King Salman orders Qiblatain Mosque in Madinah to open 24 hours for worshippers
MADINAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has ordered that the Qiblatain Mosque in Madinah remain open 24 hours a day to facilitate worshippers performing prayers at all times.
On this occasion, Prince Salman bin Sultan, Emir of Madinah Region and Chairman of the Regional Development Authority, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continuous care and attention toward mosques and their commitment to enhancing services for pilgrims and visitors to the holy sites.
“The royal directive reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing dedication to the care of mosques, foremost among them the Two Holy Mosques, and embodies Saudi Arabia’s message in serving Islam and Muslims,” the prince said.
He confirmed that all relevant authorities have begun implementing the operational measures needed to ensure the mosque’s readiness for round-the-clock access, emphasizing efforts to facilitate worshippers’ comfort and spiritual experience at this significant religious and historical landmark.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh said the directive demonstrates the leadership’s commitment to providing the highest level of care and comfort for mosque visitors, especially at historic mosques that hold a special place in the hearts of Muslims.
He added that the Qiblatain Mosque is fully prepared to operate around the clock and has been equipped with facilities to serve worshippers, noting that the ministry continues to implement major projects to develop mosques and to reinforce the Kingdom’s leading role in serving Islam and Muslims.
NEWS: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launches the “King Salman Gate” Project, a landmark multi-use destination beside the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Covering 12 million m², it will feature residential, cultural & service facilities, accommodate 900,000 worshippers, and create 300,000 jobs by 2036, all while preserving Makkah’s rich heritage and enhancing the experience of the Guests of Allah.
Over 13.5 million visit Two Holy Mosques in one week
Saudi Gazette report
MAKKAH — The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced that the total number of worshippers and visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during the week of Rabi’ Al-Thani 18–24, 1447 AH reached 13,535,258.
According to the authority, 4,681,002 worshippers performed prayers at the Grand Mosque, including 23,994 who prayed inside Hijr Ismail (Al-Hatim), while the number of Umrah pilgrims reached 2,796,561.
At the Prophet’s Mosque, 5,168,764 worshippers were recorded during the same week, including 340,958 who prayed in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah.
Meanwhile, 523,979 visitors offered their salutations to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his two companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
The authority noted that it employs advanced sensor-based technology to monitor the number of worshippers and Umrah pilgrims at the main entrances of both holy mosques.
The system aims to enhance operational efficiency, monitor crowd flow in real time, and support coordination among the agencies responsible for managing pilgrims and visitors.
SINGAPORE – From 2026, Muslims wishing to go on the annual haj pilgrimage will have to obtain a health certificate confirming they are medically fit.
They must also be physically capable of safely performing the haj rituals, under new requirements set out by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The haj involves long walks, high temperatures and large crowds.
Saudi Arabia cuts Umrah entry visa validity period to one month
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has reduced the validity period for the entry visa for Umrah from three months to one month from the date of issuance. However, the validity period for the stay after the pilgrim's arrival in Saudi Arabia remains unchanged at three months, Al-Arabiya reported quoting sources from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The number of Umrah visas issued to foreign pilgrims since the start of the new Umrah season in early June has exceeded four million. This year's Umrah season is thus setting a record for the number of foreign pilgrims in just five months, compared to previous seasons.
The ministry has made some amendments in the Umrah visa regulations in this regard. According to the amended regulations, the Umrah visa will be cancelled after 30 days from the date of issuance if the pilgrim does not register to enter Saudi Arabia. The sources stated that the new regulations will come into force from next week onwards.
Ahmed Bajaeifer, advisor at the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, said that the decision is part of the ministry’s preparations for the anticipated surge in Umrah pilgrims, particularly after the end of summer and the drop in temperatures in Makkah and Madinah. The aim is to prevent overcrowding in the two holy cities.
At least 45 people died after a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims collided with a diesel tanker near Madinah, sparking a major fire. The group had travelled from Hyderabad to Jeddah on November 9, with plans to return on November 23. Of the 54 travellers, four went separately by car to Madinah and another four stayed back in Makkah. The remaining 46 were on the bus that crashed about 25 km from Madinah around 1:30 am IST near Mufrihat, shortly after completing their pilgrimage rituals. Only one passenger survived and is receiving hospital treatment. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has set up a 24x7 control room for families, with a toll-free helpline at 8002440003
Saudi Arabia prohibits seriously ill pilgrims from performing Hajj 2026
Action will be taken against doctors who issue fitness certificates to seriously ill pilgrims, say ministry sources
The Saudi government has imposed strict restrictions on seriously ill individuals seeking to perform Hajj 2026, The News reported on Monday.
A policy for deporting seriously ill pilgrims has also been enforced, under which Saudi authorities will send such pilgrims back to their homeland, and the returning pilgrims will be required to bear the cost of their travel.
Sources in the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that action will be taken against doctors who issue fitness certificates to seriously ill pilgrims.
The ministry has clarified that, according to directives from the Saudi Ministry of Health regarding medical conditions for Hajj 2026, patients suffering from kidney diseases or undergoing dialysis will not be permitted to perform the pilgrimage.
The Saudi ministry has also prohibited Hajj for patients with heart diseases that limit their ability to perform physical activity. Individuals with advanced lung and liver diseases will also face restrictions and will not be allowed to participate.
In addition, the Saudi government has barred people with severe neurological or psychiatric illnesses, memory impairment, severe disabilities, and dementia from performing Hajj.
People suffering from severe old age-related conditions, including Alzheimer's and epilepsy, will also be restricted. Pregnant women, as well as patients with whooping cough, tuberculosis, and viral hemorrhagic fever, will similarly be unable to perform Hajj 2026.
Cancer patients have also been declared ineligible for Hajj. Medical officers will be authorised to prevent such individuals from travelling before departure.
Monitoring teams deployed by Saudi authorities will assess and verify the authenticity of each pilgrim’s fitness certificate.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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