Saudi Arabia to host major academic forum on Hajj and Two Holy Mosques history in November
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Scholarly gathering to explore legacy, culture, and innovation
The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) is set to host a comprehensive academic forum titled
'Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques: History, Culture, Architecture – Toward Sustainable Knowledge and Digital Documentation'
in November 2025, corresponding to Jumada al-Awwal 1447H.
According to a report by Saudi Gazette, the event is being organized in partnership with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Guests of God Service Program, two prominent institutions in the Kingdom's ongoing initiatives to study and preserve the historical and spiritual significance of the Islamic pilgrimage and sacred sites in Makkah and Madinah.
This scholarly initiative aims to deepen academic engagement and generate fresh perspectives on the history of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques. Scholars and experts from a range of disciplines, including history, architecture, Islamic arts, literature, geography, media, and digital studies, are expected to contribute to the discussion and research efforts.
Focus areas and thematic scope
The forum will center around five core themes, each reflecting a key dimension of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques' enduring legacy:
Saudi Arabia's role in serving the Two Holy Mosques
Hajj and the holy sites in historical texts and travel literature
Architecture and visual identity of the Two Holy Mosques
Cultural memory and social heritage of the Hajj
Use of modern technologies in documenting Hajj
A major objective of the forum is to examine how digital tools and emerging technologies can be used to enhance preservation efforts, provide immersive educational experiences, and support global scholarly collaboration on the subject.
Paper submissions and review process
Researchers interested in contributing have been invited to submit academic papers for the forum. The submission window will remain open until the end of Rabi al-Awwal 1447H (September 22, 2025).
The process includes:
A one-month peer review period
A one-month revision window for authors
Final selection of accepted papers will be announced two weeks after the conclusion of the revision phase
This timeline allows for thorough academic scrutiny while ensuring that selected research reflects both scholarly depth and practical relevance to the event's goals.
Parallel event: Hajj conference and exhibition
In a separate initiative also scheduled for November, the 5th edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will take place from November 9–12, 2025 (18–21 Jumada al-Awwal 1447H) at the Jeddah Superdome.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Organized under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, this annual event focuses on enhancing the operational and service aspects of Hajj. With participants from over 95 countries, it brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to exchange knowledge and explore solutions aimed at improving the pilgrim experience.
This edition of the exhibition will feature expanded participation, a larger exhibitor base, and enriched content that supports sustainability and innovation in pilgrimage services, offering a complementary but distinct engagement from the academic forum hosted by Darah.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
'Mutual Verbal Consent Sufficient': Gujarat HC's Nod To Islamic Law On Dissolution Of Muslim Marriage
The Gujarat High Court ruled that Muslim marriages can be verbally dissolved if both parties consent, and there is no need for a written document under 'mubaraat' In a nod to Islamic law, the Gujarat High Court recently observed that a Muslim marriage can be dissolved through mutual verbal consent, or mubaraat. Mubaraat, or mutual consent divorce, is based on mutual verbal consent and does not need a written agreement as both spouses agree to separate. This is permissible under Islamic personal law and the ruling aligns with the principles of the Quran and Hadith cited by the court. In doing so, the court set aside a family court order that rejected the divorce plea based on the absence of a written agreement for mutual consent. A bench of Justices AY Kogje and NS Sanjay Gowda made the observation while overturning the family court order, which stated that a written agreement was necessary in mubaraat. 'The court does not find that recording of an agreement between the parties to the nikah in any written format is essential for recording the fact of dissolution of marriage. For the purpose of mubaraat, the expression of a mutual consent to dissolution of nikah is sufficient to dissolve the nikah in itself," the bench said, as per Bar and Bench. mubaraat nikah or a Muslim marriage does not mean that it is an essential requirement under Muslim personal law. ' Nikahnama only recognises the agreement entered into by the parties to the marriage by uttering the words qabool in presence of the witness that does not make a nikahnama or registration of a nikah part of an essential process of nikah. Similarly, there is no process by which the written agreement is an essential requirement for mubaraat," the court was quoted in its ruling. The HC was hearing a joint appeal filed by an estranged couple, whose divorce plea was dismissed by the family court in April. The two parties married in 2021, but had been living separately for more than a year due to irreconcilable differences. They mutually agreed to dissolve the marriage and opted for mubaraat. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Muharram 2025 update: Over 60 million visit Makkah and Madinah's holy mosques
