Faith defeats desert heat as Hajis flock to Hera cave

September 21, 2015

Makkah, Sep 21: Their faces bathed in sweat, cheeks stained with tears, dozens of Muslim pilgrims scale Makkah’s Jabal Al-Noor mountain, undertaking the arduous ascent to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

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It was in a cave in this rugged, rocky peak overlooking the holy city of Makkah that Muslims believe the Qur'an was first revealed to the prophet when he was 40 years old.

The annual Haj pilgrimage begins on Tuesday, and more than a million faithful have already flocked to Saudi Arabia in preparation for what will for many be the highlight of their spiritual lives.

In sneakers or slippers, and some even using walking sticks, men and women of all ages take the challenge to climb the 642-meter (2,100-foot) peak, whose name means “Mountain of Light,” despite the scorching heat.

The prophet was said to have frequently climbed the mountain to meditate well into his later years.

Prophet Muhammad “was old and he used to climb,” says Fuad Tajelddin, a Senegalese pilgrim in his fifties.

“Even his older wife Khadeeja used to climb the mountain twice every day. So for us... it’s an obligation,” said the pilgrim, wearing sweatpants, a sweat-drenched shirt and a cap as he climbed the stairs leading to the summit.

Many of the elderly climbers sit on the sides of the hill to rest and sip water before resuming their journey, which is usually done at dawn or a few hours before sunset.

Others send images of the climb on their phones while many pause every now and then for a selfie.

At the peak, pilgrims gather to enter the Hira’a cave where Muhammad is believed to have spent much of his time pondering nature and creation.

At the cave, they pray, cry, rest and seek blessings by touching and kissing its walls.

But members of Saudi Arabia’s religious police deployed in the area try to convince the faithful to refrain from such emotive behavior.

The cave visit itself is not part of the rituals of the Haj, which this year goes ahead against the backdrop of a deadly crane collapse at Makkah’s Grand Mosque, which killed more than 100 people earlier this month.

However, the sacred site “is part of our faith,” said Shawqi Haydous, a Lebanese pilgrim who was almost at the mountain summit.

Muhammad “received part of the Qur'an and revelation came to him” in the cave.

“This is the fifth time I visit the cave. I feel happy every time I come,” he told AFP. “It’s very beautiful to see where Khadeeja came to bring him food even though it’s not a must in the Haj rituals.”

The Haj will officially start next week but many have arrived earlier to perform the lesser pilgrimage, the umrah, and to visit holy sites in Makkah and Medina, where Muhammad is buried.

“I don’t encourage all people to come here because it’s risky,” said Haydous, stopping to wipe his brow. “But I think all who are able to come here must do it.”

Almost an hour later, the call to prayer echoes through the city which begins to light up from below, drawing the pilgrims back down the slippery stone steps before darkness and silence descend on the hill for another night.

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coastaldigest.com web desk
May 21,2020

The Tawakkalna application developed by Saudi Arabia's National Information Centre to processes requests for movement permits during the curfew to curb the spread of the virus has become a major helplnine for past few weeks. 

The application developed through the close cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was launched on May 4.

According to Saudi Telecom Group, it handles 20,000 calls daily through the Tawakkalna platform by dedicating a call centre of 600 employees through its Contact Centre Company (CCC). 

The Tawakkalna app can be used to issue e-permits for a selected group of government and private sector employees who were exempted from the curfew, and individuals who have medical appointments as well as couriers.

Tawakkalna has features for the service of citizens and residents, for ensuring their safety and comfort that would contribute to facilitating the access of authorized persons to travel permits.

The official page about Tawakkalna on Twitter, says: “You must always keep in mind that pinpointing your exact location of residence is the only way for you to benefit from the app’s range of services and permits.”

The app will also provide the latest alerts and medical news issued by the Ministry of Health about the virus as well as about its spread, ways to prevent it and movement permits.

Tawakkalna can be used for self-disclosure for people who show signs of coronavirus infection and for requesting ambulance service and other important services for the community.

Through the app users can apply for a one-hour permit for a walk in the neighborhood on a daily basis, thereby encouraging walking during this period of lockdown.

