With the Hajj 1445 AH season wrapping up, the South African Hajj and Umrah Council has stated pilgrims are satisfied with the services offered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during the five days of hajj. Over 100 pilgrims returned to the Mother City at Cape Town International Airport on Friday (June 21, 2024). Speaking on VOC’s Sunday Live show on Sunday, Secretary General at SAHUC Hafiz Hassan Choonara […]
By Ragheema Mclean Several pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have died, and many are believed missing. In the latest count, 19 people have been confirmed dead, while 17 others are reported missing. Among the victims, at least six were said to have suffered sunstroke, ahead of a weather forecast predicting nearly 50-degree Celsius heat. The cause of the other deaths has not been specified. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, […]
By Ragheema Mclean With over 1.8 million Muslim pilgrims performing the sacred journey of Hajj 1445 this year, it's crucial to recognize the significant financial challenges it often entails. The cost of Hajj includes travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and other associated costs, making it a financially demanding journey for many. Despite these challenges, the pilgrimage remains a deeply spiritual experience for those who undertake it. VOC News spoke to some […]
By Ragheema Mclean Muslim pilgrims are arriving in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Makkah as the annual Hajj pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale. This year, around 2,500 South African pilgrims are set to embark on this spiritual journey. Speaking on VOC Breakfast South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) Secretary-General Hafiz Hassan Choonara provided an update on preparations: “All preparations for Hajj start nine months before the days of […]
With the blessed month of Dhul Hijjah 1445 AH upon us, The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has assured pilgrims that it’s all systems go to ensure a smooth process of Hajj. Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all […]
By Ragheema Mclean Hajj season is upon us, and Cape Town International Airport was alive with excitement and emotion as a significant group of Capetonian pilgrims set off for Hajj on Sunday. In true Cape Town style, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and camaraderie as hundreds of family members and friends gathered to bid farewell and offer their blessings to the Hujaaj embarking on the sacred journey of Hajj […]
By Ragheema Mclean The first group of South African Hujaaj for the 1445 Hajj season departed on Wednesday (8 May 2024), beginning their journey to the sacred pilgrimage in the holy lands. Speaking on VOC’s News Beat show, President of the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) Moaaz Casoo stated, "We had flights departing from Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports, with South African Hujaaj among the first groups […]
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.