During Muharram, the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia received over 60 million worshippers/Image: File During the Islamic month of Muharram in 1447 AH (June-July 2025), over 60 million worshippers visited the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia, encompassing the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. According to the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, the Grand Mosque welcomed approximately 27.5 million worshippers, including nearly 7.9 million performing Umrah rites, with 47,823 praying in the sacred Hateem area (Hijr Ismail). The Prophet's Mosque in Medina recorded around 21.6 million worshippers, with over 1.1 million praying in the highly revered Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, considered one of the gardens of Paradise, and more than 2.1 million visitors paying respects to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions. TL;DR: Over 60 million worshippers visited the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during Muharram 1447H (July–August 2025). The Presidency of Religious Affairs coordinated extensive crowd management, safety, and service operations to handle the unprecedented numbers. Both mosques hold deep religious importance for Muslims worldwide, serving as focal points for worship, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Detailed breakdown A total of 60,245,635 visitors were recorded during Muharram 1447 (Islamic year) . Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque of Makkah) welcomed 27,531,599 worshippers, including 47,823 praying in the sacred Hijr Ismail (Hateem) area. Additionally, 7,857,270 pilgrims performed Umrah during the month . Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque in Madinah) counted 21,576,200 worshippers, with 1,122,368 praying in Al-Rawdah al-Sharifah, and 2,110,375 visitors entering to greet the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions . These figures reflect not only religious devotion but also the Kingdom's meticulous planning across infrastructure and service delivery to ensure pilgrimage ease. Why the two holy mosques matter deeply Spiritual core of Islam : Masjid al-Haram houses the Kaaba, the direction (Qibla) of Muslim prayer worldwide, while Masjid an-Nabawi holds the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) mosque and resting place. Both sites are deeply embedded in Islamic devotion and history. A home of blessings : Al-Rawdah al-Sharifah in Madinah is revered, as emphasized by Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman al-Sudais, who stated that prayer there is 'better than praying a thousand times elsewhere.' Custodial leadership: Saudi kings hold the title 'Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,' symbolizing the Kingdom's sacred responsibility in preserving and expanding access to these spiritual landmarks. Service as worship: Continuous infrastructural investment, ranging from crowd management systems to pilgrim services—underscores the spiritual duty of hosting humanity at these sites. As Muharram unfolded, more than 60 million pilgrims and worshippers circled the two holiest mosques in Islam, testifying to enduring faith and the Kingdom's commitment to serving its global spiritual guests. These sacred hubs are pillars of Islamic devotion and Saudi leadership, continuously evolving to welcome believers with dignity and reverence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Family Adopted A New 'Dog', But When The Vet Sees It He Calls The Police Undo FAQ 1. How many people visited the Holy Mosques in Muharram 1447 AH? Over 60.24 million worshippers visited Makkah and Madinah during the month. 2. How many performed Umrah during Muharram? A total of 7,857,270 pilgrims performed Umrah in Muharram. 3. How many prayed in Hijr Ismail at Masjid al-Haram? 47,823 worshippers prayed in the Hijr Ismail zone in Makkah. 4. How many entered Al-Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque? 1,122,368 people prayed in Al-Rawdah, while 2,110,375 visited to gain blessings by greeting the Prophet and his companions. 5. What makes Masjid an-Nabawi spiritually significant? Reputed as better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, Al-Rawdah is deemed especially sacred, underscoring the elevated blessings associated with praying there.
News18
15 hours ago
- News18
Over 3,600 People Converted To Islam In Dubai In First Half Of 2025: Report
Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture registered over 1,300 students in its educational programmes, which are designed to provide structured lessons on Islamic beliefs. Over 3,600 people embraced Islam in Dubai in the first half of 2025, according to a report. The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Islamic Culture, which comes under the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in the city, witnessed a rise in people converting to Islam between January and June 2025, during which more than 3,600 people embraced the religion, Times of India reported. Alongside the conversions, the Centre registered over 1,300 students in its educational programmes, which are designed to provide structured lessons on Islamic beliefs and practices. The Centre also organised 47 knowledge and awareness courses, benefiting over 1,400 people. These sessions were part of IACAD's main efforts to promote Islamic culture and increase religious awareness in the region. Another notable outreach effort, the 'Sustainable Knowledge Room," served more than 190 beneficiaries. This learning space was created to make education more engaging through interactive and technology-based tools. The Centre's Director, Jassim Al Khazraji, emphasised that the institution's mission goes beyond education, aiming also to foster intercultural dialogue. 'We work within a comprehensive vision aimed at building bridges of cultural and religious communication and presenting a bright image of Islam based on tolerance, knowledge, and dialogue, grounded in well-studied academic standards that meet the needs of new converts and those interested in Islamic culture alike," TOI quoted Khazraji as saying. view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 09:47 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
