Umrah The Voyage To The Islamic Sites

Umrah The Voyage To The Islamic Sites

The Muslims reside in any corner of the globe, belonging to any race and creed, having either language or color, have the deep most desire to visit the House of Allah, known as Kaaba, in the Makkah. Makkah is a holy place for Muslims. Which is important not only to be the center for the religious obligation, but also being the birthplace of the last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad PBUH. The followers of Him when set off for the performance of Umrah, they have the deep desire to visit all those places as well, which played an important role in the Muslim and Islamic history. The Umrah packages 2017, as offered today, hold the whole responsibility of not only the visit of Makkah for the Umrah, but they are also responsible for the Zayarat arrangements.

Umrah although not an act which is binding on the Muslims, yet they have the dream to go at least once in their lifetime to record their presence in the sacred Harram. The Umrah is a combination of certain rites, which the Muslims carried out in a series, which was fixed by their beloved Prophet PBUH, himself.

Holy travelers going there with Umrah Packages Other than Haram, there are certain places of great importance for the Muslims. These important places include: Jannatu Maula; which is the cemetery of the people of Makkah, and it is on the way to Mina, The grave of Um-Al-Momeneen Bibi Khadija (the first wife of the Holy Prophet) and that of, the Prophet’s son Qasim, Asma Bint Abu Baker, Abu-Talib, Abdullah Bin Zubair, and other members of the family of Holy Prophet PBUH, are located in this cemetery. The cemetery is located near the Al Haram Mosque and one can easily go there to pay homage and respect to the people buried there. There are two sections of this cemetery. One section contains old graves while the other contains new graves and these are the graves of ordinary citizens. This cemetery is also known as Al-Hajun. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to visit it frequently. It is the 2nd holiest graveyard of Islam after Baqi Graveyard.

The Jabale Noor, which means "The Mountain of Light", is a mountain near the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It houses the Hira cave where Prophet Muhammad PBUH, received his first revelation in Arabic from Allah through angel Jibraiel.

The Masjid e Kahf where 70,000 Prophets are buried, the Masjid e Uqba Ula, which is in Mina Makkah is a place which is still as same as it was at the time of the Prophet. The birth Place of the Prophet PBUH, have no comparison in the dignity in the Makkah.  The Araafat, Mina and Muzdalifah which have their sanctity from their importance in the time of Hajj. Some other places which include, the Masjid-e-Ayesha, the Jabale Rahma, the Jannatul Maula, the Gar e Hira, the Gar e Tur, the Qiswa Factory and the last but not least the Clock towerComputer Technology Articles, Abraj Mall are also considered most visited places by the Holy guests of Almighty Allah With Umrah Packages 2017.

Hajj & Umrah 2017 We have gladly offered Executive Hajj Packages 2017 & Umrah packages 2017 for our significant clients and organization customers. Go along with us and locate the new route with our best Hajj administrations.

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Source: articlesfactory.com

Etiquettes of the (Kaaba) Grand Mosque

Etiquettes of the (Kaaba) Grand Mosque

Visiting Masjid Al Haram in Makkah is a golden opportunity in the lives of every Muslim. Every Muslim yearns to visit the Grand Masjid of Makkah Al Mukarramah. However, while visiting the Masjid Al Haram, one must follow the proper etiquettes in order to maintain its decorum and sanctity of the place.

There are etiquettes to be followed, no matter which mosque one enters upon. However, the supremacy of the Grand Mosque in Makkah naturally makes it a priority.

1) Maintaining purity within ourselves

Demonstrate your eagerness by wearing neat and clean clothes while visiting the masjid. Ensure that your body and clothes are clean and pure. If you have eaten garlic or onions, do not go to the mosque, until the odour from your mouth has vanished.

Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullaah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “He who has eaten garlic or onion should keep away from us or our mosques. Whoever eats garlic or onions should stay away from us” – or he said: “from our mosque” – “and he should remain at his home.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The aforementioned Hadith shows that a person who has eaten garlic or onion (or anything similar to that) should stay away lest it cause discomfort to the fellow believers (and angels) who have come to worship, due to its pungent smell.

