In a move that has disappointed pilgrims wanting to experience iconic sites in Islam’s history, Saudi Arabia has barred access to the Cave of Hira, the place where the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) received the first revelation of the Qur’an. Secretary of the South African Muslim Travel Association and a local Hajj and Umrah operator, Fazila Malek explained that the letter from the Office of the Prince of Makkah in Saudi […]
The recent move by Saudi authorities to shift the Mihrab (prayer niche showing direction of qibla) at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to the Prophet’s Mihrab, located behind the present one, has facilitated movement of faithful who want to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Abdul Wahid Ali Al-Hattab, adviser at the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said Islamic scholars and prominent personalities […]
Prospective hujjaaj can expect the release date for the first accreditation list for Haj 2018/1439 on January 15. In a statement released on Wednesday, the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) says the confirmed accreditation list follows an external audit of the registration list. “With the conclusion of Hajj 1438, the registration list has gone through an external audit. As we endeavour to streamline the process, the first list […]
It took an Indonesian youth exactly a year to cover on foot the 9,000-km-long journey from Central Java province to the holy city of Makkah to perform the Haj pilgrimage this year. Firm determination and courage of conviction helped Mochammad Khamim Setiawan in his adventure full of hazards but rich in spirituality. "Whenever he wants something, he'll try wholeheartedly to get it on his own. Nothing stops him. He's a […]
Sustained and continuous expansion of the Two Holy Mosques and other holy sites and consummate services provided by the government have played a major role in increasing the number of pilgrims arriving here perform Haj in recent years. Upgradation and improvement of services and infrastructure including communications, roads, airports, hotels and pilgrim camps have also contributed in attarcting more and more pilgrims. From 431,270 pilgrims in 1390 Hijri (lunar year) […]
According to the commanders of the Hajj security forces, the worlds largest folding umbrellas will be installed at the Grand Mosque’s courtyards and roof next year. This in a bid to shade pilgrims from the desert heat. According to Arab News, the umbrellas will cover 53x53 meters. The report adds that the commander of the forces responsible for security at the Haram of Makkah, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Ahmadi, said that […]
Standing at Arafat, the main pillar of the annual pilgrimage of Haj, will be on Thursday, Aug. 31 and the first day of the Eid Al-Adha festival will be on Friday, Sept. 1, according to a statement issued by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The court, after holding a session at its headquarters in Riyadh, stated that a number of people who sighted the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on […]
The number of pilgrims arriving via air, land and sea entry points until Friday reached 1.07 million, an increase of 204,302, or 24 percent, compared to the same period last year. The numbers of pilgrims arriving by air, land and sea were 1.015 million, 50,554 and 4,915 respectively, according to data released by the General Directorate of Passports. On Sunday, the number of pilgrims arriving in Madinah stood at 32,468, […]
As many as 95,400 domestic pilgrims without a Haj permit have so far been sent back from various entry points of Makkah and other holy sites, according to Gen. Khaled Al-Harbi, commander of the Haj Security Forces. He said a total of 47,700 vehicles carrying illegal pilgrims have been turned back during the period between July 19 and Aug. 12. Gen. Al-Harbi said that the Security forces are keeping utmost […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
