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Purpose of life: Reason and revelation

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What is the meaning and purpose of life?’ Throughout the ages, philosophers have considered it to be the most fundamental question. Scientists, historians, philosophers, writers, psychologists and the common man all wrestle with the question at some point in their lives.
Is the reason a sufficient guide?
Why do we eat? Why do we sleep? Why do we work? The answers we would get to these questions would be similar. I eat to live. I sleep to rest. I work to support myself and my family. But when it comes to what the purpose of life is, people are confused. We see their confusion by the type of answers we receive. Youths may say, “I live for fun and frolics.”
The middle-aged professional might say, “I live to save enough for a comfortable retirement.” The old man would probably say, “I’ve been asking why I’m here most of my life. If there’s a purpose, I don’t care anymore.” And perhaps the most common answer will be, “I really don’t know!”
How, then, do you discover the purpose of life? We basically have two options.
The first is to let ‘human reason’ — the celebrated achievement of the Enlightenment — guide us. After all, the Enlightenment gave us modern science based on careful observation of the natural world. But have post-Enlightenment philosophers figured it out? Camus described life as “absurd”; Sartre spoke of “anguish, abandonment, and despair.”
To these Existentialists, life has no meaning. Darwinians thought the meaning of life was to reproduce. Will Durant, capturing the predicament of postmodern man, wrote, “Faith and hope disappear; doubt and despair are the order of the day… it is not our homes and our treasuries that are empty, it is our ‘hearts’.”
When it comes to the meaning of life, even the wisest philosophers are just guessing. Will Durant, the most noted philosopher of the last century, and Dr. Hugh Moorhead, a philosophy professor at Northeastern Illinois University, both wrote separate books titled ‘The Meaning of Life.’ They wrote to the best-known philosophers, scientists, writers, politicians, and intellectuals of their time in the world, asking them, “What is the meaning of life?”
Then they published their responses. Some offered their best guesses, some admitted that they just made up a purpose for life, and others were honest enough to say they were clueless. In fact, a number of famous intellectuals asked the authors to write back and tell them if the purpose of life was discovered!
If the philosopher has no definitive answer, perhaps the answer can be found within the heart and mind that we ourselves possess. Have you ever looked at the open sky on a clear night?
You will see an incalculable number of stars. Look through a telescope and you will see gigantic spiral galaxies, beautiful nebula where new stars are being formed, the remnants of ancient supernova explosion created in a star’s final death throes, the magnificent rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter. Is it possible not to be moved by the sight of these countless stars in the night sky shining like diamond dust on a bed of black velvet? Multitudes of stars beyond stars, stretching back; becoming so dense that they appear to merge into delicate wisps of sparkling mist.
The grandeur humbles us, thrills us, inspires a craving for investigation, and calls for our contemplation. How did it come into being? How are we related to it, and what is our place in it? Can we hear the heavens “speak” to us?
“In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, there are sure signs for all who are endowed with insight, who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: ‘O our Lord, You have not created this without meaning and purpose. Limitless art You in Your glory’.” (Qur’an, 3:190-191)
When we read a book, we accept that an author exists. When we see a house, we accept that a builder exists. Both of these things were made with a purpose by those who made them. The design, order, and complexity of the universe, as well as the world around us, are evidence of the existence of supreme intelligence, a perfect designer. All the heavenly bodies are controlled by precise laws of physics.
Can there be laws without a lawmaker? Rocket scientist Dr. von Braun said: “The natural laws of the universe are so precise that we have no difficulty building a spaceship to fly to the moon and can time the flight with the precision of a fraction of a second. These laws must have been set by somebody.” Paul Davies, a professor of physics, concludes that man’s existence is not a mere quirk of fate. He states: “We are truly meant to be here.” And he says regarding the universe: “Through my scientific work, I have come to believe more and more strongly that the physical universe is put together with an ingenuity so astonishing that I cannot accept it merely as a brute fact. There must, it seems to me, be a deeper level of explanation.” The universe, the earth, and living things on the earth all give silent testimony to an intelligent, powerful Creator.
If we were made by a Creator, then surely that Creator must have had a reason, a purpose, in creating us. Thus, it is important that we seek to know God’s purpose for our existence.
After coming to the realization of this purpose, we can choose whether we want to live in harmony with it. But is it possible to know what is expected from our left to our own devices without any communication from the Creator? It is natural that God Himself would inform us of this purpose, especially if we are expected to fulfill it.
This brings us to the second option: The alternative to speculation about the meaning and purpose of life is a revelation. The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the inventor. To discover the purpose of your life, ask God.

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Pilgrim quota cut temporary, says minister

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JEDDAH: Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar said Tuesday that the reduction in the number of pilgrims is a temporary measure for the safety of Hajis until the completion of the expansion projects at the two holy mosques.
He said the number of domestic pilgrims will be reduced by 50 percent, while the number of foreign pilgrims will be reduced by 20 percent.
He used this announcement to stress the importance of obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Culture and Information before any country announces media activities for Haj events.
He also noted that the ministry recently changed the name of the “Haj Mission” to “The Office of Pilgrims Affairs”, while the Haj Medical Mission’s name has been changed to the “Medical Office” to avoid any confusion on the part of Haj Missions concerning the job description and the tasks it assumes.
“Some missions think that they acquire a diplomatic or consulate status in this regard and demand the granting of special privileges or immunities similar to those enjoyed by embassies and the general consulate”, said the minister. He added: “The fact is that the tasks of these missions are only administrative, and are aimed at helping their pilgrims and supervise their organizations.”
Hajjar noted that the ministry received the heads of the 53 Pilgrims’ Affairs Offices in the Kingdom recently. They were all hosted by the ministry at its own expense. The meetings are to remain ongoing at various times for three months to discuss the Haj arrangements for each Muslim country.

