Latest news with #MoHU
Qatar Living
10-05-2025
- Qatar Living
Saudi Arabia announces Umrah season calendar
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in an effort to serve international pilgrims and visitors arriving in the country with Umrah visas, has announced the Umrah season calendar for the year 1447 AH (2025-26). The calendar lists out key dates, including visa issuance, service agreement deadlines, and the final entry and exit dates for pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces the Umrah season calendar for the year 1447 AH, as part of preparations to serve pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque arriving from outside Saudi Arabia with Umrah visas.#Ease_and_Tranquility#No_Hajj_Without_Permit — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) May 9, 2025 International visitors holding an Umrah visa will be permitted to begin performing the rites beginning June 11 (15 Dhul-Hijjah), with visa issuance starting a day earlier, on June 10. The announcement added that all service agreements between Umrah companies and foreign agencies had to be finalised by May 27. Deadlines have been set for various milestones. The final date for issuing Umrah visas will be March 20, 2026 (1 Shawwal 1447). The final date for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom will be April 3, 2026 (15 Shawwal 1447). All pilgrims must depart the country by April 18, 2026 (1 Dhul-Qi'dah 1447). The timeline is part of the ministry's broader effort to ensure smooth and well-organised Umrah season. --- Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. Instagram - @qatarliving X - @qatarliving Facebook - Qatar Living YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
Al Arabiya
05-05-2025
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia announces fines up to 100,000 riyals for Hajj visa violators
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced hefty fines of up to $26,000 (100,000 SAR) and a possible entry ban into the Kingdom for violators of Hajj visa rules. The ministry emphasized the importance of obtaining an official permit to perform the Hajj pilgrimage for the upcoming season to avoid punishment. Anyone who is caught performing Hajj without an official permit or with a visit visa will be fined $5,332 (20,000 SAR), the ministry said. Anyone who applies for a visit visa for a person who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit will be subject to a fine of up to $26,000 (100,000 SAR), according to the ministry. This also applies to anyone who transports visit visa holders to Mecca or the holy sites during the Hajj period. This includes housing visit visa holders in hotels, apartments, private residences, shelters, or other pilgrim accommodations, as well as hiding them or offering any form of assistance that enables them to stay in Mecca or the holy sites, the ministry said. Your commitment to obtaining a Hajj permit contributes to a well-organized Hajj and helps safeguard the well-being of the Guests of Allah. #Ease_And_Tranquility #No_Hajj_Without_Permit — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) May 3, 2025 'Penalties increase with the number of violations. Violators including residents and overstayers caught attempting to perform Hajj illegally, will be deported and banned from entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years,' a statement from the ministry posted on social media said. Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and is required once in a lifetime for all Muslims who are physically and financially able. This year, Hajj is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, June 6, and end on Wednesday, June 11. Eid al-Adha will commence immediately after Hajj, starting on Sunday, June 8, depending on the moon sighting. It marks the culmination of the pilgrimage and is celebrated by Muslims around the world.
Al Arabiya
13-03-2025
- Al Arabiya
Ramadan: Mecca's Grand Mosque sees record 25 mln worshippers in first 10 days
The Grand Mosque in Mecca has recorded unprecedented numbers of worshippers and visitors during the first 10 days of Ramadan, with more than 25 million people gathering for prayers, Al Arabiya reported, citing The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques. According to the Al Arabiya report, over 5.5 million Muslims performed Umrah in the same period, marking a significant surge in religious activity at the holy site. For more Saudi news, visit our dedicated page. The authority also released new data highlighting the extensive operations in place to manage the growing number of worshippers. Ten days of mercy have passed with peace, ending in prayers and unwavering faith. O Allah, accept from the pilgrims and those who fast. 🤲🏻🌙 #Makkah_And_Madinah_Eagerly_Await_You #Ease_And_Tranquility — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) March 12, 2025 More than 11,000 employees have been deployed to organize the mosque's courtyards and walkways, while 350 Saudi supervisors oversee 4,000 workers responsible for cleaning the mosque five times daily. These workers also prepare entrances and pathways, regulate access through escalators, and coordinate with operations teams to direct worshippers to the upper floors and pilgrims to the tawaf area, while ensuring that all safety measures are in place. Scenes from #Taraweeh prayers at Al-Masjid Al-Haram—Night 13 of Ramadan. #Makkah_And_Madinah_Eagerly_Await_You #Ease_And_Tranquility — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) March 12, 2025 To accommodate the millions of visitors, the Grand Mosque is equipped with 20,000 dispensers of Zamzam water. The number of electric golf carts available for those in need of mobility assistance has reached 400, all designed to reflect the mosque's spiritual and architectural significance. One of the world's largest cooling systems is also in place to regulate temperatures inside the mosque, with a total capacity of 155,000 tons. The system operates through two main stations: the Al-Shamiya station, which has a production capacity of 120,000 tons, and the Ajyad station, which produces 35,000 tons. These advanced cooling systems maintain indoor temperatures between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius, using high-efficiency air filters that remove 95 percent of impurities to ensure clean air circulation. The Grand Mosque's audio system, consisting of 8,000 speakers, ensures the clear transmission of the call to prayer, sermons, and prayers throughout the mosque's three expansions and surrounding courtyards. The mosque also remains illuminated throughout the year by 120,000 lighting units, ensuring a well-lit environment for visitors at all times. As Ramadan continues, these efforts are aimed at enhancing the experience of millions of worshippers and ensuring a smooth and spiritually enriching environment for all visitors, the authority said.
