A South African man has passed away as the hajj season draws to a close. Haaj Mohammed Khalil Ebrahim collapsed during Esha Salaah yesterday in Azizia, on the outskirts of the City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that the 65-year-old, who comes from Durban, collapsed while in the position[…]
Approximately two million hujjaaj have descended on the plains of Arafah shortly after sunrise on Monday morning to perform the most important rites of Hajj. Hujjaaj will engage in supplication and seek forgiveness during the period of Wuquf, between Thuhr until Asr prayers. The day also holds historical significance, as[…]
As hujjaj prepare for the start of hajj on Sunday, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj has issued special provisions relating to the pelting of the Jamarat. The stoning ritual is the most obviously dangerous part of the five-day hajj, and despite the Saudi Kingdom constantly improving safety measures to mitigate[…]
More than 1.68 million Hajj pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom by noon on Thursday, the General Directorate of Passports announced. Maj. Gen. Sulaiman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Yahya, director general of passports, told a press conference: “Up to this moment, our air, land and sea checkpoints have warmly received 1,684,629[…]
The Grand Mosque in Makkah is overflowing with pilgrims who have come to the Kingdom from various parts of the world for the journey of a lifetime which begins on Aug. 19. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived till Sunday, according to the Directorate General for Passports. A total of 1,301,912[…]
In a surprise turn of events, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree on Monday, stating that South Africa will be issued with 1000 additional visas for this year’s hajj season. However, the South African Haj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) on Tuesday morning made a decision to decline[…]
As is the custom every year during the Haj season, the Kiswa (the black cloth covering the Kaaba) has been folded up from the ground by three meters. The folded portion of the Kiswa has been covered on all four sides with a white cloth approximately two meters wide. Director[…]
By Dr Salim Parker ‘YOU need anything, Doc?’ The questioner enquired about my comfort, whether I needed any food or drink, whether I wanted any luxuries, such as decadent chocolates, and even indicated that he’d sponsor any medication that I may require. We were in Makkah, about two weeks before[…]
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has confirmed that SIM cards for prospective hujjaaj have arrived in the country. Hujjaaj will be issued the cards via their respective operators. In a statement released in June, SAHUC said hujjaaj are not obligated to use the SIM cards, which can[…]
By Dr Salim Parker I looked at the photo. It was a black and white one, looking faded as you would expect a fifty-year-old, frequently exposed to the elements polaroid to be. Yet, its texture was pristine, a tribute to the loving nature with which it had been handled and[…]
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