When is Hajj taking place this year?
It will begin on August 30. Between two and three million Muslims from around the world are expected to travel to Mecca.
The importance of Hajj to Muslims
Mecca is the first house of worship known to mankind. It is full of blessings, and symbols from the days of Prophet Ibrahim. It also has the ever-running Zamzam water which was created through divine miracle.
One's Hajj is guaranteed to be accepted by Allah if it is done with the intention of seeking his pleasure (not to show off), and without committing a sin or fighting with anyone, the pilgrim is pardoned of all preceding sins and granted paradise in the hereafter.
Hajj is one of the greatest deeds in Islam, as it teaches patience, good ethics, and its rituals bring a person closer to his/her creator.
How to prepare for Hajj
— One must purify the Niyyah (intention) for Hajj to be sincere for the sake of Allah only, and not for other worldly matters.
— One must revise the way Prophet Mohammed performed it, and follow his footsteps.
— Hajj must be performed with halal (lawfully obtained) money, in order for it to count.
— A person must be kind and generous with both his wealth and actions. He must avoid annoying or disturbing others, especially under the crowded conditions and tough proceedings of Hajj.
Essential items for Hajj
— For men, two sets of white sheets that do not contain stitches or seams which they must wear when they are in the state of Ihram while performing the Hajj rituals. This is to convey purity and equality, and to rid pilgrims of distinctions between different classes of society.
— For women, simple long modest dresses or Abayas.
— Non-scented soap, deodorant and any other necessary cosmetics, as one must not be perfumed in any way while in the state of Ihram.
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Read more:
Watch: Saudi forces parade through Mecca ahead of Hajj
Hajj: Saudi Arabia's duty and right
Council of Elders joins attack on 'politicised Hajj'
Medical teams to care for UAE pilgrims deployed to Saudi Arabia
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While in the state of Ihram
— One must not have sexual relations with his/her spouse.
— One must avoid obscene and immoral speech, and must not commit sinful acts.
— One must not cut anything from the hair and nails, or apply perfume to his body, clothes, food or drink. However, it is acceptable if any traces of perfume remained on any of that before he/she entered the state of Ihram.
— One should not hunt.
— One should not enter into a marriage contract for himself or arrange a marriage for anyone else.
— One must not wear gloves.
— Men should not wear anything on their heads.
— Women should not cover their faces.
Hajj rituals
Day 1 — Wednesday: Known as the day of Tarwiyah, falls on the 8th of Dhu Al Hijjah.
Pilgrims go from Mecca to Mina before noon, and they spend the night there.
Day 2 — Thursday: Known as the day of Arafah which is the pivotal day of Hajj, pilgrims move from Mina after praying Fajir (dawn prayer) to Mount Arafah. Pilgrims spend the day there, and after the noon prayers, time is specifically devoted to reciting prayers and beseeching Allah.
Once the sun has set, pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah where they should stay overnight. Once there, they collect the pebbles they will use in the stoning later on; it is recommended to collect 70 pebbles.
Day 3 — Friday: After praying Fajir, pilgrims head to Al Mash’ar Al Haram (the site of the mosque in Muzdalifah) to recite prayers there. If that is not possible, one recites prayer wherever they are. Pilgrims then move to Mina to stone Jamarat Al Aqabah, by throwing seven pebbles one after the other while saying Allahu Akbar (God is greatest) after each throw. Each pebble should be the size of a fava bean.
After the stoning, the pilgrim’s sacrificial animal should be slaughtered. Then the man should either shave his head or cut his hair, and the woman should cut the length of a fingertip from her hair.
Then pilgrims return to Mecca and do Tawaf Al Ifada and Saai’ between the Safa and the Marwa.
Once that has been done, one should return to Mina for two nights.
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Read more:
Ramadan FAQs: Everything you need to know about the holy month in the UAE
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Days 4, 5 and 6 — Saturday, Sunday and Monday: During the fourth and sixth, pilgrims must stone the jamarat when the sun has passed its zenith. Stoning begins at the first jamarah, which is the farthest away from Mecca, with seven pebbles thrown one after the other while saying “Allahu akbar” after each throw.
Then the pilgrim moves to the middle jamarah with seven pebbles in the same manner, and then stones Al Aqabah al Kubra.
Hajj finale:
Before one leaves Mecca to return to his/her country, they must perform The Farewell Tawaf.
Live from the Kaaba
Watch Hajj here via the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG-Z_CyHIwU
To reserve and select your livestock, you can download the following app:
For an instant reminder of what you need to do, you can download the Hajj Guide app.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
More from our neighbourhood series:
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Teaching in coronavirus times
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
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The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai