Latest news with #SmartBookofHajjRituals
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Saudi Arabia urges pilgrims not to sleep in corridors during Hajj
Listen to article As millions of Muslims begin arriving in Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a warning to pilgrims, advising them not to sleep or lie down in corridors, aisles, and passageways within the holy sites. The ministry on Sunday, while issuing warning to pilgrims, emphasised that the directive is critical for ensuring the safety and smooth movement of pilgrims during the rituals. 'Respecting the allocated spaces contributes to a smoother flow of movement and reduces risks during the busiest moments of Hajj,' the ministry said in a statement. Authorities noted that lying down in crowded areas such as courtyards and passageways creates dangerous bottlenecks, obstructs worshippers, and hampers the ability of emergency teams to respond to critical situations promptly. Read More: Saudi Arabia launches smart guide for pilgrims Pilgrims are instead urged to rest only in designated areas, including tents and hotel accommodations. 'This behaviour intensifies overcrowding, increasing the risk to public safety,' the ministry added. Hajj is expected to take place between June 4 and June 9 this year, depending on the lunar calendar. Pilgrims have already begun arriving in Saudi Arabia ahead of the pilgrimage, which is expected to draw millions from across the globe. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that Hajj 2025 is expected to break previous attendance records, with projections indicating more than 2.5 million pilgrims from across the globe — a notable rise compared to recent years. Officials said preparations are in full swing to manage what is likely to be the final pilgrimage held during the intense summer heat, ahead of the long-anticipated shift to cooler seasons. Read More: No summer Hajj for next 16 years, Saudi Arabia announces To assist the pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has also launched an electronic guide in six languages. The "Smart Book of Hajj Rituals" is available in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Malayalam, and Turkish. The guide can be accessed via electronic libraries in mosques and on board flights operated by Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia. The initiative aims to educate pilgrims about the rules and rituals of Hajj. Last month, Pakistan formally commenced its Hajj flight operations for 2025, with the first batch of 442 pilgrims departing from Islamabad to Madinah under the Makkah Route Initiative. The 33-day operation will see over 89,000 pilgrims travel under the government's Hajj scheme, with a total of 342 flights scheduled. The final flight is expected to depart on May 31. Read More: Pakistan kicks off Hajj 2025 operations as first flight departs from Islamabad This year, around 89,000 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under the government scheme, while another 23,620 are expected to travel through private tour operators. Approximately 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims will benefit from Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative, which streamlines immigration procedures by allowing travellers to complete their clearance at home airports before departing.
Gulf News
26-04-2025
- Gulf News
Hajj 2025: Smart book on pilgrimage launched
Cairo: Saudi Arabia has unveiled a smart guide in several languages for the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, as part of the kingdom's preparations for the annual religious congregation, due this year in early June. The "Smart Book of Hajj Rituals" initiative is an electronic guide available in six languages — Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Malayalam, and Turkish. The guide is accessible in electronic libraries in mosques and aboard flights of the Saudi national carrier, Saudia. It aims to educate pilgrims about the rules and rites of Hajj. The initiative was launched by Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Al Sheikh, who also heads the ministry's Supreme Committee for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Affairs. It was introduced during a meeting with officials serving in Mecca, home to Islam's holiest mosque. The meeting reviewed Hajj-related plans, including preparations of mosques along pilgrims' routes, various guidance programmes, deployment of translators in international languages at land, sea, and air ports, and the distribution of awareness-raising publications. Hajj is one of Islam's five obligatory duties. Muslims who are physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia launches smart guide for pilgrims
Listen to article Saudi Arabia has launched an electronic guide in six languages to assist pilgrims preparing for this year's Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, set to take place in early June. The "Smart Book of Hajj Rituals" is available in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Malayalam, and Turkish. The guide can be accessed via electronic libraries in mosques and on board flights operated by Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia. The initiative aims to educate pilgrims about the rules and rituals of Hajj. The project was unveiled by Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Al Sheikh, who also chairs the ministry's Supreme Committee for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Affairs. The launch took place during a meeting with officials serving in Mecca, home to Islam's holiest mosque. The meeting also reviewed broader preparations for the pilgrimage, including the readiness of mosques along pilgrims' travel routes, the rollout of guidance programmes, the deployment of translators in multiple languages at land, sea, and air entry points, and the distribution of educational materials. Hajj is one of Islam's five mandatory pillars. Every Muslim who is physically and financially capable is required to perform the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. According to official Saudi figures, around 1.8 million Muslims performed Hajj last year, with approximately 1.6 million coming from outside the kingdom.
