Radio Islam | 07 Dhul Hijjah 1437/09 September 2016

Syrians on haj pray for peace; Damascus says Riyadh plays politics

Syrians from territory held by opposing sides in the civil war prayed together for peace as they flew to Mecca for the haj, even as President Bashar al-Assad’s government accused Saudi Arabia of politicizing the annual Muslim pilgrimage.

Riyadh has no diplomatic ties with Damascus and requires Syrians seeking to make the haj to obtain visas in third countries through a committee controlled by the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), an anti-Assad opposition body.

“Saudi Arabia now does not deal with the legitimate government (in Syria) but rather with individuals who are not recognized, and thus the responsibility for protecting these people falls on the Saudi government,” Sheikh Ahmed al-Jazaily, an advisor at Syria’s Islamic Affairs ministry, told Reuters by telephone.

Tamam al-Khatib, an SNC official, said Saudi Arabia gave the group 9,000 visas for Syrian pilgrims residing in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.

For Syria, which had 23 million people before the war, that is far less than its usual quota of 1,000 visas per million Muslims, Jazaily said. All able-bodied Muslims who have the means are expected to make the pilgrimage once in their lifetimes.

Whichever side they came from, Syrians on board a flight from Beirut to Mecca made no mention of their differences and said the pilgrimage transcended politics.

Safaa, 40, said she had traveled from government-controlled Damascus with her parents, her sister, her brother and his wife, despite the difficulty of arranging the trip.

“All our friends and relatives in Damascus asked us to make special prayers for them while in the Grand Mosque,” said Safaa, wearing the seamless white cloth all pilgrims must use during haj. “God willing, we will pray for them and all of Syria.”

Mariam, 60, made the journey from Talfita, an opposition-held village north of the Syrian capital.

“We left the war and suffering and came to haj. By God … I long to see the Prophet,” she said, as her cousin Khadra gazed at white clouds and the yellow desert below. “May God give Syria a remission.”

None of the Syrian pilgrims who spoke to Reuters on the flight would give their surnames, to protect relatives back home. Nor would any say which side they support in the five year conflict, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and made 11 million Syrians homeless.

Open discussion of politics is traditionally barred during the haj. However, Reuters met only members of Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority on the flight; there appeared to be no members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam, many of whose adherents see Saudi Arabia as a sectarian enemy.

Jazaily, the Syrian government advisor, said Damascus would not block Syrians from taking part in the haj, but would not be able to offer them protection.

“From our side, we are not stopping anybody from going to haj,” he said. “But if a pilgrim goes on his own, are his rights protected? If they faced a problem, where will they turn?”

(Editing by Sami Aboudi, William Maclean and Peter Graff)

Indonesian pilgrims could pay more for second haj, ‘umrah’

Indonesian Muslims wishing to perform the haj for the second time or make a visit to the holiest sites of Islam after performing the ritual may need to dig deeper into their pockets to fulfil their wishes.

The government is waiting for final confirmation from Saudi Arabia pertaining to the kingdom’s plan to increase visa fees for pilgrims who have previously performed the haj.

“Once it has become a balaidah [Saudi Arabian government regulation], the Religious Affairs Ministry will start publicizing the new decision,” Religious Affairs Ministry inspector general Mochammad Jasin told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

He said the government welcomed the new scheme as it would potentially reduce the long queue for haj places. “The new policy could affect the haj waiting list because the fees for pilgrims who have performed the haj will be higher. They might think twice about going again,” he said.

He added that those pilgrims who had already registered for the next haj or umrah (minor haj) would be charged more if the new visa policy was implemented.

Saudi Arabia reportedly introduced new fee arrangements last month. It said all visa fees including a single-entry visa would cost travelers 2,000 Saudi riyals (US$533).

A six-month multiple-entry visa will cost 3,000 riyals, a one year multiple-entry visa will cost 5,000 riyals, while a two year multiple-entry visa will cost 8,000 riyals, according to Al-Arabiya. The policy will apply to all visitors, except first-time visitors whose visa fees will be waived.

The announcement was made by the Saudi cabinet in Riyadh on Aug. 9. Al-Arabiya said that the new policy would take effect on Oct. 2 this year. The Saudi government has given an assurance that the changes will not impact any bilateral deals already signed by Saudi Arabia and other countries.

Indonesian haj committee head Ahmad Dumyathi Bashori, who attended the new policy familiarization in Mecca on Sunday, said the policy was made following the decline in oil prices.

“Due to the oil crisis, the Saudi Arabian government has started seeking additional revenue apart from gas and oil. One potentially lucrative source of income is from the haj and umrah,” Bashori, who resides in Jeddah said.

In the future, the places to be visited by the pilgrims may be specified, including Taif, Riyadh, Tabuk, Jabal Magnet and Maiadin and fees levied on the basis of the cities’ historic values.“These cities are considered to be of great significance for Muslim travelers around the globe and the Saudi government expects a financial boost from this sector,” he said.

Herdiansyah from the Iskandaria Tour agency told the Post that he was aware of the plan, but added that he was also waiting for official confirmation from the Saudi authorities.

He said he had learned about the information from news reports circulating among travel agencies since early August. “We are waiting for an official announcement either from our local partner in Saudi Arabia or from the Saudi authorities here because we are not sure if the decision is final or not,” he said.

The number of Indonesians going on umrah has shown a steady rise. The Religious Affairs Ministry recorded that 36,324 people went on umrah between January and May this year, an increase of 46 percent from 24,869 in the same period last year. (fac)

Kuwaitis of bygone era brave arduous journeys to reach Islam’s zenith ‘Haj’

Devout Kuwaitis of bygone eras used to undergo rigorous preparations for the ‘Haj’, an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah and a compulsory obligation for all adult Muslims physically capable of embarking on the journey. Given the enormity of the “Hajj” pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam that constitute the foundation of Muslim life, our forefathers hopped on camels and braved an arduous journey that lasted three months (1,527 kilometers, 948 miles).

Moreover, in an interview with KUNA yesterday, Kuwaiti civil researcher Saleh Al-Methen noted that the “inaugural Kuwaiti Haj campaign actually dates back to 1800”, when the country was a fledgling emirate. Speaking on intense preparations for the “Hajj” pilgrimage, Al-Methen said that “leaders of the Hajj campaigns made arrangements months in advance where they would purchase all necessities and contact sage tour guides”, veterans these leaders often relied on to facilitate the journey to reach the zenith of Islam.

Furthermore, ‘Haj’ campaign leaders also made sure to stock up on copious amounts of food that included dates, rice, flour and tea in efforts to ensure that the journey to Makkah would go off without a hitch. Meanwhile, Al-Methen revealed that Kuwaitis then would often offer pecuniary assistance to those unable to afford the cost of the journey, an act of sheer benevolence that is seemingly embedded in this diminutive Gulf nation’s culture.

The Kuwaiti researcher also talked about various hurdles that often encumbered the journey to ‘Haj’, as pervasive war, political instability and the spread of contagious diseases accentuated the hardships travelers had to endure. Describing jubilant scenes of the return of pilgrims to the country, Al-Methen noted that children pranced around villages serenading the pilgrims, who would often dole out commemorative gifts such as ‘Zamzam’ water, prayer rugs and other ornaments in return. He also added that it was customary then for pilgrims’ domiciles to be adorned with green flags that heralded joyous gatherings that marked the culmination of a debilitating yet rewarding odyssey. – KUNA

Indian Hujaaj worried about visa fees

Thousands of Haj pilgrims from India complained that they were not provided with necessary facilities to enable them to perform Haj rituals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Indian government, via the leader of the Prime Minister’s Haj Goodwill Delegation to Saudi Arabia, has tried to address the concerns with the authorities there.

The city-based Raza Academy has meanwhile requested the Turkish government, through its consul general in Mumbai, to intervene on behalf of lakhs of Muslims who will be affected by the mandatory payment of 2,000 Saudi riyals as visa tax imposed by the Saudi government. Raza Academy has said that the tax is un-Islamic and will lead to a huge financial burden for pilgrims.

According to Aziz ur Rahman, a pilgrim from Ahmedabad, pilgrims were left on their own after reaching Jeddah and were neither provided a muallim (mandatory local operator provided by the government) nor details of transport facilities to reach Mecca. In a message sent on WhatsApp, Mr Rahman said, “Here, the pilgrims have a complaint about tour operators. We do not know who our tour operator is… we have not received the train card or belt, without which we cannot travel.”

Zafar Sareshwala, the leader of the delegation, was informed of the matter and, after intervening, got the Saudi authorities to provide the required amenities to the pilgrims. “Certain arrangements are beyond the control of the Indian authorities. Yet, even in those uncharted territories, they have been coordinating with the Saudi authorities. It was just a small effort on the part of the Haj delegation to personally enquire about and see to the well-being of the Hajis,” he said.

Meanwhile, Maulana Raza Noori, president of Raza Academy, along with a delegation of Ulemas, met Erdel Sabri Ergen, the consul general of Turkey, on Tuesday about the tax imposed on Haj pilgrims. “The tax will adversely affect millions of Muslims across the world,” Mr Noori said.

