Latest news with #Syariah
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Pilgrims come together in Mecca under scorching desert heat
Muslim worshippers gather to pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Mecca, on June 1. PHOTO: AFP Pilgrims come together in Mecca under scorching desert heat MECCA, Saudi Arabia - More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. Temperatures were forecast to exceed 40 deg C this week as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings officially commences on June 4. The haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. As of May 30, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. Authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials in 2025, doubling their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks following a lethal heatwave in 2024 that left hundreds dead. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000sq m, thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the haj, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. The latest artificial intelligence software will also help monitor the flood of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Mecca. 'A blessing' 'This is really a blessing from Allah,' Mr Abdul Majid Ati, a Filipino lawyer and Syariah counsellor, told AFP near the Grand Mosque. 'We feel so peaceful and safe in this place.' Mr Abdulhamid from Nigeria, said he was 'very happy' to be performing his second pilgrimage in a row at just 27 years old. But the young man said he never walks out without his sunglasses, describing the temperatures in Mecca as 'very, very, very hot'. The rites in the holy city and its surroundings fall again in 2025 during the hot month of June. In 2024, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 deg C. 'They were caught by surprise because the intensity of the heat was so high that their adaptation measures failed,' said Mr Fahad Saeed of Climate Analytics, a think tank based in Germany. In the run-up to 2025's haj, Saudi authorities launched a widespread crackdown on unregistered worshippers – relying on frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts focused on rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to sneak into Mecca. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. Arrest and deportation But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the haj without a permit – though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Along with hefty fines, those found illegally entering Mecca during the haj face a potential 10-year ban from the kingdom. Large crowds at the haj have proved hazardous in the past, most recently in 2015 when a stampede during the 'stoning the devil' ritual in Mina, near Mecca, killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest haj disaster. Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sanctuaries in Mecca and Medina, earns billions of dollars each year from the haj and from pilgrimages known as Umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. They also enhance the prestige of the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Mecca and Medina. For Ms Mariama, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Senegal, the journey to Mecca for the haj has fulfilled a life-long dream. 'I was dreaming about it, thinking about it every time to come here to do the haj,' she said. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Teacher in viral sex video scandal lodges police report over spread of footage
ALOR GAJAH: The school teacher who was fined yesterday for attempting to engage in immoral conduct with a married electrician has lodged a police report after discovering that a video related to the incident had been circulated. District police chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah confirmed that the report was received on May 24. He said the case is being investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code for insulting the modesty of a person and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. "Police have examined the mobile phones of the teacher and the electrician but did not find the video in question, which is believed to have already been deleted," he said when contacted. Ashari said investigations were still ongoing. Yesterday, the electrician whose real name is Muhammad Hairul Ezuan Hamzah, the teacher, Nur Fadilah Zainal, pleaded guilty at the Ayer Keroh Syariah High Court to a charge of attempting to commit an immoral act. Both were fined RM5,000 each, in default six months' imprisonment. Meanwhile, Melaka Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said the secondary school teacher has been placed at the state Education Department and has not been transferred to another school.
