Tag: Makkah

  • 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.

  • Women workforce boosted in Makkah’s Grand Mosque

    Women workforce boosted in Makkah’s Grand Mosque

    The female workforce has been increased in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. As per details, 1,500 females have been appointed in different departments to serve female visitors.

    A total of 600 women have been recruited in the Technical and Service Affairs Agency while other staff will be appointed in electric vehicles department, Zamzam watering unit, guidance and intellectual affairs, administrative affairs, public relations, media and communication and the General Department of Internal Auditing.

    Dr Al-Anoud bint Khaled Al-Aboud, deputy president for women’s development affairs, said the step is part of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques’ transformational initiatives 2024. The move aims to increase the level of services provided in the Two Holy Mosques,

    It is also a part of the Saudi leadership’s plans to empower women and to provide the best possible services to all female pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

  • VIDEO: Driver rams car into gate of Masjid al-Haram

    VIDEO: Driver rams car into gate of Masjid al-Haram

    A driver rammed his car into the outer-perimeter gate of Masjid al-Haram — the Grand Mosque in Makkah — late on Friday in an incident that did not cause any casualties, local media reported.

    Videos posted on social media showed the car plowing through plastic barricades in the outer courtyard of the mosque before driving straight into one of the large outer doors.

    Saudi newspaper Okaz reported that no civilians were injured in the crash, while other videos posted on social media showed a number of people pushing the vehicle away from the mosque complex.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    It said the driver, a Saudi citizen, was arrested and being referred to the public prosecutor for questioning.

    Saudi Arabia’s state-run channel Saudi Qur’an continued to broadcast live video from inside the mosque during and after the incident.

  • Hajj to be held with a limited number of people this year: Saudi Arabia

    Hajj to be held with a limited number of people this year: Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia has announced that it will strictly limit the number of people who can take part in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage because of the coronavirus, putting to rest the fears that Hajj might be cancelled altogether. Saudi Hajj Minister Mohammed Banten had asked Muslims to delay finalising their plans “until the situation is clear” back in March.

    In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that the annual Holy pilgrimage would be restricted to a very limited numbers of pilgrims of all nationalities who are already residing in Saudi Arabia. The statement said that as COVID-19 cases continue to grow globally, and because of the risks of coronavirus spreading in crowded spaces and from other countries, the Hajj will “take place this year with a limited number of pilgrims from all nationalities residing in Saudi Arabia only, who are willing to perform Hajj.”

    “This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings,” the statement added.

    The Ministry also tweeted that people’s health and safety “is our priority”.

    Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri shared the Urdu version of the press release and said that the KSA’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah contacted him via telephone to let him know about Saudi Arabia’s decision about this year’s Hajj.

    Hajj is one of Islam’s most important religious obligations. Recently, singer Atif Aslam expressed his desire to recite the Azaan at the Holy Kaaba in Makkah.

  • Tunisian woman bicycles to Makkah in 53 days

    Tunisian woman bicycles to Makkah in 53 days

    A Tunisian national, Sara Haba, has reached Makkah on a bicycle in 53 days.

    Covering a distance of more than 3,000 kilometers, she started off from her home country Tunisia and cycled for over 53 days to Makkah.

    Haba toured across the deserts in Egypt and Sudan and shared her journey on Instagram and YouTube using the hashtag #cyclingtomecca.

    In one of her Instagram posts she wrote, “A lot of headwinds as I never experienced, a lot of sand and a lot of emptiness which made it unable for me to refill water and food. And when the loaded bicycle wasn’t killing my lower body, it was challenging my arm strength.” 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6jMjBdHBHb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Haba tributes to her bicycle named Merzouga as that was her biggest support system throughout the journey. Merzouga can be translated to “grace with blessing” in African Arabic.

    In another of her posts, Haba wrote that cycling to Saudi Arabia was not as difficult as it seemed to be. “And as unbelievable as it may sound and despite all my apprehension about cycling here, Saudi Arabia has been so far the easiest country to cycle since I began this journey.” 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ZIl1vnRFo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    As she kept her followers updated with her journey, Haba met several supporting cyclists on her journey. They also wrote supportive messages for her on Instagram.

    “A special thanks to each person who has crossed my way, smiled to me, shown me the way, filled my bottles with water, offered me a fruit, shared their house with me, presented me to their family and friends, cycled with me even for 10km, cried with me and make me part of their lives. I didn’t expect anything of all what happened,” she added.

  • VIDEO: Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles headed for Makkah

    VIDEO: Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles headed for Makkah

    Saudi Arabia has intercepted two missiles headed for Makkah, the kingdom announced on Tuesday night.

    According to an official statement, the ballistic missiles, reportedly intercepted over Taif, were fired by Yemeni Houthi rebels and were headed for the holy city as well as Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea.

    In a tweet, Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington confirmed the reports.

    PAKISTAN CONDEMNS:

    Meanwhile, Islamabad has condemned the reported firing of ballistic missiles.

    The Foreign Office, in a statement, issued its condemnation and also commended Saudi forces for their “vigilant” defence.

    “Pakistan condemns the firing of ballistic missiles by Houthis towards Makkah province and commends the vigilant Saudi defence forces for intercepting the missiles,” read the statement.

    “Pakistan reaffirms its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reiterates its support against any threat to the security of the kingdom.”

    Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition of Muslim states that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government that was ousted from power by Houthi rebels in late 2014.

    The Houthis, on the other hand, denied that their missiles were targeting Makkah, roughly 70 km (40 miles) from Jeddah and 50 km (30 miles) from Taif. The group called the claim “a tactic by Saudi Arabia to rally support for its war”.