KSA welcomes first Hajj pilgrims for Tawaf

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced on July 17 that the first batch of Hajj pilgrims have arrived at the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Qudum (the circumnambulation of the Ka'abah on arrival).

The SPA cited the Director of Crowds Department at the Grand Holy Mosque, Eng. Osama bin Mansour Al-Hujaili, who said that preparations are complete to receive pilgrims to perform Tawaf Al-Qudum on Dhulhijjah 7, 1442. Multiple locations have been set up to accommodate 11,000 pilgrims in entering the Tawaf (circumambulation) area.

Eng. Al-Hujaili also shared that over 500 employees have taken part in receiving pilgrims from the three gathering centers.

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced this week that 60,000 pilgrims may perform Hajj in 1442.

Other stipulations include:

- Existing KSA residents of all nationalities, or KSA citizens.

- Pilgrims must be free of chronic diseases.

- Aged 18 to 65

- Vaccinated, in accordance with the instructions and procedures followed in KSA.

Hajj plans to integrate pandemic concerns

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, KSA Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Higher Committee, has approved the general security plan related to Hajj 2021, which integrates pandemic procedures, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.

The plan is in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and HRH Crown Prince, for whom Hajj rituals should be performed in a way that maintains pilgrim security and safety.

In a separate update, SPA reported that unauthorised access to the Grand Mosque, central area surrounding it and the Holy Sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat) from 25/11/1442H to 13/12/1442H will be fined SAR10,000 with the fine doubled for repeated violations. The provisions and fines related to violators of preventive measures and protocols during the pandemic are aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 during this year’s Hajj.

Hajj will be held from 8 to 13 Dhulhijjah (the 12th Islamic month), roughly corresponding to 17-22 July. The start of Dhulhijjah is contingent on the sighting of the new moon at the end of the preceding month of Dhulqa'adah (the 11th Islamic month).

1442 has arrived

The Omani Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has announced that 21 August 2020, is the first day of the Islamic new year 1442.

The Oman News Agency reported that the new moon marking the month of Muharram had not been sighted on the 19th, making 20 August the last day of the month Dhulhijjah, and the last day of the year 1441.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that 20 August was 1 Muharram, 1442 in KSA according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar as the crescent for Muharram had been sighted on the 19th.

The Bahrain News Agency announced on the 19th that in line with directives from HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Royal Court of Bahrain will start distributing the annual donation marking 1442. This will be done through the Sunni and Jafari Endowments Directorates to charities and Hussaini community centres.