Funds for 67,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims sent to wrong account Authorities have formed special subcommittee to investigate, trace funds, and prevent similar incidents in future
More than 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims could face delays in their Hajj journey after millions of Saudi Riyals meant for their expenses were mistakenly sent to the wrong bank account.
According to the Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), approximately 50 million Saudi Riyals were accidentally transferred to an OPEC Fund account instead of the official account of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The error has delayed the payment process by more than a month.
As a result, private Hajj operators missed the payment deadlines set by Saudi authorities, unaware that the funds were misdirected. Their bookings and pilgrimage plans have been severely disrupted.
The situation has caused widespread concern among families of the pilgrims, many of whom now fear their loved ones may not be able to perform Hajj this year.
In response, Pakistani authorities have formed a special subcommittee to investigate the error, trace the funds, and prevent similar incidents in the future. The committee will also coordinate with Saudi officials to resolve the issue swiftly.
"This payment error has highlighted the urgent need for better coordination and communication between banks, private Hajj operators, and official agencies," HOAP representatives said.
With limited time left before Hajj, efforts are underway to rectify the mistake and secure the travel arrangements for thousands of hopeful pilgrims.
If 67,000 pakistani hajees and 45,000 Indian Hajees are not allowed to visit haram for Haj, Masjid e Nabavi will be half empty. It is the sub-continent crowd which stays for more than a week in madeenah.
I am concluding this based on past statement of imam of masjid e nabavi.
Thunderstorms expected across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
For ref only. Old image
RIYADH: Thunderstorms are expected across most of Saudi Arabia throughout the weekend until Sunday, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
Makkah province is expected to see moderate to heavy rainfall with potential flash floods, hail, and dust-stirring winds, affecting areas like Taif, Maysan, Al-Muwayh, Turbah, Al-Khurmah and Ranyah.
Riyadh province will also experience light to moderate rainfall, flash floods, hail, and dust-stirring winds, affecting areas including Afif, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Quwayiyah, and Shaqra.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, and Madinah regions, with moderate rain in Hail and light to moderate rain in Najran and Qassim.
The directorate advised caution, avoiding flood-prone areas such as valleys, and refraining from swimming in them.
It also encouraged staying informed about the latest weather updates through official media channels and social media platforms.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Talib Hameed, long recognised for leading prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque, no longer appears on the mosque’s official imam roster in the latest update, with no public explanation given for his omission.
Hot to extremely hot weather expected at holy sites during Hajj
MAKKAH — The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) announced that the expected weather conditions in the holy sites during this year's Hajj will be hot to extremely hot. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 40 and 47 degrees Celsius, and minimum temperatures range between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius. The humidity levels are expected between 15 percent and 60 percent.
The CEO of NCM Dr. Ayman Ghulam indicated that winds will be northerly to northwesterly at speeds ranging from 25 to 35 km/h, with dust-raising, which may lead to reduced horizontal visibility, especially in open areas and highways. He noted the possibility of thunderstorms forming in the highlands of Taif, extending their impact to the holy sites during the period from Dhul Hijjah 8 to 13, accompanied by active downwinds that stir up dust and dirt.
MAKKAH — Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, has directed that Friday sermons and prayers be shortened during the 2025 Hajj season due to intense heat in Makkah and Madinah.
The decision aims to ease hardship on pilgrims and worshippers, especially the elderly and those in crowded areas such as the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba), upper levels, and courtyards. It also includes reducing the waiting time between the call to prayer and the start of the sermon.
Al-Sudais said the directive reflects the presidency’s responsibility to provide a safe, spiritual worship environment at the Two Holy Mosques, in line with the leadership’s directives.
He added that the move considers the arrival of millions of pilgrims and applies Islamic principles that prioritize relief from hardship and ensuring worshipers’ well-being in extreme conditions.
Sheikh Al-Sudais also called upon pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques to diligently fulfill their religious duties, including prayer, zakat, fasting, and Hajj. He encouraged the remembrance of God through recitations of tahleel, tasbeeh, takbeer, and tahmeed during the month of Dhu Al-Hijjah.
Al-Sudais advised all Muslims, particularly those performing Hajj, to seize opportunities that will benefit them in this life and the hereafter, following the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He emphasized kindness, compassion, and generosity towards visitors and pilgrims as embodiments of noble character and respect for human dignity during this blessed time in this sacred place.
Inside the Haramain
@insharifain
A total of 1,255,199 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom through international ports by the end of Wednesday, 1st Dhul Hijjah 1446.
The unfortunate one lakh sub-continent hajees were denied Haj this year, for no fault. Hundreds of crores of losses for tour operators.
The silent curses on the oppressors by every indo pak hajees near haram and in mina, will those duas will haunt the oppressors.
May allah give hidayat to the oppressors.
MADINAH — The General Authority for the Care of the Prophet’s Mosque has stepped up its operations and service offerings to accommodate the rising number of worshippers in Madinah during the 1446 Hajj season, focusing on Zamzam water distribution, hygiene, and hospitality.
In coordination with the Haram Authority, significant quantities of Zamzam water bottles and containers were made available throughout the Prophet’s Mosque, including on the rooftop and at chilled drinking stations across the courtyards. Services were maintained around the clock to meet the needs of pilgrims and worshippers.
From the 15th of Dhul-Qi’dah to the first of Dhul-Hijjah, the Authority reported the distribution of 218,336 bottles of Zamzam water to worshippers in both the men’s and women’s sections of the mosque.
During the same period, the total Zamzam water consumption reached 3,360 tons, with over 14 million plastic cups used to facilitate water access.
In addition, 301,802 Iftar meals were served to fasting visitors, distributed in designated areas inside the mosque, as part of the Authority’s seasonal hospitality program.
To ensure a clean and safe environment, 52,625 liters of disinfectants and sanitizers were used in cleaning and sterilizing the mosque’s interior and facilities.
As part of efforts to enhance the spiritual atmosphere, 7 kilograms of premium incense were used to scent the mosque and Rawdah areas before each prayer, including at entrances and corridors.
MINA — The holy site of Mina is shining in its finest attire as over 1.5 million pilgrims are set to descent on the sprawling Tent City from morning of Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 8, corresponding to June 4, to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. The pilgrims will depart Mina for Arafat at dawn of Thursday, Dhul Hijjah 9, corresponding to June 5, to perform the ritual of standing at Arafat, the pinnacle of Hajj.
Aerial photos, broadcast by the Saudi Press Agency, showed the bright lights illuminating the night in Mina, where high-tech tents are lined up to receive the pilgrims. The vast network of roads in the Tent City is poised to receive buses and cars transporting the pilgrims, while government vehicles and foot teams are engaged in inspecting the huge Jamarat Complex to ensure its readiness for the stoning rituals.
Mina, a small valley located five kilometers to the east of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is an integral site for the Hajj pilgrimage. The landscape of Mina is dominated by vast arrays of white tents, specifically designed to accommodate the multitudes of pilgrims. These tents are fire-resistant and are equipped with essential amenities to ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims throughout their stay. The Tent City is spreading over an area with a capacity to accommodate more than 2.6 million pilgrims during the peak pilgrimage season.
The infrastructure in Mina is a marvel of modern engineering and logistics, designed to handle the enormous influx of visitors smoothly and efficiently. The site includes extensive networks of roads, bridges, and tunnels to facilitate the movement of pilgrims between Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah — all major sites of the Hajj ritual.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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