‘Just a face in the crowd’: Pakistani film icon Fawad Khan escapes the spotlight as a Saudi guest at Hajj
JEDDAH: Hajj means many things to many people — a show of devotion, a demonstration of solidarity with Muslims worldwide, and an opportunity to take part in rituals stretching back centuries. But for award-winning Pakistani actor, model and singer Fawad Khan, the pilgrimage also offered a rare chance to escape the spotlight.
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US Olympic medalist Ibtihajj Muhammad reflects on her Hajj journey
MINA: Muslim American Olympian Ibtihajj Muhammad, who performed Hajj this year, told Arab News that during her pilmgrimage one of the best experiences was seeing people from different parts of the world unite in devotion to their faith. “It is something as a Muslim growing up and living in the US that you don’t get the opportunity to see. I feel I get that sense when I travel
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Caring for the pilgrims is our main message
Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdul Fattah Bin Suleiman Mashat said that the service mechanism for Hajj and Umrah received great attention from the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, through the giant projects and infrastructure at Grand Mosque and Holy Sites, including the third stage of the Grand Mosque expansion.
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King’s guests leave Kingdom after performing Haj
Some 1,000 pilgrims of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guest Program for Haj and Umrah from the families of martyrs of the Egyptian army and police left Madinah for their country after performing Haj and visiting the Prophet’s Holy Mosque.
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Angels of Arafat: How faith in oneself and others can help you sail through tough times
MAKKAH: Hajj may have a different meaning for different people. Besides prayers, days of intense physical activities are a humbling experience and teaches the faithful to survive in tough conditions. In Arafat and Muzdalifa, I found the philosophy of life in a journey that lasted a day and a night.Losing my way Even though preparations start early, the day of Arafat is the
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500,000 meals distributed among pilgrims in Madinah
JEDDAH: Madinah Charity Society began the distribution of more than 500,000 meals and 600,000 water bottles to pilgrims visiting the holy city during the post-Hajj season. Fayez bin Taleb Al-Ahmadi, general supervisor of Madinah Gift Project, said that the total meals to be provided to pilgrims were 1 million, in addition to 1.5 million bottles of water. After the completion
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Benten: Unprecedented developments in Haj and Umrah sector
The Hajj and Umrah sector is witnessing unprecedented developments through adoption of the latest technology, transparency, and applying quality standards and performance measures, to improve the work performance, enhance the capacity, and the operational efficiency, which helps in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030.
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Area around Kaaba cleaned before each prayer call
The area around the holy Kaaba is sterilized, cleaned and perfumed after every Adhan (prayer call) and before prayer, according to the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
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Domestic pilgrims reach 612,953 including 211,736 Saudis
The number of domestic pilgrims this year has reached a total of 612,953 consisting of 211,736 Saudis and 401,217 non-Saudis, according to the General Authority of Statistics (GaStat).
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Egyptian female kidney patient leaves Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj
JEDDAH: A 47-year-old Egyptian pilgrim suffering from renal failure has left Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday. Sabiha Mahmoud Mohammad was among several pilgrims who benefited from king Salman’s Hajj Guests Program, supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance. She received medical treatment upon her arrival to
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Pilgrims stay on after Hajj to visit historical monuments, museums
MAKKAH: Many pilgrims who are still in the Kingdom after the completion of Hajj are reportedly taking the opportunity to visit sites of historical interest in the two Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Dr. Fawaz Al-Dahas, director of the Center for the History of Makkah said that such visits are of cultural significance as they enrich pilgrims’ knowledge. He stressed the need
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FaceOf: Hisham Siraj Hammami, chief information officer of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
Hisham Siraj Hammami is the current chief information officer (CIO) in the information technology department of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. He is also a senior adviser to the minister of Hajj and Umrah. Hammami is responsible for upgrading and updating the organization’s data centers and networks. He also works on completely automating all business processes, and
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