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Over 1.8M pilgrims perform Haj this year

The ministry has prepared the Al-Mishaar Al-Haram Mosque in Muzdalifah, equipping it with air conditioning and a sterilization system, and furnishing it with luxurious carpets…reports Asian Lite News

The Saudi Arabian government announced that more than 1.8 million pilgrims from over 150 countries have performed Haj so far this year.

The General Authority for Statistics said Tuesday said that the number of pilgrims from Arab countries has reached more than 346,000, or 21 per cent of the total, reports Xinhua news agency.

Among the pilgrims, more than 1 million from Asian countries, making up 63.5 per cent of the total, while nearly 223,000 others, or 13.4 per cent , came from African countries excluding the Arab nations.

More than 36,500 pilgrims travelled from Europe, the US, Australia and other unlisted countries to Saudi Arabia, representing 2.1 per cent of the total, according to the General Authority for Statistics. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced the arrival of all pilgrims at the holy site of Muzdalifah after descending from Mount Arafat.

 The ministry said that the entry and exit movements of pilgrims to the plains of Muzdalifah was smooth and sound, and they performed the Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (evening) prayers combined at the Al-Mishaar Al-Haram Mosque, following the Sunnah of the Prophet, in an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.

The ministry has prepared the Al-Mishaar Al-Haram Mosque in Muzdalifah, equipping it with air conditioning and a sterilization system, and furnishing it with luxurious carpets.

Meanwhile, worshippers performed Eid Al-Adha prayer in the Grand Holy Mosque, the Prophet’s Holy Mosque and in various other parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 In Makkah, worshipers performed the prayer in the Grand Holy Mosque, led by imam Sheikh Dr. Yasir bin Rashid Al-Dosari.

 In Madinah, worshipers performed Eid Al-Adha prayer in the Prophet’s Holy Mosque, led by imam Sheikh Dr. Hussein bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh. Governor of Madinah Region Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz prayed at the mosque alongside worshippers.

 Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz and Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz performed the first day of Eid prayer alongside worshippers at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.

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194,000 pilgrims in Madinah post-Hajj

The ministry figures also revealed that thousands of pilgrims left Madinah for their respective countries, while around 80,000 remained in the city…reports Asian Lite News

Around 194,000 pilgrims have arrived in Madinah after completing their Hajj rituals in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Statistics from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah showed that the Madinah immigration center received almost 182,000 worshippers who arrived by bus, more than 8,000 made their way overland to the Land Pilgrim Reception Center and nearly 4,000 traveled on the Haramain high-speed railway.

The ministry figures also revealed that thousands of pilgrims left Madinah for their respective countries, while around 80,000 remained in the city.

This year, the Kingdom allowed up to 1 million people to perform Hajj, welcoming foreign pilgrims for the first time in two years following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions that had forced the annual pilgrimage to be limited to residents of Saudi Arabia.

During their stay, many pilgrims visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, located near the Prophet’s Mosque.

The museum, which is open 24 hours a day, offers an introduction to the Prophet Muhammad through displays and interactive screens in a variety of languages. One hall includes rare items and ancient artifacts from the Two Holy Mosques.

ALSO READ-171,000 pilgrims visit Madinah after performing Hajj

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Sikh pilgrims returning from Pak test positive

A ‘jatha’ of 815 pilgrims reached Pakistan’s Lahore on April 12 to celebrate Khalsa Sajna Diwas and Baisakhi at the religiously significant Sikh shrines…reports Asian Lite News.

At least 100 Sikh devotees mainly from Punjab, who returned from Pakistan after visiting several shrines on the occasion of Baisakhi, on Thursday tested positive for coronavirus on their return to India through the Wagah border near Amritsar, officials said.

A ‘jatha’ of 815 pilgrims reached Pakistan’s Lahore on April 12 to celebrate Khalsa Sajna Diwas and Baisakhi at the religiously significant Sikh shrines.

A total of 100 out of 350 devotees tested positive for coronavirus through a rapid antigen test, an official told. However, the result of many other devotees is awaited.

The Pakistani High Commission in Delhi had issued visas to 1,100 Sikh pilgrims. Before departing to Pakistan, all those who tested negative for Covid-19 were allowed to cross the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post.

They were granted a 10-day visa by Pakistan and were allowed to visit Sikh shrines besides attending the main function at Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal on April 14.

On their return, they paid obeisance at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur on April 19 and took out a ‘nagar kirtan’ from there to the Zero Line located along Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side.

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