TheNewsGuru

Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • Hajj: Saudi govt begins distribution of 2.5m Holy Qur’an to pilgrims

    Hajj: Saudi govt begins distribution of 2.5m Holy Qur’an to pilgrims

    The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance on Monday, began the distribution of  2.5 million copies of  Holy Qur`an from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to pilgrims performing Hajj this year.

    The copies were published by the King Fahd Complex for Printing of the Holy Qur’an in Madinah.

    Copies of the Holy Qur’an come with translations of their meanings in several international languages.

    This effort reflects the Saudi leadership’s care for the Holy Qur’an and its commitment to serving pilgrims.

    The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance oversees Islamic affairs in Saudi Arabia, including managing mosques, promoting Islamic awareness, and organising Quran competitions.

    The King Fahd Complex for Printing of the Holy Qur’an is a key entity under the ministry’s supervision, highlighting the Kingdom’s dedication to preserving and disseminating the Holy Qur’an.

  • Saudi Arabia announces end of 2025 Hajj pilgrimage

    Saudi Arabia announces end of 2025 Hajj pilgrimage

    Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Deputy Emir of the Makkah Region, has announced the successful completion of Hajj 1446, declaring it incident-free in terms of security, health, and services.

    Mishaal said that over 1.6 million pilgrims participated in the holy pilgrimage, with 1,506,576 pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom.

    He explained that 166,654 domestic pilgrims, comprising Saudi citizens and residents.

    Mishaal said, “Total pilgrims1,673,230, including 877,841 male pilgrims and 795,389 female pilgrims.”

    The prince extended congratulations to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their role in ensuring the pilgrims’ safety and peace.

    He also praised the pilgrims’ cooperation and compliance with regulations, which contributed to the season’s success.

    Mishaal added, “The pilgrims performed their rites in safety and peace, thanks to the distinguished execution of operational plans by the Kingdom’s leadership.

    “The Hajj season was free of any major security, health, or service-related incidents.”

    He said that preparations for the next Hajj season would begin immediately, with the Kingdom’s leadership, government, and people taking pride in serving the holy sites and visitors.

    Mishaal extended congratulations to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their role in ensuring the pilgrims’ safety and peace.

  • Hajj: 12.9m pilgrims flock to Prophet’s Mosque

    Hajj: 12.9m pilgrims flock to Prophet’s Mosque

    No fewer than 12.9 million Muslim faithful from different parts of the world visited the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, between Dhul Qada 15 and Dhul Hijjah 1.

    The Holy Rawdah, a sacred area within the Mosque, received around 666,580 visitors during the same period.

    To cater to these pilgrims, the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque provided extensive services, including.

    Also, 161,802 beneficiaries were provided transportation services within the courtyards.

    Over 301,802 meals were distributed to fasting pilgrims and

    218,336 bottles of Zamzam water were supplied, with total consumption reaching 3,360 tons.

    In the same vein,teams removed 312 tons of waste and used 41,675 liters of disinfectants and sterilizers throughout the mosque.

    The Mosque was perfumed with 7 kilograms of incense and 39 liters of luxurious perfumes and oils.

    Some guidelines for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque include,visitors should respect the mosque’s holiness and observe proper etiquette.

    Prayers offered in the mosque are rewarded many times over, with one prayer being equivalent to 1,000 prayers elsewhere, except for Al-Masjid Al-Haram.

    Men are allowed to visit the Prophet’s grave and send salaams, while women are not permitted to visit graves according to the more correct scholarly opinion.

    Visitors should not visit other mosques in Madinah except the Mosque of Quba’, where praying brings rewards equivalent to Umrah.

    The General Authority’s efforts reflected the Saudi leadership’s commitment to providing a safe, organized, and comfortable experience for pilgrims.

  • Hajj: NAHCON relocates Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

    Hajj: NAHCON relocates Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that no lives were lost in the fire incident razing an hotel accommodating 484 Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah on Saturday.

    NAHCON said this in a statement by its Assistant Director, Information and Publications Division, Hajiya Fatima Usara.

    Usara said that the fire incident occurred at Imaratus Sanan Hotel at noon on Saturday, while Nigerian pilgrims were fulfilling obligations in Mina.

