Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 

Hundreds of Thousands of Muslim Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia, One of them Walked 8,640 Kilometers on Foot

June 21, 2023

 

Pilgrims from Indonesia can be seen at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, June 20, 2023	Indian Muslim pilgrim , Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi, walked 8640 kilometers in his way to perform Haj in Saudi Arabia, June 20middle, 2023

Pigeons of the Grand Mosque where pilgrims feed and interact with them, June 20, 2023

 

Hajj 1444 begins as 2m pilgrims converge on Mina for ‘spiritual journey of lifetime’

https://arab.news

RASHID HASSAN HAIFA ALSHAMMARI

June 26, 2023

Following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, the pilgrims spent the first day of the pilgrimage, Tarwiyah Day, engaged in prayer to make amends for their sins Overnight will make their final preparations before standing before God (wuqoof) on the plains of Mount Arafat on Tuesday

MINA: About 2 million pilgrims converged on the tent city of Mina on Monday morning to begin the spiritual journey of a lifetime, as the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj 1444 got underway.

By evening, the site reverberated to the sound of the pilgrims’ reciting Talbiyah, their prayer of intent to perform Hajj for the glory of Allah. Men wearing traditional seamless white cotton garments and women in abayas uttered the words, “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (Oh God, here I am answering your call),” as they streamed into the massive site, about 8 kilometers northeast of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, the pilgrims spent the first day of the pilgrimage, called Tarwiyah Day, engaged in supplications to make amends for their sins. They offered Dhuhr, Asr, Maghreb and Isha prayers, and overnight will make their final preparations before standing before God (wuqoof) on the plains of Mount Arafat on Tuesday.

After the dawn (Fajr) prayer on Tuesday, the pilgrims will leave for Mount Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his final sermon more than 1,400 years ago.

This year marks the return to a full-scale Hajj for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and Saudi authorities have put thorough plans in place to ensure the safe and flawless movement of pilgrims. More than 2 million are expected in total, including 1.6 million from other countries.

About 2 million pilgrims converged on Mina on Monday morning to begin Hajj. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Those Arab News spoke to had nothing but praise for officials’ efforts to make their Hajj experience as easy, pleasant and spiritual as possible.

Mohammed Hammad, from Nigeria, said: “I really feel great to be closer to the Almighty. This is a good opportunity to interact directly with the Almighty, and pray for good, peace and prosperity.”

Mohammed Nauman, from Afghanistan, said: “I am thankful to the Almighty Allah for this beautiful opportunity to perform Hajj. I don’t have words to express my feelings. May the Almighty make it easy for us all who are here and accept our Hajj.

“We will pray and recite the verses from the Qur’an here at the tent city and at Mount Arafat tomorrow, then will spend next night in Muzdalifah.”

Besides the logistical challenges of safely moving so many people from one location to another over the course of several days during Hajj, the searing heat, with temperatures of around 43 degrees Celsius, adds another layer of complexity.

“We have taken all precautions; we have doctors here ready to help if needed,” said Hafizullah, a pilgrim from Afghanistan.

About 2 million pilgrims converged on Mina on Monday morning to begin Hajj. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

“This is a very special moment of spiritual joy that cannot be described. I am close to the Almighty, being in his house. Making the pilgrimage empowered me and made me stronger.”

Abdulhafeed Al-Hamad from Sweden praised the amenities and services provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

“This (is my first time at Hajj and) I’m so hopeful and happy everything is going well,” he said. “It’s very nice to see all of these people … and the good planning, and there were no problems.

“I’m so glad to be here. I applied for many years but because of the coronavirus three years ago we couldn’t come. Now we made it, we did it.”

On Monday afternoon, Saudi officials gave updates on the arrival of pilgrims in Makkah and Mina, and reiterated their commitment to the health and safety of all those attending Hajj.

Talal Al-Shalhoub, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, confirmed the transportation of pilgrims to Mina was complete and they would remain there overnight in preparation for their visit to Mount Arafat on Tuesday.

Ayed Al-Gwenem, undersecretary at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said 65 percent of all pilgrims completed the journey to Mina and the rest will be taken directly to Mount Arafat.

About 2 million pilgrims converged on Mina on Monday to begin Hajj. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Mohammed Al-Abdulali, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, said more than 32 hospitals with a capacity of more than 6,000 beds stand ready to serve the healthcare needs of pilgrims.

Hajj, which takes place during the month of Dthul Hijjah, the 12th and the final month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and every Muslim who is physically and financially able to do so is obliged to complete it at least once in their life.

The first step for a male pilgrim on first day of Hajj is to dress in the traditional white, seamless, two-piece garment, and enter a sacred state of “Ihram.” Women wear loose-fitting clothes and cover their hair.

