Makkah vendors banned from selling Holy Mosque souvenirs
The Ministry of Commerce and Investment continues its campaign in Makkah against selling souvenirs of the Kaaba, Maqam Ibrahim and Al-Haram Al-Makki because of what it called “preserving its sanctity” after shops were notified through inspection tours.
Read article
Najib visits Prophet Muhammad’s Dome in Medina
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today tweeted about his visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad in Medina, Saudi Arabia yesterday.
Read article
Saudi Arabia increases India’s Haj quota by 5,000: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
The Gulf country has expanded India’s quota after Naqvi signed a bilateral annual Haj agreement between India and Saudi Arabia with the Haj and Umrah minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Read article
NAHCON, Saudi pilgrims’ agency signs MoU
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the National Adilla Establishment in Madina have signed the 2018 Hajj Services agreement.
Read article
Mumbai-Jeddah ship service to resume for Haj pilgrimage
After a gap of 23 years, the government of India is seriously making efforts to resume pilgrimage by sea route for the upcoming Haj. Minister of Haj and Umrah Muhammad Saleh Benten has agreed in principle to resume ship service for this year's pilgrimage, according to India's Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
Read article
Haunted valley in Madinah attracts paranormal buffs
Many pilgrims visiting Madinah during the Umrah season in order to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and the province’s historical and Islamic sites also get to enjoy recreational programs that include land trips. Arab News joined pilgrims of different nationalities as they visited the Al-Baida Park, which is also known as Wadi Jinn (the Valley of Jinn).
Read article
Nigeria Loses N25Bn to Saudi Airline in Hajj Airlift Quota
Saudi Arabian airline, Flynas, will earn about N25 billion off the Nigerian air travel market in this year's Hajj airlifting. Saudi authorities allot a 95,000-pilgrim slot to Nigeria yearly. The implication is that of this number, Flynas alone will airlift 47,500, while Med-View Airlines Plc, Max Air, Azman Air and four others share 47,500.
Read article
Saja Hotels & Resorts opens its largest property in Madinah
Saja Hotels & Resorts, a leading Saudi hotel and condominium management and operation company, has recently announced the opening of the new Saja Al Madinah Hotel in the holy city. The four-star hotel is strategically located in the northern side of the central area, steps away from the Prophet’s Mosque.
Read article
SAHUC Clarifies Surplus Revenue on Audited Financial Statements
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) says a revenue surplus of more then R 4 million on their 2017 audited financial statements is income received for two hajj years reflected on one report and before the money could be dispensed off during that financial year.
Read article
Imam inaugurates move back to the Prophet’s Mihrab
The imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Baijan, today led worshippers in Salat Al Zuhr inside Prophet Muhammad’s Mihrab in the sacred chamber (Al-Rawda Al-Sharifa).
Read article
Benten signs Haj accord with Indian minister
India has hailed the effective use of modern technology by the Kingdom in executing Haj operations, the country's minister of state for minority affairs said on Sunday during talks with Minister of Haj and Umrah Mohammed Saleh Benten.
Read article
No ticket prices set yet for high-speed Haramain train
The Saudi Public Transport Authority (PTA) confirmed that it has not yet set ticket prices for the trains operating between Makkah and Madinah, but said it is in the process of addressing the matter. The PTA stressed that the prices are going to be suitable for everyone and will reflect the services provided.
Read article