Magic and Islam
Muslims used stones for warding off the evil eye. A pile of unusual magical objects was uncovered in Israel and believed to be used by sorcerers helping pilgrims on their way to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Mecca
Al Baydha Regenerative farming in Saudi Arabia
The Al Baydha project: a piece of Saudi Arabian desert is brought back to thriving life through ancient/innovative water conservation, and plenty of grit. Slowing down flash floods in the highlands, and, over time, converting them into seasonal streams or savannahs.
No kissing the kaaba at this year’s hajj
The year was 2014 and already Ebola was on everyone's minds. Mers and avian flu have scared off people from hajj, but covid-19 has closed Saudi's doors. This year a very modest, local hajj will take place.
Hajj selfie fever rocks the Kaabah in Mecca – but is humble bragging holy?
The annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca known as Hajj has officially begun.
MERS Risk and Hajj – How to Prepare for a Healthy Pilgrammage
Public health officials in the Gulf states are playing down fears about an outbreak of the deadly MERS coronavirus among pilgrims travelling to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia this month, though doctors are advising the elderly, people with existing health conditions, pregnant women and young children to stay away.
Holy Mecca Will Be Saudi’s First Solar City
Saudi Arabia’s government has confirmed that it will develop and build a $640 million solar power plant in the holy city of Mecca. It continues the country’s recent talks of bolstering its clean energy sector and with the holy pilgrimage of Hajj beginning, the government believes this is the best time to announce the massive […]
SARS-like Mystery Virus Appears in Saudi Arabia, Alerting Haj Pilgrims
A new SARS-like mystery illness has health authorities alert ahead of the millions-strong Haj pilgrammage to Mecca. There have been two recent cases of a mysterious SARS-like virus linked to Saudi Arabia. It killed one of its victims from Saudi Arabia. The second who is still alive travelled through the country. The unknown mystery virus […]
The Weird Science of Pedestrian Behavior Might Help Hajj
Math helps us understand how people flow, and just maybe it could help Hajj pilgrims stay safe. A Californian jogs to the beach. Coming towards him on the sidewalk is a Texan. Unless one steps aside they’ll collide. Quick: which way does the jogger move? If this is in Europe or the USA, heavy odds he […]
Saudi’s Mecca is Becoming a Holy Sprawl
Despite having enough solar power to energize the planet for the next 20 centuries, Saudi Arabia has instead reaped the benefits of its oil reserves for decades. This wealth has spurred a spate of massive developments in Mecca, transforming a small desert hamlet into a thriving metropolis. But this may be a curse for Islam’s […]
Hajj terminal for Mekkah is aviation’s green gem
Hajj Terminal, in Jedda, Saudi Arabia was built only for Mekkah by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, a Chicago-based architectural firm. It stands the test of time as a green gem.
Pilgrims Pose Environmental Threat To Holy City of Mecca
From holy water to holy traffic to holy trash, millions of Muslim pilgrims in Makkah take a spiritual experience with them and leave truckloads of pollution behind.
Mekkah Signals Move Away From Las Vegas-Style Architecture
The hideous Mekkah Clocktower may have been the final straw – officials now state that any additions will be more in tune with traditional architecture It seems that the powers that be in Mekkah (Mecca) are finally listening. After widespread complaints that Mekkah was beginning to resemble Las Vegas with its preference for gargantuan and […]
Saudi Interior Ministry Approves First Hajj Safety Guide
Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, KSA's Minister of Interior has approved the world's first Hajj security plan which will provide pilgrims basic services and shelter centers in the event of any emergencies.
Plans For Cleaner Zam Zam Distribution In Madinah
Saudi Arabia's Water and Electricity Minister reveals its SR700 million Zam Zam Water Project, a 42 outlet distribution plan to bottle the cleaner Zam Zam water in Madinah.
Travellers Want Trains – What is the Middle East Doing?
Istanbul – a major hub for train travel across the Middle East Survey results published this week reveal that the majority of international travelers would prefer to take trains instead of aeroplanes, if they had the opportunity. The poll of 300 consumers, conducted for train technology company Silverrail, showed that 79% would choose trains over […]