Following the annual custom, the lower part of Kaaba garment (kiswa) was raised and tailors covered the exposed part with a white cotton cloth of about two meters across the four sides. This procedure is carried out every year as a precautionary measure to prevent people from damaging the kiswa, as they tend to touch […]

For anyone who has performed the Umrah or Haj pilgrimages, they will have probably noticed the coolness under foot when they stepped onto the marble floors of the Grand Mosque and around the Holy Kaaba in Makkah. Many have debated the reason behind the cold feeling, given Saudi Arabia’s searing summer temperatures. The office of […]

All Praise is due to Allaah alone who has facilitated yet another year of Hajj Badal services to the ummah, with the single aim of striving to attain the ultimate reward, Paradise[1], in shaa.-Allaah! Throughout our 11-year history, we have strived to ensure that we meet the great demand for our services, ensuring each of the […]

The use of e-bracelets had a major impact in efficiently, facilitating the pilgrims’ return to their tents by youths from the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, who were spread throughout Mina during this year’s Haj pilgrimage. Abdu Ahmed Mu’afa, a supervisor at one of the scout centers in Mina, said the scouts at the holy site […]

Hundreds of pilgrims held back tears on Thursday as they left the holy city in buses for King Abdul Aziz international Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port after performing Haj. Pilgrims are beginning to return to their home countries after completing the Haj rituals easily, safely and conveniently by the grace of God and the support […]

A government proposal to extend the Umrah season from the current eight months to 10 is being considered, local media said quoting informed sources. The proposal, according to which Moharram and Shawwal would be included in the Umrah season, comes in the context of having a new vision for Makkah and Madinah, the sources said. […]

Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques chief Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais said this year’s Haj was a success and “the presidency was able to implement its plans and measures for the Haj season this year, which contributed to making the performance of the Haj rituals easy and comfortable.” He said the presidency had come up with […]

A top official said all security and military units participating in the management of Haj were serving in accordance with security and preventive plans set up before the pilgrimage started. Gen. Osman bin Nasser Al-Muhrej, director general of public security and chairman of the Haj Security Committee, said the work was carried out with due […]

Domestic pilgrims planning to go straight to Arafat on Monday, Dul Hijjah 9, have been warned against doing so if they have no Haj permits, as checking will be conducted at holy sites also. Saad Al-Qurashi, a member of the Haj and Umrah Committee at Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Arab News that […]

Every year millions of Muslims visit Mecca for Hajj, the great pilgrimage that believers must undertake at least once in a lifetime, in a certain period of the year, and Umrah, the ‘minor’ pilgrimage, which can be undertaken at any time. The numbers are stunning: in July, 14 million pilgrims visited Mecca for the Umrah. […]