Islam is not only for Muslims, says scholar

Islam is not only for Muslims, says scholar

ISLAM is not a religion for Muslims alone; it is for the entire mankind, a well-known Indian scholar and preacher has said.

“It is our duty to enlighten followers of other religions on the noble teachings of Islam. Our religion teaches us moderation, tolerance, compassion and peaceful coexistence,” Muhammad Umar Gautam, chairman of the New Delhi-based Islamic Dawah Center (IDC), said at a special function organized by Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (Jeddah chapter) in Jeddah recently.

It is high time to exert great efforts to disseminate the sublime nature of Islam at a time when the image of the religion which preaches peace is tarnished by its own followers, as well as by certain deviant groups, said the preacher who reverted to Islam in 1984.

Formerly known as Shyam Pratap Singh Gautam, Muhammad Umar belongs to an affluent Rajput Thakur family from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and is a distant relative of former Indian prime minister V.P. Singh.

He said the best propagation of Islam is strict observance of its teachings by its followers.

Since the very first day of embracing Islam, Gautam embarked on this great mission and it had an electrifying impact on the people and he has succeeded in attracting hundreds of people to the fold of Islam as well as to enlighten hundreds of thousands others to have a proper understanding of Islam and remove misgivings about the divine religion.

Another revert and an active Dawah worker, Muhammad Sufiyan (formerly Saurabh Dutt), narrated the sequence of events that led him to believe in the Oneness of God. “What fascinated me to Islam is the spirit of empathy and compassion that energizes followers of Islam to help fellow human beings. In my case, it was a childhood friend who guided me toward the true teachings of Islam,” he said.

Mufti Mohd Sagheer Qasmi, a close Gautam aide, shed light on the working of the Islamic Dawah Center. There are more than 500 reverts associated with the center. “We focus on four-pronged strategy to rehabilitate the converts. First of all, we go to local magistrate to complete legal procedures, and then Qadi to obtain religious conversion certificate, besides publishing classified advertisements in newspapers for change of name and then gazette the notification,” he said and added: “Our priority is to rehabilitate them. We have full-fledged multistory building for the center where they live and receive training so as to enable them to take up jobs and work in the society. The center is basically meant for the converts and for their education and rehabilitation. We hold full time Dawah training for scholars to equip them for their work, in addition to conducting interfaith dialogue and supporting weaker sections, especially widows and divorcees,” he added.

In this connection, he said the Islamic Dawah Center will be organizing the eighth annual reverts get-together in New Delhi in the beginning of the next month. Speakers at the event will throw light on the importance of Dawah in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah and duties of a Muslim in providing the message of Islam for the guidance of whole mankind.

Bahjat Najmi, well-known Dawah worker in Jeddah and grandson of late Moulana Hifzur Rehman Seoharvi, a famous freedom fighter, member of parliament and noted Muslim personality of India, will be the chief guest at the event, he said.

The Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (Jeddah chapter) also utilized the occasion to bid farewell to senior Alig, Muhammad Mian Sahab, who is leaving Saudi Arabia after serving in various capacities for more than three and half decades in the Kingdom.

Vice president of the association, Nooruddin Khan, paid rich tributes to the outgoing Aligarian recalling his contributions toward the unity of AMU alumni. Muhammad Mian Sahab, he said, acted as returning officer in several elections of the association.

source: saudigazette.com.sa

The seven most beloved places to the Prophet (peace be upon him)

Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah Al-Mukarramah

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was directed by his Lord to direct his face in prayer to the Ka`bah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that a single prayer in Al-Masjid Al-Haram is worth 100,000 prayers in any other mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “I swear by Allah, you (Makkah) are the best of the lands of Allah and you are the most beloved land to Allah.”

Al-Masjid An-Nabawi in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “O Allah! Make us love Madinah as much as we love Makkah or even more.” When the Prophet (peace be upon him) would return from travel and see the walls of Madinah, he would speed up his camel out of his love for Madinah.

Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led all the prophets in prayer at Masjid Al-Aqsa on the night of the amazing journey of Al-Israa’ and Mi`raaj. Allah states in the Holy Qur’an, “Exalted is He who took His Servant [Prophet Muhammad] by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed.” (Qur’an 17-1)

Masjid Quba in Madinah

It was the first mosque to be built in Islam by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The reward for one prayer there is equal to the reward for performing Umrah.

Mount Uhud in Madinah

While standing on Mount Uhud with his companions, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “This mountain loves us and we love it.”

Al-Baqee`, the burial ground in Madinah

Al-Baqee` is the burial ground of an estimated 10,000 companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He (peace be upon him) used to visit their graves and make duaa for the people buried there. He (peace be upon him) used to say, “May you be safe, O abode of the believing. What you have been promised has come to you.” He (peace be upon him) also said, “O Allah, forgive the inhabitants of the Baqee` Al-Gharqad.”

Ar-Rawdah in the Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Between my house and my pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is on my fountain tank (i.e. Al-Kauthar).”

The seven most beloved places to the Prophet (peace be upon him). British haj travel Ltd is one of the Leading travel agency in UK. We arrange Hajj, Umrah and Ziyarat. Visit our website: www.britishhajtravel.com or Call Us at: 0177 2252 996

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

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source: cheapestumrah.blogspot.com/

Pilgrims in Madinah after a successful Hajj

Source:arabnews.com

Pilgrims in Madinah after a successful Hajj

Many pilgrims have arrived in Madinah after a spiritually uplifting few days in and around the holy city of Makkah. They are visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, as well as other attractions around Madinah as authorities announce the third phase of their Hajj plan.(Photos by SPA)

Source:arabnews.com

Pilgrims benefit from projects in Makkah, holy sites

arabnews.com

Pilgrims benefit from projects in Makkah, holy sites

MAKKAH: Projects carried out by the government in Makkah and the holy sites are facilitating pilgrims’ movement and providing them with the services they need to complete their Hajj comfortably and easily.

The Makkah Development Authority has implemented 14 projects worth SR300 million ($80 million).

The most prominent projects are the third expansion of the Grand Mosque (the largest expansion in Saudi history), the Jamaarat facility, the Muaissem slaughterhouse, the shuttle bus service, Al-Mashaaer Metro, pedestrian routes separated from vehicle traffic, fire-resistant tents and the removal of slums.

The Jamaarat facility has attracted global attention for its advanced architectural construction and its ability to hold millions of people without any major incident.

Al-Mashaaer Metro is expected to accommodate more than 350,000 pilgrims this year. Maj. Gen. Hamid Al-Jahdali, assistant commander of Hajj security forces, said 9,500 soldiers and officers will help with crowd management at the metro.

“We have 17 trains, each has 12 vehicles, and each vehicle can accommodate 250 people, including 50 seats for the elderly and 200 standing,” he said.

“The total capacity of each metro is 3,200 passengers in nine stations. The total number of passengers will be 72,000 passengers per hour.”

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source: arabnews.com

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

Importance Of Different Cities During Hajj And Umrah | British haj travel

Importance Of Different Cities During Hajj And Umrah | British haj travel

Importance Of Different Cities During Hajj And Umrah Each year millions of people travel from east and west to the Holy cities of Saudi Arabia in order to perform the most religious obligations of Islam. People tend to travel in the form of groups.

Often people travelling from the Western lands go to the Holy city Makkah first to perform Umrah and then they would travel to Madinah and would come back again. There are some groups who first travel to Madinah as well.

You don’t have to get worried about Ihram when landing in Jeddah if you are travelling with one of those groups who are going to Madinah because you are not getting entered in Makkah. This is the most preferable method of many pilgrims because then they don’t have to face the trouble of entering in Ihram when they are on plane.

Outside the Holy city, Madinah, there is a place called Dhu’l-$ulayfah and every single driver of bus and taxi stops at Dhu’l-$ulayfah and informs you that it is a particular place of gettinginto Ihram. 

Because people are travelling from all over the world, availing any kind of package like Hajj Packages 2017 from Birmingham, England or any other, and often don’t know the places and their names so the drivers are trained enough to inform all the pilgrims so that they don’t face any trouble.

In Dhu’l-$ulayfah, you perform the two rakaat of Namaz, wear your Ihram and then move to the next place. You also say Labbayk when you are in Dhu’l-$ulayfah. It is very important to note one thing that wearing and Ihram and being in the state of Ihram are two completely different things. 

You can wear your Ihram but unless you don’t say Labbayk then you would not be in the state of Ihram.

