Preparations for Hajj 2023 begin: Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who can afford it.
Hajj 2023 will take place from August 9-14 and is expected to be the largest gathering of Muslims in history.
Preparations for Hajj 2023 have already begun, with the Saudi government making arrangements for accommodation, transportation, and security.
Accommodation is always in high demand during Hajj, and the Saudi government is working on increasing the capacity of hotels and campsites.
Transportation is also a key concern, and the Saudi government is working on expanding the capacity of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet Mosque in Medina.
Security is always a top priority during Hajj, and the Saudi government is working with security forces from around the world to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.
Hajj 2023 is sure to be a historic event, and the Saudi government is doing everything possible to ensure that it is a success.
Millions of Muslims expected to participate in Hajj 2023
Million Muslims expected to participate in Hajj 2023
With the recent announcement of the Saudi government allowing 2 million Muslims to perform the Hajj in 2023, many are already making plans to attend the sacred Islamic pilgrimage. The Hajj is a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by able-bodied Muslims and is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.
Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Hajj was cancelled for the first time in modern history. This was a devastating blow to Muslims around the world who had been saving up and making plans to attend the once-in-a-lifetime event.
However, with the announcement that the Hajj will go ahead in 2023, Muslims are already starting to make preparations for the journey. It is expected that there will be a massive influx of people wanting to attend, and travel companies are already seeing a surge in bookings.
The Hajj is a demanding pilgrimage, both physically and emotionally, and takes place over five days. It includes several rituals, such as the circumambulation of the Kaaba and the stoning of the Devil, which are all carried out in sweltering heat.
Despite the challenges, the Hajj is an immensely rewarding experience for those who can make the journey. It is a chance to connect with fellow Muslims from all over the world and to stand in solidarity with them at one of the holiest sites in Islam.
If you are planning on making the Hajj in 2023, start making your preparations now and be sure to book your travel early to avoid disappointment.
Saudi Arabia makes changes to accommodate more pilgrims
As the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Saudi Arabia is set to accommodate more pilgrims for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in 2023.
In recent years, the Saudi government has been working to improve infrastructure and facilities in Mecca and Medina, the two holy cities that host the Hajj, to accommodate the ever-growing number of pilgrims.
Now, with the addition of a new terminal at the Jeddah Islamic Port, the Saudi government is expecting to be able to accommodate up to 30 million pilgrims for the Hajj by 2023.
The new terminal, which is set to open in 2022, will be able to handle up to 7,000 passengers per hour, making it the largest and most efficient port in the world for Hajj pilgrims.
In addition to the new port, the Saudi government is also constructing a new highway that will connect Mecca and Medina.
The highway, which is set to be completed by 2023, will reduce travel time between the two cities from eight hours to just two hours.
With these new infrastructure projects, the Saudi government is confident that it will be able to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims who come to perform the Hajj each year.
Dar Chairs ECC Meeting: Economic Coordination Committee Approves Hajj Policy 2023
The Economic Coordination Committee Of The Cabinet has approved Hajj Policy 2023 and agreed to provide foreign exchange cover of 90 million dollars.
As per policy Hajj quota allocated to Pakistan for the year 2023 is 179,210, which would be distributed between the government and private Hajj schemes at a ratio of 50:50.
Out of the government and private Hajj schemes, a quota of 50% each would be reserved for sponsorship scheme, it said adding for the year 2023, the tentative Hajj package for the northern region is 1,175,000/- rupees and for the south region is 1,165,000/- rupees.
Earlier, Ishaq Dar also held a meeting with Minister For Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor to discuss the Hajj Policy.
They resolved to provide maximum facilitation to the Pilgrims to make their spiritual journey blessed and peaceful. PTV reported, citing sources.
Govt Hajj Scheme 2023: 50% special quota reserved for pilgrims paying in US dollars
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday decided to grant 50% of the quota for the Government Hajj Scheme 2023 for pilgrims who pay their fees to the Hajj in US dollars. Geo News reported, citing sources.
The announcement is accompanied by reports that the nation with a cash shortage is in the midst of a serious liquidity problem since the rupee continues to change against dollars, which has impacted how much greenback is available.
It is worth noting that the shortage of dollars has led banks to a position of not being able to provide new credit letters for importers, which has harmed an economy already strained by the soaring rate of inflation.
The ministry earlier set aside the 25% Hajj limit if a person pays dues in US dollars, but the authorities were forced to reconsider their policy since Finance Ministry has rescinded itself from offering $2 billion to fund Hajj expenditures, sources said.
The ministry’s officials are expected to contact Finance Minister Ishaq dar soon to convince him to release the money.
The Hajj Policy 2023 is expected to be presented to the cabinet of the federal government for approval in the in the coming week, sources claimed they added they believe the cabinet will be expected to give its approval in the next 8-10 days.
The sources earlier stated that the ministry was planning to increase the Hajj limit for private operators from 40% to 50 per cent, and it could be increased further in the context of a recurring liquidity crisis in foreign exchange.
The ministry will be able to charge Rs1.1 million per pilgrim under the government-sponsored scheme however, the Hajj expenses could increase by Rs1.3 million in the event of an increase in the depreciation rate of the rupee, according to the sources who are well-placed.
They further reported they were informed by the Saudi government that Saudi Arabia was increasing the tax rate for Hajj to 18%, bringing it up to 20%.
New rules and regulations for Hajj 2023
The Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.
The Saudi government has announced several new rules and regulations for the Hajj in 2023.
1. All pilgrims must be vaccinated against the flu and meningitis before travelling to Saudi Arabia.
2. All pilgrims must undergo a medical check-up before travelling to Saudi Arabia.
3. All pilgrims must have a valid passport and visa.
4. All pilgrims must register online with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before travelling to Saudi Arabia.
What to expect during Hajj 2023
Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the world. Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it. The Hajj typically occurs from the 8th to the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
The main rituals of Hajj include:
1. Tawaf: circumambulating the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction.
2. Sa’i: walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
3. Ihram: donning the prescribed attire for Hajj.
4. Wuquf at Arafat: spending a day in prayer and supplication on the Plains of Arafat.
5. Eid al-Adha: commemorating the sacrifice of Ishmael by Abraham by slaughtering an animal.
The Hajj is a physically and emotionally demanding experience, and pilgrims should be prepared for a demanding journey. Here are five things to expect during Hajj 2023:
1. Crowds: With over two million people expected to perform Hajj in 2023, crowds will be inevitable. Be prepared for large crowds at all the main sites, including the Kaaba, the Mosque of the Prophet, and Mina.
2. Heat: Temperatures in Mecca can reach over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the Hajj season. pilgrims should stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade when needed.
3. Ihram: All pilgrims must wear the prescribed ihram clothing during Hajj. This includes a simple, white, two-piece garment for men and a loose-fitting dress or abaya for women. The ihram clothing must be worn from the start of the Hajj journey until the end.
4. Tawaf: The circumambulation of the Kaaba is one of the most important rituals of Hajj. It is traditionally done seven times, and many pilgrims walk the entire way. The tawaf is usually done in the morning but can be done at any.
