No, I think the vaccination requirement that is lifted is for the entrance into Haram. For entrance into Saudia itself I think the vaccine is still required.
The no quarantine and PCR is old news now.
In Karachi here, one of the foremost Hajj/Umrah agency is reporting the same regarding vaccine requirement, so I assume this is valid news.
Vaccination Requirements Scrapped For Entry Into Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Ministry of Health on Monday lifted restrictions for travelers arriving in the Kingdom which included the requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Other Restrictions which were lifted included PCR tests, and Quarantine upon arrival. The Ministry also lifted ‘all restrictions related to the Corona virus for arrivals into the Kingdom’.
Earlier the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah scrapped the Vaccination mandate in order to enter the Two Holy Mosques or obtain an Umrah Permit
You mean my non conspiracy links lol.
Until someone flies there without vax I don't wana get hopes up. My friend is looking to go in ramadan n he being asked to provide vax certificate by agent
Many of the agents here have a "setting" going on in Saudia which means fake vaccination records and PCR tests that would have prevented any problems with the Saudi authorities. No quarantine either. They told me themselves when I wanted to go as well. Of course, none of that is needed now.
As for the airlines, if you are traveling by Emirates, then no PCR is needed now whereas it was needed earlier.
MAKKAH: The free trial phase of the Makkah Bus Project, which included the recently launched routes (6, 7A, 12 and 7), has been a success — recording 100,000 users since the start of the first trips on Feb. 15.
The project’s team worked from the Unified Center for Transport in Makkah to conduct technical tests and match them with the high standards of the program’s requirements. This has resulted in a success that met the project’s aims, while the service has been appreciated by Makkah’s residents and visitors.
More than 40 buses were made operational on the lanes every day, while an additional 40 buses were put on standby in case of a larger number of users, especially during rush hour.
The operational hours of the trips exceeded 22 hours, with the first bus leaving at 4 a.m. every day. The last trip of the day takes place at 2 a.m. The operating team consists of 500 employees, including drivers, operational staff, mechanics and a support team.
Work is also underway to launch the rest of the routes during the next phase of the project, which will introduce new destinations in Makkah over the next two months to reach several educational, health and commercial facilities.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites is supervising the plan to complete the Makkah Bus Project and all of its routes. The project, set to be completed in 2022, is one of the initiatives of the Doyof Al-Rahman Program, one of Saudi Vision 2030’s executive programs.
The commission aspires to increase the efficiency and capacity of the transportation network, achieve financial and environmental sustainability, ensure a smooth experience for all users of the transportation network and establish a distinguished governance system by defining the roles and responsibilities of all of the entities operating within the sector.
Major operational plans unveiled for Ramadan at Two Holy Mosques
MAKKAH: Major organizational plans for Ramadan covering the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah were on Monday unveiled by Saudi government officials.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, announced the launch of one the biggest ever operations at the two sites for the holy month.
Speaking during a press conference held at general presidency headquarters in Makkah, alongside Minister of Commerce and acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, he pointed out that despite the gradual easing of precautionary measures against COVID-19, health and safety practices would continue to be applied at the same levels as during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Al-Sudais said everything was being done to ensure the provision of the best possible services and environment for worshippers to perform their rituals with ease.
He noted that the latest technology had been employed to improve the visitor experience including artificial intelligence systems, digitization programs, and electronic apps in a range of languages.
Nearly 12,000 male and female workers had been lined up to cater for the needs of pilgrims during Ramadan, and the Third Saudi Expansion, the King Fahd Expansion, and all the courtyards of the Grand Mosque would be open for worshippers, Al-Sudais added.
The presidency had also allocated the courtyard, ground floor, and basement of the Mataf for pilgrims only in order to ensure the smooth flow of people, while special attention had been paid to the elderly and those with disabilities through the designation of specific paths and dedicated sites equipped with the latest technologies.
After a two-year hiatus, Al-Sudais announced the return of iftar travel to the Grand Mosque by issuing 2,000 permits, adding that Zamzam water would be sent to soldiers stationed on the Kingdom’s southern borders throughout the fasting period.
Al-Qasabi said: “I am honored to participate in the general presidency’s inauguration of the Ramadan plan, and its media campaign for 2022, which enhances the role of the media in conveying the voice and message of the Two Holy Mosques to the whole world, and broadcasting translated Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers live, in addition to the targeted awareness and educational programs.”
General presidency spokesman, Hani bin Hosni Haidar, said seven members of the Council of Senior Scholars would participate in lessons at the Grand Mosque, while the teachers at the Makkah site would offer 425 lessons for visitors and pilgrims. He noted that the general presidency would also be providing three hi-tech awareness centers to support its vision 2024 aims, with 60 sheikhs on hand to answer questions.