Contrary to this, if you are going to Makkah first then you must wear your Ihram in the plane. People often ask the question that if we are performing Hajj Tamattu in which you have to perform both Umrah and Hajj then is it necessary that you go to Dhu’l-$ulayfah to enter in the state of Ihram and say Labbayk ? 

Here the strongest point to be noted is that you might be wearing Ihram when you are coming back to Makkah because you are doing Hajj Tamattu and there is no point of wearing your Ihram again in Dhu’l-$ulayfah because you are in the period of enjoyment and pleasure. 

Since the word Tamattu means enjoyment, the purpose of this kind of Hajj is to take pleasure in normal daily routines as well.

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source: articlesfactory.com

Top Common Misconception About Islam

Top Common Misconception About Islam

It is often occurred some misconceptions about Islam in the whole world. The 9/11 may be the cause that makes this happening since Islam is uncovered for so many people in the world. People might know that Islam exists, but they become even more curious and paying more attention toward Islam after that terrorist act. Because of this crime that has been done by some people only, people start to have misconceptions about Islam and considered all Moslem are the same as the ones causing the harsh.

It is often occurred some misconceptions about Islam in the whole world. The 9/11 may be the cause that makes this happening since Islam is uncovered for so many people in the world. People might know that Islam exists, but they become even more curious and paying more attention toward Islam after that terrorist act. Because of this crime that has been done by some people only, people start to have misconceptions about Islam and considered all Moslem are the same as the ones causing the harsh.

There are some common misconceptions about Islam, and some become the stereotype that very often to be connected with the hate toward Islam. The first of the misconceptions about Islam have to do with the terrorist act that makes many people consider all people who are Moslem as terrorists or extremist. Islam is very often then considered as a religion that is violent since the terrorist claimed that their acts based on Islam. Their private action becomes the misconceptions about Islam, while actually their action has nothing to do with Islam; instead, it is their own purpose that becomes the basic of their acts. 

The second misconceptions about Islam beside the largest one above are that Islam oppresses women. It is usually triggered since many Moslem women are wearing veil and forced to stay home and may not drive by themselves.  This is incorrect, since every single thing that Moslem women do or wear is based to be the protection for them. For example of this misconceptions about Islam, Moslem women are wearing veil since it is considered to be the modest outfit to avoid sexual crime from men. Moreover, there are some important things that show that Islam considers women to be the equal right of men, such as; they can use their family name even after marriage. Islam also forbids parents to force their Moslem daughter to marry someone. They are only allowed suggesting which men is the best, but the decision is in the women themselves. 

The next in the misconceptions about Islam is that Islam worships different kind of God. It is not true since Moslem believes and worship one God only, Allah. Allah is simply the Arabic word for God, and this concludes that Islam worships the same God as Christians and Jews do. Moreover, Moslem people believe that God is One and Only, for the god do not get tired, does not have human attributions in Him.

source: articlesfactory.com

Yearning for Al-Madinah

Source: flickr

Yearning for Al-Madinah

It may not boast of the majesty of the Swiss Alps or the beauty of the Niagara Falls or the glamour of Paris or the green pastures of the British countryside or the flaky croissants and aromatic cappuccino in small cafés on a cobblestone street in Italy, but your heart yearns for it. You are drawn to it; you miss it with a passion, to be there under its blanket of peace and serenity that you experience so profoundly nowhere else.

It should be the destination of choice for our local travels and the place we plan to go to whenever we get a short break from school and work.

It is Al-Madinah, the city which took Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in, which gave him refuge and respite, welcomed him, and sheltered him. It is upon that blessed city’s ground his feet trod, he lived, sweat, toiled, fought, built, worshiped, prayed, where he breathed his last, and where he was buried.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was forced to leave Makkah, to flee the persecution that he and his followers were suffering from.

Before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Al-Madinah, it was called Yathrib, and it had been known for a disease that outsiders coming into the city contracted, accompanied by high fever.

When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the majority of his companions migrated to Madinah, many of them fell ill. Abu Bakr, the Prophet’s closest friend, and Bilal fell severely ill. They were physically sick, and they were also homesick.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw how sick some of his friends had become and how much they missed Makkah, he made supplication to Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked Allah; he said, “O Allah, make Al-Madinah as beloved to us as you made Makkah beloved or more than that. Make it conducive to health, and bless us in its sa’ and mudd’ (units of weight and measurement) and transfer its fever to Juhfa.” [Sahih Bukhari]

“O Allah! Bestow on Al-Madinah twice the blessings You bestowed on Makkah,” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed. [Sahih Bukhari]

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked Allah to grant His blessings and favors upon Madinah and its inhabitants.

