Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on January 29th, 2020
Security checks for getting inside Makkah specifically during Hajj Season and peak Umrah Seasons (Ramadan) is always strict, as entry in to the Holy City is restricted for Muslims only. With plans to rapidly increase the number of visitors coming into Saudi Arabia, the Makkah Region Development Authority (MRDA) has begun a modernization project of checkpoints for pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah, which should reduce waiting times significantly.
It is anticipated that the security-control center on Al-Shumaisi Road, which links Makkah and Jeddah, is underdoing development and should be fully operational before Ramadan (15 % of the work has already been completed as yet) . Development work includes increasing the number of traffic lanes to 16, updating the center’s technological infrastructure to increase efficiency, and integrating several government services under one roof.
It is expected that the facilities will include administrative offices, a mosque, a civil defense center, a Red Crescent center, and a building housing other government agencies.
MRDA spokesperson Jalal bin Abdul Jalil Kaaki said that the authority has also begun development of a security-control center in Al-Nawwariyah in northern Makkah, adding that the new service facilities at the improved centers will also benefit residents of Makkah. Those facilities will include administrative offices, a mosque, a civil defense center, a Red Crescent center, and a building housing other government agencies.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on January 25th, 2020
Every year millions of people visit the Holy Land to preform pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah). However many of us are unaware of the interesting information about the holy landmarks that we love so dearly. Hence we have embarked on a mission so bring some of the lesser known facts about the holy places in Makkah and Madinah. We are starting our series with facts about the Holy Kaaba.
Muslims always wonder about the blessed situation when they are granted entry inside the Kaaba. Besides imaging what it would be like, one of the first questions that come to mind is: “Which direction do i pray in when inside Kaaba?”
The answer is simple: When you step into Kaaba, you can pray in any direction you want.
Kaaba had two doors, one for entering and the other one for exiting. It also had a window, on the side of it. Currently, there is only one door, while the other place where door used to be could be seen during the sand storm of Hajj 2019. The storm was so heavy that it fully lifted the black cloth (Kiswa) from Kaaba, and revealed the place where door once use to be in Kaaba.
This door was built by Abdullah bin Zubair (RA). In 64 Hijri, when Abdullah bin Zubair (RA) was selected as a Caliph, he built this door as per the directives from Ayesha (RA).
Ayesha (RA) said that it was the wish of Muhammad (PBUH) to have two doors of Kaaba as people could enter from both sides of doors. Due to lack of finance, Muhammad (PBUH) was unable to complete it but Abdullah Bin Zubair (RA) later completed it.
In 75 Hijri, When Banu Ummaiyah again captured the Makkah city under the leadership of Hajjaj bin Yousuf, Kaaba was reconstructed into the shape we see it in today’s age. And then Hajjaj bin Yousuf closed the door, which is also known as the hidden door of Kaaba.
The Holy Kaaba was opened twice a week for anyone to enter and pray. But now due to the rapid expansion in the number of pilgrims and other factors, the Kaaba is now opened only twice a year for dignitaries and exclusive guests only.
There is a golden door inside Kaaba that opens to an enclosed staircase that leads to the roof of Kaaba. The roof is made of stainless steel capped tad wood.
The interior of the Holy Kaaba is lined with marble and a green cloth covering the upper walls. The walls of the Holy Kaaba are plaques each celebrating the rebuilding of the House of Allah by the ruler of the day.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on January 6th, 2020
6 January 2020 | RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has directed the national air carriers to abide by the decision to allow entry into the Kingdom for holders of Schengen, UK and US visas as well as those having entry visas to European Union countries, irrespective of their nationalities. There are 26 countries that come under the Schengen visa regime.
According to Sabq newspaper, GACA said that the decision applies to the tourist and business visa holders of all nationalities without exception from the above-mentioned countries.
There will be two conditions for permitting entry of these visa holders.
GACA called on the national carriers to review their previous conditions with regard to giving entry for holders of visa from the these Western countries. The authority had issued a circular on Dec. 4 that instructs the national air carriers to receive holders of Schengen and American visas if they want to visit the Kingdom at any time, as long as the conditions set by the authority are met.
This is a step toward achieving the strategic goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and keeping with the great development witnessed in the region in all sectors.
Posted by Faisal Naeem in Umrah on January 3rd, 2020
3 January 2020: In a recent change in policy, Saudi Government has now made medical insurance mandatory as a part of your Umrah journey now. You are bound to pay an extra 200 Riyals for Umrah medical insurance. However, the insurance companies will provide you different covers during your stay in Holy cities.
Minister of Hajj in Saudi Arabia and Tawuniya Chairman signed an agreement to provide medical insurance to Umrah and Hajj visitors.
The reason provided for the implementation of this mandatory fees is that the Saudi Government is trying to implement better experiences for people coming to KSA for Hajj and Umrah. It is as a part of an effort to complete the vision 2030.
Umrah Medical Insurance will be valid for 30 days and will be provided through private insurance companies. The coverage of the insurance is expected to be around SAR 100,000.
There is no clarity on what the coverage will include or whether this will be applicable for out patients as well.
The addition of fees will now increase the price of Umrah packages published on our platform Ibadat and for packages from around the world.
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