    “NAHCON regrets to inform the public of a fire incident that occurred earlier Saturday around 12:00 noon (KSA time), at one of the hotels accommodating Nigerian pilgrims on Shari Mansur Street in Makkah.

    “The affected hotel, Imaratus Sanan, was hosting about 484 pilgrims from six Nigerian Private Tour Operator Companies. Thankfully, no lives were lost, and all pilgrims are safely in Mina.

    “Immediate emergency response by Saudi authorities and the hotel management helped to contain the fire swiftly and prevent it from spreading all over the building,” Usara said.

    According to her, following the incident, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, visited the location promptly to assess the situation and ensure that the welfare of the affected pilgrims is prioritised

    She said that Saleh was accompanied by Commissioner Policy Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazak and Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Director Alidu Shutti.

    Meanwhile, Saleh ordered for immediate relocation of the affected pilgrims to a new accommodation.

    The NAHCON chairman commiserated with the affected pilgrims, while assuring that the commission will provide every possible support within its capacity to cushion the impact of the incident.

    He expressed thanks to Allah that no life was lost in the unfortunate incident.

    He promised that NAHCON would work with the affected tour operators to ensure that pilgrims were relocated and provided with the necessary assistance.

    The chairman and his team appreciated the prompt response of the Saudi emergency services and the cooperation of the hotel staff in managing the situation.

  • Hajj: Fire guts hotel housing 484 Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

    Hajj: Fire guts hotel housing 484 Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has disclosed that fire gutted a hotel housing 484 Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NAHCON Assistant Director of Information and Publication Division, Fatima Sanda Usara made this known in a statement on Saturday.

    Usara disclosed that the  fire incident occurred at one of the hotels accommodating Nigerian pilgrims on Shari Mansur Street in Makkah.

    In the statement, NAHCON said the incident occurred Saturday around noon Saudi Arabian time.

    The affected hotel, Imaratus Sanan, was hosting about 484 pilgrims from six Nigerian Private Tour Operator Companies.

    The statement, however, confirmed that no lives were lost, and that all the pilgrims are safely in Mina valley observing one of the core Hajj rites.

    Immediate emergency response by Saudi authorities and the hotel management helped to contain the fire swiftly and prevent it from spreading all over the building.

    The statement disclosed NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh alongside some other officials promptly visited the hotel to assess the situation for appropriate action.

    Meanwhile, NAHCON Chairman has ordered for immediate relocation of the affected pilgrims to a new accommodation, even as he assured that the Commission will work with the affected tour operators to provide necessary assistance to the victims.

  • Saudi Arabia: Pilgrims told to adhere strictly to guidelines for hitch-free Hajj

    Saudi Arabia: Pilgrims told to adhere strictly to guidelines for hitch-free Hajj

    Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to adhere strictly to guidelines on Hajj operations to make it hitch-free and meet its spiritual aims.

    This is contained in Hajj Rules released by the Saudi authorities on Thursday.

    Millions of Muslims embarked on this 2025  Hajj in the Holy city of Makkah on Wednesday.

    To combat the sweltering heat, expected to exceed 44 degrees Celsius, authorities have implemented additional measures to ensure a safe and smooth experience for pilgrims.

    “Upon entering Makkah, pilgrims begin their journey with the tawaf, circling the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, seven times counterclockwise as a unified expression of devotion to one God.

    “They will then proceed to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifa (Mashhar), other sacred sites in Makkah, where they will perform additional rituals and acts of worship.

    “Pilgrims will then proceed to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifa, other sacred sites near Makkah, where they’ll perform additional rituals and acts of worship.

    “Before departing the holy city, Muslims will perform a final tawaf, circling the Kaaba seven times, symbolising a spiritual farewell to the sacred sanctuary,” the Hajj organisers said.

    Saudi authorities said completing the Hajj should bring a profound spiritual experience, offering a chance for pilgrims to seek God’s forgiveness and wipe the slate clean of past sins.

    Although it is obligatory only once in a lifetime, many Muslims choose to perform the Hajj multiple times.

    To ensure a safe experience, Saudi authorities have implemented enhanced safety precautions for this year’s event.”

    “This year, Riyadh has invested billions of dollars in crowd control measures and cooling systems.