2) To enter with the right foot and recite the supplication of entering the mosque

How many of us have memorized the supplication for entering the masjid? If you have not yet, then it is high time to commit the supplication to memory.

It is highly recommended when entering Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, like other mosques, to say the following beautiful supplication: “I seek refuge with Allah, the Most Great, and with His bounteous Countenance and eternal Power from satan the expelled (from the mercy of Allah). All perfect praise be to Allah. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon Muhammad and upon his family. O Allah, forgive my sins and open the gates of Your mercy before me.”

Then, one should say, “In the Name of Allah,” and proceed with the right foot to enter the masjid. In this way we not only follow the way of our beloved Messenger (peace be upon him), but we also gain rewards from Allah (glory be to Him).

3) The prayer of salutations to the Masjid (tahiyyatul masjid)

Another imperative etiquette is performing the two rakah as the tahiyyatul masjid. This is evident from the following Hadith.

Abu Qatadah reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “When one of you comes to the mosque, he should pray two rak’at before he sits.” [Fiqh Us Sunnah, Volume 2, Page 70]

This prayer is established to observe the sanctity and greatness of the house of Allah (glory be to Him). One should not forget to pray the tahiyyatul masjid, as it is highly recommended.

4) Spend time in the remembrance of Allah

While you are in the Grand Masjid or any other masjid, take the utmost advantage of the holy place and remember Allah with much remembrance. Rather than talking with whoever is next to you, keep busy in mentioning Allah’s name and praising Him and seeking forgiveness.

“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening.” (Chapter 33, verse 41)

5)  Recite the supplication for leaving the masjid

When exiting the mosque, step out with the left foot and recite the following supplication:

“I exit in the Name of Allah. O’ Allah! Send Your prayers upon Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad and forgive my sins and open the doors of Your grace (to me).”

Our Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) said, “The markets are the worst places and the masajid are the best places on Earth.” (Ibn Majah 1/257)

The markets makes one forget Allah and occupies the heart in attaining worldly things through trade and shopping. Hence, they are the worst places on earth. The masajid are the best places since they detach us from the world and its affairs, and bring us closer to Allah.

In conclusion, whenever a person visits a mosque, they should observe the etiquettes listed above, as this will be a means of increasing their good deeds and earning the favour of Allah.

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Umrah in Winter

 Source: flickr

Umrah in Winter

The temperature remains high for most of the month in Saudi Arabia so when pilgrims visit Makkah and Madinah to perform Umrah during December they often get amazed. Mainly, if it’s their first visit because they have this idea that it will be hot in Saudi Arabia. To an amount, this idea is true because it gets slightly hot when pilgrims prepares for Zuhar prayer in December. But, throughout Fajr and Isha prayer the temperature gets really low so Umrah pilgrims have to cover themselves with thick and warm Ihrams. If not, it is feared that they will catch cold and get ill.

No one likes to get sick during such a trip therefore considering these mix climate conditions, it is fine for Umrah pilgrims is to pack both thin and thick garments. Therefore, men should pack a pair of 100 percent cotton Ihram and two towels, sheet Ihrams in arranging to keep their body warm during cold environment. Alike, women should bring along terry towel Ihram and cotton Ihrams with them. If possible, it would be good for women to wear black or white long the abayas, which do not have any accompaniments on them. In this way they will be able to cover their whole body, including hands, with the burqa.

Those, who do not favor to wear sweater inside the Ihram, can always go with a bow way coat for winter Umrah as it is thick enough to keep them warm. Besides bringing diverse Ihrams pilgrims must also take enough garments with them that their stay in Saudi Arabia remains relaxed. This does not mean that one should overload themselves by packing needless clothes. Pilgrims should also take two or three pairs of slippers so they could use them during Ihram. Since, they have to do lots of walking during the tour so carrying a pair of relaxed sandals or shoes is not a bad thought.

