While Muslim citizens around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, leaders of Muslim majority nations are at loggerheads, in a move that has sent ripple effects across the globe. On Monday Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and the Maldives implemented a diplomatic ban on the state of Qatar;[…]
While Muslims around the world observe Ramadan while going about their days, a lucky few are venturing to the holy cities of Makkah and Madina to perform Umrah. Ramadan being the busiest period of the year for the Umrah pilgrimage, thousands of mu’tamireen flocks to the holy lands, where Saudi[…]
Umrah tour operators in Cape Town have reported a slump in umrah bookings for the forthcoming season, as a result of the high visa fees. South Africans now have to pay an additional R7 800 for an umrah visa. In August, the Saudi Government confirmed its intent to increase all[…]
Umrah tour operators are meeting this weekend in a bid to avert a crisis in the umrah industry, amid a public outcry over the cost of umrah visas. South African Muslims are up in arms, with some calling for a boycott of the umrah. While there is very little information[…]
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[…]
After performing their first Jumuah in the glorious city of Madina, the first groups of South African hujjaj are glowing and preparing themselves spiritually for the rituals of haj. The mood in the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) revered city is one of peace and tranquillity and hujjaj are using their time[…]
No South Africans have been injured in the bomb blast in Madinah, the South African Haj and Umrah Council (Sahuc) said on Monday evening. There is concern around the safety of South Africans on umrah following a bomb explosion near the mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Speaking to VOC[…]
With the school holidays now underway, the Saudi Kingdom will see a surge in the number of South African families performing umrah over the festive season. The South African Travel and Haj Operators Association (Sathoa) estimates that 10 000 South Africans will perform umrah over the December-January holiday period. The[…]
With Haj 1436 done and dusted and attention now directed at the coming umrah season, the local travel industry is anticipating a boom in South Africans making their way to the holy lands. With thousands set to undertake the pilgrimage in the coming months, particularly over the busy festive season[…]
No South African hujjaj were affected by Thursday’s stampede in Mina. At least 310 pilgrims have been reported dead, and 450 injured, with the death-toll expected to rise. The stampede occurred on Road 204, enroute to the Jamarat complex. Photos on social media show the trampled bodies, many of them[…]
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