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Why send greetings to our Prophet

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What a joyous month it is on the Islamic calendar, the month of Rabi’ul Awwal. It is the month that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born. The Prophet (peace be upon him) brought light and guidance to the people of Arabia, and to the world .Leading them to the worship of one God, after they had been worshipping idols.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) put an end to the ignorant practices that existed in the Arabian Peninsula at the time. Such as:

rampant prostitution, treating women as a commodity, tribal pride, revenge, infanticide (burying newborn baby girls alive), and alcoholism.
This indeed is a happy month. All Muslims worldwide should commemorate the Prophet’s birth and his life by reviving the tradition that many Muslims have neglected, and that is sending peace and blessings upon our Prophet every day ten times, a hundred times, two hundred times. We have become too preoccupied with our day-to-day affairs that we have forgotten this important act of worship.
Muslims should incorporate this practice in their daily habits and routines.
The well known scholar, Al-Albani, wrote in his prologue to the book Merits of Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet by Ismail bin Ishaq Al-Qadi:
“Multiply the number of times that you say, ‘May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad.’ Say this at all times of the day. Each time you say it, in return Allah will send blessings upon you, raise your status, increase your good deeds, erase some of your bad deeds, and lighten the burden of the worries that you carry, regarding this world and the Hereafter.”
Imagine this; your greetings of peace and blessings reach the Prophet. Although the Prophet (peace be upon him) cannot hear us in the physical sense, the angels inform him of our greetings and prayers.
Make a special effort on Fridays to increase the number of times that you say, “May the peace and blessings of Allah descend upon Muhammad.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his companions, “On Fridays recite the salawat (peace and blessings) for me repeatedly! The salawat will be conveyed to me.” When it was asked whether it would be conveyed to him after his death, the Prophet answered,
“Soil does not rot Prophets’ bodies. Whenever a Muslim says the salawat for me, an angel informs me of it and says, “So-and-so’s son, so-and-so of your ummah sent his salaam and prayed for you.’” (Abu Dawood)
After performing each of the five daily prayers, remain seated on your prayer rug just for a couple of minutes, before rushing off to the never-ending tasks of your day, and repeat it ten times: peace and blessings be upon Muhammad.
If you are with a group of friends, talking together, when you part remind one another to say this prayer. When you enter the mosque and when you leave it, mention the peace and blessings upon Muhammad. Over the dinner table with your family and children, mention this prayer upon the Prophet.
Whoever hears the mention of the Prophet and does not say ‘peace be upon him’ is miserly.
As for the benefits that you will gain by mentioning peace and blessings upon the Prophet, there are plenty.
So, what are the merits that we gain and why is it so important to say, “May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you, O Muhammad,”?
One of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Abu Talha, noticed that the Prophet’s face was lit, and he appeared very happy. Abu Talha said to the Prophet (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah! I see joy and delight in your countenance!”
The Prophet  (peace be upon him) said, “Yes, for Gabriel has just come to me saying: O Muhammad, whoever among your ummah invokes blessings upon you once, Allah records for him ten good deeds, erases from his account ten evil deeds, and raises him ten degrees because of it.” (Al-Sakhawi)
Simply by mentioning the Prophet’s name and wishing him peace and blessings, we can earn so many good deeds.
A close companion of the Prophet, Abdur Rahman ibn Awf said that he had once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah! You made a prostration so long that I was afraid that Allah has taken your soul during it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Gabriel came to me and gave me the glad tiding that Allah, the Praised and Exalted, says: “He who sends salat on you, I will send salat on him, and he who greets you I will greet him”, so I made a long prostration out of gratitude to Allah. (Ahmad)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said, “The closest people to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who invoked the most blessings upon me.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Muslims wish that they could have seen the Prophet’s face, heard him speak, and stood behind him in prayer. We wish that we will see the Prophet (peace be upon him) and be close to him in the Hereafter. By invoking peace and blessings upon the Prophet, we can earn his companionship.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Number of Umrah visas to treble in 2016

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Saudi Arabia is planning to triple the number of Umrah visas issued each year to 15 million, according to local media.
From next year, 1.25 million pilgrims could be allowed to visit the Grand Mosque each month, compared to 400,000 presently.
Haj Minister Bandar Al Hajjar was quoted as saying that the increased numbers were to make use of the newly expanded Grand Mosque. which is undergoing a $20 billion refurbishment.
Umrah and Haj visas were cut in 2014 and 2015 during construction, which is still ongoing.
According to the Haj Ministry, five million Umrah visas were issued in 2013 and six million each during 2014 and 2015. It expects to issue up to 60 million by 2018.
About 1.8 million foreign pilgrims recently descended on the Islamic holy city of Makkah for haj, an annual pilgrimage Muslims are expected to perform in their lifetime.
This year’s religious gather was marred by one of the worst stampedes in Saudi history. Saudi authorities said 769 people died, but figures compiled by Associated Press put the number at 1399, while several governments also disputed the official Saudi figure.

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Miracles of the Messenger (peace be upon him)

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The birth of a perfectly healthy baby seems miraculous, barren land coming to life, the growth of green leaves on the trees in the spring after a harsh, cold winter is also a miraculous event.
However, a miracle in its true sense is an extraordinary event that breaks the laws of nature; it is only brought about by Allah Almighty. Miracles are performed through the permission of Allah, and miracles are sent only for the Prophets of Allah.
The Prophets were sent by Allah to guide mankind. Throughout history, there were disbelievers who rejected the call of the Prophets. To refute the claim that the Prophets were imposters, to support and give credibility to the Prophets and to show the people remarkable signs that these were indeed Prophets with a Divine message, Allah gave these Prophets miracles.
When Pharaoh failed to respond to the call of Prophet Musa (Moses) – peace be upon him – Allah gave Prophet Musa several miracles. The miracle that saved Prophet Musa and his people was the splitting of the sea; the believers passed through the sea and escaped. When Pharaoh and his army tried to follow them, the waves engulfed the army and Pharaoh, and they drowned.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was also granted miracles by the power of Allah. The Noble Qur’an is the greatest of miracles. The Arabs were known for their skill in eloquence, oration, language, and prose. When the disbelievers tried to even imitate one verse, they failed miserably. The Noble Qur’an’s fine composition of words, articulateness, eloquence, succinctness, informing of future events which occurred exactly as was mentioned in the Holy Book, its profound meaning, and rhyming prose overwhelmed the Arabs, in spite of their fame as masters of the language.
The Noble Qur’an was not the only miracle sent to Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him).
The disbelievers in Makkah were unhappy with what Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was preaching, that their idols were not gods, that there was only One God, that all men were created equal, that the Arab man was no better than the black man.
To stop the Prophet (peace be upon him) from preaching, they went to him and argued, “Oh, Muhammad! If you are truthful, then show us a sign. Split the moon for us into two parts.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed to Allah to grant him this miracle. It was in the middle of the month, it was a full moon in a clear night sky. Some people had gathered around outside, waiting in anticipation and silence, craning their necks to the horizon, their eyes fixed upon the moon.
Allah gave the command, and the moon began to split. Slowly it split until its two sides parted. Everyone witnessed it, those inside the city and even Bedouins from surrounding areas rushed to Makkah and confirmed that they had seen the moon split. The splitting of the moon affirmed the faith of those who were already believing Muslims and it brought conviction to those who had doubts and had wavering faith. Due to their arrogance and fear that the masses would follow Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the disbelievers of Quraysh claimed that it was an illusion.
Another miracle given to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was that he brought blessings to water and food, making a small supply of water and food multiply, becoming abundant for his companions.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had been traveling with approximately 1,500 men. They ran out of water; they needed water to perform ablution and the men were complaining of thirst. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon) asked for whatever water they had left. Jabir brought him a leather skin with only a few remaining drops of water in it. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) squeezed the water sac, praying humbly to Allah to impart His blessings on it. The water sac swelled up and the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked his companions to bring him a large bowl.
With his hand under the mouth of the water sac and the large bowl beneath his hand, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began pouring the water over his fingers, and the water continued to flow profusely. The water started gushing between his fingers like a fountain, and all the men performed ablution and drank until their thirst was quenched. There were 1,500 men; this narration is authentic and is recorded in Sahih Bukhari.
After the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah, he stayed in the house of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari. His host, Al-Ansari prepared a meal to feed two people, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and his friend, Abu Bakr. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told Al-Ansari to invite thirty more from the people of Madinah. When the Prophet saw Al-Ansari’s reluctance, he repeated the request. Due to the blessings from Allah, the men came and ate until they were satisfied, and the pot was still full of food. Again, they shared the meal with sixty more men, and then ninety men, and there was still food left over for Al-Ansari’s family.  The following narration was reported in Sahih Bukhari.
On the expedition of Tabuk, the Muslim army went hungry. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked them to gather whatever food they had. Everyone brought a few pieces of dates and put them on a mat; it amounted to about four handfuls of dates. The Prophet (peace be upon him) invoked the blessings of Allah, and told everyone to come eat, none in the whole army left empty-handed, and there were even more dates remaining.
One of the companions who witnessed this miracle said, “I realized from the way that increase was obtained that if the whole world had come, the food still would have been sufficient.”
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the prophet of mercy, not just for mankind but for all of creation. One of his miracles was to relieve a camel of its suffering.
One day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in the garden of a man in Madinah.
There was a camel in that garden; it groaned and shed tears. The camel cried out and the Prophet (peace be upon him) at that moment understood the camel’s language. He (peace be upon him) wiped its tears and it became calm. The Prophet (peace be upon him) inquired about the owner of the camel. When its owner approached, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Do you not fear Allah in this animal which Allah has put in your possession? It has complained to me that you starve it and overwork it.”
This tradition was recorded in the books of Ahmad and Abu Dawood.
Another miracle that Allah granted only to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is that every time he (peace be upon him) supplicated for rain, the rain would fall.
In the mosque in Madinah, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) would give the Friday sermon, he used to stand by a date palm tree and sometimes lean on its trunk. An Ansari woman’s son built a pulpit for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and when the Prophet (peace be upon him) ascended the pulpit to give the sermon, the date palm tree began to weep and sob. The Prophet (peace be upon him) went to it, rubbing his hands over its trunk to soothe it until it stopped crying. This was yet another of the many miracles of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