The weather gets really cold in Madinah during the winters so pilgrims can bring thick bed sheets and hot air balloon pillows too with them. Taking essential vaccines is equally significant so pilgrims must take all the required vaccines before departure for Umrah. The Saudi Government requires Umrah pilgrims to take following vaccines, yellow fever, polio, hepatitis B, flu, and meningitis so they would not face any problem during or after the journey.

At the time of arrival passengers are given a complimentary breakfast and tea, there is also a buffet system in the hotels. Since the whole program or trip is decided and considered on time, so the pilgrims will be requested to reach the airport timely and on a daily basis to get ready on time for the car to pick them from their hotels. Do not go for an agent only for the Cheapest Umrah package, but go for the one with the maximum amenities provided.

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Source: articlesfactory.com

5 things to know about alabaster on Holy Kaaba

Source: saudigazette

5 things to know about alabaster on Holy Kaaba

EIGHT pieces of alabaster that can be perceived on the right door of the Holy Kaaba gutter. So what is the story behind them?

It is one of the rarest types of marble in the world known as “Mary Stone,” characterized by a yellowish brown color, and it is said to be 807 years old.

Mohi Eddine Al Hashemi, a researcher in the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, explained to Al Arabiya: “The pieces are gifts from the Caliph Abu Jafar Al-Mansur when he restored the circumambulation terrace of the Grand Mosque in the year 631; the date was transcribed under a blue colored stone beneath one of the rare pieces of marble.

The pieces contain fascinating inscriptions. The largest is 33 cm long and 21 cm wide.

Eight marbles were put up in a low place away from the circumambulation terrace and opposite to the location of the eight marbles, where Angel Gabriel taught Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) how to pray. They were stolen in 1213 (Hijri) and later found in the heritage of a dead man. They were returned to their initial position in 1377 (Hijri). — Al Arabiya English

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Close to 1.5m Umrah pilgrims in Madinah

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Close to 1.5m Umrah pilgrims in Madinah

As many as 1,444,765 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom since the start of the Umrah season early November, local daily Al-Watan reported on Monday quoting the branch of the Haj and Umrah Ministry in Madinah.

The ministry said that a total of 1,350,559 pilgrims arrived by air while 90,285 by land and 3,921 by sea.

According to the ministry, Pakistanis constitute about 30.61 percent of the pilgrims who are visiting Madinah followed by Indonesians (17.91 percent), Indians (11.81 percent) and Malaysians (8.21 percent).

Undersecretary of the ministry Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Bijawi said since the start of the season the ministry has been making intensive tours of government and private establishments offering Haj services to make sure that pilgrims are properly served.

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Supreme panel to study proposals to make Haj sites disabled-friendly

Source: flickr

Supreme panel to study proposals to make Haj sites disabled-friendly

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier, minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, has issued directives to study the recommendations made by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah on facilitating matters for the disabled to use utilities in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.

The recommendations were referred to the crown prince by Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the Central Haj Committee.

The recommendations call for making utilities, buildings and hotels in the two holy cities and the ritual sites disabled-friendly to serve people with special needs. They will be tabled for discussion during the forthcoming meeting of the Supreme Haj Committee.

The recommendations include preparing the services utilities in the holy sites in the first stage to facilitate the movement of people with physical disabilities.

The following stages will cover the infrastructure including the rehabilitation of the roads and streets in the holy sites, the train stations and the Jamarat Bridge as per international standards. The objective is to facilitate the movement of people with special needs.

Special blocks will be allocated for Tawafa establishments and domestic pilgrim companies to serve the disabled. Special restrooms will be allocated for them in camps at the holy sites. Signs will be placed to guide them to the special utilities and facilities for their use.

The recommendations also include providing the required number of buses within the Haj fleet to meet their needs. It should be made compulsory for Haj affairs offices to provide the ministry with the number of pilgrims with special needs annually well in time to make the necessary arrangements. The aim is to make sure Haj affairs offices provide staff to accompany and help the disabled pilgrims who are not accompanied by relatives or other aides.