Daily Express
23-05-2025
- Daily Express
FT Islamic council told to locate convert who went viral for intending to leave Islam after alleging abuse, neglect and lack of support
Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 23, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: A female Muslim convert went viral on social media after expressing her intention to leave Islam, claiming she had received no assistance and had been abused by her husband. — Screengrab from TikTok/bossariffpeter Kuala Lumpur: The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), particularly its Asnaf Tracking Unit, has been instructed to locate a female Muslim convert (mualaf) who recently went viral on social media after expressing her intention to leave Islam, claiming she had received no assistance and had been abused by her husband. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said this was to ensure immediate assistance could be extended to the woman. 'I have watched the viral video and have contacted MAIWP to search for the woman so that we can offer help. At the same time, I believe there is a need to meet her personally to obtain further details, as there are still many unclear matters,' he told reporters after an engagement session with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and MAIWP's strategic partners for 2025, held here yesterday. He also urged the woman or anyone who knew her to contact MAIWP so that further action and appropriate support could be given. On the woman's claim that she was beaten and abandoned by her husband while pregnant, Mohd Na'im said if the allegations were true, she has the right to dissolve the marriage under the Syariah law. 'The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), before his passing, left an important message; that husbands must not oppress their wives. When a woman embraces Islam through marriage, the husband's responsibility to guide and care for her becomes even greater,' he said. Advertisement Mohd Na'im also called on the Muslim community to be more compassionate towards converts who needed support and aid so that they do not feel sidelined or lose faith in the religion. 'We need to show empathy and concern. I would also like to advise mosques, suraus, and all Islamic agencies, including MAIWP, to treat converts seeking help with kindness,' he added. He said as of May this year, MAIWP had registered 1,098 converts in the Federal Territories compared to 968 last year. A total of RM9.3 million in aid has also been disbursed. Mohd Na'im further assured that all agencies under his purview would assist every individual in need, including converts who needed support, protection, and guidance. 'I do not want a single overlooked case to lead to the religious agencies being blamed or viewed negatively. We will continue to improve and ensure that those in need receive the help they deserve,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- New Straits Times
MAIWP ordered to find Muslim convert after viral plea over abuse, lack of assistance
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), particularly its Asnaf Tracking Unit, has been instructed to locate a female Muslim convert (mualaf) who recently went viral on social media after expressing her intention to leave Islam, claiming she had received no assistance and had been abused by her husband. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said this was to ensure immediate assistance could be extended to the woman. "I have watched the viral video and have contacted MAIWP to search for the woman so that we can offer help. "At the same time, I believe there is a need to meet her personally to obtain further details, as there are still many unclear matters," he told reporters after an engagement session with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and MAIWP's strategic partners for 2025, held here today. He also urged the woman or anyone who knew her to contact MAIWP so that further action and appropriate support could be given. On the woman's claim that she was beaten and abandoned by her husband while pregnant, Mohd Na'im said if the allegations were true, she has the right to dissolve the marriage under the Syariah law. "The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), before his passing, left an important message; that husbands must not oppress their wives. "When a woman embraces Islam through marriage, the husband's responsibility to guide and care for her becomes even greater," he said. Mohd Na'im also called on the Muslim community to be more compassionate towards converts who needed support and aid so that they do not feel sidelined or lose faith in the religion. "We need to show empathy and concern. I would also like to advise mosques, suraus, and all Islamic agencies, including MAIWP, to treat converts seeking help with kindness," he added. He said as of May this year, MAIWP had registered 1,098 converts in the Federal Territories compared to 968 last year. A total of RM9.3 million in aid has also been disbursed. Mohd Na'im further assured that all agencies under his purview would assist every individual in need, including converts who needed support, protection, and guidance. "I do not want a single overlooked case to lead to the religious agencies being blamed or viewed negatively. "We will continue to improve and ensure that those in need receive the help they deserve," he said. – Bernama
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
MAIWP ordered to find Muslim convert after viral plea over abuse, lack of assistance
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), particularly its Asnaf Tracking Unit, has been instructed to locate a female Muslim convert (mualaf) who recently went viral on social media after expressing her intention to leave Islam, claiming she had received no assistance and had been abused by her husband. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said this was to ensure immediate assistance could be extended to the woman. 'I have watched the viral video and have contacted MAIWP to search for the woman so that we can offer help. At the same time, I believe there is a need to meet her personally to obtain further details, as there are still many unclear matters,' he told reporters after an engagement session with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and MAIWP's strategic partners for 2025, held here today. He also urged the woman or anyone who knew her to contact MAIWP so that further action and appropriate support could be given. On the woman's claim that she was beaten and abandoned by her husband while pregnant, Mohd Na'im said if the allegations were true, she has the right to dissolve the marriage under the Syariah law. 'The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), before his passing, left an important message; that husbands must not oppress their wives. When a woman embraces Islam through marriage, the husband's responsibility to guide and care for her becomes even greater,' he said. Mohd Na'im also called on the Muslim community to be more compassionate towards converts who needed support and aid so that they do not feel sidelined or lose faith in the religion. 'We need to show empathy and concern. I would also like to advise mosques, suraus, and all Islamic agencies, including MAIWP, to treat converts seeking help with kindness,' he added. He said as of May this year, MAIWP had registered 1,098 converts in the Federal Territories compared to 968 last year. A total of RM9.3 million in aid has also been disbursed. Mohd Na'im further assured that all agencies under his purview would assist every individual in need, including converts who needed support, protection, and guidance. 'I do not want a single overlooked case to lead to the religious agencies being blamed or viewed negatively. We will continue to improve and ensure that those in need receive the help they deserve,' he said.
