Latest news with #ShathaAlJadaan
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Arab News
What pilgrims are sharing online after their journey
RIYADH: For many pilgrims, the spiritual journey of Hajj does not end when they leave the holy sites. It continues — quietly, intentionally — in the days and weeks that follow. Across Saudi Arabia, young pilgrims are using social media to process the weight of Hajj and share the experience with loved ones. Noor Ahmad, 21, did not plan to post during her pilgrimage. But after she returned, the urge to share came naturally. After returning from Hajj, I decided to share a few captured moments. But how can a photo truly capture the depth and majesty of the experience? Noor Ahmad 'After returning from Hajj, I decided to share a few captured moments,' she said. 'But how can a photo truly capture the depth and majesty of the experience?' She described how people responded in varied ways. 'Those who had gone before felt nostalgic and started sharing their own stories. Others — those who hadn't been yet — expressed their longing. It became this moment of connection.' For Noor, the decision to post was not about aesthetics. 'It's a monumental event. Maybe I could inspire someone who's hesitant to go. Maybe they'll see what I saw — and want to experience it for themselves. 'It was my way of saying thank you' Shatha Al-Jadaan, 25, took a different approach to sharing, after taking a digital detox. I enjoy sharing meaningful moments, and after seeing the tremendous effort put into Hajj on every level, I felt my post was a small, sincere gesture of appreciation. Shatha Al-Jadaan 'During Hajj, I decided to partially fast from social media. I used only the essentials,' she said. 'After I returned, I posted a thread to my close friends explaining where I'd been and shared some of the most meaningful moments.' The response was full of prayers and warmth. 'People were kind, supportive, and curious. But what mattered most to me was that I used the thread to say thank you — to the organizers, to the volunteers, and to Allah.' She spoke about how she found value in using digital platforms to document something greater than herself. 'I enjoy sharing meaningful moments, and after seeing the tremendous effort put into Hajj on every level, I felt my post was a small, sincere gesture of appreciation.' Salem Al-Khudair, 28, recorded a voice note to his family group chat while performing the rites. 'I just couldn't find the words to write. So I recorded myself speaking right after standing in Arafat. I sent it to my family WhatsApp group. My mom was emotional. My dad said, 'May God accept from you.' That was enough.' In an age of curated content, Hajj posts tend to stand out for their sincerity. Pilgrims often strip away the filters, metaphors and trend-driven formats, and just speak from the heart. Noura Al-Dosari, 23, uploaded a private Instagram story highlight with no captions. 'Just visuals. No filters. No hashtags,' she said. 'It wasn't for followers. It was for me. For reflection. A digital bookmark of who I became.' Some write long captions, others simply post a photo of their ihram folded neatly back into a drawer. But all of them carry a silent message: I went. I came back different. Many pilgrims use their posts to recall moments of physical hardship that brought emotional breakthroughs — the heat, the long walks, the brief but powerful connections with strangers. Others use it to highlight the seamless organization of the pilgrimage as a reminder of how far the experience has evolved. Amani Al-Saad, 26, used X to share a short story about a volunteer who helped her carry her bag in Muzdalifah. 'She didn't speak much, but she smiled at me and said, 'This is what we're here for.' That stuck with me. I wrote about it as a reminder to myself — that sometimes the smallest moments hold the most meaning.' While digital connections are increasingly common, most pilgrims emphasize that the real processing happens offline — in quiet conversations with family, in their prayer rooms, or on long drives home. 'I didn't post to perform,' said Al-Jadaan. 'I posted to remember.'
Arab News
06-06-2025
- Arab News
How Saudis spiritually connect with Hajj remotely
RIYADH: While millions of pilgrims converge on Makkah each year for the pilgrimage which makes up the fifth pillar of Islam, many Saudis are connecting with the spirit of Hajj without ever leaving their homes. Whether they are not yet eligible, unable to travel, or simply waiting for their turn, these individuals have found meaningful ways to experience the journey spiritually — through screens, rituals, reflections and community. This evolving form of spiritual connection highlights a growing culture of intentional observance from afar, especially among young Saudis who see Hajj not as a spectator event, but as a season for personal transformation, wherever they are. For 25-year-old Shatha Al-Jadaan, who has already completed Hajj, the way she engages with the pilgrimage now is more intimate than ever, even when she is not physically there. 'Now that I've experienced Hajj, I follow it in a more personal way,' she said. 'I keep the Makkah live stream running 24/7 at home. It's not background noise — it's a reminder of a moment I lived.' She adds that her digital engagement with the pilgrimage is deeply structured. 'I fast all 10 days of Dul Hijjah (the month of the pilgrimage), and I start my day earlier. I make sure the atmosphere in the house is different — calmer, more reflective. 'My acts of worship are done with full presence. It's a way to relive the rhythm of Hajj, even if I'm not there. 'Screens can't replace the feeling — but they do carry the spirit.' Noor Ahmad, 21, echoed a similar sentiment. She said that seeing Hajj online helped prepare her for the moment she finally went — and now, when she watches others go, it deepens her gratitude. 'I had always seen Hajj on TV, social media, or through others' stories,' she said. 'Those images gave me a glimpse and stirred a longing to go. And when I finally did, I found myself connecting the visual memories with what I was living in real time.' After her return, the act of watching became a kind of remembrance. 