Comments

muhammad Sheheryar
 - 
Sunday, 14 Jun 2020

sir,

 

 
i am facing problem for receiving OTP code during registration for my family. i am unable to get OTP code.

please assist. 

Abdulrazaq Yousef
 - 
Thursday, 4 Jun 2020

Entering date of birth is the big problem is the big problem of this app. 

 

Malik asif
 - 
Tuesday, 26 May 2020

Dob entering problem 

Thomas Philipose
 - 
Monday, 25 May 2020

Hi,

I am trying to register in the Tawakkalna app, but it keeps on throwing error. Any idea?

 

thanx

 

 

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News Network
May 6,2020

A massive fire engulfed a residential tower in UAE's Sharjah last night. The building has been identified as one Abbco Tower in Al Nahda.

According to the latest inputs, Sharjah Civil Defence teams rushed to the spot and evacuated all residents. 

Firefighters managed to douse the blaze after several hours. The building in question is reportedly a 48-storey structure. Officials are yet to reveal the cause of the fire.

All residents of the building were evacuated while seven incurred minor injuries during the evacuation and were treated at local hospitals, reported the United Arab Emirates' local media.

More details are awaited as this is a developing story.

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News Network
April 22,2020

Dubai, Apr 22: Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry registered 1141 new Coronavirus cases, 172 new Recoveries and 5 new deaths in the last 24 hours by 22nd April 2020 (3:40 PM), Most of  the Corona infected patients are in stable condition, while 82 cases are on critical condition and are being treated in various hospital's Intensive Care Unit, All the confirmed and suspected cases are isolated and are being treated in the country, the Total Covid-19 cases as of Today are as follows
 
Infections : 12772
Recovered : 1812
Deaths : 114
Active Cases : 10846
Critical : 82

-  The Spokesperson of Ministry of Health said Total laborartory tests exceeded 200,000. 

-  You should continue to socialize and stay at home, especially for those aged 65 and over or who suffer from chronic diseases.

-  Half a million field assessments under active survey, 50 government agencies involved in anti-virus efforts, 150 field teams participating in the active examination in the Kingdom.

- The Health Ministry said, Maintaining hand-washing and keeping away from gatherings is an important step, and we should all be responsible.

- Worldwide Covid-19 infection details as of Today (22nd April) are

Infections : 2,580,729
Recovered : 693,093
Deaths : 178,371

- Among the 1141 new infections, most of the cases are on active survey results, 868 cases from new infections are discovered from active survey field testing. The city wise total active cases excluding recoveries and deaths by 22nd April are

Makkah : 2472
Madina : 1944
Riyadh : 1762
Jeddah : 1679
Dammam : 678
Hofuf : 507
Taif : 131
Tabuk : 128
Jubail : 97
Qatif : 73
Buraidah : 46
Khamis Musaith : 44
Khobar : 38
Dhahran : 36
Yanbu : 36
Khalis : 24
Ar Ar : 16
Khafji : 15
Ras Tanura : 12
Zulfi : 11
Onaiza : 9
Al Maqwat : 9
Al Dariya : 8
Al Kharj : 8
Samita : 8
Bisha : 7
Najran : 7
Al Khanfadah : 7
Hail : 6
Al Baha : 6
Sabit Alaya : 5
Muhayil Asir : 5
Ahad Rafidah : 4
Muwiya : 4
Ar Ras : 4
Al Qurayyat : 3
Al Muzilaf : 3
Sharura : 3
Al Jafar : 2
Al Lais : 2
Al Hanakiya : 2
AlMabraz : 2
Al Qawiya : 2
Al Tawal : 2
Al Misan : 2
Al Qariya : 2
Hada : 2
Rabig : 2
Sabia : 2
Saihat : 2
Azam : 1
Al Aiz : 1
Al Bakariya : 1
Al Dawadmi : 1
Al Majmaah : 1
Al Mada : 1
Al Shamli : 1
Al Ala : 1
Al Wajha : 1
Al Arida : 1
Beesh : 1
Diba : 1
Sakaka : 1
Sariban : 1
Sharura : 1
Riyad Al Khabra : 1

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