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FILE: A picture taken on 29 July 2020 shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, at the start of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. Picture: AFP

Mecca

Mecca reopens for limited 'umrah' pilgrimage

By AFP

The umrah, the pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time, usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year but it was suspended in March...

  • A picture taken on 29 July 2020 shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, at the start of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. Picture: AFP

    Mecca to reopen for limited pilgrimages after 7-month pause for virus

    The umrah, the pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time, usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year.

    677 days ago
  • A picture taken on 29 July 2020 shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, at the start of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. Picture: AFP

    Muslims begin downsized hajj amid pandemic

    Mask-clad Muslim pilgrims on Wednesday began the annual hajj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage.

    742 days ago
  • FILE: Muslim worshippers pray at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on 23 June 2017, during the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. Picture: AFP

    CT Muslim pilgrims left stranded after tour operator disappears with funds

    According to the Jamiatul Ulama Council of Theologians, around 40 Capetonians were unable to perform umrah in Saudi Arabia last month because their operator disappeared with their funds.

    936 days ago
  • Syrian pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, as the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage approaches on 10 August 2019. Picture: AFP

    Two million Muslim hajj pilgrims scale Mount Arafat

    Raising their palms skywards, the pilgrims set off on the climb to the summit where they hold prayers to atone for their sins in a ritual that is regarded as the high point of the annual hajj.

    1096 days ago
  • FILE: Muslim pilgrims gather at the Grand Mosque in the holy Saudi city of Mecca early on August 30, 2017, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. For the faithful, it is a deeply spiritual journey, which for centuries every capable Muslim has been required to make at least once in their lifetimes. In the age of social media and live video streaming, it's now also an experience to be shared in real time. Picture: AFP.

    More than two million Muslims begin hajj pilgrimage

    The hajj, one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives.

    1097 days ago
  • Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on Arafat Day which is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage early on 20 August 2018. Picture: AFP

    Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat for peak of hajj

    A sea of worshippers scaled the rocky hill southeast of the holy city of Mecca for a day of prayers and reflection where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.

    1451 days ago
  • FILE: Muslim worshippers pray at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on 23 June 2017, during the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. Picture: AFP

    Bomber planning to attack Mecca’s Grand Mosque blows himself up – ministry

    The ministry said that three cells had planned the attack on worshippers and security forces at the mosque as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan nears its climax.

    1873 days ago
  • Saudi emergency personnel transport a Hajj pilgim on a stretcher at the site where at least 2070 people were killed and hundreds wounded in a stampede in Mina at the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia on 24 September, 2015. Picture: AFP.

    'Death toll in Saudi hajj disaster at least 2,070'

    The figure is based on information provided by the state & religious authorities and local media.

    2476 days ago
  • FILE: Saudi ambulances arrive with hajj pilgrims who were injured in a stampede at an emergency hospital in Mina on September 24, 2015. At least 717 people were killed and over 800 injured. Picture: AFP.

    As insults fly: Iran, Saudi Hajj row aggravates regional rifts

    The disaster is unlikely to be a game changer in the contest between Iran & Saudi Arabia.

    2507 days ago
  • FILE: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Picture: AFP

    Iran's Rouhani calls for investigation into hajj crush

    Rouhani emphasised the need for an investigation into the causes of this incident and other similar incidents.

    2509 days ago
  • A file picture shows Muslim pilgrims arriving to throw pebbles at pillars during the ‘Jamarat’ ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina near the holy city of Mecca. Picture: AFP.

    Saudi health minister: Death toll in hajj crush rises to 769

    The effort to uncover the facts and assign blame was likely to grow more acute and possibly more political.

    2510 days ago
  • FILE: Saudi ambulances arrive with hajj pilgrims who were injured in a stampede at an emergency hospital in Mina on September 24, 2015. At least 717 people were killed and over 800 injured. Picture: AFP

    Dirco confirms no SA casualties in hajj stampede

    The department says SA’s embassy in Saudi Arabia has not received any reports of injuries or fatalities.

    2511 days ago
  • Inside the Mecca hajj tragedy

    Inside the Mecca hajj tragedy

    Inside the Mecca hajj tragedy

    2511 days ago
  • Saudi emergency personnel transport a Hajj pilgim on a stretcher at the site where at least 717 were killed and hundreds wounded in a stampede in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, at the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia on 24 September, 2015. Picture: AFP.

    No confirmation if South Africans were victims of Hajj stampede

    Over 700 pilgrims died during a stampede at the world’s largest annual gathering.

    2511 days ago
  • A file picture shows Muslim pilgrims arriving to throw pebbles at pillars during the ‘Jamarat’ ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina near the holy city of Mecca. Picture: AFP.

    Undisciplined pilgrims blamed for deadly Hajj stampede

    Over 700 people died on Thursday and more than 800 others were injured during the stampede.

    2511 days ago
  • Saudi emergency personnel transport a hajj pilgrim on a stretcher at the site where at least 717 were killed and hundreds wounded in a stampede in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, at the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia on 24 September, 2015. Picture: AFP.

    SA extends condolences to hajj stampede victims

    Over 700 pilgrims were crushed in a stampede in the tent city of Mina, which also left hundreds more injured.

    2512 days ago
  • A file picture shows Muslim pilgrims arriving to throw pebbles at pillars during the ‘Jamarat’ ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina near the holy city of Mecca. Picture: AFP.

    Hajj stampede worst disaster to hit pilgrimage in 25 years

    At least 717 people have been confirmed dead and many hundreds more have been injured.

    2512 days ago
  • A file picture shows Muslim pilgrims arriving to throw pebbles at pillars during the ‘Jamarat’ ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina near the holy city of Mecca. Picture: AFP.

    Mecca: Worst stampedes in the history of hajj

    Eyewitness News looks at some of the deadliest crushes in recent history of the hajj.

    2512 days ago
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