Mr Ergen assured the delegation of help.

5000 Kenyans go for Hajj

At least 5,000 Kenyans have travelled to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage amid new security measures by Saudi Arabia authorities.

Muslims from across the world are expected to mark Eid al-Adha celebrations on Monday. The Kenyans left in batches ahead of the climax of the pilgrimage that will be marked by various ceremonies and prayers between today and Thursday next week. The government of Saudi Arabia said it has taken the necessary measures to forestall insecurity and tragedies that were witnessed last year. At least 2.5 Muslim pilgrims from across the world are expected in Mecca. Saudi Embassy in Nairobi Charge D’Affaires Abdullah Masoud Al Qahtani said movements of pilgrims will be managed better this year to prevent possible stampedes. “The Saudi government has mobilised enormous human, technological and financial resources to enhance safety of pilgrims. We are hoping for an incident-free Hajj this year God willing,” he said.

Mr Qahtani said the number of security personnel on the ground has been increased to 200,000. Pilgrims will be required to wear an electronic safety device on their wrists, which can be tracked by satellites, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance management of their movements. “The devices also contain personal and medical information of a pilgrim to ease identification and service provision. The information can be accessed remotely by Saudi government and security agencies via smart phones,” Qahtani said. Nearly, 2,000 security cameras have also been installed and linked to control rooms manned by specialised security forces. The Hajj is the biggest annual gathering of people in the world, and managing the movement of millions of people within an area the size of Nairobi’s Central Business District poses significant challenges. Last year, at least 700 people, including eight Kenyans, died in a stampede, the deadliest in 25 years. Another 900 were injured.

Indian Expats in Saudi Assist Hujaaj

For the second consecutive year, the Karnataka Cultural Foundation (KCF), a socio-cultural forum of the expatriates from the south Indian state living in Saudi Arabia, has come forward to serve the Haj pilgrims by forming a dedicated team of volunteers.

KCF in Saudi Arabia is engaged in addressing socio-economic concerns of expatriate Kannadigas. It also provides a venue for cultural patronage and helps maintain human dignity while respecting deeply the cultural and religious heritage of Saudi Arabia as well as strictly abiding the laws of this holy land.

KCF had launched Haj volunteer service last year. The volunteers had camped three days at the hospital in Mina to dedicate themselves to serve wounded people. The New Mina Hospital had felicitated the KCF Haj volunteer group with an appreciation letter.

Last year, KCF had fielded 100 volunteers to serve the guest of Allah at Mina. This year the number of haj volunteers has increased to around 300. Their service will be available especially for Kannadigas in Mina and Makkah from Dhul Hijjah 9 to 12.

Taking the help of the experts, KCF had drawn a meticulous plan to carry out this Haj volunteer service. The volunteers were given strenuous training before being deputed to service. Hundreds of expatriates from state of Karnataka had come forward to register for volunteer service.

Last year KCF group had started its volunteer work even before the prescribed volunteering days at Mina. KCF volunteers had flocked together to Madina and Makkha to help the pilgrims in all possible way when Hajjajs from India started reaching Madina and Makkah With sole motto of earning the ‘Dua’ of Allah’s guest and thereby the pleasure of Allah, the volunteers were at the door step of Hajis to lift their luggage, to hold their hand, to help them find their ways towards accommodation and give company to elderly and weak pilgrims.

Mr. Saleem Kanyadi, the chief organizer and Mr. Faizal Krishnapura, the convener of the entire set up are very enthused have promised to expand the service to accommodate the more number of volunteer aspirants in coming years.

‘Use of hoover boards in Hajj is ok’

Muslims going to Haj (pilgrimage) in Saudi Arabia can use scooters during the Haj rites provided they ensure the machine is not harmful, a senior Saudi scholar has said.

“Pilgrims can use scooters during the Haj but they must ensure the machine does not hurt any pilgrim or property in the holy places,” said Ali Al Hikmi, a member of Saudi Arabia’s seven-man Supreme Scholars Committee.

Quoted by Sada newspaper, he said pilgrims must also get permission from authorities to use scooters and other machines during Haj.

“I believe that it is better for the pilgrims to perform Haj on foot if they are able to walk,” he added

Libyan hajjis complain about delayed money transfers from the Libyan haj committee

Some of the Libyan hajjis (pilgrims) who are staying in Anjum Makkah Hotel, Saudi Arabia, complained about delay in receiving their money transfers – 2000$ for each hajji – that should have been sent by the Haj Committee in Libya.

“Saudi police cars arrived at the hotel where the Libyan hajjis are staying to see what the problem is and then they met with the supervisors of the Libyan haj committee.” Libyan hajjis reported.

