Makkah governor hands over new Kaaba cover to senior caretaker
The Kiswa consists of five pieces; four of them cover the four sides of Kaaba, while the fifth one is hung as a curtain above the door of Kaaba. Preparing the Kiswa takes several months and needs large amounts of precious metals and pure silk. Around 170 craftsmen are involved in the process, which passes through various stages until the Kiswa is ready. The Kiswa is usually
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Over 1.3m pilgrims to arrive in KSA for Hajj
JEDDAH: More than 1.3 million pilgrims are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj season, and more than 200,000 “domestic pilgrims” have also registered for services including the “low-cost Hajj,” “affordable Hajj,” and “general program,” the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Sunday. The number of pilgrims registered for the general program is 160,221,
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4,500 Saudi scouts set to serve pilgrims
JEDDAH: Scout camps are being used to serve pilgrims in Makkah and the holy sites in Mina and Arafat during this year’s Hajj season. Overseen by the Saudi Scouts Association, 4,500 scouts are taking part in different activities to facilitate pilgrims during Hajj.
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Over 1 Million Hajj Pilgrims Perform Friday Prayers at Grand Mosque of Makkah
Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities
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First day of Hajj confirmed as Aug. 19
RIYADH: Dhu Al-Hijjah, the 12th month in the Islamic calendar, begins on Sunday (August 12), it was confirmed on Saturday night. The sighting of the crescent moon means that the first day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage will be next Sunday, Aug. 19. Among the pilgrims will be 1,000 relatives of Egyptian armed forces and police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty,
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All facilities ready for Haj
Their work will include the meetings of the Standing Committee for Fatwas, receiving Haj delegations, answering pilgrims’ questions, distributing flyers to help pilgrims perform their rituals as per the established Sunnah.
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Supreme Court: Sunday is 1st of Dhul Hijjah
The Supreme Court then decided that Sunday is the 1st of Dhul Hijjah 1439H, as the court confirmed the crescent was sighted by several people.
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1,000 Egyptians to perform Haj as King Salman’s guests
Last month, King Salman issued orders to host 1,500 pilgrims from martyrs’ families of the Yemeni National Army and Sudanese forces participating in Decisive Storm and Renewal of Hope Operations.
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Turkey’s oldest Umrah pilgrim arrives in Holy Land
After decades of waiting, 103-year-old Ayşe Topsoy finally makes it to holy city of Mecca
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Mount of Mercy: Makkah’s famous religious mountain
JEDDAH: Pilgrims drop in at the Mount of Mercy (Jabal Al-Rahma) in Arafat before the start of Hajj to take pictures and buy gifts at the site of such religious and historical importance. One of the most famous mountains of Makkah, it is one of Makkah’s most important attractions. It is located on the road between Makkah and Taif. Pilgrims stand on the mountain during their
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Saudi Arabia’s civil defense concludes contingency plans for 2018 Hajj season
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has announced the completion of its preparations and contingency plans to ensure the preservation of the safety of pilgrims during the 2018 Hajj season in Makkah and Madinah The preparations for the General Emergency Plan for Hajj have been personally and continuously followed-up by the Director General of the Civil
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Hajj pilgrims to try out hotel rooms in a capsule for the first time this season
JEDDAH: This Hajj season pilgrims will be able to try out the latest mobile hotel capsules — sleeping units that offer hotel room services and facilities in the smallest possible space, Hadiyah, the Hajji and Mu’tamer’s Gift Charitable Association has announced. These capsules can be placed side-by-side or on top of each other, with a height of two units. When the capsules are
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