Hajj pilgrims recall the most important journey of their lives
9 August 2019

Hajj pilgrims recall the most important journey of their lives

RIYADH: Until relatively recently, Hajj was very difficult for most pilgrims, who in some cases would spend months making the pilgrimage to Makkah. It meant that many families faced emotional farewells when they left their families behind for such a long time. Even those who lived much closer to the holy sites would often be treated to elaborate going-away celebrations.

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US Muslims embrace Hajj ‘heart and soul’
9 August 2019

US Muslims embrace Hajj ‘heart and soul’

DETROIT: Thousands of Muslim Americans have paid at least $6,000 each to make the journey to Makkah in Saudi Arabia as part of the Islamic ritual of Hajj.

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Medical volunteers help Hajj pilgrims beat the heat
9 August 2019

Medical volunteers help Hajj pilgrims beat the heat

MAKKAH: The Hajj pilgrimage is one of Islam’s most important rituals, and for many Muslims, the spiritual journey is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And this year, with just over 2 million pilgrims from around the world performing Hajj, the pressure is on to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage. One of the many unsung heroes of Hajj this year is Mohammad Saber, a volunteer

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Hajj through the eyes of a Saudi veteran of the pilgrimage
9 August 2019

Hajj through the eyes of a Saudi veteran of the pilgrimage

RIYADH: As a child of Makkah and a regular visitor to the Kaaba since before he was 10 years old, no one knows the grounds of the Grand Mosque better than Zakaria Murshid. He told Arab News he has performed Hajj “maybe 40 times,” but probably more. Growing up in the city, Murshid volunteered with various organizations over the course of many Hajj pilgrimages.

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On-the-spot fines for violation of Haj directives
8 August 2019

On-the-spot fines for violation of Haj directives

On-the-spot fines for violation of Haj directives

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Cohesion of Muslim families compels New Zealand woman to embrace Islam
8 August 2019

Cohesion of Muslim families compels New Zealand woman to embrace Islam

She has newly embraced Islam and said the happiest day in her life was when she first set eyes on the Holy Kaaba.

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3,000 volunteers drafted in to help Haj pilgrims
8 August 2019

3,000 volunteers drafted in to help Haj pilgrims

They will provide assistance to pilgrims at entry points, on the roads in addition to Makkah, Madinah and the holy

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More than 920 journalists and 151 radio and TV space channels to cover the Haj
8 August 2019

More than 920 journalists and 151 radio and TV space channels to cover the Haj

The licenses were granted to 151 radio and TV space channels, 36 international media missions and 923 journalists in addition to the release of 522 filming equipment.

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With Brexit looming, British Hajj pilgrims feel the pinch as tour costs jump
8 August 2019

With Brexit looming, British Hajj pilgrims feel the pinch as tour costs jump

LONDON: British pilgrims are struggling to keep up with a dramatic jump in the cost of traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. More than 20,000 people make the pilgrimage from the UK every year but spiralling air tickets and hotel prices have ramped up prices in the past five years. The plunge in the value of the pound over concerns about the UK’s withdrawal from the

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From Westminster to Makkah: Two British MPs join the Hajj pilgrimage
8 August 2019

From Westminster to Makkah: Two British MPs join the Hajj pilgrimage

MAKKAH: Among more than 2 million Hajj pilgrims thronging the holy sites are two British Members of Parliament — Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South East and Shadow Minister for Justice, and Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West. Both women are members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hajj and Umrah, and they work with the British and Saudi governments to ensure

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From rapper to pilgrim: French celebrity Diam’s life-changing visit to a Muslim friend
8 August 2019

From rapper to pilgrim: French celebrity Diam’s life-changing visit to a Muslim friend

JEDDAH: She had money, fame, influence and power. By the age of 23, she had millions of fans, sold more than 4 million albums and won numerous awards. Writing and performing numerous hit singles and records one after the other, by 2007, Mélanie Georgiades, better known by her stage name Diam’s, seemed to have it all, living the life that many dreamed of. Yet, despite her

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First international flights from Jeddah’s new airport on Friday
8 August 2019

First international flights from Jeddah’s new airport on Friday

Ibrahim Al-Ruasa, spokesman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA,) said that there will be a flight every day from the new airport to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain and four weekly flights to Oman.

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