Biometrics registration a must for Umrah visa

Biometrics registration a must for Umrah visa

Saudi embassies abroad have started taking biometrics of Umrah visa applicants following a new measure that came into effect from the beginning of the new Hijra year.

The move comes after a decision by the Saudi government to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims coming to the Kingdom for Haj and Umrah.

The Saudi Embassy in Pakistan has instructed all its accredited pilgrim service offices to obtain biometrics of pilgrims before applying for visas.

Previously the measure was applied on pilgrims from a few countries.

The Saudi Embassy in Sweden said the Saudi government has signed contracts with specialized international companies to take biometrics of people applying for entry visas including pilgrims, Al-Hayat Arabic daily reported.

The contracted company will establish biometric centers in Sweden, which will replace the existing visa service centers, a senior official said.

“The early registration of biometrics will reduce waiting time at immigration counters at the Kingdom’s entry points. The new system will ensure better services to visa applicants,” the official said.

In another development, the Civil Status Affairs Department in the Kingdom has instructed Saudi students pursuing higher studies in foreign universities not to marry non-Saudi women without receiving permission from authorities.

“This is also essential to register the names of their children to receive civil IDs,” the Arabic daily said quoting an informed source.

The department also urged Saudi scholarship students to renew their civil IDs six months before their expiration dates. “They should also register the birth of children at Saudi foreign missions within 30 days after delivery of the baby. The registration cannot be used as a travel document but can be used to prove dependency of the child,” the source said.

The department also urged students not to surrender their Civil IDs as a guarantee.

source: saudigazette.com.sa

Over 2m flock to Mina as Hajj begins

arabnews.com

Over 2m flock to Mina as Hajj begins 

MINA: More than 2 million Muslims from around the world arrived in Mina to spend the day of Tarwiyah and follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Pilgrims will then head to Mount Arafat on Thursday.

Thousands of security men accompanied the flows of pilgrims along Mina’s wide roads, bridges and tunnels. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) mission at the holy sites monitored the pilgrims heading from Makkah to Mina. Their journey went smoothly despite the huge number of vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic patrols were assisted by security forces in their efforts to organize the traffic, guide pilgrims and maintain security.

The Ministry of Health is offering medical and health care services to pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season by providing thousands of doctors, nurses and specialists appointed to serve pilgrims. These members work at hospitals near the holy sites and Makkah. The ministry assists the relevant authorities in carrying out the general emergency plan and dealing with emergencies that might arise during the pilgrims’ stop in Mina and Jamaarat bridge.

Along with the ministry, medical service departments of the National Guard Ministry, and the Defense Ministry and its hospitals appointed hundreds of their members to offer medical and treatment services to pilgrims at the holy sites.

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) is providing its services through thousands of members appointed to serve Hajjis. The organization designated a fleet of 100 ambulances spread throughout the holy sites.

Source: arabnews.com

Haj: A sight to behold

Haj: A sight to behold

Haj is on (the day after tomorrow) and there is no more beautiful sight than the sight of the hundreds of thousands of Muslims coming from all entry points, dressed in white and with one mission, to perform their once in a lifetime duty in peace and security. We as, the government of Saudi Arabia and its people, take full pride in welcoming the guests of Allah and embrace them with open arms.

Saudi Arabia has mobilized all its resources, like it does every year, to ensure that pilgrims will perform their pilgrimage in peace and comfort. All sectors — government departments, passport, security, Haj, health and many other ancillary divisions — are on full alert. And they are ready to work in concerted unison to implement the Haj plan that usually is in the making as soon as the last Haj ends. The seamless cooperation is evident in the growing numbers of Muslims lauding the plan and thanking the Kingdom for the great effort in making their once in a lifetime journey comfortable.

The government, at the same time, while extending the hand of hospitality, too displays its iron fist. The government has also made it clear to all that an iron fist is strong and ready to crush anything that targets the safety of pilgrims and to ensure a smooth and comfortable Haj for the guests of Allah.

The sight of pilgrims eagerly arriving to the two holy cities is really touching and endearing. It really warms the cockles of the heart to see many pictures of pilgrims in tears of joy and happiness on their faces on landing in the holy land. Some of them have been waiting for many years in queue in their countries to be able to perform Haj. Some have labored and saved all their money over the years and some have sold all their valuables to be able to cover the expenses to perform Haj.

It is said in the Holy Qur’an, “And Haj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kabaa) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)”. Although it is not obligatory for Muslims, who are not able financially, to perform Haj but in order to do so, many people will go to extreme measures to ensure that they are able to do it, even if they were financially unable.

This brings me back to my main point I hope to highlight — poor people performing Haj. I wish that businessmen in all Muslim countries come up with a way to fulfill the wishes of making the impossible dream of poor pilgrims performing Haj come true by covering the costs of pilgrims. To be fair and from what I know, there are businessmen in Saudi Arabia who donate money secretly and without revealing their identity to cover the costs of many poor pilgrims.

I am sure that some similar good Samaritans exist in other Muslim countries, but this form of giving should be intensified to cover as many number as possible of the financially underprivileged. The biggest reward they get is in this lifetime itself when they see the bloom of pure happiness on the faces of those who get to do the once in lifetime journey to the two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites.

In a previous article, I had written, “I call on the authorities to come up with a way to make Haj affordable for middle- and low-income people. It is a fact that Haj campaigns are overpriced for many, especially people with large number of family members. Given how life is expensive in some countries in Europe and even in America, or how low salaries are in some Muslim and poor countries, many of them find it almost impossible to fulfill the lifetime duty of Haj because of financial reasons.

“What if the authorities and some philanthropists came together to sponsor those who are facing difficulties in saving up for Haj? This could go a long way in embellishing the Kingdom’s image as a humane nation. Haj package providers should know that it is an honor to serve pilgrims and they should have a package that charges for the basic cost and not such that it earns an enormous profit for them.”

It is also good to see that the level of awareness of the domestic pilgrims is increasing and that the number of pilgrims without permits is on the decline. In the past, pilgrims without permits squatted around the Holy Sites and in main roads creating all sorts of problems. The level of organization by the security authorities and other government departments working in Haj is improving and tackling these issues.

With the sustained and planned expansion program at the Two Holy Mosques, the Kingdom is already alleviating the pressures of the numbers. This year it has increased the number of pilgrims for all countries and with future expansion Saudi Arabia will be ready to welcome more pilgrims. With all the systems and people in place, I am confident of a successful Haj this year and pray to God for a safe and peaceful Haj for all pilgrims.

Blurb: I wish that businessmen in all Muslim countries come up with a way to fulfill the wishes of making the impossible dream of poor pilgrims performing Haj come true by covering the costs of pilgrims.

source: saudigazette.com.sa

Kaaba’s kiswa raised

Kaaba’s kiswa raised

MAKKAH — The lower portion of the Holy Kaaba’s kiswa (cover) was raised on Tuesday by approximately three meters. The raised part is covered with a white cotton fabric of about two meters on the four sides.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques took this measure as an annual procedure to ensure that Kaaba’s kiswa is protected from any damage by those circumambulating Islam’s holiest shrine during the Haj season.

Muhammad Bajouda, director general of the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kaaba’s cover, said that this is part of the plan for this year’s pilgrimage of Haj. “This measure is a precaution to prevent any abuses. There are a large number of pilgrims who are keen to touch the cover of the Kaaba, which exposes the garment to some damage,” he said.

He added that some pilgrims cut out some parts of the kiswa to use it as a mascot, which is of course, “pure superstition.” The kiswa will resume its normal position once the Haj season is over.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa