‘Please stand in front and lead us in Salaah,’ I requested of Akbar* (*not his real name). We had congregated in large prayer hall in a hotel in Azizya just outside Makkah. It was a few days before Hajj and the hotel had over two hundred pilgrims housed in it,[…]
This forms part of a series by Dr Salim Parker. More stories can be found at www.hajjdoctor.co.za He was found lying in the garage, with a bullet wound to his head. A gun was next to him. No crime was suspected, and an autopsy was performed as it was clearly[…]
The following is part two of last month’s article. More stories can be found at www.hajjdoctor.co.za I first met her at the airport as we were to depart for Hajj. Her smiling demeanour belied the thin and frail body ravaged by terminal cancer. She sat in her wheelchair and was[…]
There’s good news for some 500 hujjaj waiting to be called for hajj. On Friday, the South African Haj and Umrah Council (Sahuc) released the fourth accreditation list for Hajj 2019/1440 with 500 names. Hujaaj have until the 31st of March at 18h00 to either accept or defer your accreditation.[…]
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced plans to start issuing electronic visas for pilgrims, allowing them to apply online and receive their visas within minutes. The general supervisor of the electronic platform for Hajj and Umrah, Abdulrahman Shams, revealed that the portal will give non-Saudis online access to[…]
Saudi and foreign researchers will discuss the potential use of artificial intelligence applications in the management and organization of Haj and Umrah. The discussions will be held during the 19th Scientific Meeting of Haj, Umrah and Visit Research, which began in Madinah on Wednesday. The event is organized by Umm[…]
This forms part of a series by Dr Salim Parker and can be read on his blog hajjdoctor.co.za There was no question about her intention; she was going to perform Hajj. The question was whether she’ll make it for that year. She did not apply in time and was not[…]
The Ministry of Haj and Umrah is currently giving final touches to a fascinating project that will allow pilgrims and visitors as well as citizens and residents of the Kingdom to travel to Madinah on camels following the route that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had taken during[…]
As accredited South Africans prepare for Hajj 2019/1440, the South African Haj Travel Association (SATHOA) has advised hujaaj that there may be an increase in price compared to last year, but assures that everything is being done to minimise this cost. SATHOA vice president Sedick Steenkamp explained some components of[…]
The South African haj and Umrah Council (Sahuc) held extensive discussions with Haj authorities in Saudi Arabia where it has met with and signed the haj protocols for Hajj 1440/2019. SAHUC president Maulana Muhammad Vaid said representatives from all Hajj affiliated sectors including the Umrah council and travel agencies met,[…]
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