    “The Grand Mosque is equipped with the world’s largest cooling system, maintaining a comfortable temperature of 22-24°C (72-75°F) for pilgrims.

    “Additionally, thousands of trees have been planted to help mitigate the forecasted temperatures of up to 44°C (111°F).

    “Pilgrims attempting to perform Hajj without an official permit will face a $5,000 fine and a 10-year entry ban, authorities have warned”, they said.

    As of Sunday, over 269,000 people without permits have been prevented from entering Makkah.

    In a significant policy change, Riyadh has also introduced a ban on children under 12 participating in this year’s Hajj, saying that children are exempted from Hajj and other religious obligations until they reach puberty.

    “The Saudi health ministry has advised pilgrims to take precautions against the heat, including staying out of the sun between 10am and 4pm, using umbrellas for shade, and staying hydrated,” Saudi authorities said.

    To alleviate the heat, authorities have expanded shaded areas by 50,000 sqm and installed over 400 cooling units.

    The Grand Mosque’s cooling system, touted as the world’s largest, will also help keep pilgrims cool.

    Further measures to beat the heat include the construction of rubberized and cooled roads to lower surface temperatures.

    Artificial intelligence will also be utilized to monitor drones and manage crowds.

    The Hajj, one of Islam’s five fundamental pillars, is a mandatory journey for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, taking place in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

  • Hajj: Pilgrims converge at Mount Arafat for daylong worship

    Hajj: Pilgrims converge at Mount Arafat for daylong worship

    Pilgrims from across the world on Thursday congregated at Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for an intense, daylong worship and reflection.

    Arafat Day, the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, is significant in the Hajj rite and Muslim calendar.

    The day is for millions of pilgrims to converge at Mount of Arafat, near Makkah, to perform the most important ritual of Hajj, known as Wuqoof-e-Arafat.

    Mount Arafat is also believed to be the place where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final speech, known as the Farewell Sermon, 1,435 years ago.

    The Day is considered the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, with pilgrims spending the entire day in prayer and supplication.

    It is also the day Muslims not performing Hajj engage in voluntary fasting, repenting for their sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.

    This Arafat ritual involves pilgrims staying at the sacred place from midday until sunset, facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah) and praying.

    Speaking on the significance of Arafat Day, Sheikh Bashir Dahiru-Bauchi, said it is a day when Allah shows the pilgrims to angels in their kingdom.

    The cleric said, “Allah would say look at the generation and children of Prophet Adam glorifying my names.

    “You predicted that they would come down to the earth and commit a lot of bloodshed and corruption and here they are worshipping me, glorifying my names.

    “See them, because of me they cannot take bath with soap, and they can’t cut their nails, devoting this daylong glorifying my names,” Dahiru-Bauchi said.

    According to him, it is a day for those not performing Hajj fast to seek for the forgiveness of Allah.

    “The Prophet said on that day, the sunset will never take place unless it wipes away the sins of the entire participant of the pilgrimage, and those non participants that fast that day.

    “So, all those non-pilgrims across the world that fast the day of Arafat, then they will have their sins forgiven, both the sins of outgoing and incoming year as well.

    “That means that if one is consistent in fasting the day of Arafat, definitely one will die as a forgiven and pardoned servant.”

    Mahmud Muhammad, Personal Assistant on Domestic and Northeast Affairs, Office of the Vice President, urged pilgrims and Muslims at home to use the day to pray for the country.

    Muhammad, who also urged them to pray for unity and peaceful coexistence, lauded the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for achieving hitch-free operations so far.

    According to him, every segment of this year’s Hajj operations is unique and laudable.

  • Hajj 2025 underway: Pilgrims arrive in Mina

    Hajj 2025 underway: Pilgrims arrive in Mina

    Pilgrims on Wednesday begun arriving in Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the official start of the Hajj rituals.

    Approximately 64 per cent of the pilgrims would spend the day in Mina, while 36 per cent would proceed directly to Arafat.

    Mina, located North-East of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, holds significant religious and historical value, being the site where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stoned the devil and offered his son, Prophet Ismail (AS) in sacrifice.

    “Mina is a site of great religious significance, where Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stoned the devil and demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail.

    “This tradition was reaffirmed by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) during his farewell pilgrimage.

