Makkah Municipality ready for Hajj season
Makkah Municipality announced the readiness of its operational plan for this year’s Hajj in line with precautionary measures to protect pilgrims from contracting COVID-19.
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No human interference in picking pilgrims for this year's Hajj
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Muhammad Saleh Benten said on Friday that there will be no exceptions in this year’s Hajj, stressing that no official will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage.
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First batch of Hajj pilgrims arrives in Jeddah from Qassim
The first batch of pilgrims who were chosen to perform this year’s Haj arrived at Jeddah's new International Airport from Qassim on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
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1,200 prominent Muslims laud Saudi Arabia’s Hajj decision
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs Dawah and Guidance received messages and statements from 1,200 prominent people, including ministers, scholars, muftis, leaders, heads of universities and Islamic societies from various countries of the world, praising Kingdom’s decision to restrict Hajj2020 to a limited number of pilgrims.
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Kaaba’s Kiswa to be replaced next Thursday
As per the yearly custom, the Kiswa, the black cloth with golden embroidery covering the Holy Kaaba, will be changed on Thursday (Dhul Hijjah 9), the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced on Friday.
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Grand Hajj symposium to be held virtually for the first time
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia is set to organize the “45th Annual Grand Hajj Symposium”, which will take place on July 27, under the title ‘Public Health Rules and their Scientific Applications in Light of the Prophet’s Guidelines and Practices’.
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Saudi Arabia taking all measures to keep Hajj safe
When the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on June 22 that this year’s Hajj would be limited to a small number of pilgrims already resident in the country, the news, while disappointing for hundreds of thousands of Muslims worldwide, came as no real surprise.
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Tabuk Castle, a stopover of pilgrim caravans on their way to Makkah and Madinah
Tabuk is one of the largest and most important cities in the Kingdom’s northern region, with a heritage dating back to the fifth century B.C. There are spectacular fortresses all around Tabuk, but this imposing castle in the center of the city might be the oldest, with some experts claiming there was a fortress on the site as early as 3,500 B.C.
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Minimalist Hajj this year will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage
The most important thing the Saudi authorities have done is to find a way to keep Hajj going
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Memories of Egypt’s kiswa
Next week sees the annual change of the kiswa, the lavish cloth covering the holy Kaaba in Mecca. Gihan Shahine chronicles Egypt’s centuries-old contribution to the process
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The story behind the covering of the holy Kaaba
On behalf of King Salman, Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal on Wednesday handed over the Kaaba Kiswa (black cloth) to the senior caretaker of the Kaaba, Saleh bin Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi.
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Health Ministry steps up preparations for this year’s Hajj
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has enhanced the readiness of its facilities due to the current situation caused by COVID-19 as it prepares itself to provide care to pilgrims.
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