No official instructions so far regarding Hajj, says ministry
7 May 2021

No official instructions so far regarding Hajj, says ministry

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that it has not yet issued any official instructions with regard to the conduct of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj for this year.

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The ancient caravan route between Taif and Makkah
6 May 2021

The ancient caravan route between Taif and Makkah

The ancient stone road known as the “caravan route” linking Taif and Makkah is a cultural legacy of great historical value. It was constructed more than 1,000 years ago and was used regularly by pedestrians up to the 1960s.

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Occupancy rate of Makkah hotels sees over 30% rise in second half of Ramadan
6 May 2021

Occupancy rate of Makkah hotels sees over 30% rise in second half of Ramadan

The occupancy rate at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan varied between 10 and 20 percent, while in the second half it rose to 30-38 percent, Rayan bin Osama Filali, chairman of the Hotel Committee, an affiliate of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry told Arab News.

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Rare Kaaba engraving and early photographs of Egypt head to auction in Sotheby’s sale
6 May 2021

Rare Kaaba engraving and early photographs of Egypt head to auction in Sotheby’s sale

Among the top lots is 'Braun and Hogenberg', which features town map engravings from across the world from the 16th and 17th centuries

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Up to SR650,000 COVID-19 insurance treatment coverage for Umrah pilgrims
5 May 2021

Up to SR650,000 COVID-19 insurance treatment coverage for Umrah pilgrims

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Wednesday details of insurance coverage for foreign Umrah pilgrims against the risks of coronavirus infection.

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Saudi Arabia considers barring overseas haj pilgrims for second year, sources say
5 May 2021

Saudi Arabia considers barring overseas haj pilgrims for second year, sources say

Saudi Arabia is considering barring overseas pilgrims from the annual haj for the second year running as COVID-19 cases rise globally and worries grow about the emergence of new variants, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

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Rare images of Prophet Ibrahim’s shrine stone and footprints in Makkah released
5 May 2021

Rare images of Prophet Ibrahim’s shrine stone and footprints in Makkah released

Saudi authorities released detailed images of the Prophet Ibrahim’s shrine stone on Wednesday, thanks to new photographic technology

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Saudi removes 'Muslims only' signs from highway to Madinah
5 May 2021

Saudi removes 'Muslims only' signs from highway to Madinah

Saudi Arabian authorities appeared to have replaced the "Muslims only" phrase from traffic signs leading to the Prophet's Mosque in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Islam's second holiest site after Makkah.

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Ministry Calls on Public Not to Fall for Hoaxes about Hajj
4 May 2021

Ministry Calls on Public Not to Fall for Hoaxes about Hajj

Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Zainut Tauhid asked the public, particularly prospective pilgrims, not to fall for hoaxes about the hajj pilgrimage.

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Umrah pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia can apply to Makkah hotels without using travel agents
4 May 2021

Umrah pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia can apply to Makkah hotels without using travel agents

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Tuesday authorised hotels to book Umrah pilgrims directly, without any third-party involvement during Ramadan.

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Kaaba’s Black Stone seen in first time in 49,000 megapixel image
4 May 2021

Kaaba’s Black Stone seen in first time in 49,000 megapixel image

The presidency said in a statement on its Twitter account that specially processed high-resolution images have been captured of the Black Stone, the ancient rock set into the corner of the Kaaba in Makkah, the center of the holiest site in Islam.

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Foreign pilgrims, visitors must include COVID-19 coverage in their insurance
3 May 2021

Foreign pilgrims, visitors must include COVID-19 coverage in their insurance

All foreigners who come to Saudi Arabia on Umrah, visit and tourism visas must have insurance coverage against the risks of coronavirus infection.

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