Latest news with #DayofArafah
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Holiest day in Islam: UAE residents to fast as Hajj pilgrims scale Arafah mountain
Muslims across the UAE are recommended to fast tomorrow, Thursday, in observance of the Day of Arafah - one of the most sacred days in Islam. As pilgrims performing Hajj in Makkah gather on the plain of Arafah, Muslims around the world who are not on the pilgrimage will mark the day with fasting, prayer, and reflection. The Day of Arafah falls on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the day before Eid Al Adha, and is deeply significant in Islamic tradition. "Allah chose this day to complete the religion of Islam," said Sheikh Ayaz Housee, Imam of NGS and Khateeb at Al Manar Islamic Centre. "In Surah Al-Ma'idah, Allah says: 'This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favour upon you, and approved Islam as your religion.' That declaration was made on the Day of Arafah," he explained. Day of forgiveness The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described it as the day when Allah's mercy is at its peak. "There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Hellfire than the Day of Arafah," the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, as recorded in Sahih Muslim. "It's a spiritual day unlike any other. For those standing in Arafah during Haj, it's a moment of closeness to Allah. For the rest of us, fasting helps us connect to that moment from afar," said Sheikh Ayaz. Fasting on this day is highly recommended. "The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that fasting on the Day of Arafah wipes away the sins of the previous year and the year to come,' said Sheikh Ayaz. 'That's 730 days of minor sins forgiven for one day of sincere fasting.' He also encouraged people to eat a proper pre-dawn meal, give in charity, read the Quran, and avoid distractions to make the most of the day. Chance to reset spiritually Dr Abdul Hameed Zafar, an imam at a mosque in Dragon Mart, said the Day of Arafah is about deep personal reflection. "It's a day to pause and turn back to Allah. Whether you are fasting at home or standing in prayer at the mosque, the goal is the same - to seek forgiveness and spiritual renewal," he said. "People should use the day to make dua, ask Allah for what they truly need - peace, guidance, good health, or forgiveness. The doors of mercy are wide open," said Dr Zafar. Scholars said that as Hajj reaches its peak in Makkah, Muslims in the UAE and around the world will share in the spiritual power of the day. "Through fasting and worship, Muslims should aim to draw closer to their Creator - even if they are thousands of kilometers away from Arafah," added Dr Zafar.
Sharjah 24
6 hours ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality ready to welcome Eid Al-Adha
Various municipal departments have continued their operational efforts, endorsed by the Director of the Municipality, which include festive decorations across the city, inspection plans for public beaches and parks, and intensive inspection rounds at shops, markets, health and food establishments, men's barbershops, and women's salons to ensure adherence to hygiene regulations. Market operating hours The abattoir will be open on the Day of Arafah and throughout Eid from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, under full veterinary supervision. The city's fish, vegetable, fruit, meat, and poultry markets will operate from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM during Eid. The fish market will also open from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. To minimise crowding and ensure public safety, the municipality's website offers a unique 'online slaughter booking' service, allowing residents to schedule their sacrifices easily and efficiently. The municipality also warned against dealing with unlicensed mobile butchers due to health risks and the lack of veterinary inspection. It continues to sterilise and clean the abattoir and markets throughout the day as part of its commitment to quality public services over the holiday. Eid Prayer area prepared The municipality has intensified preparations for the Eid prayer ground, ensuring it is fully equipped with all necessary service, technical, and engineering facilities to accommodate worshippers comfortably during the holiday. City decorations Municipal teams have finalised all decorative arrangements, adorning streets, public squares, and major intersections with geometric shapes, ornamental pillars, and illuminated structures featuring festive greetings such as 'Eid Mubarak' and 'Wishing You a Blessed Eid,' to spread joy among residents and visitors. A festive and joyful atmosphere His Excellency Talib Abdullah Al Yahyai, Director of Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality, extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the UAE's leadership, citizens, and residents on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. He affirmed that the municipality's teams have completed all necessary preparations to ensure a safe, welcoming environment for residents and visitors to enjoy a joyful and family-friendly holiday experience.
