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Saudi Gazette
9 hours ago
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Sheikh Al-Muaiqly to lead Eid prayers at Makkah Grand Mosque
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Presidency of the Religious Affairs at the Two Holy Mosques has confirmed the appointment of Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly, imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, to lead the Eid Al-Adha prayers and deliver the sermon at the holy mosque. Eid prayers will be held at 5:52 a.m. on Friday, June 6. It is noteworthy that a group of pilgrims will flock to the Grand Mosque from the morning of the first day of Eid Al-Adha (the Day of Sacrifice) to perform the Tawaf Al-Ifadah, one of the pillars of Hajj. A royal decree has been issued recently appointing eminent Saudi scholar Sheikh Saleh Bin Humaid, imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque and member of the Council of Senior Scholars, to lead the prayer and deliver sermon on the Day of Arafat.


Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Omani mission participates in Haj symposium
JEDDAH: The Omani Haj mission took part in the 49th edition of the Grand Hajj Symposium, organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Council of Senior Scholars and King Abdulaziz Foundation. Held under the theme "Capability in Hajj and Contemporary Developments," the event took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah. Since its inception in 1397 AH (1977), the symposium has served as a leading knowledge platform, fostering scholarly and intellectual exchange among Islamic scholars and thinkers. It focuses on the religious, cultural, and social dimensions of Hajj, highlights Saudi Arabia's achievements in serving the guests of the Most Merciful and showcases pioneering projects in the Two Holy Mosques. Additionally, it promotes intellectual dialogue to address challenges facing the Islamic world. The symposium commenced with a special meeting for heads of Hajj affairs offices from various Islamic countries, including the Omani delegation, to discuss coordination and cooperation in serving pilgrims. The opening session featured welcoming remarks, followed by the first main session, titled "Facilitating the Ritual and Empowering Pilgrims: Saudi Arabia's Vision in Serving Hajj Performers." This session highlighted the Kingdom's efforts in streamlining pilgrims' journeys — from arrival to departure — providing integrated healthcare, and ensuring their safety through security measures and regulatory permits. It also reviewed infrastructure development projects in Makkah and the holy sites. The second session, "The Concept of Capability in Islam and Its Role in Facilitating Hajj," discussed topics such as physical and financial capability (istita'ah) and the importance of educating pilgrims on its jurisprudential aspects. On the sidelines of the symposium, specialised workshops were held, with participation from the Omani Hajj mission, including sessions on healthcare services and media and awareness. These aimed to enhance service quality for pilgrims and craft a global narrative for Hajj. The event concluded with a final statement emphasising the need for stronger cooperation among Islamic nations to serve pilgrims and address contemporary challenges. — ONA


Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Grand Mufti: Performing Hajj without a permit is a sin
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and Head of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, stressed the need to fully adhere to the instructions issued by the relevant authorities, most notably obtaining an official permit to perform the rituals. This was delivered in a directive to Muslims wishing to perform Hajj this year. The Grand Mufti emphasized that performing Hajj without a permit constitutes a grave violation of Islamic law, as it violates the system and the public interest. He warned that violating the instructions issued by the relevant Hajj authorities constitutes a clear violation of the orders of the ruler and is contrary to the Islamic Shariah. "Anyone who performs Hajj without a permit is guilty of a religious sin, as this harms public order and undermines the objectives of Islamic law, which are aimed at preserving order, preventing chaos, and achieving the interests of the servants." The Grand Mufti also urged all pilgrims to ensure they receive the health vaccinations prescribed by the Ministry of Health, emphasizing that preventing diseases and epidemics is a religious duty and a religious responsibility, especially during a season when Muslims flock from all over the world. He emphasized the importance of full cooperation with security and health authorities and adhering to their instructions, warning that "negligence in implementing instructions may expose the pilgrim to legal accountability and undermine the purpose of Hajj, which is worship, security, and safety." He praised the great efforts made by the Saudi government, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in facilitating the performance of the rituals and providing all necessary resources to ensure the safety and security of the guests of God. Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti received fatwa seekers at the headquarters of the General Presidency of Scientific Research and Ifta in Makkah. He assigned a number of scholars and sheikhs to answer pilgrims' inquiries during the Hajj season. These scholars include Sheikh Abdulsalam Al-Sulaiman, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and member of the Permanent Committee for Ifta, at mobile number (0504222205); Sheikh Jibril Al-Basili, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and official for Ifta in the Asir Region, at mobile number (0506741787); and Sheikh Abdullah Al Tayyar, official for Ifta in the Qassim region at mobile number (0556377792). The list of scholars also includes: the Fatwa official for the Makkah region Sheikh Muhammad Bazmoul on the number (0553480005), the Fatwa official for the Jazan region Sheikh Muhammad Shaiba,on the number (0504577218), and the General Department of Fatwa's number on the WhatsApp (0535256603).


Gulf News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf News
Hajj without permit is a sin, says Saudi Arabia's top religious authority
Dubai: Saudi Arabia 's Council of Senior Scholars has reaffirmed that performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage without an official permit is considered a sinful act under Islamic law, emphasizing that obtaining a permit is a mandatory requirement for all individuals intending to perform Hajj. Sheikh Fahd Al Majed, Secretary General of the Council, stated that the fatwa is based on Shariah evidence and principles, particularly Islamic teachings that prioritise easing religious obligations and minimizing hardship for worshippers. He noted that the permit system is designed to regulate the massive number of pilgrims, ensuring they can perform their rituals in safety and peace, a recognized objective in Islamic law. Sheikh Al Majed stressed that requiring a permit serves the public interest, as government entities plan security, health services, accommodation, and logistics for the Hajj season based on the authorised number of pilgrims. Matching the actual number of pilgrims to authorised limits enhances the quality and safety of services, aligning with Shariah principles. He also emphasised that adhering to the permit requirement constitutes obedience to the legitimate authority, citing the Quranic verse: "O believers! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you." The Council of Senior Scholars urged all pilgrims to comply with the permit requirement, warning that noncompliance could lead to significant risks, including threats to health and safety, a decline in service quality, and disruption of transportation and crowd management plans between the holy sites. The council further clarified that performing Hajj without a permit not only harms the individual pilgrim but also negatively affects others who follow the regulations. Islamic law regards harm that extends to others as more severe than harm limited to oneself.


Asharq Al-Awsat
28-04-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Council of Senior Scholars: Performing Hajj without a Permit Is a Sin
Saudi Arabia's Council of Senior Scholars stressed on Sunday the need to obtain a permit for anyone wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. In a statement, it warned that performing the pilgrimage without the permit 'is a sin' and would 'lead to several dangers and impact the safety and health of pilgrims and the services provided.' Meanwhile, the Holy Makkah Municipality said 22,000 of its members and members of other entities are dedicating their services and capabilities to implement this year's Hajj season plan. The municipality has provided 28 centers in the holy sites to offer the best services to the pilgrims. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, municipality spokesman Osama al-Zeitouni said it has backed up its efforts with several electronic platforms and apps that would help boost the efficiency of services and speed up procedures. It has also dedicated a large fleet of equipment and human cadres and set up integrated plans and work programs that cover the entirety of the Hajj, he added. The municipality's efforts include and are not limited to training members on crisis, disaster and crowd management. Dedicated teams will be in place to handle emergencies caused by rain or fires, as well as handling waste and garbage, providing protection against insects and regularly disinfecting camps. The municipality has dedicated a team to monitor the markets, grocery stores and restaurants to ensure the safety of food provided.