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Saudi Gazette
12-06-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Over 3 million people benefit from Islamic Affairs Ministry's services during 2025 Hajj season
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Over three million people have benefited from the services of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in Makkah, Madinah, the holy sites, and border entry points across various regions of Saudi Arabia during the 2025 Hajj season. This comes as part of an operational plan aimed at promoting religious awareness and facilitating the performance of rituals in accordance with the principles of moderation and balance. The ministry's key initiatives included supplying over 1.6 million liters of water at Namirah Mosque in Arafat. It conducted 125,000 awareness activities in Makkah and Madinah, with 1,700 scholars and preachers providing direct religious guidance. Over 1.4 million educational materials, including books, brochures, and digital cards explaining ritual rulings, were distributed. Additionally, nearly 100 million multilingual awareness text messages were sent to pilgrims in various locations. Through its digital platforms, the ministry broadcast 43 educational video episodes on its official YouTube channel. Its toll-free Islamic awareness hotline received over 500,000 calls, and four million video messages in multiple languages were displayed on 340 digital screens in Miqat mosques and hotel prayer areas near the Grand Mosque. Additionally, over 25,000 volunteers participated across various regions of the Kingdom, contributing more than 124,000 volunteer hours through opportunities provided by the ministry to serve pilgrims. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Gift of copies of the Holy Qur'an was distributed among departing pilgrims at various border crossings.
Saudi Gazette
10-06-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Islamic Affairs Ministry begins distribution of King's gift of Qur'an copies to pilgrims
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance started on Sunday distribution of gifts of copies of the Holy Qur'an from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to the Hajj pilgrims. The number of copies allocated for distribution during this year's Hajj account for 2,521,380 copies of the Holy Qur'an, published by the King Fahd Complex for Printing of the Holy Qur'an in Madinah in various sizes and with translations of their meanings in several international languages, ensuring that this blessed gift reaches all nationalities. These efforts reflect the care and attention of the wise leadership for the Holy Qur'an and its keenness to bid farewell to the pilgrims with the most glorious gifts, expressing the attention and care they have received ever since their arrival in Makkah until their departure. This embodies Saudi Arabia's mission to serve pilgrims and care for their affairs at the highest levels.
Saudi Gazette
09-06-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Islamic Affairs Ministry begins distribution of King's gift of Qur'an copies to pilgrims
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance started on Sunday distribution of gifts of copies of the Holy Qur'an from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to the Hajj pilgrims. The number of copies allocated for distribution during this year's Hajj account for 2,521,380 copies of the Holy Qur'an, published by the King Fahd Complex for Printing of the Holy Qur'an in Madinah in various sizes and with translations of their meanings in several international languages, ensuring that this blessed gift reaches all nationalities. These efforts reflect the care and attention of the wise leadership for the Holy Qur'an and its keenness to bid farewell to the pilgrims with the most glorious gifts, expressing the attention and care they have received ever since their arrival in Makkah until their departure. This embodies Saudi Arabia's mission to serve pilgrims and care for their affairs at the highest levels.
Saudi Gazette
03-06-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims start flocking to Mina from Makkah early on Wednesday
Saudi Gazette Report MINA — Pilgrims started flocking to Mina from their residences in Makkah early on Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 8, to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. Following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they are reciting talbiyah and glorifying God while heading to the Tent City. Hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims join more than 1.47 million foreign pilgrims who came from all over the world to perform Hajj this year. Dr. Mohammed Al-Qarni, director general of Hajj and Umrah at the General Transportation Center of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, said that international pilgrims have completed their arrival in Makkah, while domestic pilgrims reached Makkah and performed Tawaf Al-Qudum before heading to Mina tonight in preparation for performing the Hajj rituals. "The arrival phase of international pilgrims has been completed, with travel between Makkah and Madinah occurring over the past 36 days. No incidents have been recorded that would impede the movement of pilgrims during this phase. We are now receiving domestic pilgrims, who started arriving in Makkah on Monday night and Tuesday and performed tawaf,' he said. Dr. Al-Qarni said that pilgrims' movement will begin from 8:00 pm on Tuesday until 10 am on Wednesday. The Tarwiyah phase of the ascent from Mina to Arafat will begin via three modes of transportation. 'The Mashair train will carry 316,000 pilgrims, while multi-modal and traditional transportation will transport approximately 720,000 pilgrims. These numbers include their arrival and ascending on Arafat on the morning of Thursday, Dhul Hijjah 9, the Day of Arafat,' he said. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has completed preparations at Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina to receive pilgrims with spreading prayer rugs on an area covering more than 27,000 square meters as part of an integrated operational and technical service system designed to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the pilgrims. This year, Al-Khayf Mosque underwent several major upgrades, including a comprehensive overhaul of its air-conditioning and ventilation systems. The enhancements feature the installation of advanced cooling units connected to smart control systems, as well as monitoring systems that detect carbon dioxide levels and automatically activate fans and cooling devices, thereby improving operational efficiency and maximizing comfort for the pilgrims. In the wake of the forecast of sweltering summer temperatures, the Saud authorities have made elaborate arrangements and preparations to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. Dr. Abdullah Asir, deputy minister of health, said that the ministry has mobilized a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff for the Hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. "Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year," he said. Eng. Khaled Al-Tala'a, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, revealed that the health status of pilgrims is stable. He announced the launch of three field hospitals and the operation of 71 emergency points. Al-Tala'a also noted that the bed capacity has increased by 60 percent compared to the previous year, and that more than 98,000 health services have been provided to date.
Saudi Gazette
02-06-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Minister Al-Sheikh directs to shorten time between adhan and iqamah in Makkah mosques
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh has directed the ministry's Makkah region branch to instruct imams and muezzins at mosques to reduce the waiting time between adhan (call for prayer) and iqamah (second call for prayer) during the Hajj season. The minister's directive covered all mosques frequented by pilgrims in Makkah, especially those in the central area and at the holy sites. The ministry stated that the waiting time between adhan and iqamah would be 15 minutes for Fajr, 10 minutes for Dhuhr and Asr, five minutes for Maghrib, and 10 minutes for Isha. The move aimed to ease worshippers' experience, enhance their comfort and focus, and help reduce congestion in the central area and near the holy sites.
