tennis THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT markets Page 16 Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com Page 9 SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 / ZUL-QAADAH 3, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17712 16 PAGES 150 FILS Hajj salvation cut to Kingdom 60,000 Kuwait backs move DUBAI, June 12, (Agencies): Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The announcement by the king- dom comes after it ran an incredibly pared-down pilgrimage last year over the virus, but still allowed a small number of the faithful to take part in the annual ceremony. A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted the kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry making the announcement. It said this year’s Hajj, which will begin in mid-July, will be limited to those ages 18 to 65. Those taking part must be vacci- nated as well, the ministry said. “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is honored to host pilgrims every year, confirms that this ar- rangement comes out of its constant concern for the health, safety and security of pilgrims as well as the safety of their countries,” the state- ment said. In last year’s Hajj, as few as 1,000 people already residing in Saudi Ara- bia were selected to take part. Two- thirds were foreign residents from among the 160 different nationalities that would have normally been rep- resented at the Hajj. One-third were Saudi security personnel and medical staff. Each year, up to 2 million Muslims perform the Hajj, a physically de- manding and often costly pilgrimage that draws the faithful from around In this July 31, 2020 file photo, pilgrims walk around the Ka’aba at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Makkah. Saudi Arabia said June 12, 2021, that this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will the world. The Hajj, required of all be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (AP) able-bodied Muslims to perform once in their lifetime, is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and bring about greater humility and unity among Kuwait reports 1,437 more COVID-19 infections Muslims. Day by Day Stakes The kingdom’s Al Saud ruling fam- WHEN statesmen make up their ily stakes its legitimacy in this oil-rich minds, everything falls into place like Thousands take 2nd dose of Astra nation on overseeing and protecting a jigsaw puzzle. It is crystal clear that the hajj sites. Ensuring the Hajj hap- when the senior state officials were pens has been a priority for them. determined to hold paper exams for KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (KUNA): The Oxford-Astrazen- Disease outbreaks have always Grade 12 students, their determina- been a concern surrounding the Hajj. tion paid off, the plan was successful Grant subsidized building materials to citizens: MP eca’s second dose Covid-19 vac- and the students answered the ex- cination campaign, has inoculated Pilgrims fought off a malaria outbreak ams. tens of thousands of people since in 632, cholera in 1821 killed an es- This reaffirms the fact that when Wednesday, and is set to continue timated 20,000, and another cholera the State studies the demands of its Speaker hails IPU condemnation of Israel through the weekend, Ministry of outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 before people calmly and give deaf ear to the Health said Friday. spreading worldwide. ‘voices of traders’ – those who trade By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh praised the decision of Pacheco to visit capital. He affirmed the IPU is keen Director of the Public Health in public issues – such as MPs, so- Palestine in order to determine the truth on achieving this goal by enhancing More recently, Saudi Arabia faced Arab Times Staff Department Dr. Fahad Al-Ghim- danger from a different coronavirus, cial networking sites and newspaper through meetings with both parties. dialogue between the two parties. las stated to KUNA that the writers, and implements the decisions KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Inter- Addressing Pacheco, Al-Ghanim He underscored the need to con- “White army” is ready complete one that causes the Middle East re- firmly, it means we are on the right Parliamentary Union (IPU) condemns asserted the latter will visit the largest demn the Israeli occupation of Pales- the national vaccination campaign spiratory syndrome, or MERS. The track. Israel’s expansion of illegal settle- prison in the world -- Gaza; which has tinian territories as it will not contrib- at the main two vaccination cen- kingdom increased its public health We say it frankly: see what your ments in the occupied Palestinian terri- become a big jail trapping the innocent ute to the progress of dialogue between ters and health canters. measures during the Hajj in 2012 and people want, and do not listen to those tories, says National Assembly Speak- Palestinians. He said the Israeli apart- the two parties and peace will not be who say: ‘We will not allow you ... ’ Dr. Al-Ghimlas clarified that 2013, urging the sick and the elderly er Marzouq Al-Ghanim. heid regime besieged the Palestinians achieved. He denounced the launch- COVID-19 vaccinations are avail- not to take part. … Yet, tomorrow is just another Al-Ghanim, who is now back in the in Gaza, up to the point of blocking the ing of rockets from Israel towards the day. able at 24 health centers, including In recent years, Saudi officials also country after a two-day visit to Geneva gates between Gaza and Egypt. Palestinians in the same manner he Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed forces Zahed Matar where he met IPU Chairman Duarte Pa- condemned attacks inside Israel, par- instituted bans on pilgrims coming Violated Hospital, Kuwait oil Company from countries affected by the Ebola checo as a representative of geopolitical ticularly the sacred places for Muslims (KOC), besides both elderly care countries at the Arab Inter-Parliamenta- He went on to say that Israel violated and the use of excessive force by Israe- virus. center and prisons. Saudi Arabia had closed its bor- ry Union, made the statement in a press international laws, United Nations (UN) li authorities against the Palestinians He also expressed gratitude for conference after the meeting. Pacheco Newswatch resolutions; as well as articles 2/C and 3 in Gaza; which led to the suffering of all MoH staff for their huge efforts ders for months to try and stop the was also present at the press conference. of the IPU Charter. He clarified that IPU many people. He emphasized the need spread of the coronavirus. Since the During the press conference, Al- in helping citizens and residents in was not established to organize social to establish dialogue between the two order to get vaccinated. start of the pandemic, the kingdom Ghanim thanked Pacheco for support- gatherings, but to adopt strong positions parties, asserting this is the most im- has reported over 462,000 cases of KUWAIT CITY: The decision-makers ing the Palestinian cause and for the Dr. Al-Ghimlas thanked all remain divided on the issue of the re- under such circumstances. He added portant issue at the moment. He said people at the “Ask Me” reception the virus with 7,500 deaths. It has ad- newal of work permits for those who have fruitful meeting. He disclosed that the that on behalf of Arab parliaments, the dialogue must focus on the future IPU condemns the killing of Palestin- deks to answer any questions and ministered some 15.4 million doses reached the age of 60 and above and hold he expects IPU to intensify its efforts of both parties and achieving peace solve technical issues. ian children in Gaza within 51 days, regarding the Israeli attacks on Aqsa rather than talking about the past. of coronavirus vaccines, according high school diplomas or below, reports Moreover, he expressed sincere to the World Health Organization. Al-Qabas daily. pointing out the number of Palestinian Mosque and Christian holy places in Je- On the other hand, MP Khalil Al- victims in 51 days is higher than the appreciation to Interior’s Ministry, The kingdom is home to over 30 mil- The Supreme Advisory Committee rusalem under the leadership of Pacheco. Saleh submitted a proposal to grant Civil Defense unit, Kuwait Red number of Israelis killed in the last 51 Deputy Speaker MP Ahmed Al- lion people. of the Public Authority for Manpower subsidized construction materials to Crescent and Kuwaiti Fire Service (PAM) has been toying with the idea years. He said this is a clear manifes- Shuhoumi, Minister of State for Na- citizens who are not covered by Hous- Kuwait welcomed Saudi Arabia’s tation of the huge imbalance of power tional Assembly Affairs Mubarak Al- Directorate for maintaining safety especially with regards to the fees to be ing Welfare Law No. 19/2014. He and comfort of people during the decision to limit this year’s Islamic between the Israelis and Palestinians. Harees and Secretary General of the suggested that the amount of subsi- slapped on this category of employees vaccination process. Hajj pilgrimage to only 60,000 na- who wish to renew their work permits and He added the Israeli apartheid regime Assembly Adel Al-Lughani welcomed dized construction materials is KD tionals and expatriates living in the are believed to number about 88,000. and racial segregation practiced by Isra- the speaker upon his arrival at Kuwait 30,000 – the same amount granted to He also pointed out that people el against the Palestinians are unaccept- must adhere to their appointment country, due to fears about the spread According to the available information, International Airport.