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Visa procedure and tips if your mahram is in a different country

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It has frequently been observed that Muslim ladies travel from other parts of the world to come for education or work and then settle here. At some point in their life, they feel the need to perform umrah. At this point in time, (until unless, they are 45 years of age), they face major problems. One of which is the Mahram rules for women performing umrah by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia government. These ladies (often young and under 45), feel that they are being deprived of a religious duty and if they were living with families back home, it would have been a lot easier to perform umrah. They sometimes drop the idea of umrah altogether due to conflicting advice, they get from agents and others around them. And this is true as well, to an extent, specially if you don’t know the modus operandi in such cases. This situation is worsened, when your mahram is in a different country, like India, Pakistan or elsewhere in the world.
Following is a step by step procedure, if followed to the letter carefully, can result in getting you going on umrah without any trouble.

Main key points:

  1. First of all, make sure that the person travelling is a Mahram for you. A mahram is defined as someone who, you are permanently forbidden to marry, due to blood or foster or marriage relationships. Remember, if you choose the wrong person, the whole procedure will be a waste.
  2. Now book umrah flights  for both of you. These flights should be indirect, making sure that you meet. For example in Dubai or any other airport and then take an onwards flight to enter Saudi together.
  3. Once you have booked the flights, consult your local umrah visa agent. To ask, which company will they be using in Saudi for processing your umrah visa. Write that down with proper pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar names.
  4. Now request your mahram in your home country to apply for an umrah visa, with a local agent, who is using the same company in Saudi Arabia. e.g Ajyaad etc. Ask them to initiate this process at least 1 month before departure date, due to reason explained in the next step.
  5. Once you have secured their visa, ask them to email you a scanned copy of the first page and visa page.
  6. Now give this copy to your local agent, along with your passport and request them to process the visa for you. The agent will apply fresh MOFA for both passports and will charge you for two passports.
  7. You will Insha Allah, receive visa for both you and the Mahram and can travel without problem.
  8. Remember, you also need to keep in mind, that in some countries, there is an age limit for males as well, on going for umrah alone. So, exercise caution and make sure all relevant rules are followed.
  9. Please note that this procedure is described as a guideline only and we are not responsible for results of following or not following this procedure. If you want us to take care of it, please call us at 0203 744 0052 and speak to Hira.

Article by: umrahpackagesuk.co.uk

For the benefit for those intending to perform ‘Umrah or Hajj

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hajj


General

  • One of the most important of all advices: Safeguard your eyesight. When travelling and especially in Makkah when men and women tend to mix more.

  • Protect your women; each woman travelling will have a maHram whose responsibility it is to ensure that no harm comes her way. The worst men are the dayyooth (those who lack ghayrah, i.e. do not care if (non-maHram) men approach their wives, mothers, sisters or daughters) and the worst women are those that flirt.

  • Don’t intermingle with the opposite sex (non-maHram), particular those in your group/hotel; this is impermissible under all circumstances… Tour leaders/representatives take note: beware of being over-friendly with the females!

  • Seek some necessary ‘ilm (knowledge) from trustworthy sources before going so you can perform your acts of worship independently and with confidence.

  • Spread Salâm wherever you go; remember: everyone’s a Muslim in the Haramayn, alHamdulillâh! The lack of greetings is a sign of Qiyâmah.

  • Always give precedence to the elderly and help them whenever you can.

  • Agree the price before making any transaction to avoid unnecessary disagreement later; situations where this will apply include shopping, having your luggage trolley pushed by persistent airport workers and getting the laundry done via one of the hotel workers.

  • Musical ringtones are a no-no; it’s beyond me why so many Muslims cannot comprehend this simple fact. This includes the Nokia tune as well. Change your mobile phone ring tone to the basic “ring ring” tone right now. And, whatever you do, do not answer your phone/talk while doing Tawâf; those who do this are showing scant regard for the sanctity of the blessed place they’re in.

  • Don’t take photos; unfortunately, that’s all you see nowadays: Muslims taking pictures/videos of anything or anyone in sight as if they need to prove to the world they were there. My advice: have some sincerity; you are there for Allâh and He doesn’t need you to record anything for He is All-Knowing of everything you do.