All the utilities, facilities, buildings and hotels where Haj and Umrah pilgrims stay or use should be prepared in such a way that people with special needs will not face any difficulty in movement in all Haj sites.

A specialist agency should be assigned to study the current accomplishments made in this regard and how far the forthcoming stages will be benefited from following their completion.

The aim is to boost the positive aspects and detect the negative aspects and observations. Any unforeseen shortcomings shall be dealt with immediately.

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King praised for directive to hike Haj quota

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King praised for directive to hike Haj quota

Riyadh — The Council of Ministers on Monday lauded the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to lift from this year the cuts in the quota of both domestic and foreign pilgrims imposed five years ago.

The Cabinet said that the King’s directive shows his care for Muslims and his efforts to provide the best services to pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.

The authorities had imposed a 20 percent reduction in the quota for foreign pilgrims coming from each country and 50 percent reduction in quota for domestic pilgrims in view of the expansion work at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Chairing the Cabinet session at Al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh, King Salman spoke about the outcome of his talks with President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger and his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Borge Brende.

The Cabinet commended the achievements of security agencies in monitoring and fighting terrorism, defending borders, defeating aggressors and thwarting any attempt to target the country’s security and stability.

The Cabinet also approved splitting the Agency for Mosques, Call and Guidance Affairs which comes under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs into Mosques Affairs Agency and Agency for Call and Guidance Affairs.

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Riyadh move to increase Haj numbers welcomed

source: arabnews.com

Riyadh move to increase Haj numbers welcomed

Saudi Arabia’s move to increase Haj quotas this year has been welcomed, after the number of pilgrims hit a 10-year low in 2016.

King Salman on Thursday approved a proposal to increase the number of pilgrims from inside and outside the Kingdom during this year’s season, which starts in late summer.

Mohammed Shahid Alam, consul of Haj and deputy consul general at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, said restoring the quotas is good news for pilgrims.

Last year, around 136,000 Indian pilgrims came to perform Haj, down from 170,000 in 2012 after the government reduced the quota by 20 percent. The figure for this year is set to be declared after a ministerial meeting to be held later this month.

Sajid Yousfani, Pakistan’s director general for Haj, told Arab News that the news of restoring of quota is positive for the whole Muslim Ummah, or global community, and those waiting to perform Haj this year.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia imposed a 20 percent cut in the quota for foreign pilgrims, and a 50 percent cut for domestic pilgrims, to ensure safety during the expansion of the Grand Mosque.

The number of pilgrims will be gradually increased and restored to what it was five years ago, according to an official statement.

Meetings with heads of the Haj ministries across the world have been scheduled to discuss Haj 2017 preparations, and the number of pilgrims for this year from outside the Kingdom will be announced later.

Last year, 1,325,372 foreign and 537,537 domestic pilgrims performed Haj, making a total of 1,862,909 pilgrims. This was the lowest number of pilgrims recorded in the last 10 years.

More than 2.4 million Muslims performed the Haj pilgrimage in 2007, according to reports.

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Source: arabnews.com

Haj quota cuts lifted

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Haj quota cuts lifted

SAUDI ARABIA has decided to lift from this year the reduction in the quota of Haj pilgrims imposed five years ago. It said the higher authorities approved a proposal by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior who is also chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, to restore the pilgrimage quota that existed prior to the cuts.

Minister of Haj and Umrah on Thursday thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad, and Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman for lifting the reduction in the quota of both domestic and foreign pilgrims. He said that the concerned authorities have made preparations to receive the additional number of pilgrims for the forthcoming Haj. Bantan said this while receiving heads of Haj delegations from Arab and Islamic countries at his office in Jeddah.

The authorities imposed a 20 percent cut in the quota for foreign pilgrims coming from each country while the number of people allowed to perform Haj within the Kingdom was reduced by 50 percent to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the largest ever expansion in the history of the Grand Mosque, which is nearing completion, as well as the expansion of mataf (circumambulating area around the Holy Kaba) and massive projects at the Holy Sites.

