Hajj

How bankrupt Pakistan has no money for Hajj

The holy pilgrimage of Hajj has become a luxury in Pakistan with the cost rising by almost 75 per cent since last year. The government has for the first time surrendered its Hajj quota to Saudi Arabia, in a move that will save it $24 million

A look back at historical events that took place on 12 January

On this day in 1773, the oldest public museum in the United States was established in colonial Charleston

Saudi Arabia removes restrictions on Hajj pilgrim numbers, age limit

Speaking at the Hajj Expo 2023, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah stated that the number of people participating in this year's Hajj will return to pre-pandemic levels and ther will ne no age limit for Hajj pilgrims this year

What’s Umrah that Shah Rukh Khan performed in Mecca? How is it different from Hajj?

After wrapping up a shoot for his upcoming film ‘Dunki’, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan visited the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. He performed Umrah, a shorter version of the Hajj pilgrimage. Unlike Hajj, Umrah is not mandatory but is sacred, cleansing the devout of their sins

Trip of a lifetime: Saudi Arabia witnesses largest Hajj since pandemic

One million Muslim pilgrims, including 850,000 from abroad, converged in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj after the coronavirus pandemic strictly reduced access to one of Islam’s five pillars for the last two years

Muslim pilgrims cast pebbles in ritualistic 'stoning of the devil' as almost million-strong hajj winds down

The hajj, usually one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, is among the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives

Muslim pilgrims offer prayers of repentance at Mount Arafat as hajj reaches climax

Muslims believe prayer on this day at Mount Arafat, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of the holy city of Mecca, is their best chance at salvation and spiritual renewal

Saudi Arabia expecting 1 million devotees in largest hajj since pandemic

Those performing the ritual this year must be under 65, vaccinated against the coronavirus and have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of travel. The pilgrims are chosen from millions of applicants through an online lottery system

Saudi Arabia bars foreigners from hajj due to COVID, allows only 60,000 pilgrims from kingdom

Saudi Arabia said this year's hajj, which will begin in mid-July, will also be limited to those ages 18 to 65, and vaccination is compulsory

Scaled-down Hajj begins with social distancing measures; pilgrims tested for COVID-19, given special attire

The 1,000 pilgrims selected for Hajj this year were seen standing apart and moving in small groups of 20