Latest news with #HolyLand
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Menstruating women should make standard haj intention, not conditional, says Perlis deputy mufti
MAKKAH, June 1 (Bernama) -- Female pilgrims who are menstruating do not need to make a conditional intention (niat ihram) when beginning their Haj rituals. Instead, they should make the standard intention for Haj to ensure their worship remains valid according to Islamic law. Perlis deputy mufti and Haj advisory chief, Tajul Urus Abdul Halim, said making a conditional intention is not encouraged, as it may affect the validity or completeness of the Haj. 'Women are advised not to make a conditional intention because the Haj journey in the Holy Land spans several days, so it is best to avoid doing so. 'If a woman makes a conditional intention, there is a risk her Haj may be considered invalid or incomplete if the condition attached to the intention is mistakenly believed to have been fulfilled.' he said. Tajul Urus added that making the intention (niat) is one of the main pillars of Haj and must be done either when leaving the accommodation or at the miqat (the designated place for ihram), regardless of whether the woman is menstruating or not. 'If a woman does not make the intention for Haj, she cannot perform the pilgrimage. Therefore, she must make the intention first, even if she is menstruating, as menstruation does not invalidate the Haj intention,' he said. He explained that menstruating women may still perform all the essential and obligatory rituals - such as standing (wukuf) in Arafah, spending the night (mabit) in Muzdalifah and Mina, and performing the stoning of the jamrah, except for the tawaf, which must be postponed until they are in a state of purity. Tajul Urus also clarified that pilgrims performing Haj and offering a sacrificial animal (qurban) are not bound by the recommended etiquettes followed by those performing qurban alone. 'They are not required to avoid actions such as cutting nails or removing hair, as these etiquettes are only encouraged for those offering a sacrifice but not performing Haj,' he said. MAKKAH, June 1 — Female pilgrims who are menstruating do not need to make a conditional intention (niat ihram) when beginning their Haj rituals. Instead, they should make the standard intention for Haj to ensure their worship remains valid according to Islamic law. Perlis deputy mufti and Haj advisory chief, Tajul Urus Abdul Halim, said making a conditional intention is not encouraged, as it may affect the validity or completeness of the Haj. 'Women are advised not to make a conditional intention because the Haj journey in the Holy Land spans several days, so it is best to avoid doing so. 'If a woman makes a conditional intention, there is a risk her Haj may be considered invalid or incomplete if the condition attached to the intention is mistakenly believed to have been fulfilled.' he said. Tajul Urus added that making the intention (niat) is one of the main pillars of Haj and must be done either when leaving the accommodation or at the miqat (the designated place for ihram), regardless of whether the woman is menstruating or not. 'If a woman does not make the intention for Haj, she cannot perform the pilgrimage. Therefore, she must make the intention first, even if she is menstruating, as menstruation does not invalidate the Haj intention,' he said. He explained that menstruating women may still perform all the essential and obligatory rituals - such as standing (wukuf) in Arafah, spending the night (mabit) in Muzdalifah and Mina, and performing the stoning of the jamrah, except for the tawaf, which must be postponed until they are in a state of purity. Tajul Urus also clarified that pilgrims performing Haj and offering a sacrificial animal (qurban) are not bound by the recommended etiquettes followed by those performing qurban alone. 'They are not required to avoid actions such as cutting nails or removing hair, as these etiquettes are only encouraged for those offering a sacrifice but not performing Haj,' he said. He further advised pilgrims to make proper preparations before starting their journey, including trimming nails and attending to personal grooming, to ensure comfort throughout the Haj. — Bernama
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
How Minneapolis' Cultural Districts tell their stories through food
From golden raisin lattes to shawarma, the many restaurants of Minneapolis' seven Cultural Districts serve up more than meals — they're an invitation to connect with the history, culture and community that have shaped the city across generations. The background: Each Cultural District reflects a distinct identity shaped by generations of Indigenous, immigrant and BIPOC communities. Some districts began as industrial or transit corridors; others were built through necessity as communities of color were denied access to housing and commercial opportunities elsewhere. Over time, Minneapolis' neighborhoods became home to a layered mix of cultures, from Dakota and other Indigenous nations to Scandinavian, Eastern European and Middle Eastern immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. In more recent decades, Latinx, Somali and Hmong communities have added new voices, flavors and traditions to the city's cultural fabric The impact: That cultural vibrancy comes to life in the restaurants, cafes and markets that anchor each district. Here are just a few spots where you can eat well and learn more about the communities that make each district unique. 