6.3m Umrah Pilgrims in Last 9 months

Some 6.3 million Umrah passengers passed through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah during the past nine months, according to a statistical report released by the airport authorities.

Thursday marked the last day of pilgrims’ departure, noted the report received by Saudi Gazette.

Airport General Manager Abdullah Al-Rimi said that some 7,000 employees of various government departments served Umrah pilgrims this season.6.3m Umrah Pilgrims in Last 9 months

At the Haj terminal there were 14 halls that served pilgrims, 26 plane parkings, 10 portable bridges, 18 gates, 143 immigration counters, 12 counters for Haj committees, 224 counters for united agents offices, and 254 counters for travel and tourism representatives.

The airport also has two fist class and VIP lounges as well as a 123-room hotel. Restaurants and commercial services are spread on an area of 9.4 square meters. The airport also has 20 waiting lounges, 40 prayer halls and 32 toilet areas.

Meanwhile, well-informed sources said the Ministry of Haj and Umrah halted the issuance of Umrah visas indefinitely for the season since the 16th of Ramadan. The sources said that the Umrah season this year saw an increase of 6.99 percent from last year with 6,393,464 visas issued, an increase of 444,252 visas, while the number of pilgrims stood at 5,949,212 Umrah pilgrims.

According to statistics, Egypt came first with 1,303,067 Umrah visas, up 17 percent from the last Umrah season; Pakistan with 991,337 Umrah visas and Indonesia in third place with 699,612 Umrah visas.

The number of pilgrims coming from Turkey increased this year by 18,875 compared to last year, with total number of visas issued to Turkish pilgrims amounting to 473,672, making the country fourth on the list of countries in terms of the number of Umrah pilgrims.

Jordan came in fifth place with a total estimated visas of 434,479, while India this season added 77,077 Umrah pilgrims over last season, totaling about 409,639 Umrah visas.6.3m Umrah Pilgrims in Last 9 months

Algeria came seventh on the list with 371,949 Umrah visas, but second only to Pakistan in terms of the increase in the numbers of pilgrims, where the increase amounted to 28.51 percent. 

The data showed that Malaysia obtained 26,005 Umrah visas, an increase of 10 percent, and in ninth position came the United Arab Emirates with 187,289 Umrah visas, an increase of 12,919 pilgrims.

Iraq recorded a drop in the number of Umrah pilgrims by about 10.22 percent compared to last season, with 168,406 Umrah visas issued. 

The remaining countries recorded a drop of 26.91 percent in the number of Umrah visas issued.

6.3m Umrah Pilgrims in Last 9 months

Umrah Pilgrims & Visitors Warned Against Overstaying

The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) on Tuesday urged all foreigners who arrived on Umrah or visit visas to leave the Kingdom before the expiry of their visas. Those who overstay their visas as well as those who extend any sorts of help to them have to face stringent punitive measures, the directorate warned in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

The penalties against the violators include six months in prison, SR50,000 in fine, and deportation. The Jawazat urged all citizens and expatriates to ensure that those who entered the Kingdom on Umrah and visit visas in line with requests made by them shall be sent back before the expiry of their entry visas. “Those who extend any help to the overstayers in terms of providing shelter, employment, cover up, and transportation shall also face similar penalties,” the statement said.

The Jawazat also urged Umrah service providers to report to the concerned authorities about the overstay of any of the pilgrims who came under their package. The violating Umrah companies and establishments shall have to pay SR100,000 in fine. The amount of fines will be multiplied in accordance with the number of violators. It also warned private firms against hiring any of the Umrah visa overstayers. Penalties against the violating firms include fines up to SR100,000, five-year recruitment ban, naming and shaming the firm, one year-jail for the manager of the firm plus deportation if the manager is a foreigner.

The Jawazat has started media awareness campaign to ensure the return of all Umrah pilgrims and visitors before the expiry of their visas. The directorate urged the citizens and expatriates to contact it through e-mail (mailto:992@gdp.gov.sa) to inform about any violations or seek any queries.

Images of Mount Uhud in Madinah

About Mount Uhud in Madinah

The mountains in the area of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah witnessed significant events in Islamic history. Among these mountains is Mount Uhud, which was the scene of the famous Battle of Uhud. Mount Uhud is a mountain north of Medina, Saudi Arabia. It is 1,077 m (3,533 ft) high. It was the site of the second battle between Muslim and Meccan forces.

Mount Uhud, in front of which the second battle in Islam (the Battle of Uhud) took place in 3 AH. Of this mountain the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) declared, “This mountain loves us and we love it.” 

Mount Uhud is located 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) north of Madinah. Uhud has an attractive look. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) felt relieved on seeing it, and the people of Madinah also loved it very much.

Mount Uhud extends from east to west with a slight slope towards the north. It is 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) in length and from 2 to 3 kilometers (1.2 to 1.9 miles) in breadth. Most of its stones are of red granite, and some parts of it are almost dark green and black. It contains some natural cavities (called maharis) where rain water is collected. The rain water remains throughout the year, for these cavities are not exposed to the rays of the sun. Close to Mount Uhud there are some small mounts, like Thawr and `Aynayn. Mount Thawris located northwest of Uhud, while `Aynayn is situated to its southwest.

Mount Uhud is also called the Archers' Mount because it was the field where the steadfast archers in the Battle of Uhud were killed.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) marched out with the Muslims to confront them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took up his position below the hill. He (peace and blessings be upon him) arrayed the army in fighting formations, and fifty archers were posted on Mount `Aynayn under the leadership of `Abdullah ibn Jubayr to guard the army from any attack from the rear. They had strict orders not to leave their post, whatever the outcome of the battle.

The two armies engaged in fighting. The Muslims seemed to have won victory over the Makkans, who fell back in disorder after paying a heavy toll. The Muslims started gathering the booty. Thinking that the fight was over, the majority of the Muslim archers left their posts to gather the spoils, disregarding the orders of their leader to stay in their positions.

On seeing the archers leaving their posts, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, who had not yet embraced Islam, seized the opportunity and gathered a group of the Quraysh fighters, killed the rest of the archers, and launched a furious attack from the rear. The Muslims were taken so much by surprise that they did not know what to do. In the general melee their ranks got disorganized. Seventy of the Prophet's Companions, including Hamza ibn `Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet's uncle (may Allah be pleased with them), were killed.

After the battle was over, the martyrs were buried in the field of the battle. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would visit their graves and pray for them.

`Abbas ibn Sahl reported from Abu Humayd who said: We went out along with Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in the expedition of Tabuk. We proceeded until we reached the Valley of Al-Qura and Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "I am going forth, so he among you who wants to move fast with me may do so; and he who likes to go slowly may do so." We proceeded until Madinah was within our sight, and he said, "This is Uhud, the mountain which loves us and which we love."

Qatadah reported from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Uhud is a mountain which loves us and which we love."

Source : http://www.ummah.com/