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

50 things to do in Hajj

50 things to do in Hajj

• Smile in another Muslims face

• Say Salam to strangers

• Shake someone’s hand and ask about their health

• Buy tea for someone

• Offer to get someone’s groceries

• Sit with a Hajj group from another country and ask about Islam in their village

• Carry someone’s bags for them

• Guide someone ill to the infirmary

• Shun vain talk

• Recite talbiyah loudly, encouraging others

• On the days of Eid, walk through the tents reciting talbiyah loudly reminding others

• Gather stones for people

• Offer to throw on behalf of unable Hajjis

• Guide people to the Jamarat

• Lower your gaze

• Remind people of the lives of the Sahaabah

• Read Qur’an with the Tafseer

• Do the authentic Dhikr of the morning and evening

• Make dua during your Sajdah

• Stand to the side of a gate and offer people water/tea as they leave

• Give major attention to shy people in your group

• Remind people of patience, why they came here, and the example of our Ulumaa’ in Hajj

• Explain a Hajj Khutbah you may have heard to those around you

• Explain the importance of purifying ones actions for the sake of Allah

• Phone relatives (from Makkah) on Eid day

• Make dua for forgotten friends (and the author of this list)

• Don’t allow Muslims to fight during Hajj

• Help people find a place to sleep

• Remember – during the heat – the unending torment of hellfire

• Say ‘Laa ilaaha illa Allah, wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahul Mulk wa lahul hamd, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadeer’ 100x

• Say the dua of entering the market place when you go there

• Give charity to those who sell meager things (sandals/eggs)

• Attend the Halaqahs that are given in Mina

• Stay for the 13th of Dhul Hijjah

• Remind people to go home as better Muslims

• Forgive people that wrong you

• Talk to 10 different people from 10 different countries

• Compliment someone sincerely

• Visit the hospital and thank Allah for all that he has given you

• Take young Muslims and invite them to sit with the elders. Make them the center of attention.

• Give a tafseer class after Salah / ask someone knowledgeable

• (For men) On the days of Eid, offer perfume to those around you

• Ask about the health of senior women in your group.  Make sure they are attended to.

• Focus hard on helping those immediately near you

• Take people to the slaughter house and help them / Or assist them in purchasing their slaughter coupons

• Remember specific blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and say Alhamdulillah

• Pray to Allah using his 99 most beautiful names (al Asmaa’ al Husna)

• Use a Miswak

• Fill your pockets with candies and give to the children that you meet

• Always intend reward from Allah for everything you go through during Hajj

Source: islamicity.org