Crown Prince Muhammad asked all concerned departments to get ready to receive a larger number of pilgrims for the upcoming Haj. He instructed to give the Haj missions opportunity to increase the number of pilgrims so as to restore the quota in a phased manner. The Crown Prince said that the exact number of pilgrims coming from each country will be decided by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. However, he assured that the decided quota for every country will remain intact. Under the quota system that came into effect decades ago, a country is allowed to send only one Haj pilgrim for every 1,000 Muslim citizens.

A number of Haj missions in Jeddah congratulated the Saudi leadership for restoring the Haj quota. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Indian Consul General Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh welcomed the decision, saying that it is a great move. “The Indian Haj Committee could accommodate only one fourth of the applicants after the quota cut. “The reduced quota for pilgrims under the Haj Committee was 100,020 but the number of applicants exceeded 400,000 last year. A total of 136,020 Indian pilgrims performed Haj during the last five years after imposition of a cut in quota in 2012, and they included 100,020 under Haj Committee and 36,000 who come through private tour operators,” he said. India’s quota for Haj-2012 was 170,000, but later the year the government reduced the quota by 20 percent.

Sheikh also said that launching of mobile app for Haj in India will be a further boost in streamlining the Haj operation.

“The app will complement with the integrated mobile app launched by the Jeddah Haj mission,” he said.

The Indian Haj Mission was the first foreign mission in the Kingdom to come up with an innovative Global Positioning System (GPS) application during the Haj of 2014.

India’s Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched at India’s Haj House in Mumbai last Monday the mobile application which will provide information and facilitate e-payments for the pilgrimage.

“It is for the first time that Haj application process is going to be digital,” Naqvi said. Applying for Haj, enquiry and information, news and updates and e-payment are the main features of the app. The application can be made directly on the app. Five adults and two infants can apply as a group.

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Share Your Hajj Experience

Source: flickr

Share Your Hajj Experience

As millions of Muslims around the world prepare to go on the Hajj, for Kansas City imam Bilal Hazziez the memories of performing the pilgrimage in 2012 remain strong, particularly as this year’s Hajj approaches. Hazziez, the resident imam of Al-Inshirah Islamic Center, describes going on the Hajj as life changing, saying that before he went, he believed in God but once there, he went from believing to actually knowing God. The experience of being one among millions of pilgrims from all walks of life, from the richest to the poorest, all dressed in white, all performing the same rituals, particularly touched him. “We are one single brotherhood, one single sisterhood,” says Hazziez, “You get that and you see that on the Hajj.”

Imam Hazziez went on the Hajj with his wife, Shahidah, and the two decided to document their journey in a video blog. The imam says at first it was a way to record his own emotions and save them for his children. Later, he realized that the blog could give everyone an in-depth, behind the scenes look at the experience, what it was like, for example, to see the Kaaba for the first time or to feel the sublime and peaceful atmosphere of Medina and visit the Prophet’s mosque. He thought by sharing his journey other Muslims who had not been on the Hajj might be encouraged to go.

A new public television documentary hopes that Muslims performing this year’s Hajj will be equally inspired to document their experiences. Taking a unique approach to filming this major religious event, the movie SACRED, a project of New York’s WLIW, is asking pilgrims traveling to Mecca to record and share their own video of the pilgrimage and its many rituals. The project is the first to use crowd-sourcing as a way of documenting religious and spiritual practice and people can submit footage they’ve shot with a video camera or even their phones.

SACRED will be a comprehensive film open to all who would like to contribute. It is not limited to American Muslims and anyone, whether they are performing the Hajj for the first time or are returning to Mecca, is encouraged to send in video. The filmmakers want to include as many diverse perspectives as possible. This project will allow Muslims to share their experiences and show fellow believers and those outside their faith the meaning of the Hajj and its importance in Islam. The SACRED producers believe those performing the Hajj are in the best position to give voice to what is truly sacred about this pillar of Islam. With this inclusive production model, the producers hope to create a personal and up-close view of sacred events, to capture what traditional filmmaking may miss. In the case of the Hajj, the film aims to go beyond the often seen images of millions gathering in Mecca to explore the individual spiritual moments that make this a life-transforming journey.