He (peace be upon him), said, “O Allah, Ibrahim was Your servant, Your friend, and Your apostle; and I am Your servant and Your apostle. Ibrahim made supplication to you for the showering of blessings upon Makkah, and I am making supplication to You for Madinah just as he made supplication to You for Makkah, and the like of it in addition.” [Muslim]

From then on, the love for Al-Madinah grew in the heart of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and in the hearts of the believers, until this day.

How can we not love Al-Madinah and the Prophet (peace be upon him) loved it? How can we not yearn for Al-Madinah and it is the place from which the luminous message of Islam spread? How can we not long to visit Al-Madinah and the Prophet’s body is buried in its soil?

When you visit the grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), extend your greetings to him and say, “Peace be upon you Messenger of Allah. I bear witness that you have conveyed the Message, fulfilled the trust, and offered sincere advice.”

The first mosque in Islam to be built was built in Al-Madinah. First, Qubaa Mosque was built and then the Mosque of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Going to Al-Madinah is more than just a get-away; it is a true spiritual retreat. The reward for praying in the Prophet’s masjid is multiplied 1,000 times more than in any other mosque, with the exception of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. A prayer in the Grand Mosque in Makkah is better than 100,000 prayers. Imagine the rewards of staying a couple days in Al-Madinah and praying in the masjid every day.

Be sure to make a stop in Qubaa Mosque to pray there. The reward for praying a single prayer in that mosque is equal to the reward for performing umrah.

Visitors to Al-Madinah know well enough not to leave the city without buying from its dates, which it is famous for. The dates in Al-Madinah have special blessings in them, especially the small blackajwa dates.

Your visit to Al-Madinah cannot be complete until you visit Mount Uhud, which stands north of Al-Madinah. Mount Uhud is the site of the second battle between the Muslims and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) against the disbelievers from Makkah.

Referring to Mount Uhud, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “This mountain loves us and we love it.” [Muslim]

The people living in Al-Madinah were promised safety and security. It is a sacred place, and a severe punishment awaits anyone who terrorizes Al-Madinah and its people. By the will of Allah, He will protect the people of Al-Madinah against those who plot to harm them. Al-Madinah is the home of the believers and the pious.

“Whoever caused the people of Al-Madinah to fear by oppressing them, Allah will cause him to fear and Allah’s curse will be upon him,” the Prophet (peace be upon him) said. [Majma’uz-Zawa’id]

In fact, even the anti-Christ will be incapable of entering Al-Madinah and bringing his evil to that noble city. In Makkah and Al-Madinah, the Muslims are safe from this tremendous tribulation.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal (the anti-Christ) will not enter except Makkah and Al-Madinah. There will be no entrance (road) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him, and then Al-Madinah will shake with its inhabitants thrice and Allah will expel all the nonbelievers and the hypocrites from it.” [Bukhari]

Truly privileged are those living in Al-Madinah and have settled down there and will live their final days there. To the residents of Al-Madinah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave glad tidings.

He (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever was able to die in Al-Madinah, then let him do so, because whoever died in Al-Madinah, I will be an intercessor for him on the Day of Resurrection.” [Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi]

I long to visit Al-Madinah. It is referred to as Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah; meaning the Illuminating City. It is also called the City of the Prophet, the City of Light, and Tayba and Taba, which mean pure and pleasant. I long to walk down its streets at night, eat from its dates, pray at the masjid at the crack of dawn, and sit there reading the Qur’an until sunrise.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Madinah: The capital of Islamic tourism

source: flickr

Madinah: The capital of Islamic tourism

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has chosen Madinah as the capital of Islamic tourism for the year 2017. Madinah has always been an attractive place for Muslims to visit and tourism has been a reliable economic resource.

Tourism boosts the economy of a city and in the past it provided essential income for the economy of Madinah in terms of renting accommodation to visitors and providing transportation to Makkah.