Haidar pointed out the use of AI and interactive screens, including the deployment of robots for sterilization work, distributing Zamzam water, and answering inquiries, and the installation of eight interactive, 34 spatial guidance, and four guidance screens in different languages.
He added that the King Abdulaziz, King Fahd, and Baab-al-Salaam gates had been allocated for the entry and exit of pilgrims, along with 144 entrance doors for worshippers, and the Ajyad, Al-Shabaka, and Al-Marwah bridges.
Saudi Arabia confirms Mecca and Medina broadcasts will continue after backlash over ban
Ministry of Islamic Affairs had announced ban on filming and broadcasting from mosques during holy month, sparking criticism
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that it will continue to broadcast uninterrupted live footage from the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina after an announcement banning the filming of congregational prayers caused uproar online.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced that mosques in the country would not be allowed to film prayers or broadcast them to media channels during Ramadan, which begins on 1 April.
The comments were part of a wider statement issuing advice for mosque employees during the upcoming Muslim holy month.
It urged staff “not to use cameras in mosques to photograph the imam and worshipers while performing prayers, and not to transmit prayers or broadcast them in the media of all kinds”.
It also encouraged worshippers to avoid bringing children who may be disruptive, and advised those planning to hold projects for iftar - the fast-breaking evening meal - that they needed to submit applications for prior approval from the ministry.
While much of the statement was innocuous, the guidance around filming and broadcasting from mosques caused confusion.
During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims around the world to watch live footage from the Grand Mosque in Mecca, as worshippers walk around the Kaaba - the building at the centre of Mecca's Masjid al-Haram - and take part in daily prayers at Islam's holiest site.
It is also common during the holy month to watch live broadcasts from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet's Mosque), the second holiest site in Islam, in the western Saudi city of Medina.
The statement did not make specific reference to Mecca or Medina, raising initial doubts about whether they would be included. However, Haramain Sharifain, the official news publication for the two mosques, confirmed on Thursday that the coverage would continue 24 hours a day.
It is not common for filming or broadcasting to take place at any other mosque in Saudi Arabia, which raises questions about the original motivation of the announcement.
Social media backlash
Several activists and social media users had criticised the move to ban public broadcasts of prayers.
“Following on from invitations to Nicki Minaj, 'Giant' desert raves, bikini beaches, gutting Islamic education from curriculum, and banning loudspeakers for mosques, #SaudiArabia's [Crown Prince Mohammed] Bin Salman bans all media outlets from broadcasting prayers during the month of Ramadan,” tweeted MENA commentator Sami Hamdi, referring to several recent controversial initiatives in the kingdom.
Hamdi posted a thread claiming that this was yet another example of Saudi Arabia deliberately publishing a vague statement, monitoring the backlash, before backtracking.
He cited an example from earlier this year, when the kingdom restricted the use of external loudspeakers in mosques, before later confirming that it would not apply to weekly Friday prayers.
“Are you sure it’s [the Ministry of] Islamic Affairs, not the Crusades?!” remarked another user.
Some critics believe that under the de-facto leadership of Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has veered away from its Islamic principles.
In December, the kingdom came under criticism from conservatives after hosting the MDL Beast musical festival, which saw hundreds of thousands of men and women dancing together in what was described as a "giant rave".
The crown prince caused a stir in April last year after he drew distinctions between different types of Islamic hadith (recorded narrations of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), and remarked on the relevance of renowned scholar and theologian Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab.
In the mid-18th century, Wahhab formed an alliance with the emir of Dariyyah, Muhammad bin Saud, which helped bring about the establishment of the first Saudi state. The alliance and power-sharing arrangement between the two families has continued since.
Last month, Saudi Arabia launched a new “founding day”, which has been viewed by some as an attempt to diminish the role of Wahhabism.
Any particular reason or just old age catching up to him?
I'm considering going in ramadan ( short notice ) any1 seen good deals? Ideally final 10 days in makkah but nt a deal breaker. I'm even happy to come back day or 2 before eid too.
The Imam has been on and off before, so Allah knows best.
Contact Mazhar Bhai of Al Bahisht at your local mosque for booking options. We've been using his services for many years and can't fault it, Alhumdulillah.
RIYADH: Periodic maintenance work was carried out on the cloth of the Kaaba on Sunday in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan.
The Grand Mosque in Makkah will see an increase in visitors during Ramadan as Muslims aim to devote more time to worship and also due to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Saudi Arabia.
Director of the maintenance department of the Kaaba’s Kiswah at the Grand Mosque, Fahd Al-Jabiri, said that maintenance works included tightening the Kaaba’s belt to preserve its luster and tightening the edges of the cloth.
The Kaaba’s belt hangs 9 meters above ground and has verses of the Qur’an embroidered onto its black silk fabric in gold-plated silver thread.
Al-Jabiri said that the Kiswah is checked on a daily basis and undergoes periodic maintenance through by a specialist Saudi team, some of whom have 26 years of experience.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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