Results for: Hajj

Over 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world have gathered in and around Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with expectations of surpassing 2 million this year. The pilgrimage commences in Mina, followed by a daylong vigil on Mount Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad delivered his Farewell Sermon. Pilgrims will then move to Muzdalifa and return to Mina for three days to symbolically stone pillars representing the devil. The Hajj culminates with a final circumambulation in Mecca, known as Farewell Tawaf. Despite the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestinian pilgrims traveled to Mecca on direct flights from Damascus, marking a thaw in relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, is a significant occasion celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham in the Judeo-Christian tradition) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. However, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead, symbolizing Ibrahim’s unwavering faith and obedience. Celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid ul-Adha marks the end of Hajj and is associated with prayers, feasting, and the exchange of gifts.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which begins today, Friday. Pilgrims will perform circumambulation around the Kaaba before moving to Mina, a desert plain outside the city, on the first day of Hajj. The number of pilgrims is expected to grow in the coming months, with hundreds of thousands of Saudis and other residents joining the pilgrimage after it officially begins on Friday.

The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operations of Nigeria (AHUON) has partnered with Flyadeal Airline to streamline the airlifting process for Nigerian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. This collaboration aims to alleviate the challenges faced by pilgrims, providing them with smoother and more efficient travel arrangements. Despite initial hurdles, the inaugural departure of the first batch of pilgrims at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja was met with satisfaction from officials. The partnership extends to multiple batches of pilgrims, with the final group hailing from Kano State. Flyadeal Airline’s involvement addresses the longstanding challenge of limited airline options in Hajj operations, ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims can embark on their spiritual journey with greater peace of mind.

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has announced that Friday, June 7th, marks the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. Consequently, the Hajj pilgrimage will commence on June 14th. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and over 1.2 million pilgrims are expected this year. Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, will fall on June 16th in Saudi Arabia and most Gulf countries, while Oman will celebrate on June 17th.

Saudi Arabia has declared the start of Dhul Hijjah on Thursday, commencing the countdown to the much-anticipated Eid Al-Adha celebration. The first day of Eid Al-Adha is expected to fall on June 16, with most Gulf countries aligning with Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting. However, Oman has announced a different stance, indicating the celebration will take place on June 17.

Manchester Airport serves as a vital hub for Hajj pilgrims, offering direct flights to Jeddah, the gateway to Makkah. The Hajj pilgrimage, a transformative spiritual journey to Islam’s holiest site, draws thousands of pilgrims from the North region each year. Muslim chaplains at Manchester Airport emphasize the profound significance of Hajj and offer essential advice for travelers.

Indian pilgrims performing Hajj now have access to the Haramain High-Speed Train, offering a quicker and more comfortable journey from Jeddah Airport to Makkah. This significant upgrade from traditional bus transportation has been enabled by the collaboration between the Consulate General of India in Jeddah and Saudi authorities. The high-speed train service, with speeds of up to 300 km/h, significantly cuts travel time in half, providing a more efficient and pleasant pilgrimage experience.

Owners of two Bangladeshi travel agencies, Al-Risan Travels and Dia International, have been banned from international travel after allegedly vanishing with funds from 523 Hajj pilgrims. The incident has raised concerns about the fate of their pilgrimage this year.

Al-Risan Travels registered 448 pilgrims but failed to secure visas for any of them. Despite repeated attempts, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has been unable to contact the agency’s managing director, sparking fears that the pilgrims may have been defrauded.

Similarly, Dia International, based in Rangpur, collected Tk 3 crore from 75 pilgrims but failed to coordinate with the ‘Lead’ agency. As a result, these pilgrims have not received their PIDs (Pilgrim ID). The Ministry of Religious Affairs has requested a travel ban on both agencies’ owners to prevent them from evading justice.

Ithraa Alkhair Company for Pilgrims Services, a provider of Hajj services for non-Arab African pilgrims, recently held a seminar in Birmingham, UK. The event was organized in collaboration with the company’s UK strategic partners and highlighted the company’s commitment to providing high-quality services to pilgrims in line with Saudi leadership directives. The seminar emphasized the importance of the Pilgrim Experience Program as a key aspect of Saudi Vision 2030, with a focus on ensuring the comfort and safety of guests.