By Rachel Mohamed Today marks one of the holiest days on the Islamic calendar, the day of Arafah, millions of Hujaaj gathered on the plains of Arafat. At Masjid Namirah, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah Al Humaid delivered the annual Hajj Khutbah, highlighting a moment of deep spiritual and historical significance, when Muslim pilgrims gather to pray. Translating the khutbah for VOC, Shaykh Yusuf Gassiep of Town Centre Mosque shared: […]
By Kouthar Sambo Heartwarming scenes played out as Hujaaj (pilgrims) received a delightful welcome from their family members and travel operators upon their arrival today at the Cape Town International Airport. Giving you insight into the atmosphere, VOC News was on the ground to capture the special moments as little ones run to their parents while families reconnect over tight embraces. Speaking on VOC's PM Drive on Thursday, a representative […]
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 […]
By: Aneeqa du Plessis Aspiring pilgrims have been reminded to either accept or defer their accreditation before 18h30 this evening for Hajj 2023/1444 AH or face a penalty of 30 points. This is according to South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC). Furthermore, the final date to choose an accredited Hajj operator should be done by 18h30 on the 24th February. Speaking on VOC’s Breakfast show on Friday morning, SAHUC […]
INTERNATIONAL Western pilgrims, using the Saudi-backed Motawif portal, say their hotel in Mecca has "run out of rooms", with some people given keys to rooms already occupied by other guests, just days before the Hajj pilgrimage is due to begin. One British pilgrim, staying at the city's Fairmont Hotel, who wished to remain anonymous, said pilgrims were left "crying in the hotel lobby" after they were not allocated rooms. "People […]
Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts in organizing this year’s Hajj amid strict coronavirus precautionary and preventive measures. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, the WHO chief said: “As the faithful gather to perform Hajj this year, we welcome the public health planning and steps Saudi Arabia has taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims and their communities during the COVID19 pandemic.” Saudi […]
The coronavirus pandemic has forced drastic changes around the world, putting some two billion people under lockdown at one point. Sport events, music concerts, art exhibitions and more have been suspended as nearly 17 million people and counting became infected with COVID-19. Faith groups have also had to adjust to new realities, including Muslims who this year observed the holy month of Ramadan under much-subdued conditions, which saw the suspension […]
Hajj 2020 pilgrims arrived in Muzdalifah on Thursday night to rest after spending the day in Arafat. Earlier, the pilgrims scaled Mount Arafat to pray and repent, as a highly unusual Hajj approached its climax. They listened to a sermon delivered by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Manea and prayed Dhuhr and Asr prayers together at the Al-Namirah Mosque in Arafat. This year’s pilgrimage is the smallest in modern times, after the number […]
The Saudi Health Ministry has completed its preparations to provide medical care for pilgrims who will gather on the plains of Mount Arafat to perform the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage on Thursday, the ninth day of Dul-Hijjah. Health facilities in Arafat have been equipped with general clinics staffed by family doctors, internal consultants and nurses specialized in intensive care, as well as facilities equipped to deal with sunstroke and […]
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.