Malaysian Reserve
7 hours ago
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysian haj pilgrims begin staged movement to Arafah for wukuf
MAKKAH — A total of 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims, among the 1.8 million Muslims from around the world performing haj this year, began moving to Arafah in stages, since 7.31 am today, to perform the wukuf worship, the pinnacle of haj pilgrimage, tomorrow (June 5). Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that strict security measures enforced by the Saudi Arabian authorities, including inspections at several checkpoints, could result in some delays in the pilgrims' journey to Arafah for the wukuf worship. 'These security protocols are meant to ensure that only individuals with valid permits are allowed into the Arafah area. The Saudi authorities are very firm on this matter, to guarantee the safety and smooth movement of all pilgrims,' he told reporters, after witnessing the departure of Malaysian pilgrims to Arafah earlier today. He added that Malaysian haj pilgrims are now comfortably on board the buses provided, and he encouraged them to make the most of the journey by reciting the talbiyah and engaging in continuous prayer. 'We know that the prayers of those who are travelling are highly effective. So, I urge all pilgrims to remain focused on worship and to prepare themselves, mentally and spiritually, for the Day of Arafah,' he said. Between 20 and 31 buses have been allocated for each maktab to transport pilgrims from seven hotels to Arafah, located approximately 20 kilometres from Makkah, in three stages. The movement of Malaysian pilgrims to the Arafah plain for the wukuf worship tomorrow will be carried out in three main rounds, using the shuttle bus service. 'The three rounds of pilgrim movement are scheduled as follows: the first trip at 7.31 am, the second at 9 am, and the third at noon,' he said. Mohd Na'im said that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), together with the Al Masyair (Masyariq) company, expects the entire pilgrim movement operation to be fully completed within six to eight hours. The Saudi Arabian government has announced that the Wukuf Day falls on Thursday, the 9th day of Zulhijjah (June 5), followed by the celebration of Aidiladha on Friday, June 6. — BERNAMA
The Sun
7 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Malaysian haj pilgrims begin staged movement to Arafah for wukuf
MAKKAH: A total of 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims, among the 1.8 million Muslims from around the world performing haj this year, began moving to Arafah in stages, since 7.31 am today, to perform the wukuf worship, the pinnacle of haj pilgrimage, tomorrow (June 5). Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that strict security measures enforced by the Saudi Arabian authorities, including inspections at several checkpoints, could result in some delays in the pilgrims' journey to Arafah for the wukuf worship. 'These security protocols are meant to ensure that only individuals with valid permits are allowed into the Arafah area. The Saudi authorities are very firm on this matter, to guarantee the safety and smooth movement of all pilgrims,' he told reporters, after witnessing the departure of Malaysian pilgrims to Arafah earlier today. He added that Malaysian haj pilgrims are now comfortably on board the buses provided, and he encouraged them to make the most of the journey by reciting the talbiyah and engaging in continuous prayer. 'We know that the prayers of those who are travelling are highly effective. So, I urge all pilgrims to remain focused on worship and to prepare themselves, mentally and spiritually, for the Day of Arafah,' he said. Between 20 and 31 buses have been allocated for each maktab to transport pilgrims from seven hotels to Arafah, located approximately 20 kilometres from Makkah, in three stages. The movement of Malaysian pilgrims to the Arafah plain for the wukuf worship tomorrow will be carried out in three main rounds, using the shuttle bus service. 'The three rounds of pilgrim movement are scheduled as follows: the first trip at 7.31 am, the second at 9 am, and the third at noon,' he said. Mohd Na'im said that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), together with the Al Masyair (Masyariq) company, expects the entire pilgrim movement operation to be fully completed within six to eight hours. The Saudi Arabian government has announced that the Wukuf Day falls on Thursday, the 9th day of Zulhijjah (June 5), followed by the celebration of Aidiladha on Friday, June 6.
The Star
14 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Saudi's Arafat Sermon to be broadcast in real-time in 34 languages
MECCA: Saudi Arabia will broadcast its Arafat Sermon in real-time in 34 languages this year in an effort to reach all pilgrims. This marks the first time Saudi authorities have undertaken such an effort to ensure that pilgrims from around the world can understand the Arafat Sermon, which is delivered in Arabic. The Arafat Sermon, delivered on the Day of Arafah, is a key ritual of the haj and is widely followed by Muslims worldwide. More than two million pilgrims from all over the world will be on the plains of Mount Arafat on June 5, to perform Day of Arafah, supplicating and praying. In an announcement, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque said it has completed preparations for the Arafat sermon translation project. The Arafat Sermon this year will be delivered by the Grand Imam of the Holy Mosques Sheikh Saleh al Humaid from Masjid Namirah. The project aims to convey Islam's message of tolerance to a global audience in their native languages, fostering better communication between Muslims and non-Muslims. "It also underscores the Kingdom's pivotal role in serving the two holy mosques and its unwavering commitment to supporting pilgrims worldwide. "The project aims to provide real-time translation of the Arafah sermon in more than 34 languages, making it one of the largest initiatives of the haj season," said the authority. A key feature of the project is the integration of Quick Response (QR) codes, which offer easy access to both textual and audio translations. The 34 languages in which the Arafat Sermon will be broadcast in are: Arabic, Urdu, English, French, Indonesian, Persian (Farsi), Hausa, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, Bengali, Turkish, Malay (Bahasa Melayu), Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Filipino (Tagalog), Amharic (Ethiopia), Bosnian, Hindi, Dutch, Thai, Malayalam, Swahili, Pashto, Tamil, Azerbaijani, Swedish, Uzbek, Albanian, Fulani (Fula), Somali, Rohingya and Yoruba. This will enable pilgrims to listen to the sermon in their respective languages, regardless of their location, from anywhere in the world. "To expand the reach and amplify the impact of the service, QR codes have been displayed on screens in key facilities, buses, and pilgrim accommodations," it added. Additionally, the service has been promoted through various government media platforms and shared with international media in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Media. The Saudi Royal Court had earlier announced that Youm ul Hajj or Arafat Day this year will be observed on Thursday (June 5). As of May 31, more than 1.3 million foreigners are in Mecca to perform the haj.