'It's not just nostalgia. It's a form of spiritual presence,' she said. Omar Al-Shehri, 33, uses the Hajj season to teach his children about the rituals. 'Every day during Dul Hijjah, we sit as a family, watch the scenes from Mina and Arafat, and I explain each step to my kids. Even though we're not there, they're growing up understanding the weight and meaning of it.' He adds: 'They'll perform Hajj one day, insha'Allah — but until then, they're growing in awareness.' Digital platforms have played a huge role in how people spiritually engage with Hajj. Official channels like Saudi Press Agency, Al-Ekhbariya, and digital apps like Haramain Watch allow viewers to follow crowd sizes, ritual timing, and even live fatwas in real time. Layla Al-Fahad, 29, uses X with mutuals and WhatsApp groups with close friends to share spiritual prompts. 'We share reminders, dhikr, and short prayers every day during the ten days. It's like a mini spiritual retreat — just in group chat form.' Other Saudis have turned to digital booklets, daily phone reminders, or interactive timelines of the Hajj rituals to stay aligned with the pilgrims' journey. The most compelling insight from many of these remote observers is that distance doesn't diminish intention. In fact, for some, it heightens it. 'There's something humbling about knowing you're not there, but still feeling connected,' said Al-Fahad. 'You start praying differently, reading differently, even walking differently during those 10 days. Everything becomes softer, more deliberate.' For many Saudis, participating in the spiritual season does not require boarding a bus, plane, or train. It requires presence of heart, clarity of mind, and intention of soul.
Arab News
28-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
The smart pilgrim's suitcase: What Saudis are packing for Hajj
RIYADH: As Hajj season approaches, pilgrims throughout Saudi Arabia are making lists, checking supplies, and organizing their thoughts for what many consider the most significant journey of their lives. Alongside the spiritual preparations, pilgrims are packing Hajj suitcases with the traditional white garments and hygiene essentials as well as more personalized, thoughtful and even high-tech items. From prayer lists and handwritten dua cards to smartwatches, earbuds, and journal notebooks, the modern pilgrim approaches Hajj not only with reverence but with intent, structure, and a little comfort. For many, this approach reflects how deeply Hajj is embedded into the personal identity and emotional world of the pilgrim. Arab News spoke with a few people who have previously completed Hajj to get an idea of what it is like to prepare for the pilgrimage. 'I packed my journal because I felt this experience deserved to be documented in detail,' Shatha Al-Jadaan, 25, told Arab News. 'I also included my daily skincare products, easy-access snacks, and drip coffee sachets — lifesaver,' she added. The contents of Al-Jadaan's suitcase told the story of a young woman approaching Hajj with equal parts practicality and reflection. Her essentials included headphones, a smartwatch and a hair dryer — items she considered necessary after each of the physically demanding rituals. For her, the process of preparation brought a deep sense of meaning. 'What struck me the most was the realization that this journey is unlike any other,' she said. 'The version of me leaving home is not the same one returning. 'That thought hit me hardest when I was writing prayer lists for loved ones. People sent very specific prayers, personal hopes and goals. I even made a separate list so I wouldn't forget anyone, including myself.' Some pilgrims take a simpler approach. For Ethar Abdulrahman, 22, the focus was on utility and peace of mind. 'My essentials were a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, underclothes, outerwear, hair ties and wet wipes,' she said. 'And I only brought my personal phone — just to stay in touch with my family.' What made her preparation emotional was the fact that it was her first Hajj — and at a young age. 'The idea that I was going on Hajj for the first time and at such a young age was emotional on its own. Packing my personal items and bringing prayer books made it even more special.' She also relied heavily on advice from seasoned pilgrims: 'Bring Panadol, fever reducers, painkillers, and muscle relief cream. That advice helped me a lot.' Her words reflect the layered purpose of each item: some for health, some for spiritual focus, and some simply for emotional safety. Al-Jadaan echoed the sentiment. 'A lot of people told me to only wear cotton and make sure my shoes were extremely comfortable. And it was the best advice I received.' The overlap between generational wisdom and modern convenience shows how today's pilgrims are combining tradition with adaptation. For Mariam Al-Osaimi, 27, essential oils were a must. 'I brought lavender and peppermint oil. Lavender helped me sleep, and peppermint was great for energy. They became part of my daily Hajj routine — almost like a spiritual ritual.' Others took folding prayer mats, lightweight Qur'an readers, and portable chargers — recognizing the role technology can play in navigating crowds, locating tents, or staying connected to family. One of the more discreet but powerful changes to the modern Hajj experience is the seamless integration of digital tools. Most pilgrims now use digital Qur'an apps, prayer reminder apps, or even step counters to track their movement during the rites. Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili, 29, said his smartwatch was more than just a gadget. 'I set reminders for prayer times, prayers for each ritual, and even tracked my heart rate on the way to Jamarat,' he said. 'It helped me stay focused, grounded, and aware of how my body was responding, in case of potential panic attack due to my medical condition.' While some may frown at these modern additions, many people see them as useful companions in the demanding spiritual and physical journey.