  • Be patient; you will meet all sorts of characters! You’re bound to come across situations where your patience will be tested; remain calm and don’t lose your temper. That way you won’t regret it later.

  • Be friendly; you will meet the most pleasant and interesting of Muslims. Don’t shy away from striking up a conversation. At the very least smile, for that in itself is a virtue.

  • Learning a bit of basic Arabic beforehand will prove very handy.

  • If you’re a smoker, please try to quit. If you can’t, please limit it to your hotel (room).

  • If you get into a taxi, don’t be surprised if one of the side mirrors is missing or the windscreen is cracked; just don’t forget to fasten your seatbelts!

  • Some Muslims (more likely in Makkah) might offer you some Naseehah, especially if you make a mistake. Be humble and accept it. If it is within your ability and the situation demands, do not shy away from giving Naseehah but be courteous and respectful.

Flight

  • Don’t miss your Salâh on the plane; it doesn’t become forgiven suddenly just because you’re no longer on land! More often than not on long-haul flights, when a Salâh has to be performed during the flight, there is ample space in the cabin area (where the food is prepared/food tray is kept). Outside of the serving times, most cabin crew will be more than happy to let you perform your prayers there. With minimal inconveniencing and just limiting it to the farâ’idh, perform your Salâh standing up and facing the Qiblah. If this is not possible, you may find space near the emergency doors although this may involve inconveniencing some passengers. If there is absolutely no space whatsoever, in the worst-case scenario, you may end up having to perform your Salâh at your seat. Ensure you are facing the Qiblah. Begin your Salâh standing up and only sit down for the sujood and jalsahs; prostrate on the food tray provided the Qiblah is towards the front of the plane. If you performed your Salâh in this manner, repeat your Salâh once you land to be on the safe side.

  • One issue that can cause a lot of confusion is Salâh time, especially Fajr. Unfortunately, airlines don’t provide Salâh timetables for the countries you are flying over. Use the time and the state of the sky as an indication of what prayer time it is; with a bit of common sense you won’t be far out, Inshâ-Allâh. It’s the effort and desire that counts.

  • Only watch the in-flight movies if you want to ruin the spirit and vigour of Imân you are going with or the state of Imân you are returning with. Recite the Qur-ân, do some Thikr, read Islamic literature or go to sleep instead.

  • Make sure you clean up the toilet (floor) after use; it really gives a bad impression of Muslims to other passengers and the air hostesses if they have to unblock the sink or mop the flooded floor.

  • Ensure you only eat vegetarian/Halâl on the plane; avoid meat.

Makkah al-Mukarramah

  • Perform Tawâf on your own (or, at most, with your wife). You don’t need to go around in a group and chant in unison for your Tawâf to be accepted. Doing so is a sign of ignorance.

  • Do not attempt to kiss the Hajar al-Aswad at peak times (you’ll know when these are) – you’ll simply harm yourself or someone else in the process. It is painful hearing screaming and the sound of scuffles each time one goes past this blessed corner of the Ka’bah. There are certain times (e.g. just before ‘Asr salaah) when one can quite easily line up in an orderly fashion around the Ka’bah and get to kiss the stone.

  • Try to perform your Salâh wherever the Imâm performs his Salâh. You will find that, apart from Zuhr, the Imâm will perform every Salâh in the MaTâf.

  • Getting into the MaTâf for Jumu’ah Salâh is easy because most people want to avoid the sun. If you can hack the heat, you should be able to get pretty close to the (white) Minbar. One trick I’ve seen being used by people coming in late and wanting a ‘good’ position is to bring two cups filled with Zam Zam and to offer it to two Musallees between whom the latecomer sees a potential spot. I’m not recommending it but it does appear to work!

  • You can fill your own Zam Zam water by buying your drum(s) locally (from a shop selling them near your hotel) and going to where the special taps are located near the library/birthplace of Rasoolullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam; you can get there by going anti-clockwise in the courtyard (left) from the big Zam Zam towers. You will find all the Zam Zam sellers lining up their drums so you may have to wait a while for your turn but apparently they are only allowed to fill 5 drums at a time before being forced to step behind and give others a chance.

  • You will be staying here for at least 1 week; try to complete one Qur-ân.

al-Madeenah al-Munawwarah

  • When coming to perform Salâh, don’t be misled by the number of people lined up towards the entrance of the Masjid at the back. Just move forwards; you’d be surprised how much free space there is towards the front of the Masjid.

  • When offering salaam to the best of all creations, Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, you will find that at peak times (usually after each Salâh) the policemen will cordon off the immediate lane every so often so people are forced to take the ‘outer lane’. You can loiter around the Imâm’s position until the coast is clear (policemen move away) and get in the ‘inner lane’. When you get close to the Qabr ash-Shareef, you will notice many people peering into the holes that appear before the actual resting position of Rasoolullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. This will allow you to skip past them and get right next to the proper position. But don’t all try at once…!

  • The best time to get a spot in the Rawdhah (green carpet area aka Riyâdh al-Jannah) is just before Tahajjud time and around 10am in the morning. It’s fairly easy to get a spot there after ‘Asr too but remember: you can’t perform Nafl prayer until Maghrib time (although you will see many Muslims performing Salâh even at Makrooh times).

  • Jannah al-Baqee’ (graveyard) is only open (to the public) after Fajr (till about midday) and after ‘Asr (till 6pm) these days. Apart from going there generally, try to go there immediately after one of these two Salâhs if there is a Janâzah and you should be able to join the burial(s) thus doubling the reward.

  • You will be staying here for at least 1 week; try to complete another Qur-ân.

Salâh

  • Get used to using the Miswâk when you’re there; there’s plenty available and a bargain really for so much reward and upholding a great Sunnah.

  • Take a shoe bag to avoid having your slippers/shoes taken by someone else. I’ve seen some splitting their pair of slippers and placing their right one in a separate location to their left one but I’m not sure if this method proves successful.

  • Women must make sure they do not apply any perfume when going to the Masjid; this is strictly forbidden in the Hadeeth.

  • Try to learn the various ad’iyah (du’as) reported in the Hadeeth, especially for the Qawmah and Jalsah postures; you will get ample time to pray these.

  • Make sure you learn how to perform the Janâzah Salaah and the various du’âs (male = ar-rajul; female = al-mar-ah [plural = amwât]; child = Tifl [plural = aTfâl]).

  • Try to avoid walking in front of Musallees performing Salâh, unless it is to fill a gap in front in which case there is no harm even to move slightly while in prayer.

Hotel

  • Don’t get into a situation where you are alone with a woman in the lift; if you are alone in the lift and a woman gets in, you must get out!

  • Don’t ever watch (the wide-screen, spanky-looking) TV in your room; if you know you’ll be tempted, take the plug out as soon as you step in to your room!

