Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
hajjlatest news & developments
MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA – JULY 01: Muslims, who came to the holy lands from all over the world, perform night prayer as they continue their worship to fulfill the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on July 01, 2022. Prospective pilgrims who performed the prayer at the Masjid al-Haram, circumambulated and prayed in the Kaaba. (Photo by Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Saudi welcomes 1 million for biggest hajj pilgrimage since pandemic

Muslims from around the world have packed the streets of Islam’s holiest city ahead of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, while mask-clad and along specific pre-ordained rings as measures due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, on August 2, 2020 on the final day of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. – Massive crowds in previous years triggered deadly stampedes during the ritual, but this year only up to 10,000 Muslims are taking part after millions of international pilgrims were barred because of the covid-19 pandemic crisis. (Photo by STR / AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi smashes Covid fraud ring ahead of hajj

The suspects in the fraudulent certificates case are alleged to have used social media to advertise their services

The number of coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia surpassed 100 000 on Sunday, the health ministry said, amid a new surge in infections just weeks ahead of the start of the hajj.

Saudi virus cases top 100 000 with new spike ahead of the hajj

On Friday, the kingdom announced a renewed lockdown in the city of Jeddah, gateway to the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, to counter the jump in cases

‘If part of my purpose is to portray Islam in the best possible way

Slice Of Life: Find a purpose in faith

‘Wearing hijab is a reminder about the way I should behave to represent Islam’

Iran’s justice system has itself acknowledged the arbitrary nature of the allegations of detaining academics.

Iran’s Khamenei threatens ‘fierce’ reaction if Hajj dead not returned

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened a "fierce" reaction if Saudi Arabia does not quickly repatriate victims of the hajj stampede.

The hajj is the world’s largest gathering of Muslims.

Hajj pilgrims denounce Isis as a ‘virus’

Pilgrims in Mecca denounce atrocities by Isis as ‘a virus’ threatening the world, but also express concerns about the US-led air war against them.

Hajj limits put Mecca beyond many SA pilgrims’ reach

A great many local Muslims will not be allowed to perform a Mecca pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as South Africa will likely exceed its attendance quota.

Divisions in Islam

The millions who made the trip to Saudi Arabia this year threw pebbles at vast pillars, shaved their heads and sacrificed animals.

On lipstick

On lipstick, prayer and shirkhurma

<b>Ilham Rawoot</b> may be all grown up, but Eid makes her feel like a kid again

Pilgrims pour into Mina camp from Mecca as the hajj begins

The world’s largest annual pilgrimage, the hajj, began on Sunday with more than two million Muslims pouring into the camp at Mina from Mecca.

Velcro straps and the ihram

Muslim pilgrims who undertake the prescribed fifth pillar of Islam are faced with a contemporary experience that has long abandoned the camel.

Saudi security high as two million pilgrims join hajj

Saudi Arabia has mobilised a force of 100&nbsp;000 men to protect an estimated two million Muslim pilgrims flocking to Mecca for the annual hajj.