Haj 2018: Preparations start
PREPARATIONS for the upcoming Haj have already begun with top Saudi officials receiving high-ranking delegations from several countries for discussions to finalize arrangements for their pilgrims. Minister of Haj and Umrah Muhammad Saleh Benten met in Jeddah on Thursday with ministers of religious affairs from Algeria and Tunisia.
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Special treatment for pilgrims to Islam's holiest city
More than 100 Muslim men and women pilgrims and visitors from Germany, Turkey and Europe yesterday stood in the Makkah Museum for Antiquities and Heritage to watch and listen to the story of this museum.
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30,000 green carpets in Grand Mosque maintained thru sequenced stages
BELIEVE it or not, around 30,000 green carpets cover the area around Makkah and the Holy Mosque with a total length of almost 100 kilometers.
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Private museums open in Madinah to promote Islamic heritage
Since the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) began issuing licenses to private museums, several have opened in Madinah. In Dar Al-Madinah Museum, visitors and researchers can learn about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic civilization and Madinah’s urban culture.
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Saudi Arabia’s VAT to make haj, umrah more costly
With the new policy, a levy of 5 percent will be charged on most goods and services in Saudi Arabia, driving up the costs for Muslims going on the pilgrimage this year.
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SAHUC to Release First Hajj 2018 Accreditation List in January
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) says it will be releasing the first hajj accreditation list for 2018 on the 15th of January.
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Crack near Well Othman in Madinah puts lives in danger
Residents of Al-Azhari district in Madinah have complained about a deep hole created by a landslide about seven months ago. They urged the authorities to take immediate measures to fill the hole in order to save people's lives, especially of children.
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36% of Zamzam well restoration work completed
The Zamzam well restoration work will be completed before the beginning of Ramadan this year, the Makkah Emirate said on its Twitter account. A total of 36% work has been completed.
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High-speed rail takes minister on first Madinah-Makkah journey
Dr. Nabil Al-Amoudi, minister of transport and chairman of Saudi Railway Organization and Saudi Railways Company (SAR), on Sunday took the first 450km full journey of the high-speed Haramain train. The non-stop journey went from Madinah station to Makkah station to examine the readiness of the project before commercial operation of the service.
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No selfies inside Makkah Grand Mosque, pilgrims advised
Worshippers and pilgrims have been advised against getting carried away by means of taking pictures and selfies inside Makkah's Grand Mosque as well as in the Prophet's mosque.
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Jeddah international airport to open in May 2018
The head of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), Abdul Hakim Al-Tamimi, has announced that the initial opening and pilot operations of the new King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah will be in May 2018. The announcement came on the sidelines of the Reconstruction of Makkah Region Conference on Wednesday.
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Check status of umrah operators before paying, public warned
PILGRIMS who wish to perform the umrah are advised to check on the status of umrah operators at the i-Umrah portal of the Wakaf, Zakat and Haj Department (Jawhar) before…
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