Food

  • Don’t touch meat/chicken with a barge pole; most of it comes from non-Muslim countries and is, at the very least, doubtful (see How genuine is Halâl stamp?, for example). Better safe than sorry. This applies to Asian restaurants as well as Saudi fast-food chains. Tâzaj, however, is said to be an exception (their chickens are slaughtered locally, though I cannot confirm this).

  • Don’t ever waste food. If for whatever reason there is some left over, offer it to the needy, e.g. the women selling stuff on the streets, Haram/hotel workers.

Shopping

  • Avoid shopping if you can help it; this may be difficult if you’ve got your Mrs with you (no offence intended) or you’ve got loads of requests from back home. On a more serious note, you will notice the difference in environment and its negative effects when you leave the Haram and enter the shopping malls… the less the better.

  • Don’t let women shop alone; I wouldn’t trust the shopkeepers. At times, there are as many as 5 workers in one tiny shop and if a woman walks in they almost huddle around her. Insist the men talk to you and not your womenfolk. This is what ghayrah demands. If they fail to comply, rebuke them and walk out (along with your women of course) in protest.

  • If you decide to exchange some gold/silver at a jewellery shop, remember that you cannot sell gold for gold or silver for silver except when it is like for like, otherwise it is classed as interest. The solution is to first sell your gold/silver to the shopkeeper in exchange for riyals and then buy the gold/silver you want with riyals.

  • Always leave (each shop) on a happy note; if you are simply browsing let the shopkeeper(s) know first so that if you leave without having bought anything they will not get offended. If you don’t decide to buy anything and the shopkeeper has made an effort to sell you something, apologise to him before leaving. Basic social etiquettes really.

  • Ladies, don’t buy colourful, tight and shiny/flashy jubbahs. Doing so defeats the purpose of wearing jubbahs.

  • Make sure you check with your airline beforehand so you know how much luggage you can take back. Most allow 30kg per passenger but some, like Swiss Air, only allow 20kg (excluding hand luggage). Check you’re covered before buying those dates from the market.

Beggars

  • Never refuse a beggar; only Allâh knows the true state of each person. If what s/he is saying is true and you refuse to give, you could be taken to task in the Hereafter. Refusal can be interpreted as pride or stinginess. If at all possible, try to give them food so you know where your money goes and also because genuine destitutes don’t refuse food. At the very least, give 1 riyâl; on average, that’s only 15-20p! You will be rewarded according to your intentions, Inshâ-Allâh.

Article by: darulihsan.com

Train for pilgrims’ Makkah–Madinah travel by end of 2016

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Buses will no longer be used for transporting pilgrims to and fro Makkah and Madinah when the Haramain Highspeed Railway commences operation by December next year, according to an official of the Haramain Railway project.

The official said that a total of 35 trains will be used to transport two million pilgrims, in addition to millions of Umrah pilgrims.

“Works on the railway stations in Madinah and Rabigh have been completed and the works on stations in Makkah and Jeddah are nearing completion,” he said adding that trial run of train on Madinah–Rabigh sector is in progress.

This article first appeared in the Saudi Gazette on Sept. 28, 2015.

