Latest news with #IslamicAffairs
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Announces Special Holiday for Eid Al-Adha on June 9
Doha – The Head of Government's office has announced that government departments and local authorities will observe an exceptional holiday on Monday, June 9, for Eid Al-Adha. The holiday extends the observance of the festival, which falls on Saturday, June 7, corresponding to the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446H. This decision was made in accordance with Article 3 of Decree No. 2.05.916 issued on July 20, 2005, as amended and supplemented, according to the government statement. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs had previously announced on Tuesday, May 27, that the month of Dhu al-Qa'dah had completed thirty days. Consequently, the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah is Thursday, May 29, with Eid Al-Adha falling on Saturday, June 7. The ministry clarified that it had monitored the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah for the year 1446H after sunset on Tuesday, the 29th of Dhu al-Qa'dah (May 27). Officials contacted all Islamic Affairs delegates across the kingdom and units of the Royal Armed Forces participating in the crescent observation, who unanimously confirmed that the crescent was not visible. This year's Eid Al-Adha comes under exceptional circumstances as Moroccans have been called to abstain from the traditional sacrifice. On February 26, King Mohammed VI urged citizens to refrain from performing the ritual sacrifice this year due to the alarming decline in the national livestock population. The royal appeal was motivated by economic rather than religious considerations. The national livestock, particularly sheep, has decreased by 38% since 2016, with the number of female breeding stock falling to 8.7 million heads in 2024, compared to 11 million in 2016. This decline threatens the sector's sustainability and has caused red meat prices to soar. The COVID-19 pandemic followed by several years of drought severely impacted livestock numbers. In normal years, approximately 5.5 to 6 million animals would be sacrificed during Eid Al-Adha. Continuing this practice this year would further deplete breeding stock and potentially drive meat prices to MAD 200 ($20) per kilogram. While there is no formal ban on sacrifices, authorities are implementing stricter enforcement of regulations regarding informal practices associated with the holiday. The government has launched a MAD 3 billion ($300 billion) program to help rebuild livestock numbers, with an additional MAD 3.2 billion ($320 million) planned for 2026 to support breeders participating in the female breeding stock preservation campaign. Tags: Eid Al AdhaEid Al Adha HolidayMoroccan government
Saudi Press
3 days ago
- General
- Saudi Press
Ministry of Islamic Affairs Provides Sharia Awareness Programs to Visitors of Al-Taneem Mosque
Ministry of Islamic Affairs Provides Sharia Awareness Programs to Visitors of Al-Taneem Mosque Thursday 02/12/1446 Riyadh Voice reader
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi minister of Islamic affairs inspects new projects at holy sites ahead of Hajj
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Islamic Affairs inspected holy sites on Thursday to ensure preparations were complete to receive pilgrims for the Hajj season. Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh inaugurated eight development projects worth more than $9 million (SR33.7 million) as part of the tour. The development projects include upgrades at Namira Mosque in Arafat. These feature the installation of 19 structural umbrellas, similar to those at the Prophet's Mosque, and heat-reflective coatings applied to floor surfaces in the mosque's courtyard, reducing temperatures by up to 10 C in shaded areas. The tour also marked the second phase of the courtyard cooling project, including the installation of 98 misting fans in and around Namira Mosque. In Mina, 57 misting fans were installed as part of improvements at Al-Khaif Mosque and public restrooms. A total of 70 cold water production units, each with a capacity of 1,000 liters, were installed to supply as many as 140,000 pilgrims per hour. Other upgrades include the installation of an integrated audio, surveillance and lighting control system managed via a centralized electronic unit. Carbon dioxide monitoring devices have also been installed for the first time to ensure indoor air quality for worshippers. Additional upgrades included the modernization of air conditioning and ventilation systems at Namira and Al-Khaif mosques; restoration of Namira Mosque, including improved insulation and operational efficiency; and the renovation of Hajjaj Al-Barr Mosque in Mina. The total value of these projects exceeds $9 million. Following the tour and projects inauguration, Al-Sheikh praised the generous support of the country's leadership for pilgrims attending Hajj. He highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to ensuring that pilgrims can perform their rituals in comfort and tranquility. The minister said that continuous support has empowered the ministry to fulfill its responsibilities in preparing the sites of worship, developing infrastructure and delivering services.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Awqaf ministry receives Qatari Hajj pilgrims' Nusuk cards
DOHA: The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs has received the Nusuk cards for Qatari pilgrims for this Hajj season during a meeting with a visiting Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah delegation on Thursday. A Nusuk card is a digital identification issued for Hajj pilgrims from the serviced countries. It contains essential pilgrim information and serves as both identification and an entry permit to the holy sites during Hajj. An Awqaf statement said the two sides had thoroughly verified during the meeting the official lists of names of Qatari pilgrims to ensure data consistency. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Naama, Awqaf's representative in the Qatari Hajj Mission, said the meeting was part of Qatar-Saudi Arabia coordination efforts to streamline a safe and well-organized spiritual trip for Qatari pilgrims, in line with the Saudi regulations. Meanwhile, Hassan Badr, head of the Saudi delegation, said the Nusuk delivery in the pilgrim's country of origin before his arrival in the Kingdom further facilitates the movement of pilgrims and enhances the quality of services provided. Badr, who oversees the centre, welcomed Qatari pilgrims, and added that identification is mandatory for all pilgrims for a smooth movement in the holy sites.
Arab News
4 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Second group of King Salman pilgrim program beneficiaries arrives in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The second group of beneficiaries of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit for this year has arrived in the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 1,053 Hajj pilgrims from 76 countries were welcomed to the Kingdom with roses and refreshments. The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh said hosting the pilgrims highlights the leadership's keenness to care for Muslims around the world and to present a civilized model of warm welcome, generous hospitality, and comprehensive organization. He emphasized that the ministry is working according to an integrated vision that addresses the smallest details, through an advanced field work system that aims to provide the utmost comfort to the program's guests, from the moment they arrive until the completion of their rituals. This will be achieved through quality services that include luxurious accommodation, comprehensive catering, facilitated transportation, comprehensive healthcare, and educational and enrichment programs that enhance the guests' experience of their pilgrimage journey, the minister said. The minister added that the program clearly embodies the comprehensive development achieved by the Kingdom in managing Hajj affairs and the advanced capabilities and accumulated expertise it possesses, which allow it to provide the best services to pilgrims.
