http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hajj/ en-us Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:14:32 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415949/posts ...Alamoudi, who was given power of attorney by several Gitmo detainees, even persuaded the Pentagon to let an al-Qaida-tied Saudi charity fly planeloads of Muslim-American soldiers to Mecca... Investor's Business Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415949/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:14:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415701/posts In a major security breach, an Indian national working as a cleaner at Medina airport in Saudi Arabia managed to travel on an Air India flight, carrying 273 Haj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to India, hiding in the toilet of the aircraft. Habib Hussain, 26, from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, told the police that the contractor who employed him there had taken away his passport and harassed him. Finding no other way out to return home, he sneaked into the Air India flight to Jaipur. Habib's presence came to light about half an hour after the flight took off... NDTV (India) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415701/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:35:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2400495/posts As we all know, Obama's grandmother was supposedly a Christian woman, or so he told us during the US elections. Obama also claimed he is a Christian, but for now we can probably confirm that Obama's grandmother is not a Christian, unless she went to Mecca during Hajj for other reasons, which we also doubt. On November 25, Obama's grandmother arrived in Saudi Arabia for none other than Hajj, the muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, which all Muslims are required to make if they can in their lifetime. Sarah Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia for Hajj on the 25th of November.... FTO South African Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2400495/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 21:27:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2396411/posts CNN: Jamarat is a re-enactment of an event when Prophet Abraham stoned the devil and rejected his temptations, according to Muslim traditions. Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2396411/posts#comment Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:22:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396047/posts The Associated Press says that at least 100 have been killed by flash flooding in Saudi Arabia Wednesday that affected the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that is ongoing this week. Given these pictures uploaded this morning from AccuWeather.com Photo Gallery user addhna, I would think that death toll would continue to rise in this terrible tragedy; this article says that 350 are still missing.The Associated Press says: "The official says rescue teams were looking for possible survivors from the downpours that caused heavy flooding in the coastal city of Jiddah, the main entry point for the millions of Muslims performing... Accuweather.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396047/posts#comment Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:00:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395241/posts It may be a gruelling and at-times dangerous journey for Muslim pilgrims, but Brisbane man Omar Saghir says the Hajj last year was the most amazing experience of his life. Millions of Muslim pilgrims have already risked floods and swine flu this year on the annual journey to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina. But the 28-year-old wants to make the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia again as soon as he can save up the money. "The experience for me, because I'm Australian-born and I've never really been outside of Australia, it was a very, very, very intriguing experience,"... ABC News Australia http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395241/posts#comment Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:15:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394976/posts The 87-year-old Kenyan grandmother of President Obama – once described by the Associated Press as a "Christian" – is making the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the Hajj, according to news reports. The annual Islamic tradition was noted by the president, who issued a special statement today as Sarah Obama was reported to be a guest of the Saudi Arabian king. "Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid al-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid al-Adha... WorldNet Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394976/posts#comment Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:53:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394844/posts Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world’s major religions. During Hajj, the world’s largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life – including thousands of American Muslims – will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. The following day, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less... Los Angeles Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394844/posts#comment Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:51:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394542/posts President Obama continued his outreach to the world's Muslims today, sending greetings to pilgrims to Mecca. .... "Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world’s major religions," Obama said in a statement. "During Hajj, the world’s largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life – including thousands of American Muslims – will stand... Boston Globe http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394542/posts#comment Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:36:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394634/posts 