A spiritual journey of a revert

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The conversion of Arcadio Jeffrey Perida, a Filipino Judeo-Christian, to Islam at the hands of Saudi student Khaled Almehmady in Manila brings to limelight the important role of Saudi students — who pursue their higher studies in reputable universities abroad — as ambassadors of Islam disseminating its divine message.
Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Perida, who performed Haj this year as the guest of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, narrated his spiritual journey to Islam and noted the role played by his ESL student Almehmady by not only giving him Islamic books and videos but also continuously encouraging him to read or watch them.
A number of Saudi scholarship students in foreign countries have already set a good example in this respect like Almehmady.
In a wide-ranging online interview, Perida emphasized the important mission of Hajis in their society as ambassadors of Islam when they return to their respective countries. “They should be able to touch every soul with the new experience they have gained and the enormous blessing that has been bestowed on them by God, by making use of every opportunity of speaking in centers, schools, symposiums and social gatherings when invited as resource persons,” he explained.
Perida added: “This would be a way of spreading Islam on a personal level after becoming a living witness to the miraculous journey that we have just embarked upon during the pilgrimage.” The Hajis should also impress their family, friends and countrymen through the changes in their lives, giving them inspiration, spiritual encouragement and motivation, he said.
Perida, whose newly adopted name is Jabir Kalid Perida, expressed his deep concern over the Daesh terror group’s efforts to tarnish the image of Islam, which is a peaceful religion.
“With the obvious threat of the IS and other extremist groups, my hope is that the life that we will lead from here on as a Haji and the good messages we will bring forth will serve as a living testament that will outweigh the evil perpetuated by any segment of our society willfully and purposely promoting hate, violence, terror and injustice, affecting any human being,” Perida said while answering a question.
“I sincerely beseech Allah’s divine guidance and blessings to give us the courage, determination and endurance to march on and continue the work that we all have started in Makkah, and if we can do this task from now on and for as long as we live, then we can honestly and sincerely say, Haj Mabroor,” Perida said.
The Filipino revert explained how he met Almehmady. “During my studies for the master degree, I was given a job as a professor in one of the colleges in Manila where I taught ESL. It was also this time my father passed away and the day after his death I met Almehmady. The dean had assigned me to personally take care of this Saudi student since I was the only ESL teacher available at that time. Little did I know that this will be the beginning of my journey to Islam.”
Although Almehmady took only two months to study English with Perida, the two had developed a strong bond “which I would describe as some kind of divine providence.” They stayed in touch even though the Saudi had enrolled in another university and kept on sending videos from YouTube regarding Islam after giving him books about Islam and a small Qu’ran in English.
“For months I did not even bother about watching or reading them because of apprehensions about Muslims caused by negative stereotypes promoted by the media and the influence of a Jewish teacher who used to tell me only negative things about Islam, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and even the Roman Catholics. But every time Khalid would ask me about the books and videos, whether I have read them, or watched them, and I would say yes, which was a lie. It bothered me a lot because of a prick of conscience. I never condoned lying, especially to a friend. So I started watching the videos and reading the books,” he said.
Perida adds: “To my surprise, I honestly enjoyed them and found them interesting. It gave me new knowledge which opened my heart and changed my entire perspective about Islam. So now whenever I chat with Almehmady, I can say with confidence that I truly find all the things he gave and sent to me really good and relevant.”
Almehmady went on vacation to Saudi Arabia and both of them were communicating on WhatsApp. “One day he told me that he was very tired. So I asked why? And he said he just finished doing an ‘Mrah.’ I was clueless what that meant. I actually got worried because I thought it was some sort of a medical procedure. When I searched that word, it showed Magnetic Resonance or something, so I asked him why he had to do it. But he just told me it’s hard to explain, it is something religious and what they do as Muslims. So I stopped asking, although I was really bothered by it.”
That night, while Perida was deeply asleep he had a wonderful dream. He still remembers that it occurred between 4 and 5 am. “It was so real that I actually felt I was entirely in it. The first part, I can clearly see that I was watching from afar multitudes of people walking around in a circle in what I can describe as a black, box type monument. I saw this in one of the books I read and some pictures too. It seems like I was on the second floor of a building. Then in just a blink, I saw myself inside the circle walking around and I was puzzled because I was wearing an entire white robe just as everybody was, then I came closer and closer to the big black structure with some gold writings around it. As I was about to touch its wall, I looked at my right and there he was, Khaled, walking along with me to the wall and we touched it the very same time. As soon as we laid our hands on it, I felt this strong wind swirling around us for a number of times and went inside our bodies, I can still see our robes blown out when it entered and for some reason, I looked up, without knowing that it is forbidden, and saw a ray of light coming down from the heaven in what seemingly appears from a cloud opening like a door to give way to it and shone upon me.”
Narrating the last part of the dream he said: “I saw myself walking inside a very big mosque, with so many people, I was looking around in amazement as I walk in normal pace until finally once again, here was Khaled pulling my right hand and asked me to walk briskly and not slowly, which made me wonder why. Up to that point, I finally woke up, it was dawn already and when I woke up, I was disoriented and confused where I actually am. In my mind, I am convinced that I was in Saudi Arabia, in Makkah, while I was in my room. Eventually, after a few seconds, I began to realize that it was just a dream. At that point, I didn’t waste any time, I texted Khaled in WhatsApp and told him about the dream, although he did not tell me directly, he implied that it was what he did the other day, the ‘Mrah’ (Umrah).”
Almehmady kept on telling Perida that it was his ultimate wish that he would really become a Muslim one day to perform the same thing, Umrah, but the latter was still undecided on embracing Islam.
Perida went on with his daily normal routine, but the images of his dream kept pursuing him “like a blazing iron imprinted in my heart.” He had two more dreams which had taken him to a dessert, again with Almehmady and it felt exactly the same. “I knew it was again in Saudi Arabia because the setting was exactly what I am seeing now. Four months later I decided to do my shahada. On Aug. 1, 2014, I declared that I wanted to become a Muslim. My friend was not available to take me to the masjid and told me that he would be free after 6 days and then take me to do my shahada. So after 6 days, I finally did it and became a Muslim. It was the best thing that ever happened. The feeling was so surreal that I never could have imagined that will happen to me in my life, but it did. Alhamdulillah.”
Perida expressed his happiness over receiving a golden opportunity to perform Haj as the guest of King Salman and visit the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah. “By the grace of God, I was able to visit the very place, which I dreamed about. The message is perfect when Allah guides someone to come back, Allah shows the way and makes it clear, that it was indeed a divine mandate. All things work together for those who open their hearts and allow the spirit of Allah to come, and once it has, the peace that surpasses understanding will come upon us.”
He said the Haj had given him an enormous opportunity to meet Muslim brethren from different parts of the world and gain new friends to share their different views, perspectives, and experiences. “The fascinating facts and stories of each individual are indeed a treasure which I shall forever keep upon my return, and the bond of friendship we have established is one of the best things that have happened.”
Perida said he was fortunate to have the support of his entire family including mother, for coming back to Islam. “I have never experienced any form of rejection nor prejudice with my decision of changing to another religion. I never had a tough time convincing them to accept me and my newfound faith. As a matter of fact, they are even mindful of the things that are allowed (halal) and not allowed (haram) for me to eat, drink and do as a Muslim.”
He expressed his discomfort about the increasing negative propaganda against Islam. “The media has created an image of violence and terrorism associated with Islam which gave an apprehensive attitude toward Muslims compared to followers of other religions. But through every challenge, an opportunity arises, and this is the time for every Muslim to show the true spirit of Islam, by promoting peace and harmony through absolute and unconditional submission to Allah, and firm obedience to the commandments and messages revealed by the Prophet, peace be upon him. We must uphold the principle that the way of Islam is to create unity and peaceful coexistence in love and compassion not only with every human being but also with nature and Allah’s other creations. Through these ideals, we will be able to spread Islam and clear the path of uncertainty that has clouded the minds of people belonging to other faiths,” he said while stressing the need to make use of modern technology and social media networks for the dissemination of Islamic message.
Speaking about his family and religious upbringing, Perida said: “I was born in a strict Roman Catholic family. My grandparents in the province never miss the usual angelus held every 6:00 pm and demand that all of us be there on the dot to pray the rosary with them or otherwise suffer the consequences of not having dinner. I have the foundation of becoming a very successful priest someday.” Perida later went to the US where he stayed for 7 years. Upon return, he continued his studies and completed his Bachelor in Business Administration course with a major in Human Resource Development Management. Later he obtained a master’s degree in business administration.
The Filipino revert was all praise for King Salman. “Thanks to the blessing of Allah and the king’s support, I was able to perform Haj in the most opportune manner, which I can say is a proof of the wonders and miracles of Allah. As a result of the royal gesture, this dream has become a reality for me, and for the 2,399 others who were also chosen to be the king’s guests for Haj 1436H. And of all the journeys that I have been to before or will be embarking on in the future, this is the ultimate, something which can never be forgotten, for this is the journey of my faith, a realization of a dream and the fulfillment of a spiritual quest.”

We have a wide range of spiritual journey Packages are given below:

Umrah Packages | Hajj Packages | Ramadan Umrah Packages | December Umrah Packages

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Madinah airport’s Haj lounge opens today

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MADINAH: To deal with the mass influx of Umrah pilgrims, Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport plans to open its Haj terminal on Friday with 28 extra counters available, according to a report in a local publication.
Col. Hisham Al-Radadi, Madinah Passport Department spokesman, said a meeting was held last week, which decided to open the lounge for the expected rush of visitors.
All procedures would be performed at these counters including checking the identities of passengers with the electronic fingerprint database of the Ministry of Interior, he said.
Al-Radadi said the time taken to process passengers depends on various factors including whether people are familiar with the procedures and the pace at which the children and the elderly are processed.
Ahmad Sharqawi, deputy general manager at Tibah Company for Airport Operations said the service counters were set up to process passengers in an average of 60 seconds.
He said that it was largely the processing of the elderly and children that was slowing down the pace at the airport’s counters. However, everything is being done to ensure there is a smooth flow of passengers through the airport, he said.
Al-Sharqawi said the meeting concluded that the Haj Plaza lounges be reopened and staffed starting from Jan. 1, with extra counters and officials from the Haj Ministry, passport department and customs available.
He said Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman has urged that everything should be done to ensure that pilgrims are accorded quality service at the airport when they arrive and leave
Local media reported earlier that passengers, visitors, citizens and residents coming through the airport in Madinah face many difficulties including lengthy procedures at counters.

