Blessings of Dhul Hijjah

The last month of the lunar calendar ‘Dhul Hijjah’ is here. It is the month of the fifth pillar of Islam — Haj. This is the last sacred month of the year in Hijra Calendar. It is the month of Eid Al-Adha and the great sacrifice.

Did you know that first 10 days of this month are very important and blessed?

Even for those who are not performing the pilgrimage — Haj, the first 10 days are equally important and virtuous. All the good deeds that you do are loved and rewarded by Allah manifold in these 10 days. Every act of worship has double rewards.

If you are not going for Haj then, what can you do to gain the benefit and blessing of 10 days of Dhul Hijjah?

According to a saying of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), fasting in any of these 9 days is equivalent to fasting for one year. Hence, your reward is as if you fasted throughout the year. Therefore, you can start by fasting to avail the blessing of these days.

Fasting on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, which is the day of Arafat for those performing pilgrimage is the most special and auspicious. Did you know that fasting on ninth of this month would make up for the sins and misgivings of last and the coming year?

However, as the summer is strongest in the Kingdom right now. Thus, it is better to keep yourself hydrated and drink a lot of water if you are going to fast.

In addition, it has been stated that if you pray at night, it will be equivalent to praying on the night of Qadr in Ramadan. We all seek Layla-tol-Qadr in Ramadan, and here Allah has given us the opportunity to have it again.

Do the Dikhr as much as possible. Always keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah. Recite Qur'an and Takbeerat. Ask your parents to guide you, and help you learn.

Do as many good deeds as possible. Allah loves all the good things that you can do in these days and they are rewarded immensely. Respect others, and show your good manners. Be the first one to greet others, and help everyone around you.

Spend a part of your pocket money on giving charity, or helping someone in need. Make Dua for your loved ones and the entire world. Allah listens to our prayer when we call upon Him. Make positive changes in life by adopting a good habit, and dropping a bad one. If you are not regular in your daily prayers, it is a very good time to make the change. Get rid of anger, and stop fighting with your siblings.

This time of the year is very important, especially if you did not get the chance to do well throughout the year. Be a good Muslim, and an excellent human being starting today. The rewards and blessings are yours in this world and the hereafter.

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source: saudigazette.com.sa

Over 1.3m pilgrims to arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

Electronic platforms had also helped to make the process easier.
Capsules are fitted with a sliding door at the end that can be opened by a magnetic card for each user, to ensure privacy.

More than 1.3 million pilgrims are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj season, and more than 200,000 “domestic pilgrims” have also registered for services including the “low-cost Hajj,” “affordable Hajj,” and “general program,” the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Sunday.

The number of pilgrims registered for the general program is 160,221, with 37,891 signing up for low-cost Hajj and 10,016 for the affordable Hajj.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat said that the ministry had worked hard to ensure that all programs and facilities to receive guests in accordance with the highest standards were in place well in advance of the season. He said that its electronic platforms had also helped to make the process easier.

Mashat expressed his hope that all pilgrims would enjoy Hajj in comfort and safety and that God would accept their prayers and that they would return safely to their home countries after performing their pilgrimage.

This Hajj season pilgrims will also be able to try out the latest mobile hotel capsules — sleeping units that offer hotel room services and facilities in the smallest possible space, Hadiya, the Hajji and Mu’tamer’s Gift Charitable Association have announced.

These capsules can be placed side-by-side or on top of each other, with a height of two units. When the capsules are stacked a three-step staircase gives access to the top capsule.

Capsules are fitted with a sliding door at the end that can be opened by a magnetic card for each user, to ensure privacy.

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source: arabnews.com

Two-Month Haj plan unveiled

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has unveiled its two-month Hajj plan for the upcoming Haj season, stretching from the beginning of the current month until the end of the month of Dhul Hijjah (July-August).

Sheikh Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, chief of the authority, said the presidency was keen to make all early preparations for the Haj season for this year, including a number of services, covering administrative and human resources, guiding, engineering and technical fields.
He also pointed out that the plan during this year’s Haj season is working to achieve a number of goals, including helping pilgrims to perform their duties with utmost ease while making sure that the plan goes on without any hindrance, making all its venues available for the Great Mosque pilgrims and guiding them with wisdom and good advice as well as providing all the necessary services and preparing all the facilities and venues and ensuring they are ready in the best possible way. He also indicated that it was done in partnership and coordination with the relevant institutions, government and security parties headed by the Ministry of Interior and the regions of Makkah and Madinah.

