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| Source: Ministry of Haj and Umra, KSA. Dignitaries at the award ceremony. |
HE Dr Bentin stated: "Hajj is a civilised behaviour manifesting the Islamic solidarity. The Hajj system success is based on the cooperation of the agencies concerned with Hajj affairs in the Islamic countries and the Muslim-minority regions, and on compliance with regulations and instructions. This has a part in this year's Hajj performance without hindrance. The awareness programmes targeting Hajj pilgrims, in their countries before leaving to the KSA, facilitated their Hajj pilgrimage, and enabled them to fully benefit from the services."
HE also noted that this year's Grand Haj Seminar has led to a number of principal recommendations that could be transformed into projects of benefit to the Islamic world.
HE Dr Ammar Mirghani, the Sudanese Minister of Endowments and Guidance, represented the heads of Pilgrims' Affairs Offices with a speech in which he congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz; HRH the Crown Prince; and HRH the Deputy Crown Prince for the success of this years' Hajj season (2016, or 1437). Dr Mirghani stated: "The major developments are evident to Hajj pilgrims in the different ports of entry: airports, seaports, roads, drilling tunnels, and constructing bridges."
Dr Mirghani also touched on the foreign pilgrims' e-portal, calling it "one of the largest technical projects designed to serve Hajj pilgrims". "The e-portal had positive outcomes, and contributed to the comfort of Hajj pilgrims, and to arranging the pilgrims' arrival to the KSA, performance of the Hajj rituals, and departure."
Dr Mirghani in addition stressed the seriousness of the challenges facing the Islamic world, which he said must unite against terrorism, radicalism, and enemies' deception.
Suliman bin Awad Al-Zaidi, the Secretary General of the award, shared that the focus is on Hajj-related vivid humanitarian images and spiritual values. There are 15 categories of media including writers, media practitioners and agencies that accompanied the Hajj pilgrimage, and whose works contributed to improving the Hajj system through opinion, direction, shedding light on the efforts, calls to adhere to the values, as well as Hajj literature and aesthetics.
He said that a large number of works, particularly of print media, were nominated this year. The winners for the 1436 Hajj season are as follows:
Award for the best, most comprehensive media coverage of the Hajj system: Makkah newspaper.
Award for the best print article: Dr Hamoud bin Ali Abu Talib, of Okaz newspaper, for a series of published articles.
Award for best reporting: Jamaan bin Abdullah Al-Kenany, of Al-Riyadh newspaper, for his article Tawafa: profession that has remained for centuries.
Award for best humanitarian subject: Mohammed bin Abdul-Bary Al-Aidarous, Al-Jazirah newspaper, for his article Honoring the parents clearly embodied at the holy sites
The best press report award went to Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Zayed of Al-Watan newspaper, for a series of published reports.
The best interview award was given to Walid bin Ali Omair of Al-Riyadh newspaper for his interview with HH the former KSA Minister of Haj.
The best photo award recognised Photojournalist Ahmed bin Mahmoud Hashad, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, for his photo Al-Khif Mosque on 08/12/1436.
The best photo award recognised Photojournalist Ahmed bin Mahmoud Hashad, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, for his photo Al-Khif Mosque on 08/12/1436.
The conferences award named two journalists from Al-Madina newspaper: Majid bin Abdullah Al-Soqairi and Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Nahari, for Al-Madina conference addresses the aspects of the operational plans, and of the services provided to Haj pilgrims in Madinah.
In the broadcast category, the visual media award was won by TV reporter Hassan bin Abdul-Jaber Othman, of Almajd TV Network, for Rushing Haj pilgrims, while the audio media award had two winners, Jeddah radio station for the program The sacred journey to Al-Masjid al-Haram, "The Holy Mosque"; and to Nidaa Islam radio station, for the program: Step by Step.
The online category recognised Makkah E-journal, for a series of visual reports on some of the Hajj sectors with the e-journals and websites award.
At the event Dr Hamoud bin Ali Abu Talib commented that the award has become an environment for promoting innovative ideas, illustrating the humanitarian and cultural concepts of Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. He listed the award objectives: supporting and encouraging media organisations and their employees to provide the best of the various professional works; and establishing a competitive environment leading to innovation; so as to improve the Hajj system; and to highlight the efforts exerted by the state to allow Hajj pilgrims to perform the rituals easily and conveniently.