Tag: Madina

  • Indian Minister Smriti Irani visits Madina

    Indian Minister Smriti Irani visits Madina

    Indian Union Minister for Minority Affairs Smriti Irani, accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, visited Madinah city on Monday.

    Irani, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Women and Child Development, along with the delegation, met up with Indian volunteers catering to Indian Hajj pilgrims and also spoke to Indian Umrah pilgrims.

    “Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam’s holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque – the first Mosque of Islam,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).

    “The significance of the visit to these sites courtesy Saudi officials, intertwined with early Islamic history, underscores the depth of our cultural and spiritual engagement,” she added.

    According to an official statement, the aim of the visit was to get a first hand look into the arrangements essential to ensure an easy Hajj in 2024 for Indian pilgrims.

    “The Government of India is deeply committed to assist in providing facilities and services to Indian Muslims who undertake the Hajj pilgrimage, thereby providing them with a comfortable and fulfilling experience,” it further stated.

  • UAE astronaut shares stunning video of Makkah, Madina from space

    UAE astronaut shares stunning video of Makkah, Madina from space

    United Arab Emirates (UAE) astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared a stunning video of Makkah, Madina and Jeddah sparkling in the night as seen from space. 

    AlNeyadi has been posting images on his Twitter account since he went off to space in March. 

    In his latest Twitter post, AlNeyadi wrote: “Dedication to the country of the Two Holy Mosques, the landing site of revelation and the land of the message, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

    The video shows a clear image of twinkling lights and many roads. 

    “This is the city of Jeddah, often referred to as the Bride of the Red Sea,” says AlNeyadi as he moves the camera towards the second city. “… the holy city of Makkah, where the message of Islam took root with the Prophet (PBUH).” 

    AlNeyadi then points out the light from the Masjid Al Haram which can be seen shining bright even from space. 

    “They are shining like stars, and it is one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen,” he wrote.

  • Schedule for Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia revealed

    Schedule for Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia revealed

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo, Nawaz Sharif’s schedule for visiting Saudi Arabia has been revealed.

    According to news reports, Nawaz Sharif will spend the last Ashara of Ramzan in Saudi Arabia. The former prime minister will reach Jeddah along with his family on April 11.

    Nawaz will be in Jeddah and Makkah for three days, and then on April 15, he will go to Madina.

    Read more: Nawaz to visit Saudi as royal guest

    It is being reported that Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Nawaz Sharif, along with other Muslim League leaders, will reach Jeddah from Lahore.

    Nawaz will be visiting the Kingdom on the invitation of the Saudi ruler.

  • ‘Wasn’t the right time to go for Umrah’: Imran Khan

    ‘Wasn’t the right time to go for Umrah’: Imran Khan

    Addressing a gathering of party leaders in Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said it was not the right time to go for Umrah.

    Khan while apparently taking a jibe at Shehbaz Sharif, also calls out his own party members for going on Umrah in the month of Ramzan, Khan said, “It was not the right time to go to Madina. Your every hour counts.”

    Khan questioned, “I am here, Don’t I want to go?”

    https://twitter.com/zafru1313/status/1523756087488311297?s=20&t=tAeicB_eEm8GzZNOA1Kc2w

    On a separate occasion, the former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said, “You will be answerable to Allah on the Day of Judgment. He will ask you did you support justice? Did you fight against oppression? Did you jihad against injustices? Did you protest against the imported government?”

    “You can’t say that you are neutral. He [Allah] has not allowed you that,” he stated while adding that only animals can be neutral.

  • PM Shehbaz might meet Turkish President Erdogan in Saudi Arabia

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is likely to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, states Geo News’ sources.

    Erdogan, who also reached KSA yesterday conveyed a message to PM Shehbaz to meet him. The message reads, “I would like to meet you.”

    The premier is on a three-day visit while the Turkish president is on a two-day visit. Shehbaz held a brief meeting with Madina’s governor, where both the leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations.

    Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said that the prime minister will have bilateral interaction with the Saudi leadership, with a particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties, and creating greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in KSA.

    Erdogan met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday to mend relations between the two countries in his first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

    It is pertinent to mention that ties between the two nations were strained after Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

  • Prominent personalities condemn ‘chor chor’ slogans in Madina

    Prominent personalities condemn ‘chor chor’ slogans in Madina

    Prominent personalities have come forward to condemn the chanting of “chor chor” slogans in Masjid-e-Nabawi against the visiting Pakistani delegation. In videos that are being widely shared on social media, Marriyum Aurangzeb can be seen surrounded by people yelling “chor chor” and another abusive words. Someone can be seen pulling Shahzain Bugti’s hair as well.

    Many prominent personalities including politicians, religious leaders and others have expressed their anger and disappointment over the incident.

    Maulana Tariq Jamil while condemning the incident said that disrespect of Haram Sharif is not acceptable in Islam.

    Former cricketer Shahid Afridi also came forward to condemn the incident. The star cricketer said the incident has damaged Pakistan’s image. 

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1519781042873421825

    PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan also condemned the incident and called it “against the sanctity of the holy place”.

    PTI’s Asad Umar also spoke up against the incident.