1 hr 36 mins ago "The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world's major religions," read a White House statement. "On behalf of the American people, we would like to extend our greetings during this Hajj season -- Eid Mubarak," Obama said, using a traditional Muslim greeting. AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394634/posts#comment Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:05:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394556/posts Why the deception? And who was behind it? AP? The Obama camp? Someone else? What was its purpose? AP, March 5, 2008: "In the world of today, children have different religions from their parents," she said. She, too, is a Christian. --- Is she really? "Saudi Arabia: Obama's grandmother in Mecca for 'Hajj' ceremony," from AKI, November 25 (thanks to C. Cantoni): Mecca, 25 Nov. (AKI) - The grandmother of US president Barack Obama has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 'Hajj' or Islamic pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, a Saudi daily said on Wednesday. Sarah... Jihad Watch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394556/posts#comment Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:54:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394519/posts Mecca, 25 Nov. (AKI) - The grandmother of US president Barack Obama has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 'Hajj' or Islamic pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, a Saudi daily said on Wednesday. Sarah Obama, 87, is being accompanied by a nephew and Obama's cousin, Omran. On Wednesday Sarah Obama was in the valley of Mina with an African delegation, according to the Saudi daily Okaz. Obama, the mother of the American president's father, lives in a village in Kenya and is one of the many guests of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud.... Adnkronos http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394519/posts#comment Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:49:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394353/posts Mecca, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- The Hajj, an obligatory pilgrimage for Muslims, began this year on Wednesday with two twists: thinner crowds and heavy rain. A rare rainstorm inundated pilgrims in the city of Mina, flooding tents and making conditions miserable for the 2.5 million pilgrims performing the ancient rituals, according to Isha Sesay, CNN's correspondent there. The tents, where pilgrims plan to spend the night in prayer and contemplation, were leaking and flooding, giving rise to fears of disease, Sesay reported. CNN.COM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394353/posts#comment Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394310/posts President’s Muslim Roots Family Makes Thanksgiving Pilgrimage thelastcrusade.org The grandmother of President Barack Obama has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 'Hajj' or Islamic pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, a Saudi daily confirmed on Wednesday. Sarah Obama, 87, is being accompanied by a nephew and Obama's cousin, Omran.On Wednesday Sarah Obama was in the valley of Mina with an African delegation, according to the Saudi daily Okaz. Sarah Obama, the mother of the American president's father, lives in a village in Kenya and is one of the many guests of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin... The Last Crusade http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394310/posts#comment Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:06:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2394266/posts There's no word on whether or not the man who picked up the tab for her trip, aka the Donald Trump of Abu Dhabi, was with her entourage. Dinah Lord. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2394266/posts#comment Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:56:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2388030/posts Where can you spend almost $US150,000 per square metre on a piece of land? Not the Champs-Elysees in Paris, or Broadway or New York. But Mecca! This film shows the transformation of the holiest place in the Islamic world into a real estate business for religious tourism … More than 3-million Muslims from around the world now attend the world’s largest pilgrimage, the Hajj. Following the pilgrims’ journey, this film features a rare interview with the Bin Laden Group behind much of the monumental development of Mecca, potentially Saudi Arabia’s new ‘gold’. ABC Television (Australia) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2388030/posts#comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:11:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374758/posts Revenge of the Pigs Fears for the Hajj Raised thelastcrusade.org. Pigs may get their revenge against Islam.They have been classified as filth (najasa) by shariah (Muslim) law.A Muslim must purify himself of anything made impure by contact with a pig.Swine are considered as vile and disgusting as “non-Muslims at war with Muslims, apostates from Islam, convicted married adulterers, and biting dogs.”Yet more Muslims are likely to die of swine flu this year than the adherrents of any other religion.The mass Islamic infection of the H1N1 virus is expected to occur during the five day hajj that will take place... The Last Crusade http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374758/posts#comment Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:36:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2372624/posts BEIJING — China will give swine flu vaccinations to thousands of Muslims about to make the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, state media said, as authorities reported the mainland's third death from the illness. Concerns over the hajj, which attracts about 3 million Muslims every year to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, have led several countries to impose travel bans over fears the mass gathering could speed the spread of swine flu. Arab health ministers in July banned children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses from attending this year. All of China's 12,700 Muslims making the pilgrimage... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2372624/posts#comment Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:24:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2349288/posts The global financial crisis has affected the registration of Muslims wishing to travel to Mecca, Saud Arabia, for the annual pilgrimage, the National Hajj Mission has confirmed. According to the Hajj Mission of the Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata), at least 2,500 Muslims would have been allowed to visit the Arabian Gulf nation for the annual pilgrimage this year, but the allocated figure for Tanzania could not be reached due to economic downturn shocks. Speaking to The Citizen over the phone from Zanzibar yesterday, the acting chairman of the Tanzania Hajj Mission, Sheikh Khalid Mohamed, travel agents are worried that... The Citizen http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2349288/posts#comment Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:56:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2321981/posts Swine flu, economic downturn overshadow Ramadan by Paul Handley 1 hr 57 mins ago RIYADH (AFP) – Muslims entered the fasting and feasting month of Ramadan on Saturday with swine flu and the economic downturn adding to the security fears that plague several Islamic countries in dampening the mood. The threat from the A(H1N1) virus prompted a string of governments to bar their citizens from making the pilgrimage to the holy places in Saudi Arabia traditionally made by many Muslims during Ramadan, while financial worries forced many families to cut back on their holiday spending. In the Saudi cities of... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2321981/posts#comment Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:54:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2313972/posts Saudi Arabia may bar Haj pilgrims below six years and above 65 years due to swine flu fears, a media report said Wednesday. Jeddah was yet to convey its decision to the governments across the globe that coordinate the Haj by their Muslim citizens every year, New Age newspaper said. In Bangladesh’s case, the number of pilgrims this year may be slashed by half. “We don’t have any specific information about how many pilgrims will not able to go for Haj if the ban (is) imposed, but the number can come down to half,” said Shahjahan Mia, Bangladesh’s state minister... Sindh Today http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2313972/posts#comment Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:53:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2301103/posts The Health Ministry announced Egypt's first swine flu fatality on 19 July. The victim was identified as 28-year-old Samah El-Sayed Salima, recently returned from Saudi Arabia after the omra. Her death came after the Health Ministry had repeatedly advised pilgrims to cancel omra trips. El-Sayed began suffering flu-like symptoms in Mecca. She also had an underlying heart condition. Egypt's first cases of swine flu were confirmed in June among people travelling from the US. Soon cases were being reported among passengers coming from Western countries and from Saudi Arabia after performing omra rituals. The Ministry of Health began to call... Al Ahram Weekly http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2301103/posts#comment Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:08:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2298275/posts Days after his return from an unannounced pilgrimage to the Islamic holy site of Mecca, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison talked about it as a transformational personal experience, saying "I didn't want to turn it into a politics thing." Nearly eight months later, the Minneapolis DFLer faces a House Ethics Committee review of his decision to keep the trip's costs under wraps -- even though it was paid for by a local Islamic nonprofit and typically would be reported as a gift to a public official. Asked about the trip Tuesday, Ellison said that he is "not privy to the internal... StarTribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2298275/posts#comment Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:03:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2293711/posts (CNN) -- Two Hajj pilgrims from Iran have contracted the H1N1 virus, according to reports from the country's official news agency. December 2008: A Saudi policeman directs pilgrims at Mount Arafat, southeast of holy city of Mecca. Iran's official Fars news agency Wednesday reported that a 57-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man who had recently returned from a pilgrimage tested positive for the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. This brings Iran's tally to three cases. Every year about two million Muslims go on pilgrimage to Mecca -- the holiest place in Islam. As well as the annual Hajj... CNN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2293711/posts#comment Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:54:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2293279/posts Swine flu fears and the global economic crisis are taking their toll on bookings at hotels in the city of Mecca, two months before the start of a minor pilgrimage that attracts up to two million Muslim pilgrims. Umra can be performed any time of the year but most prefer to do it during the last 10 days of the fasting month of Ramadan, which will be around September 10 to 20 this year. The haj season, which falls in November this year, attracts some three million pilgrims. At Ajyad Hotel, favoured for its proximity to the Grand Mosque and... The Globe and Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2293279/posts#comment Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:17:08 GMT