The South African Haj Travel Operators Association (Sathoa) believes its decision not to opt for air conditioned camps in the non-special services camp at Arafat was in the best interest of hujjaj. Sathoa chairperson Sedick Steenkamp was commenting on the matter, amid concerns raised that the Saudi Kingdom’s punishing heat[…]
Millions of Muslims this week flock to Islam’s holiest city of Makkah to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage. Being the fifth pillar of Islam, hajj or the act of making a pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims. Muslims are required to perform hajj at least once in lifetime if they[…]
There are many mobile applications geared towards everyday tasks like ordering a taxi – but a few offer assistance during the once-in-a-lifetime experience of hajj. Just as Middle Eastern services like Careem and Talabat have simplified ordering taxis and food, developers have created apps to help guide Muslim pilgrims through the[…]
Over R250 000 has been raised by South Africans to assist destitute pilgrims in Makkah Saudi Arabia ahead of the annual Hajj. A collection drive spearheaded by social activist, Yusuf Abramjee, who is on his first Hajj, saw many of the 1950 South African pilgrims in the Kingdom and scores[…]
A stoning ritual which led to the deaths of about 2,300 people during last year’s hajj will be more tightly controlled during next month’s pilgrimage, Saudi newspapers reported on Wednesday. The period during which pilgrims can perform the Jamarat ritual will be reduced by 12 hours, the Saudi Gazette reported.[…]
Perhaps the single most challenging aspect of the hajj is the huge distances many have to cover in order to arrive at the holy city of Mecca; and this is likely why it is the final and only optional pillar of Islam. Air travel has doubtless made the journey much[…]
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the Central Haj Committee, reviewed a report presented by the adviser to the province, Hisham Al-Faleh, on the efforts of the governorate and other relevant bodies during the Umrah season in Ramadan. The report stated that all phases of the[…]
As the hajj season draws closer, the small community of Touwsrivier is excited to be sending their first hujjaaj on the pilgrimage; Boeta Ismail Bhayat and his wife Basheera. While the Muslim community has gained considerable momentum with the completion of their masjid and establishment of numerous initiatives, this occasion[…]
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued over 6.28 million visas for Umrah pilgrims, with an estimated 900,000 expected in Makkah this Ramadan, according to Ministry of Hajj. While Ramadan is becoming a popular umrah season for South Africans, it’s unclear how many plan to perform the pilgrimage during the[…]
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, who heads the Council of Senior Scholars, has urged Muslims who have undertaken many Umrah trips to refrain for entering Makkah, so that others have a chance to perform the rituals. Al-Asheikh said it was possible that those Muslims who refuse to consider the[…]
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