A Historic Move After 125 Years!

The Hejaz Railway, first launched by Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1900 to connect Istanbul to Mecca and Medina, is being revived after 125 years!

Türkiye, Jordan, and Syria have signed a protocol for reconstruction. A separate protocol with Saudi Arabia will follow soon.

The new line will stretch from Istanbul → Damascus → Amman → Medina, aiming to provide safe, affordable travel for pilgrims and boost international trade.

Originally completed in 1908, the railway was disrupted during World War I, but now it will return as a modern link of faith, history, and commerce.

#HejazRailway #History #OttomanEmpire #AbdulHamidII #Pilgrimage #FaithAndTrade #Turkey #Jordan #Syria #SaudiArabia

In 2023, more than 1.8 million people performed Hajj, with nearly 90% of pilgrims, or 1,660,915 pilgrims, coming from outside Saudi Arabia through various ports, while the number of domestic pilgrims – including both citizens and residents – reached 184,130.

The majority of the pilgrims were male, numbering 969,694 (52.6%), while female pilgrims totalled 875,351(47.4%).

Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims this year to exceed 2023 numbers and approach pre-pandemic levels.

One of the world’s largest religious gatherings, the Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. All Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.

Here is a look at the geographic representation of pilgrims who undertook the Hajj pilgrimage in 2023.

#photo: Pilgrims have started arriving in Mina camps to start the Hajj rituals.

#Hajj2024 #MinaCamp #Pilgrimage #HajjRituals

The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by all Muslims, following in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad.

All able-bodied followers of Islam with financial means are expected to perform it once in their lifetime, during the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Here is an overview of the practices that constitute the last pillar of Islam.

Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the start of the Hajj, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale.

Saudi officials say more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived in the country, with more expected to join them.

Coupled with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims living in Saudi Arabia, officials estimate the number of pilgrims this year to exceed that of 2023, approaching pre-pandemic levels.

The pilgrimage — one of the five pillars of Islam, and which all able-bodied Muslims with sufficient means are required to perform at least once in their lives — is scheduled between June 14 and June 19 this year.

Those partaking in Hajj view the pilgrimage as an opportunity to strengthen their faith, wipe out old sins and start afresh.

Here’s a look at how many pilgrims undertook the Hajj over the years.

Saudi Arabia has said that pilgrims can expect an average high temperature of 44°C (or 111 degrees Fahrenheit) in Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage this month.

"The expected climate for Hajj this year will witness an increase in average temperatures of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Mecca and Medina," National Meteorology Centre chief Ayman Ghulam said during a press conference on June 4.

He noted that the forecast indicates "relative humidity of 25 percent, rain rates close to zero, and an average maximum temperature of 44 degrees."

The Hajj, which begins on June 14, is one of Islam's five pillars and must be performed at least once by all Muslims who have the means to do so.

Last year, more than 1.8 million Muslims took part in the Hajj, during which over 2,000 people suffered heat stress as temperatures soared to 48°C (or 118 degrees Fahrenheit), according to official Saudi figures.

However, the actual number of heat stress cases — including heatstroke, exhaustion, cramps, and rashes — was likely much higher, as many sufferers were not admitted to hospitals or clinics.

This year's Hajj is expected to be the last official summer Hajj in Saudi Arabia as the annual pilgrimage starts almost a fortnight earlier each year following Islamic Hijri lunar calendar, which lasts 354 days.

Yusuf Ma Dexin, a Hui Chinese Hanafi-Maturidi scholar from Yunnan, was known for his expertise in Arabic and Persian languages and profound understanding of Islam. He was also known as Ma Fuchu in Chinese.

In 1841, Yusuf Ma embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage, his departure from China caused disruptions due to the First Opium War. He accompanied a contingent of Muslim merchants who traveled overland, crossing the Sipsong Panna and then a riverboat journey along the Irrawaddy River. They were allowed to embark on a vessel from Yangon, which took them to the Arabian Peninsula.

After performing Hajj and visiting holy cities of Makkah and Madina, Yusuf Ma remained in the Middle East for eight years. He studied at al-Azhar University in Cairo and explored the Ottoman Empire, visiting cities like Suez, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Cyprus, and Rhodes. He died in 1874.

Below is a portrait of Yusuf Ma Dexin, and a Chinese book shows - Shakl Masjid-AlHaram AlKaba.
#ChineseMuslim #islaminchina #historyofhajj #HajjPilgrims

Islam is based on five pillars which the Messenger (‎‎ﷺ) has explained for us. The Prophet said: “Islam is built upon five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing regular prayer (salah); paying the zakah; Hajj (pilgrimage) and fasting Ramadan.”

(al-Bukhaari, no. 8)

Malcolm X visited Gaza after his pilgrimage to Mecca! This is a painting that reflects Al-Hajj Malik el-Shabbaz

#Hajj1444 has concluded successfully, May Allah grant Hajj Mabrur to all Hujjaj

Thank you for joining us in our special coverage over the last few days of the Great Pilgrimage.

‏تقبل الله منا ومنكم صالح الأعمال