SACRED, which will document one year of religious and spiritual experience from June 2013 through June 2014, will include other Muslim holidays and rituals in addition to the Hajj. In July, the filmmakers captured observance of Ramadan around the globe, shooting on location in Istanbul, Cairo and South Africa. The film also hopes to make use of crowd-sourced footage of Ramadan observances and Eid ul-Fitr celebrations, which individuals can still submit. A selection of footage from the 365-day filming period will be edited together into a 90-minute film which will be offered to public television audiences across the United States. Contributors whose footage is selected will receive onscreen recognition.

Although the filmmakers are interested in major religious events like the Hajj, people are encouraged to submit any footage of an event they consider sacred, whether that’s a rite of passage, a daily ritual or a family tradition. As one of SACRED’s executive producers, William F. Baker explains, “The mission of SACRED is to promote peaceful coexistence by exposing the world to the beauty, uplifting power and thematic common ground of all religions and forms of spiritual expression.”

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Source: islamicity.org

Umrah fee does not affect inflow of pilgrims

Umrah fee does not affect inflow of pilgrims

It seems the government’s recent decision to impose SR2,000 fee on pilgrims who perform Haj or Umrah more than once has not affected the inflow of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques at the start of this year’s Umrah season.

However, many pilgrims and Umrah operators requested the authorities to review the decision.

“It’s a big blow to Umrah operators,” said an agent of an Umrah service company from Kerala, which has sent thousands of pilgrims this season.

“We find it difficult to get pilgrims due to the new fee, which has increased the cost of an Umrah trip by Rs36,000,” said the agent.

He hoped that the Kingdom would withdraw the fee for the benefit of Umrah operators as well as Saudi businesses.

An elderly South African pilgrim, who introduced himself as Mohammed, said Saudi Arabia has every right to impose fee on pilgrims. However, he said the fee should be brought down to SR500.

“I have decided to come for Umrah every year irrespective of the cost it would incur. This is my 32nd Umrah,” Mohammed said while watching pilgrims circumambulate the Holy Kaaba.

“I manage to get the money required for visiting Makkah every year by the Grace of Allah.”

Zainul Abideen, a young Malaysian pilgrim who came for Umrah with his wife, was not happy with the fee, saying it would make Umrah unaffordable. “Many foreign pilgrims having low income like me wish to visit this holy place to pray to Allah and get His blessings,” he told Saudi Gazette.

He also agreed that Saudi Arabia has the right to impose fees for the services it offers.

“Even if it charges SR300 from every pilgrim it can make a good amount of money as more than seven million foreign pilgrims come for Umrah every year,” he pointed out.

Abideen has spent 14,000 ringgit (about SR11,700) for the Umrah trip of himself and his wife. “We came on a Saudia flight, which was full of pilgrims. This is our first Umrah and we are extremely delighted for getting an opportunity to make this wonderful spiritual journey,” he told Saudi Gazette sitting in the Grand Mosque.

Bangladeshi businessman Mohammed Shahidul Islam also expressed his hope that the Saudi government would lift the fee in order to encourage more faithful to visit Makkah and Madinah.

Asked about the response of Bangladeshi Muslims toward the Umrah fee, he said: “They are hopeful that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman would revoke it for the benefit of all Muslims who dream to visit the holy places in Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Gazette also met a group of young Indonesian pilgrims at the Grand Mosque, some of them have paid SR2,000 Umrah fee. They believe the fee would decrease the number of Indonesians going for Umrah.

“We hope King Salman would revoke the Umrah fee in response to the prayers and pleas of Muslims all over the world,” said Akbar, a member of the group.

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