
Second group of Gaza pilgrims arrives under King Salman's guest program
Saudi Gazette report
MAKKAH — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance received the second batch of the guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' program from Palestine.
They included 500 male and female pilgrims from Gaza, bringing their number so far to 1000 pilgrims. Directives were given for the pilgrims to be hosted generously within the program, which is implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance to perform the Hajj pilgrimage for the year 1446 AH. The ministry is giving integrated services to provide the best services to the pilgrims from the moment they arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah until they reach at their hosting location in Makkah
The guests expressed their thanks and appreciation to Saudi Arabia's government for its interest in enabling them to perform Hajj rituals as part of the guest program. They praised the Kingdom's role in serving the guests of the House of God and the highest level of facilities provided to them. They prayed to God Almighty to protect Saudi Arabia, its leadership, and its people from all harm and misfortune, and to reward them abundantly for their service to Islam and Muslims.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation Guests is hosting 2,443 male and female pilgrims from 100 countries around the world this year. The pilgrims have begun arriving at the hosting sites in Makkah since the first day of Dhul-Hijjah 1446 AH.
.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
41 minutes ago
- Arab News
Saudi minister conducts field tour of Makkah's holy sites
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah conducted a field tour of the holy sites to inspect camp readiness and facilities ahead of pilgrims' move to Arafat on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He emphasized the need for coordination across entities and adherence to high operational standards. Al-Rabiah also reviewed accommodation, logistics and the integration of health, technical and support services to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage.


Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi authorities launch self-help e-book to guide Hajj pilgrims to perform rituals correctly
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have launched a self-help e-book in various languages to guide and teach pilgrims about Hajj and Umrah rituals in order to perform them in accordance with Islamic rules. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance said the smart rituals guide is available in various locations in Makkah and Madinah, and other holy sites. Pilgrims can use their smartphones to tap on a download point, select their preferred language, and upload the guide to their devices, the ministry added. The initiative is part of several educational programs launched in the past weeks by the ministry to help over 1.25 million pilgrims currently undertaking Hajj perform their once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage correctly. Saudi authorities, including health, logistical, and security sectors, have deployed cutting-edge technologies for this Hajj season, including drones to deliver medicines and artificial intelligence to safeguard and serve Muslim pilgrims.


Saudi Gazette
2 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Over 1.5 million pilgrims converge on Mina as Hajj begins officially
Saudi Gazette report MINA — Chanting 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik...' ('Here I am, O God, here I am answering your call...'), more than 1.5 million pilgrims converged on Mina on Wednesday, the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the official beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. The ascent of pilgrims on the tent city was completed smoothly by Wednesday afternoon in accordance with a foolproof and flawless organizational and operational plan mapped out by the Saudi authorities. More than 1.47 million pilgrims from all around the world were joined by hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims in performing Hajj this year. These include 2443 pilgrims, who came from 100 countries, to perform Hajj as guests of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. Those pilgrims who arrived in Makkah on Tuesday performed Tawaf Al-Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival), one of the obligatory rituals of Hajj, before heading for the vast sprawling tent city of Mina. The chanting of talbiyah reverberated the entire valley of Mina and roads and streets leading to the tent city as pilgrims streamed to the valley, praising and glorifying God, in an atmosphere of spirituality and faith. In a serene spiritual atmosphere, amidst well-organized security and integrated services, and meticulous implementation of field plans, pilgrims descended on Mina. More than 8,000 buses transported pilgrims to their camps from their accommodation in Makkah. Retracing the noble tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the pilgrims will spend throughout the day and night on the Tarwiyah Day, in Mina. The 5-6 day Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. On the first day of Hajj rituals, they are engaged in supplications and make final preparations for the Standing (wuqoof) at Arafat, the most important pillar of Hajj, marking the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage, on Thursday. They immerse in supplications to God for their forgiveness and salvation. Pilgrims began arriving in Mina in the early hours of Wednesday. As the night wore on Tuesday, all roads and highways leading into the vast plains of Mina, located seven km northeast of the Grand Mosque, were filled with pilgrims, who made their way by vehicles or by foot to the world's largest tent city where they will camp overnight. The Saudi authorities and Hajj missions of various countries have completed elaborate preparations and foolproof arrangements that enabled the pilgrims to complete their smooth movement to the tent city of Mina. The pilgrims' movement has taken place smoothly, thanks to the vast arrangements made by the authorities. Saudi authorities have mobilized all their human and material resources to make the pilgrimage hassle-free and a great success. Artificial intelligence technology helped process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and Head of the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, received those seeking religious fatwas at his residence in Mina on Wednesday. He directed the assignment of five eminent scholars to respond to the pilgrims' inquiries during the Hajj season. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, urged pilgrims to frequently recite the Talbiyah from the time they enter in the state of ihram for Hajj until they begin stoning at Jamarat Al-Aqaba on the Day of Sacrifice, Dhul Hijjah 10. Sheikh Al-Sudais said that it is recommended to pray on time, shortening them without combining them, except for Maghrib and Fajr which should not be shortened. This year's Hajj takes place in sweltering temperatures that test the endurance of worshipers during the mostly outdoor rituals. Many pilgrims are seen carrying white umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun. The Ministry of Health has issued a heat advisory for pilgrims in the wake of scorching surface temperatures, which pose a significant health risk. Following last year's lethal heat wave, authorities have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. The Ministry of Health has given top priority for the prevention of heat-related illnesses. It urged pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink water regularly and wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Pilgrims are also advised to avoid direct sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, refrain from walking on hot surfaces, and exercise caution when engaging in strenuous activities