Hajj Tasreeh 2017

Hajj Hajj ,  also spelled  ḥadjdj  or  hadj , in  Islam , the  pilgrimage  to the holy city of  Mecca  in  Saudi Arabia , which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime. The hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the  Five Pillars of Islam . The pilgrimage rite begins on the 7th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah (the last month of the Islamic year) and ends on the 12th day. The hajj is incumbent on all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage, but only if their absence will not place hardships on their family. A person may perform the hajj by  proxy , appointing a relative or friend going on the pilgrimage to “stand in” for him or her. The pattern of pilgrimage rites was established by the Prophet  Muhammad , but variations have arisen in it, and the stringent formal itinerary is not strictly adhered to by the mass of pilgrims, who frequently visit the various Meccan sites out of their proper order

What is Hajj? The  Hajj  is a five-day annual pilgrimage undertaken by Muslims to Mecca in  Saudi Arabia.  It is the world’s biggest annual gathering of people.  When is it? It's expected to take place from September 9-14.  Hajj begins on the eighth day of the Dhu al-Hijjah lunar month and finishes on the 13th day but the religious aspects can be completed in five days rather than six.  Who undertakes the journey? All Muslims are expected to do Hajj at least once in their lifetime, providing they are well enough and can afford it.  Thousands of Britons join millions of other Muslims from around the world.  Why is it important? It affirms Muslims’ place on earth by eliminating all symbols of wealth and status.   Hajj serves to remind Muslims that everybody is equal in the eyes of God – Allah.  It is the fifth pillar of Islam and recreates the journey taken by the Prophet Mohammed in AD632.  It aims to bring Muslims from all nationalities together, cleans

Damascus, Syria (AP) -- Syria's government says Saudi authorities continue to place restrictions on Syrian citizens looking to take part in this year's hajj, accusing the kingdom of "politicizing" the annual Muslim pilgrimage. Tuesday's statement from the Ministry of Religious Endowments criticized what it described as Riyadh's "political and financial exploitation" of the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia has no diplomatic ties with President Bashar Assad's government and since 2012 requires Syrians seeking to make the hajj to obtain visas in third countries through the "Syrian High Hajj Committee," which is controlled by the Syrian National Coalition, an opposition political group. The statement, carried by Syria's Arab News Agency or SANA, says the right to perform pilgrimage is being "politicized" by Saudi authorities.

RIYADH: Local pilgrims using low-price categories will be paying SR4,132 maximum for this year’s Haj, compared to SR5,250 maximum last year, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah announced on Monday. Saleh Al-Asheikh, minister of Islamic affairs, call and guidance, called for reducing the cost of pilgrimage at a meeting he held in the capital last month. According to the ministry, the package includes transportation by the Mashaer train. The ministry has launched six low-price categories for this year’s pilgrimage. They are: A1 SR4,132, A2 SR4,070, Class B SR4,007, Class C SR3,882, Class D SR3,757 and Class E SR3,532. The amount of SR250 will be deducted from the overall package of each category if the program does not include the Mashaer train service, said the ministry. This year’s Haj is expected to fall in September. Pilgrims usually arrive one month before the ritual starts. The ministry stressed the importance of early preparation for the Haj season this year in order to serve th