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Observer
15 hours ago
- Observer
What is the Muslim hajj pilgrimage?
The hajj is an annual pilgrimage that millions of Muslims make to Mecca with the intention of performing religious rites as taught by the Prophet Mohammad to his followers 14 centuries ago. The fifth pillar of Islam, the hajj is mandatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. The hajj begins in the 12th month of the Islamic year, which is lunar, not solar, meaning the hajj and the fasting month of Ramadan fall at different times of the solar calendar each year. A quota system for visitors to Mecca was introduced in 1987, agreed by member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to limit the number allowed by each country to 0.1% of its population. Stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have caused hundreds of deaths over the past 30 years, forcing the Saudi government to build new infrastructure. In 2011, Saudi Arabia began the biggest expansion yet of the Grand Mosque of Mecca to increase its capacity to 2 million. A new railway will link the holy sites around Mecca. Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's two main festivals, marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims slaughter animals - to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God's command - often distributing meat to the poor.
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Straits Times
What is the Muslim hajj pilgrimage?
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 2, 2025. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS DUBAI - Here is a look at the hajj, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, which starts in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. * The hajj is an annual pilgrimage that millions of Muslims make to Mecca with the intention of performing religious rites as taught by the Prophet Mohammad to his followers 14 centuries ago. * The fifth pillar of Islam, the hajj is mandatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. * The hajj begins in the 12th month of the Islamic year, which is lunar, not solar, meaning the hajj and the fasting month of Ramadan fall at different times of the solar calendar each year. * A quota system for visitors to Mecca was introduced in 1987, agreed by member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to limit the number allowed by each country to 0.1% of its population. * Stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have caused hundreds of deaths over the past 30 years, forcing the Saudi government to build new infrastructure. In 2011, Saudi Arabia began the biggest expansion yet of the Grand Mosque of Mecca to increase its capacity to 2 million. A new railway will link the holy sites around Mecca. * Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's two main festivals, marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims slaughter animals - to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God's command - often distributing meat to the poor. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Middle East
3 days ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// We rely on Egypt's counsel as OIC chair: Gambian FM
CAIRO, May 31 (MENA) - Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara said Saturday his country relies on Egypt and its counsel during Gambia's chairmanship of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This came in response to a question by the Middle East News Agency during his joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty. Tangara said that the talks touched on the possibility of elevating relations to a higher level, noting that he will extend an invitation to Abdelatty to visit Gambia, accompanied by a delegation of businessmen. He explained that Gambia serves as a gateway to West Africa, and Abdelatty's visit will strengthen cooperation with countries in the Global South. Tangara also noted that the Gambian Minister of Trade will visit Egypt to enhance areas of collaboration and that there will be a joint committee to explore opportunities for cooperation. (MENA) M S H/R G E
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Anti-India resolutions of OIC countries hurts Indian Muslims": Indian envoy thanks Indonesia for supporting New Delhi's stand on terrorism
Jakarta (Indonesia), May 30 (ANI): Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, on Friday expressed concerns that anti-India resolutions by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hurt Indian Muslims. He also thanked Indonesia for supporting India's stand on terrorism, thwarting Pakistan's effort to criticise India on the Kashmir issue at a recent meeting of OIC Parliamentary Union held in Jakarta. Chakravorty questioned why countries friendly to India, including OIC members, would support such resolutions. Chakravorty highlighted that India is home to one of the largest Muslim populations globally, emphasizing the need for OIC countries to be mindful of this demographic reality. 'Anti-India resolutions of OIC countries hurts Indian muslims... Indonesia is a friend of India, why should other friends of India and OIC countries support this kind of resolution? We should be mindful that India is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world...,' said the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia. Notably, Pakistan's efforts to include criticism of India on the Kashmir issue in the OIC document were unsuccessful, thanks to the opposition from Indonesia, Egypt, and Bahrain. Pakistan's efforts to rally the 57-member OIC against India have been met with resistance. Many OIC member countries, which have cordial relations with India, have refused to toe Pakistan's line, dealing a blow to its diplomatic efforts. The Ambassador urged OIC countries that are friends of India to reconsider their stance on these resolutions. He emphasized the importance of recognizing India's diverse population and its commitment to unity in diversity. Chakravorty also emphasized the strong message conveyed by India's actions against terrorism, which has resonated with Indonesia, a country that has also faced terrorism. Both nations, with significant Muslim populations, share a mutual understanding of the threat posed by terrorism. 'The message that has been conveyed strongly is that whole India is behind the action that the government has taken, terrorism has no place in the modern world, and the Government of India has a zero tolerance policy. I think this has found resonance from the Indonesian side, as Indonesia suffers from terrorism. It has the largest Muslim population in the world, while India has the second-largest population, so there is a mutual understanding,' Chakravorty said. Chakravorty highlighted Indonesia's robust anti-terror program, including de-radicalisation initiatives, which India can learn from. He added, 'What was discussed was the Indonesian anti-terror program. Indonesia has anti-terror cooperation with many countries, including India. It also has a robust de-radicalisation program against violent and online extremism. These are the learnings we have from Indonesia.' As part of their official visit to Indonesia, the all-party parliamentary delegation from India, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, MA, Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), and Mr. Kholili Kholil, Committee Member of NU -- the world's largest Islamic organisation. The Indian delegation sought NU's unwavering support against violence and religious extremism. Emphasising the shared values of peace and unity between India and Indonesia, Sanjay Jha urged NU leaders to stand with India and condemn cross-border terrorism, sending a strong message to the global community. Both India and Indonesia, with the largest Muslim populations globally, uphold the principle of Unity in Diversity or Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as state policy and as a way of life. Condemning terrorism and attacks on innocent civilians, KH Ulil expressed deep solidarity with India, saying, 'I felt the pain of India,' and called for stronger cooperation between India and Indonesia to promote peace and economic development. The all-party delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, included prominent MPs such as Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lala, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi from BJP, Abhishek Banerjee from TMC, John Brittas from CPI-M, along with Salman Khurshid and Mohan Kumar. Together, they sought to strengthen ties and garner support against cross-border terrorism. (ANI)
