Latest news with #pilgrimage
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan prepares for early rollout of Hajj 2026 registration
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs is finalizing preparations to launch early registration for both private and government Hajj 2026 schemes to streamline the pilgrimage process, state media reported on Wednesday. The move follows a directive from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to begin preparations for Hajj 2026 well in advance. This year's Hajj pilgrimage took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of worshippers to Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan sent more than 115,000 pilgrims under both government and private schemes. 'The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is finalizing preparations to begin early registration for Hajj 2026 within the next few days,' the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. It added that advance registration would be mandatory for all intending pilgrims under both the government and private schemes and applicants would have to submit a specified token amount with their registration forms, which would later be adjusted against the total Hajj package cost. Only designated banks will be authorized to handle registrations, which will be a prerequisite for eligibility under the Hajj 2026 program, APP said. Pilgrims will be able to choose between the government and private Hajj schemes after completing the initial registration process. Individuals who missed this year's Hajj under the private scheme must complete a fresh registration to be eligible for Hajj 2026, according to the APP report. 'The registration data will be shared with the Saudi authorities, who will use it to allocate Pakistan's official Hajj quota,' APP said. A formal advertisement detailing the registration procedure and eligibility requirements will be issued in the coming days. Pakistan's Director General Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro, said this week the government would strive to make next year's pilgrimage 'even better' for pilgrims, with improved facilities, especially for the elderly. Pakistan began its post-Hajj flight operations on June 11 with the arrival of a Pakistan International Airlines flight, PK-732, in Islamabad carrying 307 pilgrims. The flights are expected to conclude by July 10. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, more than 11,400 pilgrims, including around 3,000 from Madinah, have returned to Pakistan so far.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Why the Lions tour will look completely different on TV this year: Inside Sky Sports' revolutionary studio with augmented reality, data, Monday Night Football ...and 'Miss Miggins'
An armada of thousands are preparing to make the pilgrimage Down Under to support the Lions - but the fun won't be limited to those in Australia. Rugby Confidential can reveal the revolutionary approach to rugby coverage that Sky Sports viewers will be treated to when Lions matches become a staple of Saturday and Wednesday mornings over the next seven weeks.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Haj Permanent Committee discusses early preparations for Haj 2026
MAKKAH - Deputy Emir of Makkah Region and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Saud bin Mishaal chaired a meeting of the committee to discuss early preparations for the Hajj season of 2026. This is in line with the directives of Advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah Region, and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. Prince Saud conveyed Prince Khaled Al-Faisal's appreciation to committee members for their efforts during Hajj 1446 AH, which enabled pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. He emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the positive outcomes of this year's Hajj and urged all stakeholders to intensify their efforts, enhance cooperation, and begin early planning to meet the aspirations of the leadership through further improving the pilgrimage experience. The committee reviewed key measures to develop the Hajj system further and deliver improved services to pilgrims in the upcoming season. The meeting also examined the operations during pilgrims' departure through various entry and exit points, as well as other items on the agenda. Several recommendations were issued to support continued development and readiness for the next Hajj season. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Pakistan vows more facilities for elderly pilgrims in ‘even better' Hajj 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro this week vowed that the government would try to ensure next year's pilgrimage is 'even better' for pilgrims, promising more facilities for the elderly ones. This year's Hajj took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan sent over 115,000 pilgrims under both the government and private schemes. Speaking at a ceremony held to acknowledge the services of the Pakistani welfare staff during Hajj in Makkah, Soomro said the government introduces new measures every Hajj for its pilgrims and would continue to do so. 'In the next Hajj, we will try to make it even better,' Soomro said on Monday. 'We will try to ensure that aged pilgrims, for example, are not allocated a room above the first floor.' The Pakistani official said the government would also try to ensure that elderly pilgrims are provided accommodations close to the Mashair, or holy sites in Makkah, for their convenience. 'So, these small things that we are adding every year are enriching the overall experience of the pilgrim,' Soomro said. Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman, Pakistan's secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, also spoke at the event. He reminded authorities that the post-Hajj flight operation will continue until the last Pakistani pilgrim and welfare staff return to the country. 'Therefore, the remaining part of the operation should be carried out with the same diligence, attention and caution so that the glory of this success does not diminish,' Rehman told participants. Pakistan began its post-Hajj flight operation with the arrival of the Pakistan International Airline flight PK-732 in Islamabad on June 11, carrying 307 pilgrims. The country is expected to conclude the operation on July 10. Over 11,400 pilgrims, including around 3,000 from Madinah, have returned to Pakistan so far, as per figures provided by Pakistan's religious affairs minister. The government has announced it has begun preparations for Hajj 2026 as it has received the Saudi Hajj policy and timeline for next year's pilgrimage.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Nurul Izzah denies taking private jet to perform haj with husband
Nurul Izzah Anwar and her husband Yin Shao Loong in Madina. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has rubbished claims that she and her husband, Khazanah Research Institute deputy director Yin Shao Loong, had taken a private jet to perform the haj pilgrimage in Makkah. In a Facebook post, Nurul Izzah said the claim that she and Yin took a private jet was just one of many slanderous comments she had received. The former MP said she and her husband had used their own savings to perform the haj, and that they had gone through a tour agency to arrange the logistics, including accommodation and transport. 'We took a commercial flight and used our own savings. There was no private jet, as claimed. We performed the haj just like millions of other pilgrims. 'While we may share different opinions and spar in the political arena, let's not use this pilgrimage to spread accusations and slander,' she said.