Concerning the pilgrims’ guidance, Sheikh Sudais stressed the availability of a number of important services provided by public administrations including a guidance and advise service that is concerned with raising the awareness of pilgrims and visitors conducting their worship in the most appropriate way and according to legitimate requirements. This includes: workshops conducted by a number of religious figures from sheikhs, instructors and scholars, the distribution of Qur’an copies, pamphlets, religious and advisory books, translation of Friday sermons in the Two Holy Mosques in several languages, and organizing and arranging the visits and salutations to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his worthy companions (may Allah be pleased with them) as well as arranging the entrance and praying of women in the Prophet’s Mosque without mixing with men.

He also underlined the fact that the foundation has been working on the simultaneous interpretation of Friday sermons in the Holy Mosque and that in 10 languages in addition to organizing all the gates and stairs during the Haj season. There are 210 gates in the Grand Mosque and 100 gates in the Prophet’s Mosque

There is 660 marble Zamzam water fountains and 25,000 water dispensers in the Grand Mosque, 60 fountains and 23,000 water dispensers in the Prophet’s Mosque.


King Abdul Aziz Foundation will also contribute through the renovation of Kiswa (gold-laced cover of the Holy Kaba) and a new cover on Dhul Hijjah 9. 
The number of humidifiers and air fresheners will also be increased in the corridors of the Grand Mosque in order to welcome visitors and worshipers. The air fresheners will be equipped with the finest incense and the best variety of coal which preserves heat without causing any smell or sparks. The air fresheners used are made of colloidal copper and covered with a colloidal perforated silver coat that allows diffusing the incense with all caution.

Efforts are also on to allocate 600 air fans to the Grand Mosque and its squares, 4,500 air fans in the corridors of the Mataf (Kaba circumambulation area) and 250 umbrellas in the Prophet’s Mosque as well as 52,499 carpets in the Two Holy Mosques. — Al Arabiya English

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source: saudigazette.com.sa

264,000 more pilgrims from abroad this year

source: saudigazette.com.sa

264,000 more pilgrims from abroad this year

THE number of foreign pilgrims performing Haj this year would be highest in history, according to sources at the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. Saudi authorities have made flawless and elaborate arrangements to receive the largest number of pilgrims in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and to ensure a hassle-free Haj. So far nearly one million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom.

The number of foreign pilgrims last year was 13,25,372. However, this year, there will be an increase of about 264,000 pilgrims reaching a total of around 1.6 million. Most of them have started flocking the holy land from all over the world. This was made possible following Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s directive to lift the 20 percent cut in the quota of foreign pilgrims and 50 percent cut in the number of domestic pilgrims. The quota cut was enforced in 2012 due to the massive expansion works of mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) and the Grand Mosque.

As of Thursday, a total of 916,562 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom, an increase of 165,013 (22 percent) comparing with the same period last year. According to a statistical report of the General Directorate of Passports, the number of pilgrims who arrived by air reached 878,567, while the number of pilgrims who arrived by land and sea account for 35,023 and 2,972 respectively. Of these pilgrims, 607,715 reached Madinah to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and spend a few days in the holy city before setting out for Makkah.

Meanwhile, more than a million pilgrims and visitors offered Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. In his Friday sermon, Sheikh Faisal Bin Jameel Ghazzawi, imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque, urged the pilgrims to engage in supplications and spiritual preparations in anticipation of their life-time journey which is around the corner.

The imam specially spoke about the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, asking pilgrims to take full advantage of them well before moving to the holy sites to perform the Haj rituals. “Haj is the greatest of all worships that make the believer much closer to Almighty Allah and there should not be any laxity and delay in utilizing the opportunity of performing this fifth pillar of Islam,” he said.

Sheikh Ali Al-Hudaifi, imam and khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque, cited in his sermon a myriad benefits — both spiritual and material — a Muslim obtains by performing Haj. “Nobody except Almighty Allah can calculate the rewards and benefits of Haj. In the event of an acceptable Haj, Allah will safeguard a Muslim from the machinations of Satan during the rest of his life,” he said while urging pilgrims to be cautious to win the pleasure of God through respecting the Signs of Allah in the holy city as well as performing the rituals earnestly and not spoiling their rituals with involvement in worldly affairs.

Meanwhile, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Saleh Al-Asheikh launched the ministry’s media programs to educate pilgrims during the current Haj season. He said the plan included distribution of millions of publications, books, CDs, films and dawa mass media material in 32 international languages. “Around 100 satellite channels are taking part in educating pilgrims through the dissemination of films and programs produced by the ministry. The plan also reflects the Kingdom’s efforts in serving the pilgrims,” the minister said.