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
Erdogan's Gamble: Why Siding With Pakistan Is A Losing Bet Against Modi's India
Last Updated: Turkey's political alignment with Pakistan contrasts sharply with its economic interests with India The geopolitical landscape is witnessing increasing strain between India and Turkey, driven by Ankara's persistent alignment with Pakistan. While historical ties once facilitated cooperation, Turkey's vocal support for Islamabad, coupled with the use of Turkish drones by Pakistan in cross-border attacks, has severely deteriorated bilateral relations. Ankara's strategy, aimed at bolstering its influence in the Islamic world, is an ill-advised gamble. Continued economic engagement with India would be far more advantageous than its current political posturing. However, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seems bent on destroying ties, especially those hard-won and easily lost. Ankara's aligned stance and military complicity Erdoğan has unequivocally sided with Pakistan, particularly after India's counter-terror action, Operation Sindoor. Ankara openly condemned New Delhi's military actions, labelling them provocative and a potential trigger for wider conflict. This stance is not new; Turkey has consistently supported Pakistan's position on Kashmir, with Erdoğan affirming solidarity with the 'Kashmiri brothers" in February 2025 and seeking to raise the issue globally. advetisement Such diplomatic assertiveness has emboldened Pakistan, allowing it to circumvent international scrutiny of its terror-sponsoring activities. Turkey's support has also led Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue unnecessarily in forums such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, albeit unsuccessfully. Furthermore, this support has a military dimension. Turkish C-130 Hercules transport planes deliver military cargo to Pakistan, alongside the docking of Turkish naval vessels in Karachi. More critically, preliminary findings identified Turkish-manufactured Asisguard Songar models, or similar Turkish-origin drones, as those used by Pakistan in cross-border strikes during heightened tensions. Direct military support, along with diplomatic backing, demonstrates the depth of this partnership. Consequently, Turkey has become Pakistan's second-largest arms supplier after China, marked by collaborative military projects and joint exercises. India's strategic recalibration and countermeasures India has not remained passive. New Delhi has embarked on a strategic recalibration, deepening ties with countries that are either Ankara's regional rivals or those with which it has strained relations. This includes strengthening defence and intelligence-sharing mechanisms with nations like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and France. Its proactive policy in West Asia, seeking robust strategic ties with key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) players such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, also serves as a counterbalance to Turkish expansionism and its aspirations for leadership in the Islamic world. Furthermore, India views the Turkey-Pakistan axis not merely as a military threat but also as a challenge in narrative warfare and diplomatic influence. Both Ankara and Islamabad are investing in state-backed media outlets and social media campaigns to internationalise issues that India considers internal, specifically Kashmir. In response, India is enhancing its indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming for strategic autonomy and reducing vulnerabilities to shifting geopolitical allegiances. The growing call within India for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism reflects public anger and provides a direct economic lever against Turkey's perceived support for terrorism. The diminishing economic returns for Ankara Critically, Turkey's political alignment with Pakistan contrasts sharply with its economic interests with India. Data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) reveals that India has consistently maintained a significant trade surplus with Turkey. Advertisement In FY22-23, India's trade surplus with Turkey stood at $5.4 billion, which, while still substantial, reduced to $2.9 billion in FY23-24. From April to February in FY24-25, exports to Turkey were $5.2 billion, and imports stood at $2.84 billion, a surplus of approximately $2.7 billion—an economic relationship heavily skewed against Ankara. The economic repercussions of Turkey's political choices are becoming increasingly evident. India's overall merchandise trade with Turkey contracted to approximately 63% of FY22-23 levels by FY24-25. This decline, predating the most recent surge in tensions, reflects Turkey's souring relations with India amid Ankara's outbursts on Kashmir. Following widespread calls across India for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism, major travel companies such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have advised against or suspended bookings to Turkey. Cleartrip reported a 260% rise in cancellations to Turkey within a single week. While India's imports from Turkey—including mineral oil, gold, and marble—represent a minuscule portion of its total inbound shipments, the overall trade volume, particularly India's substantial exports of mineral fuels, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals, demonstrates that continued economic ties are far more beneficial to Turkey than its current confrontational political alignment. advetisement Conclusion Erdoğan's gamble of siding with Pakistan against India is fundamentally flawed. While it may serve his domestic political agenda and aspirations for regional leadership, it comes at a significant cost to Turkey's economic interests. top videos View All India is a rapidly growing economic power with a massive market and significant geopolitical weight. It has demonstrated its resolve to counter hostile alignments through diplomatic recalibration, fiscal measures, and a robust defence posture. Turkey's trade deficit with India, coupled with the immediate and tangible impact of Indian boycott calls, shows that a continued confrontational stance offers minimal returns. For Ankara, abandoning its flawed foreign policy necessitates a pragmatic re-evaluation of its priorities. Economic prosperity through balanced relationships may ultimately yield greater dividends than a strategically ill-advised political alliance. About the Author Sohil Sinha tags : defence erdogan Kashmir Operation Sindoor pakistan trade turkey Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 20:38 IST News opinion Opinion | Erdogan's Gamble: Why Siding With Pakistan Is A Losing Bet Against Modi's India
