Holy hospitality. Mecca – the cornerstone of hospitality and tourism in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is pumping billions of dollars into the holy city of Mecca to meet its ambitious economic targets, with high-end hotels, apartment blocks, retailers and restaurants planned for areas around the Grand Mosque. Reports Independent. Billboards line the Umm Al Qura highway leading to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, displaying manicured public…

July 5, 20230Comments

ByReligious Tourism

Mecca prepares for the biggest hajj since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

Thousands of pilgrims left from the Rafah crossing to Cairo’s airport and then to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Gaza pilgrims are welcomed at the Rafah crossing before their departure to Mecca [Abedelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera] Gaza – Over the past week, four batches of pilgrims departed from the Gaza Strip for Saudi Arabia to perform the rituals…

June 19, 20230Comments

ByReligious Tourism

Islam News

Ramadan 2023: what is Ramadan?

This year, the first day of fasting in Mecca will be on Thursday, March 23, Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday. The pre-sunrise to sunset fast lasts anywhere from 12 to 18 hours, depending on where you are in the world. Muslims believe that Ramadan is the month when…

March 23, 20230Comments

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Islam

Saatchi Gallery (London) covers up artworks after Muslim visitors’ complaints

The Saatchi Gallery in London was founded by the advertising magnate Charles Saatchi. Photograph: Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy A leading contemporary art gallery covered up works featuring an Islamic declaration of faith after complaints from Muslim visitors who said the artworks were blasphemous, reportd The Guardian . The Saatchi Gallery in west London…

May 6, 20190Comments

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Islam Uncategorized Video

Restoration of al-Nuri mosque. Mosul, Iraq

Safeguarding world heritage. A view of the destroyed Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul. (AFP) CAIRO - The United Arab Emirates is helping rebuild the Great Mosque of al-Nuri and its landmark minaret known as al-Hadba — “the hunchback” — in Mosul, Iraq. The famous monument was destroyed during battles that pushed the Islamic State…

April 12, 20190Comments

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Buddhism (Hinduism) Christianity Islam Judaism Video

Is the hijab cultural or religious?

Sara Saboori Raad , Professor's Assistance at University of Iran I would say hijab is more “natural” than cultural or religious. It means it sounds to be in the natural instincts of people, specially women. Looking back in the history, not only we see that hijab existed in many religions like Islam, Hinduism,…

March 8, 20190Comments

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Christianity

Pope Francis: This Visit to the United Arab Emirates belongs to the “surprises” of God.

Pope Francis became the first pontiff to set foot in the Arabian Peninsula this week, delivering mass to more than 140,000 faithful from Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium. Emirati leaders praised the pope ahead of his hour-and-a-half long mass, which was delivered in a combination of Arabic, English and Latin. The pope on Monday…

February 6, 20190Comments

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Buddhism (Hinduism) Islam Video

Hindu government changes Muslim name of historic city from Allahabad to Prayagraj

Authorities in India's most populous state have changed the Muslim name of an historic city to one with Hindu overtones reported Al Jazeera Allahabad, a city of more than one million people in northern Uttar Pradesh state, will now be known as Prayagraj. The city, home of India's first…

October 18, 20180Comments

ByReligious Tourism

Buddhism (Hinduism) Christianity Islam Judaism Video

Guide to Spiritual and Religious Journeys in Québec

A bookseller and publisher, Ulysses Travel Guides , has published an interesting guidebook for the province of Quebec, Canada. A one-of-a-kind guide that reveals an exceptionally rich heritage unequalled anywhere else in North America! In an era of high-speed technologies and relationships, “wellness” tourism, slow travel and religious tourism are part of…

October 12, 20180Comments

ByReligious Tourism

Islam Video

LIVE: Muslim pilgrims converge on Mecca for Hajj

Islamic Holy Place More two million Muslims journey to holy city Mecca from across the world every year. A sea of umbrellas as hundreds of thousands listen to the sermon at Namirah Mosque, which was built on the location the Prophet Mohammed set up camp during his Hajj in 632 CE. pic.twitter.com/4qm6RwS2o1…

August 21, 20180Comments

ByReligious Tourism