Hajj lasts for five days. It officially begins on the eighth day of Dthul Hijjah. After Fajr prayers in Makkah, pilgrims travel to Mina, which is about 8 kilometers away. They spend the day and night there praying and reciting verses from the Qur’an.

The following day, pilgrims make their way to Arafat and remain on the desert plains, praying and repenting, until after sunset. This is the single most important day of Hajj and pilgrims who miss it are considered not to have completed the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims then make their way to Muzdalifah, a valley between Mina and Mount Arafat, where they spend the night in the open and gather small pebbles to be used during a special ritual the following day.

After Fajr prayers on the 10th of Dthul Hijjah, pilgrims travel from Muzdalifah to Jamarat, where they throw the pebbles they collected at three pillars representing the Devil. Women and older people can delegate this responsibility to a man.

Men are then required to shave their heads, and women to cut off a lock of their hair, as they do after Umrah. Pilgrims are also required to sacrifice an animal and share the meat with people in need. Those unable to personally perform the sacrifice can delegate the task. Pilgrims then travel back to Makkah and the Grand Mosque.

Hajj 1444 begins as 2m pilgrims converge on Mina for ‘spiritual journey of lifetime’ (arabnews.com)

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770,722 pilgrims have arrived in Madinah

Arab News, 20 June 2023 ARAB NEWS June 20, 202316:53 1871

629,499 pilgrims have left the city to visit the holy sites in Makkah

RIYADH: About 770,722 pilgrims have arrived in Madinah to perform Hajj this year, the Hajj and Visit committee said.

Its report said 629,499 pilgrims have left the city to visit the holy sites in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, as of Monday, 141,164 pilgrims were in Madinah.

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Indian man walks more than 8,500km to perform Hajj

Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi covered a distance of 8,640 kilometers, crossing five countries and receiving heartwarming support and encouragement from local communities along the way.

Arab News, 20 June 2023

NADA HAMEED MOHAMMED MELEKODESSERI

‘Lifelong dream’ to travel on foot to Makkah Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi’s journey took a year

JEDDAH/RIYADH: An Indian man has fulfilled a lifelong dream to walk all the way from his hometown in Kerala to Makkah for Hajj — a distance of 8,640 kilometers.

Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi, also known as Shihab Chottur, crossed five countries — India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait — to reach Makkah in one year and 17 days.

He left Kerala on June 2, 2022, and reached Makkah on June 7.

Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi covered a distance of 8,640 kilometers, crossing five countries and receiving heartwarming support and encouragement from local communities along the way. (Photo/Shihab Chottur)

“It was a Ramadan day when I made it to the Kuwaiti-Saudi borders at 5:17 a.m. I bent the knee and I touched the sands of Saudi Arabia,” Alawi told Arab News in an exclusive interview.

Alawi first traveled to Madinah. “I felt like my journey (was) accomplished once I reached the Prophet’s Mosque. I visited (the) Rawdah, and I was sure I would be able to reach Makkah and perform Hajj.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi crossed five countries to reach Makkah: India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait.

• He left Kerala on June 2, 2022, and reached Makkah, a year later, on June 7, 2023.

• The minimalist traveler carried a hiking stick and a backpack equipped with essentials.

• Alawi has more than 4.9 million followers on Instagram, 1.5 million on YouTube, and a verified Facebook page.

Once Alawi reached Makkah, he forgot all the challenges and hardships he had endured during the year-long journey. He “prayed for hours” for those who offered him support, and who had asked for prayers in front of the Kaaba. “I have prayed for the entire Muslim Ummah.”

Speaking of his journey, Alawi said: “In India and Pakistan, people supported me and gathered around me. In Iran and Iraq no one recognized me, but once I crossed the Kuwaiti borders people who knew about the journey started contacting me, asking to see me and supporting me.”

“At every country I stopped by I received assistance from officials, police, military, and those who recognized me, invited me over to stay at their homes.”

"I used money from my savings for this trip, but I could hardly use that money as my Muslim brothers from all the countries I have crossed took good care of me all the time", Alawi told Arab News in an exclusive interview. (Photo/Social Media)

The 31-year-old father of three daughters said he took a year to prepare for the arduous journey. To ensure smooth access to all the countries he needed to cross, Alawi visited diplomatic missions in New Delhi to obtain visas.

“I had a legal visa in all countries. Iran gave me an entry visa, Pakistan gave me a transit visa, and Kuwait police also gave me clearance, and for Saudi Arabia, I received a multiple-entry visa. Authorities here gave me a warm welcome. I have got all facilities to perform Hajj through one of (the) Hajj service providers who offered me an A-category. This shows the great love that Saudi authorities deliver to all Hajj pilgrims. I am so grateful,” he said.

The minimalist traveler carried a hiking stick, and a backpack equipped with four items of clothing, pepper spray to protect himself from wild animals, an extra pair of shoes, utensils, official documents and some money for Hajj.

Shihabudeen Sayid Alawi, the Indian man who walked 6,000 miles to perform Hajj, is pictured with the Indian consul general in Jeddah, Mohammed Shahid Alam. (Photo/Shihab Chottur)

“I used branded shoes for walking, I used six pairs before I crossed into Pakistan because it was the monsoon in India. After that, I used only one pair till I reached Madinah.”

“I used money from my savings for this trip, but I could hardly use that money as my Muslim brothers from all the countries I have crossed took good care of me all the time,” he said.

During his solo walking trip, Alawi lost 18 kilograms. He said he only ate traditional food which he described as “good for (the) soul and body.”

To reach Makkah and Madinah was my dream, and to reach there by footsteps was my goal.

“No proteins or special food. If I got halal food, I ate it. I was utterly comfortable and mentally relaxed.”

While Alawi explored different cultures and cuisines along the route, he also had to brave nature’s various dangers.

“There were circumstances of fear often, mainly due to the presence of wild animals like tigers, bears and more. In Iran, I saw the footprints of some wild animals and I recorded what I saw with my phone camera. But only when I showed it to some people there, I realized it was footprints of a tiger. After that incident, fear started to develop inside my mind,” he said.

He added: “In Iran, it was a different experience as I had to walk across the entire Iran in snow solo, the weather condition was changing every now and then, and that was the main challenge.”

“I stayed once on a goat farm with shepherds. Those who invited me to their homes gave me food and shelter in Iran and Iraq knowing that I am a Muslim traveler.”

Alawi was motivated by his strong faith and trust in Allah. “To reach Makkah and Madinah was my dream, and to reach there by footsteps was my goal. I kept my goal always in front of my eyes and I worked hard for it and it came true.”

Alawi said he wants to be an example to others. “Many people were inspired to perform Hajj because of this journey. Hajj is a holy ritual, and I want to inspire others to perform Hajj no matter what.”

Alawi would often share snippets of his journey on social media, where he has more than 4.9 million followers on Instagram, 1.5 million on YouTube, and a verified Facebook page.

Indian man walks more than 8,500km to perform Hajj (arabnews.com)

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Madinah helps tens of thousands of pilgrims stay healthy

Arab News, 15 June 2023

Campaigns are in more than 14 languages

RIYADH: The Madinah Health Cluster has helped 134,068 pilgrims with health awareness campaigns, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The campaigns, in more than 14 languages, began at the start of the Islamic month Dhul Q’ada, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. 

They cover topics including the danger of sun exposure, stress, heat, dehydration, food poisoning, first aid and personal hygiene.

The campaigns are promoted as educational brochures on social media platforms and on 97 smart screens at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, the Madinah Train Station, on shuttle buses and in commercial centers. 

Saudi ambassador to Argentina says farewell to this year’s pilgrims

The ceremony was attended by Nayef Al-Fuaim, the acting director of the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Argentina Hussein Al-Asiri has held a farewell ceremony in honor of Argentine pilgrims, as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. The ceremony was attended by Nayef Al-Fuaim, the acting director of the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center. Al-Asiri said:

“This program is among others implemented by the Kingdom’s government to serve Muslims across the world.” He acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, through the cultural center, to ensure the program’s success. Argentine pilgrims expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom’s government. They also recognized the ministry’s role in taking part in facilitating and ensuring the success of the program.

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Malaysia grateful for ‘smooth’ Hajj operations under Makkah Route

Arab News, 20 June 2023 NOR ARLENE TAN

Special Hajj flights will conclude in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday 31,600 Malaysians will perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is grateful for being part of Saudi Arabia’s flagship Makkah Route initiative, the chief of its Hajj operations has told Arab News, with the last batch of pilgrims set to depart from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Malaysia is among seven Muslim-majority countries — alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, Turkey and Cote d’Ivoire — where Saudi Arabia opened its Makkah Route initiative.

“We are deeply grateful to Saudi Arabia for continuing the initiative in Malaysia for the fifth year. The Makkah Route initiative has indeed helped ease the journey of our hajj pilgrims significantly,” said Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, executive of Tabung Haji — Malaysia’s Hajj board — and head of the Malaysian Hajj delegation.

“The Makkah Route initiative has proven to be very smooth, effective and helpful for Malaysian pilgrims. This could not have been done without the assistance rendered by various parties especially the Saudi Arabian government and its relevant government agencies.”

The program, launched in 2019, is dedicated to Hajj pilgrims, allowing them to fulfill all visa, customs and health requirements at the airport of origin, saving long hours of waiting. Upon arrival, pilgrims can enter the Kingdom without waiting, having already gone through visa and customs processes back home.

This year, 31,600 Malaysians are participating in the annual pilgrimage that is one of the five pillars of Islam. Most of them have already reached the Kingdom.

Rahman said they “admired and praised” Saudi efforts, which had “provided tremendous convenience” for the pilgrims, especially the elderly who, without the Makkah Route, would have spent long hours on immigration procedures at home and upon arrival.

When Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah saw off the first batch of pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia via the initiative earlier this month, he expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s Hajj services and assistance.

“We hope that the close relationship that has been established for a long time between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to serve the pilgrims,” the king said.

The special Hajj flights under the Makkah Route initiative will conclude in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

“The first phase of Hajj operations involving departure flights is almost completed and will end on June 21, 2023,” Rahman said.

“All praise to Allah, everything is progressing according to plan and the Hajj operation has been smooth.”

Malaysia grateful for ‘smooth’ Hajj operations under Makkah Route (arabnews.com)

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Beloved birds of Makkah’s Grand Mosque welcome sight for pilgrims who seek peace, sanctuary

Pigeons have become one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks and can often be seen in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque where pilgrims feed and interact with them.

Arab News, 21 June 2023 DHAI AL-MUTAIRI

Enjoying special status and protection, sanctuary pigeons have been welcoming pilgrims for years

RIYADH: Flocks of pigeons at Makkah’s Grand Mosque roam the courtyards, flapping their wings as they receive Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

The birds are known by many names, including sanctuary pigeons, fever pigeons, and quiet pigeons.

Samir Ahmed Barqah, a researcher specializing in Makkah’s history, said: “Pigeons of the Grand Mosque are called fever pigeons because of how they hover around God’s safe sanctuary; they’re called sanctuary pigeons because of how reassured those pigeons are of their safety in Makkah.

Pigeons have become one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks and can often be seen in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque where pilgrims feed and interact with them. (SPA)

“The distinctive features of sanctuary pigeons differ from the other types of pigeons and other birds in the world.”

These features include their beautiful shape, unique colors, drawn eyes, and long necks.

The pigeons do not fear visitors, no matter how packed the area becomes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The birds at the Grand Mosque are known by many names, including sanctuary pigeons, fever pigeons, and quiet pigeons.

• Sanctuary pigeons do not defecate on the Kaaba or its surroundings, which earns them further appreciation from both pilgrims and caretakers.

Sanctuary pigeons do not defecate on the Kaaba or its surroundings, which earns them further appreciation from both pilgrims and caretakers.

The birds have become one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks and are always seen either flying over visitors or standing between the sides of buildings searching for kind people who might offer them something to eat.

The loving relationship between the pigeons and visitors goes back hundreds of years.

Pigeons have become one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks and can often be seen in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque where pilgrims feed and interact with them. (SPA)

Barqah added: “Some have traced the origin of the sanctuary pigeons way back to the pigeons whose nest was placed in the cave of Mount Thawr during the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah.

“As a reward, God rewarded these pigeons and their descendants by letting them live safely in the holy sanctuary of Makkah.”

Historian Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Al-Kurdi says the sanctuary pigeons can be traced to descendants of the ababil birds, which were sent by God to destroy and expel the army led by Abraha Al-Ashram.

The army tried to destroy the Kaaba, but God sent flocks of birds that dropped small stones on them, eventually destroying and expelling them from Makkah.

Al-Ashram and his army are commonly known as the people of the elephant, and their story is briefly mentioned in a chapter in the Qur’an.

Barqah added: “This is most likely the correct narration regarding this matter.

“There are those who believe that the sanctuary pigeons are a descendant of the two pigeons that were in Noah’s Ark. Nonetheless, these beliefs are mentioned in history books and need to be looked at.”

The sanctuary pigeons hold a special place in Islam, and it is not permissible for either pilgrims or non-pilgrims to kill them.

Muslim jurists have also forbidden turning them away, breaking their eggs, or expelling them from the place in which they nest.

Barqah said: “Some say that the sanctuary pigeons fly peacefully in the sky until they die on land, without any force from the Earth daring to deliberately harm them, except in cases such as when the pigeons are the reason behind disease, which has not yet occurred.”

Beloved birds of Makkah’s Grand Mosque welcome sight for pilgrims who seek peace, sanctuary (arabnews.com)