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source: saudigazette.com.sa

Arafat Day on Aug. 31

Arafat Day on Aug. 31

RIYADH – 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 Tuesday evening made their testimonies in their respective regional courts. Accordingly, Wednesday, Aug. 23, will be the first day of the month of Dhul Hijja, after completing 30 days of Dhul Qada on Tuesday.

The Supreme court wished all pilgrims a successful and comfortable Haj, and greeted Muslims all over the world that Almighty Allah may accept their deeds.

Types of Packages

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source: saudigazette.com.sa

Ramadan Umrah Packages 2017 is the best Umrah package deals -- British haj travel

Ramadan Umrah Packages 2017 is the best Umrah package deals

Umrah is not mandatory religious practice in Islam as Hajj but it also brings lots of rewards promised by Allah. It has been a continuous practice from the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is being practiced from that time onward. With the passage of time, the number of Muslims performed Umrah has been increased significantly. Though, it can be performed any time in the year but the strength of pilgrimage increase tenfold in the month of Holy Ramadan. Prophet Mohammad narrated in many occasions that the reward of Umrah increase as much as of hajj. Ramadan is such a month in Islam that makes Muslims to earn the blessings of Allah.

Scheduling your Ramadan Umrah Package was not that ease as this is today. All you have to hire a Umrah travelling agent so make all necessary adjustments so as to give you maximum comfort. Your peace of mind concerning your visit, stay and transportation belongs to the agent you are going to hire for your holy journey of Makkah and Madina. He can either make you troublesome or free from hassle. Ramadan Umrah packages 2017 are there for you so that you can choose a suitable package to make your trip possible.

Ranges of Umrah package are offered for Ramadan 2017, from cheap to 5 stars packages are provided because of meeting your need. No matter you ask for cost effective visit or you want to spend more to buy maximum luxury. Not only cheap or luxury Umrah packages are there but some average packages are also being offered so as to attain a mean of two extremes. Most of the Muslim brothers who can't afford much are advised to go with cheap Ramadan Umrah Packages as to make their dreams come true while visiting holy places of Makkah and Madina.

One thing you must have to keep in your mind ahead of selecting traveling agent for your Umrah package in Ramadan 2017 that you must choose a reliable and trustworthy agent or company. It has been observed that most of the times you are not being served the services you paid. You pay high for your comfort but do not given the luxury you deserve. There is a way to find out a reliable the trustworthy that can make full of comfort arrangement for you. This is really important for you do that you can perform your religious duties with high devotions. Eventfully, your devotion with your religious duties will surely help you attain what you want. Schedule your Ramadan Umrah package for this holy Ramadan 2017 with us because we completely understand the needs of our customers for Umrah visit.

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Source: kaabahtours.co.uk

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

Over 600,000 pilgrims to visit Madinah before Haj

Over 600,000 pilgrims to visit Madinah before Haj

MAKKAH — More than 600,000 pilgrims are expected to visit Madinah to pay homage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and pray at his mosque, according to Hatim Qadi, spokesman for the Ministry of Haj 2016 and Umrah 2016.

He said the pilgrims started arriving in Madinah on Thursday. “On that day, 60 Haj flights landed at Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah,” he added.

The spokesman said 14 lounges have been prepared at the airport to receive the pilgrims who will be served by 42 passport counters.

Qadi said all government and private establishments are geared to receive the pilgrims and provide them with the best services that will help them perform their acts of worship in peace and comfort.

He explained that nine establishments are providing services to the pilgrims. Representatives of six Tawafa establishments, the Unified Zamzam Office in Makkah, the Unified Office of Agents receive them on arrival at the entry points, in addition to the Establishment of Guides in Madinah.

Qadi said the number of pilgrims this year is expected to be similar to last year as the cut in the quota system is still being applied.

Since the 2013 Haj, the Saudi government has decided to enforce a reduction in the number of pilgrims permitted for each country under a quota system approved by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to allow expansion work at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The request to reduce the number of pilgrims from abroad by a fifth and from inside the country by half was approved by the OIC and the country’s religious leadership. The Supreme Judicial Council said the reduction in pilgrim numbers was legitimate to ensure safety while work was carried out to allow more pilgrims in future.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah announced on Sunday that the electronic registration of domestic pilgrims is continuing smoothly after a delay of two days during which many pilgrims were not able to access the service.

The ministry said the fault in the system resulted from heavy pressure because a large number of people attempted to register at the same time.
The ministry said more than 30,000 pilgrims have registered so far.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa