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"Indonesia Secures Largest-ever Hajj Quota for 2024"

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Indonesia Secures Largest Hajj Quota Ever in 2024 with 241,000 Pilgrims; President Jokowi Lands Additional 20,000 Spots

In a historic decision, Indonesia has secured its largest-ever Hajj quota for 2024, with a total of 241,000 pilgrims set to embark on the journey to Mecca. This record-breaking figure was officially announced by Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas following his participation in the ‘Haflat al-Hajj al-Khitamy’ event in Makkah.

The increase in Indonesia’s Hajj quota comes after years of fluctuations. In 2015 and 2016, the country received a quota of 168,800 pilgrims. This number rose to 221,000 in 2017 and has stayed consistent since then, except for a temporary increase to 231,000 in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the Hajj in 2020 and 2021, as no pilgrims were allowed to travel due to safety concerns. In 2022, Saudi Arabia reopened the Hajj with limited quotas, allocating 100,051 spots to Indonesian pilgrims, primarily consisting of those whose trips were-postponed in 2020 and aged under 65.

Indonesia initially planned to send 221,000 pilgrims in 2024, matching the figures from 2017 to 2018. However, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) successfully lobbied for an additional 20,000 spots during a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud. This increase brings the total Hajj quota for Indonesia in 2024 to 241,000.

The additional spots were officially confirmed during a meeting between the Indonesian government and the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on November 27, 2023. The new quota includes 221,720 spots for regular pilgrims and 19,280 spots for special pilgrims.

Direktur Pelayanan Haji Dalam Negeri (DPHDN) Kementerian Agama (Kemenag) Saiful Mujab has lauded the 2024 Hajj quota as the largest in Indonesian history, with a total of 241,000 pilgrims expected to participate. This figure consists of 213,320 regular pilgrims and 27,680 special pilgrims.

The Indonesian government and the DPR RI have reached an agreement on the 2024 Hajj budget, with the new quota taken into consideration. Saudi Arabia has also announced that pilgrims can start applying for visas on March 1, 2024, with the earliest arrivals scheduled for May 9, 2024.

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Health

Marvel: towering skyscrapers of the Arab world in stunning photos

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Stunning ISS Image Shows Towering Clouds Over Arabian Peninsula

A breathtaking image captured by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and released by NASA showcases towering cumulus congestus clouds rising like skyscrapers over the Arabian Peninsula, with the Gulf of Persia shimmering in the corner.

Captured during the ISS’s orbit over Asia, this striking photograph exemplifies the awe-inspiring process of cloud formation. In the foreground lies the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain clearly visible along the coast. The contrast between the structured urban landscape and the dynamic cloud formations is compelling.

Notable landmarks such as Doha and Ras Laffan in Qatar, and Al Hufuf and Al Hasa Oasis in Saudi Arabia, appear with remarkable clarity. Thebidus average isaff in the region, creating a stark contrast with the natural texture of the clouds.

The cumulus congestus clouds dramatically cast dark shadows, giving the illusion of standing tall above the landscape below. These cloud formations can range in size and shape, with sunlit cumulus congestus appearing particularly striking from above, according to the International Cloud Atlas cited by Newsweek.

Forming during rapid ascent of warm, moist air in an unstable atmosphere, cumulus congestus clouds often herald potential development into cumulonimbus clouds, which can bring heavy rain or thunderstorms. The alignment of these clouds along the coast suggests that onshore winds played a significant role in their formation.

Adding to the visual allure, the glint of sunlight on the Gulf’s water in the lower right corner of the image is an optical phenomenon resulting from sunlight reflecting directly back to the viewer, revealing glittering patterns and surface textures.

The celestial backdrop serves as a stark reminder of the ISS’s location, approximately 362 kilometers above Earth. The photograph was taken on September 19, 2024, and displayed on the NASA Earth Observatory on December 21.

Source: detikINET

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World

The Anti-Muslim Plight of Leipzig’s Christmas Market Attacker

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Title: The Chilling Tale of the Anti-Islam Suspect Behind theDeadly Christmas Market Attack in Germany

BERLIN — Authorities in Germany have apprehended the perpetrator behind a deadly vehicle-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg. The suspect, identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, is a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian national with a history of anti-Islam views and had been living as a fugitive.

The horrific incident occurred on Friday, December 20, 2024, when Abdulmohsen deliberately drove a BMW SUV into a crowded Christmas market, resulting in five fatalities and over 200 injuries. He has been charged with five counts of murder and 205 counts of attempted murder.

A medical doctor by profession, Abdulmohsen has been residing in Germany since 2007. Apart from his radical anti-Islam sentiments, he is also known to have abandoned his Islamic faith. According to German officials, Abdulmohsen has a history of making inflammatory remarks and has been accused of assisting individuals, particularly women, in escaping from Saudi Arabia.

The suspect had arrived in Germany in 2006 and later obtained permanent residency. He worked as a doctor in the small town of Bernburg, approximately 25 miles south of Magdeburg. Authorities believe Abdulmohsen acted alone in the attack.

A republican wing of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party had previously expressed sympathies with Abdulmohsen’s views. During the height of the refugee crisis in 2015 and 2016, Germany took in over a million migrants, predominantly from the Middle East.

In 2017, Abdulmohsen entered a radar screen when the Saudi government alerted German authorities about his radical views. However, these warnings were ignored, leading to his prolonged stay in Germany. Saudi Arabia has since reiterated that Abdulmohsen was a wanted fugitive.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described Abdulmohsen as "an Islamophobe," indicating that his anti-Muslim sentiments might have motivated the attack. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with security forces delving into the suspect’s background and potential triggering factors.

This is an ongoing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

By [Your Name], DetikNews

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World

Massive Devastation: German Horror After Saudi Driver Races into Crowd

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Title: Horror in Germany: Saudi National Rams Crowd, Killing 5 and Injuring 200

Article:

In a chilling incident in Magdeburg, Germany, five people, including a child, were killed when a car driven by a Saudi Arabian national plowed into a crowded Christmas market. The incident, which took place on Friday, December 20, also left 200 injured, with 40 in critical condition.

The driver, a 50-year-old doctor who has resided in Germany since 2006, accelerated a black BMW SUV into the crowded market. He was later arrested by local authorities. The German government has since issued a statement, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.

"This is a devastating event," said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We commend the emergency workers for their dedication during this harrowing time."

The perpetrator lived in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. Initial investigations suggest he acted alone, with no further threat anticipated. Authorities are nonetheless collecting data and conducting interviews to ensure no stone is left unturned.

In a post-incident statement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with the German people and the families of the victims. They reaffirmed the kingdom’s rejection of all forms of violence.

This horrifying incident has once again underscored the need for stringent security measures at public events. As authorities continue their investigation, grief and outrage hang heavy over the city of Magdeburg.

SEO Keywords: German Christmas market attack, Saudi Arabian national, victims, deaths, injuries, Magdeburg, investigation.

Meta Description: Five killed, 200 injured as Saudi Arabian national rams car into crowded German Christmas market. Authorities investigating, Saudi Arabia condemns attack.

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News

Car Ramming Incident in Magdeburg: Five Dead, Many Injured at Christmas Market” or “Magdeburg Christmas Market Tragedy: Five Killed, Several Injured in Vehicle Attack

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Breaking News: Suspect Detained in Deadly Magdeburg Attack; Authorities Tighten Security, Vow Investigation

Magdeburg, Germany – The first emergency call reporting the devastating events at the Christmas market in Magdeburg came in at 19:02 PM on Friday evening, initially describing it as an accident, police director Tom-Oliver Langhans revealed. The suspect was swiftly apprehended just three minutes later at 19:05 PM.

The suspect, now in police custody, is being questioned by the Public Prosecutor‘s Office, led by Horst-Walter Nopens. Following the interrogation, a warrant for his arrest is expected to be requested. The man stands accused of five counts of murder and 205 counts of attempted murder, along with dangerous bodily harm.

In an interview, Mr. Langhans shared that attempts were made around a year ago to engage the suspect in a dangerous persons’ address interview. However, he could not be located at the time.

Ronni Krug, the Ordnungsbeigeordnete of Magdeburg, addressed the city’s security measures for the market. He confirmed the security concept had been recently adapted and tightened compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, how the attack occurred despite these measures remains to be clarified.

Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister-President Reiner Haseloff, who visited the Old Market, described the events as a "tragedy." "We can only hope and pray that the severely injured survive and that there are no further victims," he said. Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz, present in Magdeburg, expressed his solidarity and profound sorrow, stating, "We must stand together."

"We must ensure that nobody is left alone," Scholz asserted, pledging to seek professional assistance nationwide. He also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, vowing that "nothing will remain unexplored."

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz, via the "X" platform, urged politicians to pause and carefully evaluate the facts before making any assessments.

This tragedy has sent shockwaves through Magdeburg and the nation. As investigations continue, one thing is clear: the city and its people stand resolute in the face of such unspeakable violence, united in their grief, and determined in their pursuit of justice.

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