    “I ask forgiveness to Allah for what has happened today at Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH),” Mohammad Yousaf tweeted.

    Kamran Akmal wrote, “Very shameful act done by some of our countrymen in #masjidnabawi Those who violated the sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi for political purposes should be banned.I condemn it. Sanctity of the holy place of the Prophet (PBUH)is a must & obligatory for all Muslims. Stop spreading Anarchy.”

  • Saudi Arabia to allow one million Hajj pilgrims for 2022

    Saudi Arabia to allow one million Hajj pilgrims for 2022

    Saudi Arabia has increased the Hajj pilgrimage limit in the country to one million compared to last year’s 60,000 domestic pilgrims.

    To combat the coronavirus pandemic, attendance at the Islamic event was drastically reduced in the past two years due to travel restrictions.

    As per the latest notice, Pilgrims must be under the age of 65 and have received COVID-19 vaccinations that have been approved by the Saudi health ministry.

    All pilgrims must present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test report within three days (72 hours of departure time).

    The move intends to accommodate the greatest number of pilgrims to perform Hajj while retaining the Kingdom’s health improvements in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the ministry.

    Furthermore, the directives noted that the expansion will be based on the quotas decided for nations that will follow the Kingdom’s mandatory health recommendations.

    As per the official figures, 58,745 pilgrims performed Hajj in 2021. The number of Hajj pilgrims often surpassed the two million count before the Covid-19 outbreak.

  • Foreign pilgrims can now apply for Umrah and visit permits via an app

    The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a new service that would allow foreign pilgrims to apply for Umrah and prayer permits to the Grand Mosque in Makkah as well as the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque in Madina through mobile applications, reports Arab News.

    The statement of Saudi Press Agency reads, “In cooperation with Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the launch of a new service that allows overseas pilgrims to get permits for Umrah and prayer in the Grand Mosque, as well as for visiting the Prophet’s Mosque through ‘Eatmarna’ and ‘Tawakkalna’ Applications.”

    According to the ministry, pilgrims applying for the permits must first register on the Quddum platform. Travellers have been advised to download both Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications on their mobile phones before arriving in Saudi Arabia.

    Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj announced that pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah would no longer be required to wait for 14 days to book for the ritual.

    Last month, the Grand Mosque in Makkah operated at full capacity, with worshippers praying shoulder-to-shoulder with masks being mandatory for the first time since the pandemic began.

  • ‘Sheikh Rasheed lied, let the entire nation see the malicious intent of the govt’: TLP leadership

    Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) leader Syed Sarwar Shah Saifi on Wednesday said, “Sheikh Rasheed lied yesterday that matters have been resolved. He also lied about contact [with us] at 8 pm — from them till now no government official, including Sheikh, has contacted [us],” reports Dawn.

    In a statement issued by the group’s central committee, TLP said, “Let the entire nation see the malicious intent of the government.”

    TLP said its activists would now march onto Islamabad because their demands have not been met by the government.

    Saifi said, “Are these claimants of the state of Madina unable to respond to France? Have they become so enslaved to the Jews and the Christians?”

    “Don’t lie to the nation. No negotiations are being done with us. The government is not sincere in negotiations but if more blood is shed now, revenge will be taken,” the statement said.

    Saifi said the demands would increase if more blood was spilt and the nation would be “rid of this dishonest, lying and hypocritical government”. He said it would be better if the agreement was abided by and TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi was released so the group could go back.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, while speaking at a press conference on Tuesday said, “We cannot expel the French ambassador as demanded by the TLP.”

    “We accept all other conditions of the banned TLP. They promised us that they will open all blocked roads but we are waiting for them to open the routes,” said Rasheed, adding that the only issue between the government and TLP is the French ambassador matter. “Otherwise we don’t have any reservations with their conditions.”

    “TLP’s demand of expelling the French Ambassy and Ambassador has a lot of complications attached to it. We are the largest nuclear force in the Islamic world. The world is conspiring to sanction us,” said Rasheed.

    Earlier on Tuesday night, the district administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad had blocked the Faizabad intersection to prevent the TLP protesters from entering the federal capital territory.

  • PM Imran, First Lady land barefoot in Madina

    PM Imran, First Lady land barefoot in Madina

    Prime Minister Imran Khan and First Lady Bushra Bibi landed in Madina wearing no shoes in order to pay their respects to the Holy City.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry appreciated PM Khan’s gesture of not wearing shoes, saying: “This is the level of respect, that [PM Imran] opts not to step on the holy soil of Madina with shoes on.”

    “Respect is the first source of love,” added Chaudhry.

    Meanwhile, this is not the first time that PM Khan was seen without his shoes. During his previous visits to the Holy City, the PM opted to walk barefoot.

    2018:PM Imran Khan arrives in Madina on official tour to Saudi Arabia

    PM Khan has carried all his activities barefoot, which happens to be a usual norm for the premier whenever he is in Madina.

    Imran Khan in Madina meeting with officials

    During this vist, PM Khan also visited Masjid al Nabawi as part of his tour activities and was photographed sitting within the premises of Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH).

    PM Imran is currently in Saudi Arabia for a three-day visit. The PM is visiting the Kingdom upon the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.