Article by: arabnews.com

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Islam isn’t a religion of hatred

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Pigeon-Of-Peace
A British Catholic priest Idris Tawfiq accepts Islam after reading the Qur’an and his interactions with Muslims and found that Islam isn’t a religion of hatred. The following is excerpts from a speech that he delivered at the British Council in Cairo.
I ENJOYED being a priest helping the people for some years. However, deep inside I was not happy and I felt that there was something not right. Fortunately, and it is God’s will, some events and coincidences in my life led me to Islam.

Egypt tour:

An important coincidence was the decision to quit my work at the Vatican, a step followed by making a trip to Egypt.
I used to think of Egypt as a country of Pyramids, camels, sand and palm trees. I actually took a charter flight to Hurghada.
Shocked to find it similar to some European beaches, I took the first bus to Cairo where I spent the most wonderful week in my life.
This was my first introduction to Muslims and Islam. I noticed how Egyptians are such gentle, sweet people, but also very strong.

misconceptions:

Like all Britons, my knowledge about Muslims up to that time didn’t exceed what I heard from the TV about suicide bombers and fighters, which gave the impression that Islam is a religion of troubles.
However, getting into Cairo I discovered how beautiful this religion is. Very simple people selling goods on the street would abandon their trade and direct their face to Allah and pray the moment they heard the call to prayer from the mosque. They have a strong faith in the presence and will of Allah. They pray, fast, help the needy and dream to have a trip to Makkah with the hope of living in Heaven in the Hereafter.
On my return I resumed my old job of teaching religion. The only compulsory subject in British education is Religious Studies. I was teaching about Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and others. So every day I had to read about these religions to be able to teach my lessons to the students, many of whom were Arab Muslim refugees. In other words, teaching about Islam taught me many things.

islam is peaceful religion;

Unlike many troublesome teenagers, these students set a good example of what a Muslim could be. They were polite and kind. So a friendship developed between us and they asked if they could use my classroom for prayers during the fasting month of Ramadan.
Luckily, my room was the only one with a carpet. So I got accustomed to sitting at the back, watching them praying for a month. I sought to encourage them by fasting during Ramadan with them, even though I wasn’t yet a Muslim.
Once while reciting a translation of the Holy Qur’an in class I reached the verse: “And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth.” (Qur’an, 5:83) To my surprise, I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I tried hard to hide it from the students.
A turning point in his life, however, came in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the US on Sept. 11, 2001.
The following day, I was taking the underground and noticed how terrified the people were. I was also afraid of the repetition of such acts in Britain. At the time, the western people started fearing this religion they blamed for terrorism. However, my previous experience with Muslims took me to a different direction. I started wondering ‘Why Islam? Why do we blame Islam as a religion for the action of terrorists who happened to be Muslims, when no-one accused Christianity of terrorism when some Christians have acted the same way?’

Islam isn’t a religion of hatred:

One day I headed to the biggest mosque in London, to hear more about this religion. Getting into London Central Mosque, there was Yusuf Islam, the former pop singer, sitting in a circle talking to some people about Islam. After a while, I found myself asking him ‘What do you actually do to become a Muslim?’ He answered that a Muslim should believe in one God, pray five times a day and fast during Ramadan. I interrupted him saying that I believed all this and had even fasted during Ramadan. So he asked, ‘What are you waiting for? What is holding you back?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t intend to convert.’
At that moment the call to prayer was made and everyone got ready and stood in lines to pray. I sat at the back, and I cried and cried. Then I said to myself, ‘Who am I trying to fool?’
After they ended their prayers, I headed to Yusuf Islam, asking him to teach me the words by which I announce my conversion. After explaining its meanings to me in English, I recited after him in Arabic that ‘There is no God but Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.”

wrote book:

My life since then took a different course. Living in Egypt, I wrote a book about the tenets of Islam, Gardens of Delight: A Simple Introduction to Islam. Everyone is saying that Islam is not a religion of terrorism and isn’t a religion of hatred, but no-one tries to explain what it is.
So I decided to write this book to give non-Muslims an idea about the basic principles of Islam. I tried to tell people how beautiful Islam is and that Islam has the most extraordinary treasures, the most important being Muslims’ love for each other. The Prophet (peace be upon him)
says ‘Even a smile to your brother is a charity.’

Article by: arabnews.com

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‘Our goal is to make the pilgrims’ trip outstanding and memorable’

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JEDDAH: Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar confirmed that the number of Umrah performers is expected to be consistent with the policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which allows Muslims from all over the world to perform the pilgrimage.
In an exclusive interview, he said that the e-track for Umrah performers has contributed to streamlining the procedures to get visa and service packages. This initiative resulted in an increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims to about six million last year and a decrease in the number of overstayers to 0.1 percent.
Following are the excerpts of the interview:
Q: The Umrah season has approached and the Kingdom has started receiving pilgrims, so what are the preparations of the Ministry of Haj?
A: We, the ministry staff and I, are pleased to welcome the Umrah pilgrims from all over the world and wish them a happy stay in the Kingdom. We are glad to provide them with all available services. The ministry’s preparations start from the moment a pilgrim applies to perform Umrah in his/her home country till their arrival and stay in Makkah, Madinah and other holy places. The services continue until their departure for their home countries. Our goal is to make the pilgrims’ trip outstanding and memorable so that they act as the Kingdom’s ambassadors in their countries to convey the achievements and aspirations of the Kingdom, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, his government and the citizens in serving the guests of Allah.

Q: You want the Umrah performer to be the Kingdom’s ambassador to his/her homeland and worldwide, how can you achieve this?

A: It is the ministry’s vision to increase the level of services, including reception, farewell, housing, transport and catering. The ministry cooperates with the institutions that provide direct services to the pilgrims and visitors with a view to building a hospitality industry and related services, conforming to international standards, while focusing on continuous training for all Haj and Umrah workers. Companies and service providers play an active and effective role in these areas. However, we always aspire to bring integration between the support provided by the state in the form of projects and the level of services provided by the private sector.
Q: Back to our first question about the logistics of the Ministry of Haj?

A: The Umrah season begins on 1st Safar and ends on 15th Shawwal. The ministry starts developing an operational master plan by the beginning of Dul Qaada. The Umrah season this year is the fourth stage of implementing the Umrah Performers Regulations issued by the Cabinet, which starts in 1437 A.H. and ends in 1441 A.H. This season also coincides with the resolution of the Cabinet dated 20/11/1435 A.H. on the amendment of certain articles of Umrah Performers Regulations. During the current year, all matters relating to determining the locations of Umrah performers’ housing, room numbers, travel and transport bookings to and from the Kingdom will be included in the Umrah E-Track to be linked with the Automatic Reservation Program for hotels and furnished apartments, which will be a condition for visas.

Q: When will the ministry open the door for licensing new Umrah service companies? How many companies will be licensed?

A: The date and time to accept the applications will be announced shortly. An electronic program has been developed, whereby the applicant for license can enter all required particulars about himself and his/her company, including the commercial registration, capital, number of workers, experience and financial guarantee and other information. Points will be granted per element of the required data. To ensure transparency and clarity, applicants may review the points and degrees obtained. As to the number of such companies, it is under consideration and will take into account the company’s profitability and ability to effectively render services.
Q: What are the most important conditions to be primarily met in order to qualify for Umrah company license?

A: The company’s track record in the field, solvency and administrative competence in addition to other conditions and requirements. Such conditions are designed to ensure presence of financially and administratively strong companies that in total can form the service industry governed by international standards and operated by Saudi manpower. The requirements will be posted in details.

Q: Saudi Umrah companies have external agents and the Ministry of Haj is the licensing authority thereof. What are the licensing conditions?

A: There are currently 41 Saudi Umrah companies with 3,500 external agents working in 81 countries. For license, the ministry stipulates that the external agent should be licensed by a government authority at home, member of IATA and produce a bank guarantee. Prior to licensing, it is coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry is currently preparing mechanisms to ensure increase in the level of services provided by the Umrah travel agents and more transparency to the Umrah performers themselves.

Q: It is said that external agents of Saudi Umrah companies collect additional amounts for visas, is this true?

A: The embassies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia worldwide do not collect any fees to issue Haj and Umrah visas. Such visas are granted to any pilgrim or Umrah performer free of charge. The ministry posts this announcement on the electronic portal in Arabic, English and French languages through the communication center. Furthermore, there are clear instructions to Umrah companies and their external agents in this regard. In case any Umrah performer is asked to pay for the visa, he should call the ministry at the toll-free number from within the Kingdom or abroad.

Q: What is the number of Umrah program days?

A: The validity of the Umrah visa is one month and each Umrah company determines the number of program days.

Q: What is the basis on which the visa allocation for each Umrah company is determined? Why do some companies get more visas than the others?

A: The number of visas per Umrah company is based on the average visas obtained during the past years. Each company determines the number of visas it needs through the programs it launches. If the Umrah performers depart once their programs are completed, the company may obtain a similar number of visas. However, if the Umrah performers overstay, the company’s ability to get new visas is affected. Therefore, a compliant company that operates in accordance with these instructions can obtain the number of visas it wants.

Q: Following the completion of religious tourism programs, can the Umrah performer visit other cities in the Kingdom?

A: I do not back the idea of calling Umrah as religious tourism. They should be two separate activities. Umrah is a ritual and tourism is something else. There is an agreement between the Ministry of Haj and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH), whereby the pilgrim, following the completion of Umrah program, and through companies licensed by the Commission for Tourism can make his/her tourist program. Once the Umrah performer moves to the tourist company, the responsibility of the Umrah company and the Ministry of Haj ends.

Q: The numbers of overstaying Umrah performers are increasing year after year. Why the ministry does not take more stringent measures to prevent overstaying?

A: If we review the numbers of Umrah performers and overstayers during the past ten years and their ratio, then your statement is not accurate. In 1427 A.H., the number of Umrah performers was less than three million and overstayers about 500,000. In 1436 A.H., the number was six million and overstayers about 6,000, i.e. 0.1%. The ministry has taken stringent measures to eliminate overstaying. The action includes suspension of more than 100 Umrah companies. For the existing companies, in case the number of overstaying Umrah performers reaches a certain figure, the e-system automatically suspends the violating company until the situation is rectified. The Umrah companies are compliant with the ministry’s instructions. The ministry looks forward to eliminating the overstaying numbers by the Will of Allah.

Q: What is the deadline for Umrah performers to depart so that they are not deemed overstaying?

A: By the end of Dul Qaada.
Q: Was the housing capacity in Makkah and Madinah affected by the expansion projects at the Two Holy Sites? What are the actions taken?
A: The Umrah performers housing sector in Madinah was affected by the expansion projects, but the housing capacity in Makkah was not affected. To address this exceptional situation, the ministry made a proposal approved by the Cabinet whereby the Umrah performers are allowed to live in the pilgrims’ designated housing in accordance with certain limitations. The proposal led to increase the housing capacity in both Makkah and Madinah and also to price stability due to the balance created between supply and demand. The proposal has also given the opportunity to the owners of housing licensed by the Haj Housing Inspection Committee to have their housing registered in the Umrah e-track to be used for Umrah performers. The SCTNH is the competent authority. The owners are required to visit the commission for classification. Making the possible minimum classification is among other necessary requirements for accommodating Umrah performers in addition to the operational and constructional safety requirements. The proposal has also provided for the implementation of the procedures through the e-link between the Ministry of Haj, SCTNH, General Directorate of Civil Defense and the Pilgrims Housing Inspection Committee in order to cut short the period for issuing and renewing licenses.

Q: Roughly speaking, how many buildings designated for pilgrims’ housing will be allowed to house Umrah performers?

A: In Makkah around 6,000 and in Madinah around 1000 housing units will be licensed to house Umrah performers. This will achieve good returns for investment throughout the year for the owners because the units will be used in both Haj and Umrah seasons. At the same time, this will increase the capacity of the Two Holy Cities and will allow more Muslims to perform Umrah. The Kingdom is very interested in meeting the wishes of Muslims of the world.

Q: The greeting programs to welcome the pilgrims were met with acceptance and acclaim by the pilgrims. The media showed touching footages full of tears of happiness and joy. Why these programs are not continued during Umrah seasons?

A: The ministry launched the greetings program to welcome the pilgrims upon arrival and departure. The program includes welcoming the pilgrims at airports, buses and field service offices. The reception includes giving gifts, flowers and chants as an expression of joy and happiness of Saudi citizens’ at the arrival of pilgrims and Umrah performers.

Q: There are citizens other than professionals to look forward to serving the Pilgrims. Does the ministry has a vision to provide them an opportunity?

A: Yes, the ministry has established the “Piligrims, Umrah Performers and Visitors Friends Unit”, which is designed to attract volunteers from different academic, age and professional segments to take part in serving the pilgrims under certain conditions, various plans and programs developed by the Unit Officials.

Q: Last word to close the interview.
A: Among the blessings of Allah to this country is the leadership that rules in the light of the Holy Qur’an and is guided by the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Following in the footsteps of the founder of this country, the late King Abdulaziz, our leaders have made Haj and Umrah their top priority, deploying all potentials and resources for the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to perform the rituals in tranquility, assurance and peace of mind.

Article by: arabnews.com

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