They also reported that the Libyan hajjis are burdened with standing in queues for long hours in front of Saudi banks, let alone that the banks are a bit far from the hotel, however; they added that some of them managed to receive their money.

On social media, many photos have been posted showing some Libyan pilgrims sitting and waiting at the door of one of the money transfer offices in Saudi Arabia, while other photos were said to show a protest by Libyan hajjis against the delay of the transfer procedures.

An official at the Libyan Haj Committee said the reason behind the delay could lie in the refusal of the Saudi banks to accept photocopies of the hajjis’ passports as identity documents, calling for bringing the original passports, which are kept with the haj committee’s supervisors.

Saudi Arabia: 40 Currencies Join Exchange Market Marathon during Hajj Season

The Hajj season activates the Saudi exchange market for being the most prominent sector during the year when the number of traded currencies reaches 40. The U.S. dollar tops the list as it acquires up to 80% of the total trading, according to Waleed Marzouq, the business manager of Adel Multani, a senior money exchange businessman in Makkah.

Marzouq told Asharq Al-Awsat that the demand on the U.S. dollar witnessed a first of its kind rise this year. He said: “We are facing a scarcity in U.S. dollar volume because the number of pilgrims is few this season therefore the imported currency is less as well.”

He continued that daily trading is not exceeding the SAR1 million in the best case scenario due to the low number of pilgrims this season. “The demand on the U.S. dollar this year exceeds any previous one because it is wanted all over the world and is the most stable compared to other currencies. Huge drop in demand on the Euro currency in the Saudi exchange market compared with previous years is due to tensions that occurred in Europe during the summer,” Marzouq added.

Mohammed Amin, the owner of an exchange company, said that exchange stores operate in an occasional manner and that the market witnesses a boom during the hajj season which coincides with Eid al-Adha.

The world fluctuation in currency prices does not necessarily have an impact on the demand volume in Saudi Arabia. According to unofficial estimates, the number of exchange stores in Saudi Arabia reaches 3,200 mostly located in Makkah, Jeddah and Medina.

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) stressed that no exchange operations shall be performed without acquiring a license from the agency.

Don’t stress yourselves before Hajj rites, Pilgrims told

Ahead of the commencement of Hajj rites on Saturday, Pilgrims performing the exercise in Saudi Arabia have been advised against subjecting themselves to unnecessary stress that could reduce their energy to perform the main rites.

 Head of Medical Team of Med-View Travels Konsult, an arm of Med-View Airline PLC, Dr. Naheem Ekemode, gave the advice during a seminar for pilgrims in Makkah.

The medical expert admonished pilgrims to rest very well in preparation for the main rites, noting that some pilgrims usually stress themselves to the extent that they become exhausted and weak to perform the Hajj rites.

The main rites of Hajj begin on Saturday with pilgrims relocating from Makkah to Muna while they proceed from there on Sunday to mount Arafat which is the zenith of the entire Hajj exercise.

Ekemode explained that this period is usually very demanding for pilgrims and they require a lot of energy to successfully undertake all the procedures. However, he stressed that ample rest while in Makkah would prepare them for the bigger task ahead.

Also speaking, the Head of the Enlightenment, Imam Abdulsalam Abdulraheem also corroborated Ekemode’s remarks, saying pilgrims should not stress themselves after undergoing compulsory Umrah

Tawaf (Circumambulation of Ka’abah). He urged them to follow instructions that would be handed to them by officials during the commencement of Hajj rites.

Abdulraheem in his lecture also advised pilgrims to pray fervently for Nigeria to surmount the current challenges. However, he said the prayers would be answered on the condition that each and every Nigerian would resolve to change their attitude by not contributing to the problem.

He said, “Please, Let us remember Nigeria in our prayers. In 1984 during the first coming of President Mohammadu Buhari, 5 Riyadh was equal to N1 and N20 was 100 riyadh. We all know what it is now that one Riyadh is over N100.

“Let us all resolve to change our attitude, our disposition and avoid to be part of the problem. At your places of work, don’t allow greed to make you take what doesn’t belong to you. I pray that Allah helps us so that we can have the change that we desire, make us greater and greater as we have been great before”.

Russian man cycles for Hajj

A Russian man braved all odds and cycled his way to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj.

24-year-old Bulat Nassib Abdulla left Russia on the first day of Ramadan on June 6 and pedalled his way to reach Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage.

Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry Undersecretary Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Bejawi received Abdulla in Medina before heading to Mecca, reported local Arabic daily Sabq.

Earlier, a Chinese national also made headlines as he cycled around 8,150km and reached Saudi Arabia for the annual Haj pilgrimage.