🫓 Maria's Café (Franklin Avenue East) Located inside the Ancient Traders Market, Maria's is beloved for its Colombian-style sweet corn pancakes and breakfast burritos. About Franklin Avenue East: This district is home to a thriving Indigenous community. It's a hub for Native-led organizations, artists and food entrepreneurs working to preserve — and evolve — cultural presence. Plus, plus, plus: Check out All My Relations Arts or take the "Unholy Tour," a guided group tour of the origins of the American Indian Movement and the Indigenous history of the area. ☕️ Bichota Coffee (38th Street District) Just a short walk from George Floyd Square, this Black- and woman-owned café is known for ethically sourced beans and Capriotadas, or sweet, spicy golden raisin lattes. Community events and craft nights make it a gathering space as much as a coffee stop. About 38th Street: The café sits in a district shaped by Black entrepreneurship and resilience — and continues to anchor conversations around justice and healing. Here's what else: Swing by Listen2Us Studio, a living photographic archive of the 2020 protests, or catch a show at Pillsbury House & Theatre. 🥙 Holy Land (Central Avenue District) Originally a deli, Holy Land has now grown into a full-service restaurant and market, known for its shawarma, hummus and fresh pita made in-house. About Central Avenue: Shaped by a working-class population of Lebanese, German, Polish and Eastern European communities brought to the city in the 1930s to work in Northeast's railways, the district has long been a hub for immigrant entrepreneurship and heritage. 🍦 La Michoacana Purepecha (East Lake Street) A colorful ice cream shop serving mangonadas, paletas and bubblegum-pink piñon (pine nut) ice cream. About East Lake Street: Surrounded by mercados and murals, this district is a cultural and commercial center for Minneapolis' Latinx and Somali communities. The takeaway: Across Minneapolis' Cultural Districts, restaurants are more than just places to eat — they're places to linger, to learn and to connect more deeply with the stories rooted in each neighborhood.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Forbes
Visiting Jerusalem And Tel Aviv, A Tale Of Israel's Two Cities
Citadel and Tower of David (founded in 2nd century BC), Old City of Jerusalem (UNESCO World Heritage ... More List, 1981), Israel. (Photo) Peace is in the air, and tourists may soon return to Israel, a small country with a lot to see and do. For most visitors, their stay in Israel will be a tale of two cities, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Visitors should see and experience both. An efficient train system and buses connect the cites with just an hour's travel time, at a cost of less than ten US dollars each way. Taxis, shared rides, and, for the bold, rental cars are also available. Jerusalem is one of the world's oldest and most historic cities. The city of King David dates back more than 3500 years. Although there has been a Jewish presence throughout, rulers of Jerusalem include the Canaanites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantine Christians, the Muslim Caliphate, the Mamluks, the Ottoman Empire, the British, and since 1948, the state of Israel. Jewish, Muslim and Christian history all converge in Jerusalem. The Temple Mount, also known as Mount Moriah, where Abraham was commanded to bring his son Isacc as a sacrifice, is believed to be the site of the Jewish Second Temple. The area around the Western or Wailing Wall near where the Temple stood is now a sacred Jewish site known as the Kotel. The site is adjacent to the beautiful Dome of the Rock, which according to Muslims, is the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad was taken up into heaven. The Old City of Jerusalem also home to the Via Dolorosa, the path that Jesus is said to have walked on the way to his crucifixion. The Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, is where Jesus prayed before the crucifixion. The Mount of Olives itself is home to many historic churches and a large, historic graveyard, which locals call the most expensive property in Jerusalem. Nearby is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Many believe this is the most significant Christian site, as it is said to be the location of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Also within the walled city are the reputed site of the Last Supper and the tomb of King David. Many of these sites are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore. Light seeping from the dome oculus hits the altar, set up in front of the Edicule, traditionally ... More believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, prior to mass on Easter Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images) The history of the city is shown through artifacts and amazing animation at the updated Tower of David. A light show showing the city's history is also available in the evenings. The iconic tower is now accessible by elevator until the very last floor. Another museum, the City of David, shows the archeological history of the city, including what may be David's palace and the drainage system where Jewish survivors took refuge from the conquering Romans. Much of Jerusalem's story is immediately apparent to visitors through its walls and towers. Iconic structures like the Western Wall and the walls of the Old City are built with Jerusalem stone, locally quarried limestone