Tourism can be developed by using modern methods, such as organizing trips for tourists to Madinah’s mosques, museums and farms as well as historical places, such as the sites of the battles of Uhud and Badr. Madinah also provides access to beautiful mountains, valleys and historical cities, such as Al-Ula and Al-Rabadha.

These trips can provide employment to many Saudi men and women because Muslim visitors are keen to visit places that have played an important role in the history of Islam.

Developing tourism in Madinah will not only create job opportunities in the tourism sector, but will also lead to the establishment of factories for producing local products which will provide a further boost to the local economy.

Tourism will promote the production and sale of Madinah dates, especially Al-Ajwa dates which are one of the most popular among Muslims. Greater emphasis on tourism will also serve to prevent urban sprawl as the need to preserve sites important to tourists becomes clear to those who take a short-term economic view.

Tourism can lead to an increase in the economy. The occasion of Madinah being named the capital of Islamic tourism provides an opportunity for the city to develop a long-term tourism strategy that will attract millions of visitors in years to come.

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa

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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Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Haramain train only 10 km of tracks away from completion

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Haramain train only 10 km of tracks away from completion

MAKKAH — Haramain train Work on only 10 km of track has to be completed before the Haramain high-speed train will be ready for operation, according to the project’s supervisor Bassam Ghulam.

He said during a presentation at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday that work has to be completed on seven kilometers of track from the side of Al-Iskan neighborhood in Makkah and three in Jeddah’s Al-Harazat district.

During the first phase of its operation, which will continue for 12 years, the train is expected to transport about 1.2 billion passengers at the rate of 100 million every year, said Ghulam.

“At the outset of its operation, the train is expected to transport between 11,400-12,400 passengers an hour,” he said.

When it becomes fully operational, the train will transport 19,100 passengers an hour between Jeddah and Makkah, 3,800 between Makkah and Madinah and 8,000 between Rabigh and Madinah.

“The train will serve more than two million pilgrims every year,” he added.
“As many as 127 out of 138 bridges have been built and 845 crossings completed to drain rainwater,” said Ghulam.

The supervisor said the train will cover the distance between Jeddah and Makkah in less than 21 minutes, between Makkah and Rabigh in an hour and between Makkah and Madinah in two hours.

Due to safety measures, the maximum speed of the train per hour will not exceed 300 km.

Ghulam said the Jeddah part of the project was the most difficult because of the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway which is the most crowded.

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Over 1.3m arrive for Haj

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Over 1.3m arrive for Haj

MAKKAH — As many as 1,323,520 pilgrims have arrived from various parts of the world to perform this year’s Haj, which climaxes on Sunday with the Standing on Arafat.

According to Director General of the Passports Department (Jawazat) Maj. Gen. Solaiman Al-Yahya, 1,245,203 pilgrims have arrived by air through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah.

He said 65,594 pilgrims have arrived by land from neighboring countries and the rest by sea through various seaports, mainly the Jeddah Islamic Seaport.

Al-Yahya said that 216 foreign pilgrims who did not observe Haj instructions were sent back to their respective countries. The violations included forging of 52 passports.

Under the instructions of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier, interior minister and the chairman of the Supreme Haj committee, any external pilgrim with valid Haj permit who arrives late for valid reasons such as flight delay will be received and rushed to Makkah.

Meanwhile, Hashim Al-Falih, chairman of the Haj Preparation Committee at the Makkah Governorate, said that 189,000 people who attempted to enter Makkah and the Holy Sites were sent back from checkpoints since the beginning of the Haj season until Thursday.

He said the violating Saudi pilgrims will face imprisonment and fines while expatriates will face the same punishment and deportation.

Falih, who is adviser to Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, said 48,000 vehicles transporting illegal pilgrims were confiscated and 22 fake Haj companies sealed.

The Ministry of Haj and Umrah has warned that those domestic pilgrims who have registered for Haj and paid the fees but did not go for the pilgrimage will not get their money back.

“There will not be any reimbursement of fees for domestic pilgrims who are not in Makkah or the Holy Sites for Haj by Friday,” the ministry said in a statement.

However, those intending pilgrims who informed the ministry about their change of mind by Dhul Hijjah 3 (Sept. 5) will be reimbursed with a 40 percent deduction. But those who informed on Dhul Hijjah 6 (Sept. 8) that they won’t be performing Haj will be reimbursed with a deduction of 70 percent.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa