by admin | May 25, 2021 | Markets, Muslim World, Technology
Jeddah : A unique smartphone “Hajj App” for use during the season of annual pilgrimage of Hajj was launched on Wednesday.
The free app was launched by the Saudi English newspaper Arab News in partnership with Muslim World League (MWL).
The app to download on iOS and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play has a raft of useful features for use by both pilgrims and their loved ones’ back home.
The “Hajj App” is sponsored and officially endorsed by the MWL, as part of its global outreach efforts to reinforce the organisation’s position as an umbrella body that serves all Muslims.
The app features numerous functions for use during the Hajj season, including the latest news updates from Arab News and a live broadcast service. It also provides important safety features such as an emergency call number and list of all embassies and important service providers during Hajj.
Additionally, the app has an optional “Pilgrim tracker” function, which enables users to switch on to share their location and follow loved ones in real time, around the clock. This means you can keep an eye on your family and friends wherever you are.
The launch of the service comes as part of the digital transformation of Arab News and falls within the title’s efforts as a leading Saudi Arabia-based English-language daily to provide comprehensive coverage of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Commenting on the launch, Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, said the app would complement the newspaper’s renowned Hajj news coverage and thanked MWL for its support. “This Arab News/Muslim World League cooperation is an ideal and practical example of a media outlet working with a non-governmental organisation for the public good,” he said.
“Launching this app is part of Arab News’ digital transformation, and provides readers, and English-speaking pilgrims added value and a very useful service,” added Abbas.
For its part, The MWL praised the newspaper’s initiative and said it presents a positive model of putting technology to good use.
“We are happy to partner with Arab News in launching this app, which aims to serve pilgrims digitally by providing them with all the information and contact details they need, in addition to the pilgrim geographical tracker serve,” MWL said in a statement.
“We also would like to utilize this opportunity to praise Arab News for its editorial efforts, mainly that it has always been known for its unique and informative annual Hajj coverage.”
Arab News is part of the regional publishing giant Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG). It has been the English newspaper of record for Saudi Arabia and the region for over 40 years.
—SM/IINA
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Makkah : The number of pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia via air, land and sea entry points until Friday reached 1.07 million, an increase of 204,302, or 24 percent, compared to the same period last year.
The numbers of pilgrims arriving by air, land and sea were 1.015 million, 50,554 and 4,915 respectively, according to data released by the General Directorate of Passports.
On Sunday, the number of pilgrims arriving in Madinah stood at 32,468, while those leaving the city for Makkah reached 24,073, according to the National Guides Establishment in Madinah.
The number of pilgrims who remained in Madinah up to Sunday evening reached 201,101, compared to 175,676 in the same period last year.
Presiding over a meeting on Civil Defense plans for Hajj, the Director-General of the Civil Defense General Sulaiman Al-Amr emphasised the importance of raising the sense of security, and of not tolerating any excesses or violations of safety requirements.
The commander of Civil Defense forces for Hajj Maj. Gen. Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Mubaddal, gave a visual presentation on the Civil Defense’s preparations and plans, and the readiness and positioning of forces at the holy sites.
—SM/IINA
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Markets, Muslim World, Networking, Social Media, Technology
Jeddah : The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Thursday launched the upgraded version of its Manasikana (our rituals) application for smartphones.
The app, designed to educate pilgrims on the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, offers a package of electronic services for the guests of Allah during their stay at the holy sites, the Ministry said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
These services include satellite-based maps of the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, guidelines on how to perform the rituals orderly and safely, as well as emergency numbers and feedback on anything related to Hajj.
The new easy-to-use version of the app is available in seven languages, Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Malay, Turkish, and Bengali.
—AG/IINA
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Halal Industries
RIYADH: Nigerian pilgrims have been asked not to bring kola nuts during the Haj this year.
Issuing the guidelines for Haj 2016, the Kingdom has notified Nigerian authorities to ban the carrying of kola nuts by pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage.
Confirming this, the National Haj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in a statement issued on Tuesday said, “the commission received a circular from the Saudi authorities prohibiting the import of kola nuts into the Kingdom during this year’s Haj.”
“All those who intend to perform Haj are therefore advised to adhere strictly to the Saudi rules and regulations on prohibited items,” NAHCON said.
Moreover, the Nigerian Haj commission has also urged Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Boards (MPWB) and licensed tour operators to properly educate pilgrims to avoid penal actions on those found in violation of the instruction on smuggling kola nut. Violators will be punished in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom.
This caffeine-based edible seed, the kola nut, is usually known as “Goro” and “oji” and often used ceremonially by Nigerians to show a gesture of friendship and warmth; it is also used in the production of beverage and energy drinks.
Moreover, orientation and educative sessions are organized aimed at educating the pilgrims on all aspects of the Haj operations ranging from Haj rites, public transportation system, morals and manners during the Haj, new policies introduced for this year’s Haj by Saudi authorities, policies adopted by NAHCON, and Saudi rules and regulations to be followed during the stay in the Kingdom.
The commission made medical screening mandatory for pilgrims last year to qualify them to travel for their once-in-a-lifetime journey to the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Notably, about 70,000 Nigerian pilgrims perform Haj every year.
(Courtesy: http://www.arabnews.com)
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Riyadh (IINA) – An Iranian delegation wrapped up its visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday without signing a final agreement on arrangements for Hajj pilgrimage, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said.
The ministry said the delegation decided return home without signing the final agreement despite two days of extensive talks. “The Iranian Organization of Hajj and Visit will be held responsible before God and the people of Iran for the inability of its pilgrims to perform Hajj this year,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. The ministry said it offered many solutions to meet a string of demands made by the Iranian delegation, which arrived in the Kingdom on Tuesday.
Agreements had been reached in some areas, including electronic visa issuance as Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran remain closed. Riyadh cut ties with Tehran in January after protesters torched the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad.
The ministry said Riyadh agreed to allow Iranians to obtain visas through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which is looking after Saudi interests since the countries severed ties. The Kingdom also agreed to allow Iranian carriers to fly half of the pilgrims into the Kingdom and back despite a ban on Iranian airlines following the diplomatic row, the ministry said. The talks were the second attempt by both countries after an unsuccessful first round last month to iron out differences and reach a deal on organizing this year’s Hajj journey for Iranian pilgrims.
According to the statement, the ministry formally received the delegation and provided all facilities for the members, including arrangements to perform Umrah. Marathon talks continued on Wednesday and Thursday, with both sides raising all topics that had figured in the previous round. The ministry suggested a number of solutions for all issued raised by the Iranian side. It proposed issuing electronic visas within Iran in accordance with a mechanism agreed by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
It suggested Saudi and Iranian national carriers equally share the responsibility of transporting the Iranian pilgrims. It also approved an Iranian request to allow the Swiss Embassy to take care of the interests of Iranian pilgrims during their stay in the Kingdom. “The ministry immediately coordinated with the competent authorities to implement the agreements. But early Friday morning, the Iranian mission expressed its desire to return home without signing the final Hajj agreement,” the ministry said. The ministry clarified that the Kingdom has reiterated its categorical rejection of attempts to politicize Hajj rituals. Tehran had banned its pilgrims from coming to the Kingdom to perform Umrah this year.
