, bolstered by regional and international conferences continuing through October. To improve access, Salalah will be connected by direct flights from Saudi Arabia via flynas and flyadeal. The ministry has also stepped up regional promotions, including participation in Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai, where Dhofar Municipality held a press conference to announce seasonal events. Promotional campaigns were also launched in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with flynas, flyadeal, Oman Airports and tourism firms. In Kuwait, the ministry unveiled a series of khareef travel packages during Eid al Adha in coordination with Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, which will operate direct seasonal flights to Salalah. Abri said the ministry continues to work with the private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises, to position Khareef Dhofar 2025 as a distinctive and sustainable destination. He noted that marketing plans are guided by performance metrics aimed at increasing arrivals and spreading visitor activity across the entire season. The 2024 khareef season attracted over 1,048,000 visitors, marking a 9% rise compared to the 2023 total of approximately 962,000.
Al Arabiya
11-06-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Medical charity accuses Israel of deadly strike on Gaza office building
Medical charity Medecins du Monde Wednesday accused Israel of violating international law with drone strikes on a building housing one of its offices in war-torn Gaza that killed eight people, none of them staff. The France-based aid group said in a statement the attack on Tuesday 'constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which protects both civilian populations and humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones.' The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'Yesterday morning, at around 11:00 am local time, a building in Deir el-Balah housing a Medecins du Monde office was attacked by drones,' the aid group said. Its staff had not been present as they had been off as part of the Eid al-Adha holiday, it added. 'At least eight people were killed in the bombardment. All were on the last floor of the building,' it said, without providing more details on those killed. 'Medecins du Monde had informed the Israeli military of the presence of its office, which had officially been declared 'deconflicted,' or shielded from Israeli military attacks under humanitarian coordination agreements,' it said. 'However, as during previous Israeli attacks, the team received no forward warning that would have allowed it to evacuate the building or take measures to protect anyone inside,' it added. Several other non-governmental organizations as well as Palestinians displaced by the war are based in the same area, it said. Risk of famine: UN Israel is facing mounting pressure to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, whose entire population the United Nations has warned is at risk of famine. Medecins du Monde last month, after more than two months of a total blockade on Gaza, accused Israel of using hunger as 'a weapon of war' in the Palestinian territory. Israel recently allowed some deliveries to resume through the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. But the United Nations refuses to work with it, citing concerns over its practices and neutrality. Dozens of people have been killed near GHF distribution points since late May, according to Gaza's civil defense agency. It said Israeli forces killed 31 people waiting for aid early on Wednesday. Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023 attacked Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,219 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says the retaliatory Israeli military offensive has killed at least 54,981 people, the majority civilians. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. Out of 251 taken hostage during the Hamas attack, 54 are still held in Gaza including 32 the Israeli military says are dead.
Muscat Daily
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Kaldi 850 celebrates Eid with opening of 23rd store in Oman
Muscat – Kaldi 850 proudly announces the opening of its newest Drive-Thru store at the Oman Oil Gas Station in Al Mabellah Twin, marking a significant milestone as the brand's 23rd location across the sultanate. Opening on the auspicious occasion of Eid al Adha, the new branch reflects Kaldi 850's continued commitment to bringing premium coffee experiences closer to customers in convenient, accessible formats. The Al Mabellah Twin store, strategically located within the busy Oman Oil Gas Station, offers a seamless drive-thru service designed to cater to the on-the-go lifestyle of coffee lovers in the area. 'This opening not only strengthens our footprint in Oman but also aligns with our mission to make premium coffee more accessible,' said Paul Biswajit, General Manager, at Kaldi 850. 'We're honored to open our doors on a day of celebration, and we invite the community to enjoy a cup of coffee crafted with passion and precision.' With the launch of its 23rd store, Kaldi 850 continues to solidify its position as one of Oman's leading specialty coffee brands, combining innovation, convenience, and quality in every cup. 'Visit us and celebrate with Kaldi 850 – where coffee meets craftsmanship,' it stated.