with a golden hue. Even the newer buildings look classic, thanks to a Jerusalem stone regulation imposed by the British as part of a master plan to maintain the city's aesthetic character. Whether new construction or renovation, regulations mandate the use of Jerusalem stone on the exterior of all buildings. The thick blocks of limestone provide some protection from the city's summer heat. The blocks of stone may also have limited damage caused by shelling during Israel's War of Independence in 1948 and the fighting in the Six Day War of 1967. Tel Aviv, on the other hand, is a new city. Its inhabitants often seem dedicated to enjoying life, without the pressing weight of history and religion. It is also Israel's business center and home to many. Tel Aviv was founded on April 11, 1909, on sand dunes north of the port city of Jaffa along the Mediterranean coast. Its long beachfront attracts millions of visitors each year, whether they come to bike, soak up the rays, play the Israeli paddle ball game called matkal, or even surf or parasail. Israelis hang out on Tel Aviv's beach on May 16, 2021 (Photo by) The city is home to many European-style cafes and pubs, as well as innovative and outstanding new restaurants driven by a new generation of chefs. Cafes like those on Nahalat Binyamin street stay open late into the night as people comfortably socialize outdoors. Tel Aviv has also been called the 'LGBT Capital of the Middle East' for its tolerance and nightlife. Tel Aviv also boasts many concerts, clubs, theaters, bookstores and museums like the newly revamped ANU, or Museum of the Jewish People. The museum, located on the campus of Tel Aviv University, tells the story of the Jews, including the various diasporas from Israel to the lands of the Middle East and Europe, with text, illustrations, photos, music and video. The models of synagogues around the world, from the wooden shuls of Eastern Europe to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Elkins Park temple outside Philadelphia, are particularly unique. The architectures of Tel Aviv range from 770-foot skyscrapers like the Azrieli Sarova Tower to low-slung non-descript two story buildings. Tel Aviv also has one of the largest collections of Bauhaus buildings. Bauhaus, developed by Walter Gropius and associates in Germany in 1919, called for minimalist design and clean lines. Hitler, suspicious of modern art and design he called 'cultural Bolshevikism,' closed the Bauhaus school in 1933. However, for the development of a new city like Tel Aviv, the timing was perfect as Jewish architects influenced by Bauhaus migrated there. Many prominent Bauhaus buildings appeared in the 1930's and 1940's in Tel Aviv. Forbes wrote 'the so-called 'White City', where a considerable number of these bright-white apartment blocks are located, was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.' The Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv offers self-guided tours and a history of the movement in Tel Aviv. A house in the typical Bauhaus style stands on Rothschild Boulevard in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv. ... More It belongs to the White City, with 4000 buildings the world's largest collection of houses in the style of classical modernism. Since 2003 they belong to the Unesco World Cultural Heritage. Developed by Walter Gropius in Weimar in 1919, the Bauhaus style became internationally accepted in the 1930s and became the basis of modern architecture after the Second World War. (Photo by Stephan Schulz/picture alliance via Getty Images) While geographically close, the personalities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are quite different. The residents of Jerusalem tend to be more religiously observant while Tel Aviv can appear beachfront casual, with T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops, a common uniform. On the other hand, it has been said that Jerusalem comes to a standstill on the Jewish Sabbath, from Friday evening to sundown Saturday night. While I saw a handful of cars while walking from the excellent Hotel Orient through the Old City, the silence was truly deafening. Tel Aviv is more vibrant, as many restaurants and bars remain open every day. And of course, Tel Aviv's long, beautiful beach will be packed. However, public transport doesn't run on Shabbat. While Jerusalem and Tel Aviv each have a unique vibe, both are well worth visiting. And the close proximity of these wonderfully different secular and religious worlds make both easy to savor on even a short trip to Israel. Israel, Jerusalem: the Western Wall in the Jewish quarter of the Old City. Here, the area reserved ... More for women. Woman praying on a Friday evening of Shabbat. (Photo by: Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Times of Oman
12-05-2025
- Times of Oman
Hajj: Nusuk card mandatory for pilgrims to enter Makkah
Muscat : Pilgrims will not be permitted to enter Makkah unless they hold a Nusuk card, confirming their Hajj permit. Oman Hajj Mission said in a statement :"The Oman Hajj Mission reminds you and emphasises the importance of wearing your Nusuk card, which you will receive from licensed Hajj companies, throughout your stay in the Holy Land. Please note that the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not permit entry to Makkah and the Holy Sites unless you hold a Nusuk card, confirming your Hajj permit. To facilitate the provision of services, we hope you will pay attention and adhere to this requirement."