    The area is home to important landmarks, including the three Jamarat pillars, symbolising the stoning of the devil.

    There is also the Masjid Al-Kheef, a Mosque believed to be the site where multiple Prophets, including Prophet Ibrahim(AS) prayed.

    These historical and spiritual connections make Mina a pivotal location for the pilgrims during Hajj.

    Mina holds significant historical and political importance, being the site of the Pledges of Aqabah, where early Muslim converts pledged allegiance to the Prophet.

    To commemorate this event, the Mosque of the Pledge was built near the site.

    Recognising Mina’s logistical and spiritual importance, Saudi authorities had expanded infrastructure and services.

    They had also activated security, health, food, and transportation systems, emphasising commitment to ensuring a safe and serene environment for the pilgrims

    The Saudi Government’s preparations for Hajj reflect its dedication to hosting millions of pilgrims, prioritising efficiency, safety, and spiritual enrichment.

  • 2025 Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims told to obey Saudi laws

    2025 Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims told to obey Saudi laws

    Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Tuesday advised pilgrims in Makkah to conduct themselves in accordance with the Saudi Arabian laws to ensure a stress-free Hajj experience.

    Governor Yusuf gave the advice while overseeing the transportation of pilgrims from Makkah to Mina for the commencement of the Hajj exercise on Tuesday night.

    He emphasized that obeying the laws would enable the pilgrims to observe all the Hajj rituals without undue interference.

    Yusuf urged the  pilgrims to stay in their designated tents and always carry their documents as instructed by the Saudi authorities.

    Yusuf encouraged the pilgrims to pray for Kano State and Nigeria’s overall peace, progress, and socioeconomic advancement.

    He assured that the state government would continue to provide necessary support and cooperation to ensure a successful Hajj exercise.

  • 2025 Hajj: Saudi authority issues safety directives for pilgrims

    2025 Hajj: Saudi authority issues safety directives for pilgrims

    Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has advised pilgrims to stay within their designated camps between 10 am and 4 pm on the Day of Arafat.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Al-Rabiah to have said this is to avoid heat exhaustion due to expected high temperatures.

    Minister Al-Rabiah spoke at a meeting with Hajj mission heads during the 49th Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    He emphasized that random group walking poses a significant risk to crowd flow and pilgrim safety during Hajj.

    Al-Rabiah stressed the importance of using designated transportation from Arafat to Muzdalifah, rather than walking, to ensure safety and optimal ritual performance.

    The minister highlighted the crucial role of the Nusuk card in accessing the Grand Mosque, holy sites, and public transportation, making it a key regulatory tool for performing rituals.

    He directed Hajj affairs offices to strictly adhere to regulations regarding pilgrim movement within holy sites, prioritizing safety and optimal ritual performance.

    Al-Rabiah emphasized that adherence to dispatch and transport plans is a collective responsibility, essential for organizing crowd movement and guaranteeing safety.

    Hajj: 62 airlines transported pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 3,314 flights

    Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Hajj Transport and Logistics, Saleh Al-Zuwaid, has disclosed that 62 air carriers operated 3,314 Hajj flights, transporting pilgrims from 238 destinations in 71 countries.

    Addressing a press briefing at the Hajj Media Operations Centre in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Al-Zuwaid highlighted the efficient reception of pilgrims, ensuring a smooth flow of arrivals and movements.

    Regarding the Haramain High-Speed Rail, Al-Zuwaid stated that 4,700 trips were scheduled, offering up to two million seats – an increase of 400,000 seats from last year.

    He added that the rail service transported 700,000 passengers by Sunday and would continue to provide services to meet pilgrims’ expectations.

    Al-Zuwaid also mentioned that the Mashaer Train was expected to operate over 2,000 trips, transporting more than two million passengers in seven days.

    Additionally, road cooling technology, he said,  had expanded by 82 per cent in the holy sites, effectively reducing road surface temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius.

    Meanwhile, Saad Al-Shanbari, spokesperson for the Hajj Communications and Technology System, reported that 4G and 5G coverage reached 99 per cent in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, resulting in a significant increase in internet speed to 264 megabits per second.

    Also, Wi-Fi access points exceeded 10,000, and the Communications and Space Technology Commission successfully implemented an AI crowd management experiment using HAI surveillance cameras.