Haunted valley in Madinah attracts paranormal buffs
Many pilgrims visiting Madinah during the Umrah season in order to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and the province’s historical and Islamic sites also get to enjoy recreational programs that include land trips. Arab News joined pilgrims of different nationalities as they visited the Al-Baida Park, which is also known as Wadi Jinn (the Valley of Jinn).
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Nigeria Loses N25Bn to Saudi Airline in Hajj Airlift Quota
Saudi Arabian airline, Flynas, will earn about N25 billion off the Nigerian air travel market in this year's Hajj airlifting. Saudi authorities allot a 95,000-pilgrim slot to Nigeria yearly. The implication is that of this number, Flynas alone will airlift 47,500, while Med-View Airlines Plc, Max Air, Azman Air and four others share 47,500.
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Saja Hotels & Resorts opens its largest property in Madinah
Saja Hotels & Resorts, a leading Saudi hotel and condominium management and operation company, has recently announced the opening of the new Saja Al Madinah Hotel in the holy city. The four-star hotel is strategically located in the northern side of the central area, steps away from the Prophet’s Mosque.
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SAHUC Clarifies Surplus Revenue on Audited Financial Statements
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) says a revenue surplus of more then R 4 million on their 2017 audited financial statements is income received for two hajj years reflected on one report and before the money could be dispensed off during that financial year.
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Imam inaugurates move back to the Prophet’s Mihrab
The imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Baijan, today led worshippers in Salat Al Zuhr inside Prophet Muhammad’s Mihrab in the sacred chamber (Al-Rawda Al-Sharifa).
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Benten signs Haj accord with Indian minister
India has hailed the effective use of modern technology by the Kingdom in executing Haj operations, the country's minister of state for minority affairs said on Sunday during talks with Minister of Haj and Umrah Mohammed Saleh Benten.
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No ticket prices set yet for high-speed Haramain train
The Saudi Public Transport Authority (PTA) confirmed that it has not yet set ticket prices for the trains operating between Makkah and Madinah, but said it is in the process of addressing the matter. The PTA stressed that the prices are going to be suitable for everyone and will reflect the services provided.
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Haj 2018: Preparations start
PREPARATIONS for the upcoming Haj have already begun with top Saudi officials receiving high-ranking delegations from several countries for discussions to finalize arrangements for their pilgrims. Minister of Haj and Umrah Muhammad Saleh Benten met in Jeddah on Thursday with ministers of religious affairs from Algeria and Tunisia.
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Special treatment for pilgrims to Islam's holiest city
More than 100 Muslim men and women pilgrims and visitors from Germany, Turkey and Europe yesterday stood in the Makkah Museum for Antiquities and Heritage to watch and listen to the story of this museum.
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30,000 green carpets in Grand Mosque maintained thru sequenced stages
BELIEVE it or not, around 30,000 green carpets cover the area around Makkah and the Holy Mosque with a total length of almost 100 kilometers.
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Private museums open in Madinah to promote Islamic heritage
Since the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) began issuing licenses to private museums, several have opened in Madinah. In Dar Al-Madinah Museum, visitors and researchers can learn about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic civilization and Madinah’s urban culture.
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Saudi Arabia’s VAT to make haj, umrah more costly
With the new policy, a levy of 5 percent will be charged on most goods and services in Saudi Arabia, driving up the costs for Muslims going on the pilgrimage this year.
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