Al Jazeera
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
What the Christians of the Holy Land expect from Pope Leo XIV
Many Christians of the Holy Land rejoiced at the election of Pope Leo XIV as the successor to Saint Peter. Many of us hope that the new pope will follow the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly with regard to issues of justice and peace. The Holy See has historically played an important role in supporting the Christian presence in the Holy Land, whether through church activities, engagement with influential parties in and around the region, or through material and moral support. This has been reflected in the establishment of institutions such as the Pontifical Mission in Jerusalem, Bethlehem University, the Benedictus Center in Nazareth, and most recently, the donation by Pope Francis of the Popemobile to serve as a mobile clinic for children in Gaza. Some of the most impactful moments in our recent history have been papal visits to our land — starting with Pope Paul VI in 1964, followed by Pope John Paul II in 2000, Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, and concluding with Pope Francis in 2014. We, Christians in the Holy Land, hope that Pope Leo XIV will not only come to visit us but also help address some of the challenges we face today in the birthplace of Christianity. As a community of 230,000 people, we are working to strengthen the Christian presence as an active component of the local society, in collaboration with its other components. However, we do need help. One of the main issues affecting Christian lives in Israel and Palestine is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is a persistent source of regional instability that fuels violence in various forms, which kills many, including Christians. Rising religious and political extremism makes many of us feel like strangers in our own homeland. Economic deterioration and the declining number of people coming for pilgrimage in the Holy Land due to the conflict are leading to a loss of livelihood and worsening socioeconomic conditions. Widespread despair is driving many to emigrate or plan to leave in the near future, dwindling the numbers of our community. Many local Christians want the Holy See to engage with key global and regional players to achieve a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In his last sermon, Pope Francis spoke about the urgent need for peace in Gaza. In his first sermon, Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip. We welcome these statements and hope he will continue to do his utmost to promote peace in the Holy Land. In Palestine, the situation remains unclear due to the Israeli occupation of all territories meant to form a Palestinian state, the ongoing war in Gaza, and the limited authority of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank — not to mention Israel's full annexation of East Jerusalem. This reality calls for thoughtful action by the Church, both at the level of the Holy See and locally, to provide people with hope in these dark times. In Israel, there is a pressing need for cooperation between the Holy See and the local church — bishops, priests, and believers — to resolve many issues that affect the Christian and non-Christian communities. It is crucial to work with all segments of the local society to pressure the state to treat all its citizens equally and preserve their dignity. Christians hope that the Holy See can collaborate with us in our efforts to achieve equality. We, as a community, face Israeli laws that discriminate against us based on ethnicity and religion; we need support in our efforts to have such laws repealed. It is also essential to work towards resolving painful issues that have negatively impacted the Christian presence, such as the case of the villages of Iqrit and Biram, whose Catholic Christian residents were expelled before their homes were destroyed by the Israeli authorities in 1951. Since then, the residents and their descendants have been demanding to return to their ancestral lands, but are being denied this right. There is also a need for stronger intervention by the Holy See to support Christian institutions operating under Israeli control, which face growing challenges, such as attempts by some municipalities to impose heavy taxes in violation of past agreements, the clear discriminatory underfunding of Christian schools by Israeli authorities, and threats against church property. Many Christians of the Holy Land also hope that Pope Leo XIV will work to enhance unity among them, including efforts to reach a unified date for major religious holidays, especially Christmas and Easter. They also call for increased joint efforts among churches to organise pilgrimages to the Holy Land that include not only visits to religious sites but also interactions with the faithful who live there. This is important because it would help us raise global awareness about the challenges we face and feel an integral part of the universal Church. As a whole, Christians in the Holy Land, like their fellow Christians around the world, desire to see a father in Pope Leo XIV — a father who visits them and welcomes their visits, consults with them and listens to their concerns, protects them from harm, stands with them when they are attacked or oppressed, and follows in the footsteps of the Church's founder, who never hesitated to defend the oppressed regardless of how powerful the oppressor might be. Pope Leo XIV should know that he has many children in the Holy Land who love him and understand how busy he and the Holy See are with so many issues around the world. In the Holy Land, Christians have prayed — and continue to pray — for his success in his mission, fully aware of how complex it is. But above all, the children need their father — and that is what they expect the most: that he will always stand by their side, despite how busy he might be. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
