By Nation especial report
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah’s announcement brings end to lingering controversy over whether a mahram is required to accompany a woman pilgrim or not Women across the world need not be accompanied by a mahram (blood relative) to perform Hajj or Umrah.
This was announced by Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, bringing an end a lingering controversy over whether a mahram is required to accompany a woman pilgrim or not, during a press conference at the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, the Saudi Gazette reported.
Hajj and Umrah Services Adviser Ahmed Saleh Halabi said that it is now permissible for a woman to perform Hajj or Umrah without a mahram, accompanied by “trustworthy women or secure company to perform Hajj or Umrah. This is the view of the Maliki and Shafi’i scholars,” Arab News reported.
He continued: “The supervisor of fatwa at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt, Abbas Shoman, declared last March that a woman is allowed to perform Hajj and Umrah without an accompanying mahram,” Halabi continued.
Writer Faten Ibrahim Hussein, former adviser to the Minister of Hajj, said allowing women to perform Umrah without the condition of a mahram makes life easier for them because many have difficult social conditions and may not find a mahram, or it may cost them a lot, while they are eager to perform Umrah.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage, which Muslims are required to do at least once in their lifetime, forms the fifth pillar of Islam. In contrast, Umrah can be done any time of the year and is regarded as a smaller pilgrimage.
Hajj and Umrah Services Adviser Ahmed Saleh Halabi said that it is now permissible for a woman to perform Hajj or Umrah without a mahram, accompanied by “trustworthy women or secure company to perform Hajj or Umrah. This is the view of the Maliki and Shafi’i scholars.”
He continued: “The supervisor of fatwa at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt, Abbas Shoman, declared last March that a woman is allowed to perform Hajj and Umrah without an accompanying mahram,” Halabi continued.
Writer Faten Ibrahim Hussein, former adviser to the Minister of Hajj, said that the Saudi state provides all facilities for pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah based on Saudi Vision 2030.
“Allowing women to perform Umrah without the condition of a mahram makes life easier for them because many have difficult social conditions and may not find a mahram, or it may cost them a lot, while they are eager to perform Umrah,” Hussein said.
“Fortunately, the fight against all forms of social and economic corruption played a positive role in this,” she added.
When corruption is stopped, she explained, security is established. “Security has extended throughout the Kingdom and in all means of transportation and at ports, giving women full protection. Moreover, strong infrastructure has been established in legislation, including the anti-harassment system,” she said.
“These are deterrent penalties for anyone who may contemplate breaking the law. In addition, surveillance cameras are obligatory in vital areas, including airports, border crossing ports, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque and others. Thus, a woman is safe, especially when she is in good company with other women.
“There are many women who come to the Kingdom to work without a mahram, and there are no significant incidents, thanks to the security we live in…There is no fear for women to come without a mahram because the reason for that no longer exists.”
Grand Mosque’s gate 100
The Grand Mosque’s gate 100 will be named after Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques announced on Wednesday.
The presidency’s chief Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais said the naming comes as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to serve the two holy mosques by expanding them and providing a high-quality service that enables pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease.
Al-Sudais added that Saudi kings have always taken great care of the two holy mosques and emphasized the importance of providing the finest services to the mosques and those that visit them. The Grand Mosque in Makkah has 210 gates.
‘Nusuk’ platform to facilitate pilgrim procedures
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a new unified government platform on Monday through which pilgrims can plan and book their visits to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
With Nusuk, travelers from all over the world can easily organize their entire visit to the Kingdom, from applying for an eVisa to booking hotels and flights.
The platform provides a wide range of services and information for pilgrims and visitors that enable them to perform their Umrah rituals easily. It is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives to better the quality of services provided and enrich the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims.
Nusuk is being launched in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority, and is linked to the services provided by the Kingdom’s official tourism website “Visit Saudi Arabia” with the aim of enriching pilgrim experiences and facilitating reservation and communication procedures to provide them with various packages and programs.
Those wishing to perform Umrah will be able to use Nusuk to obtain the necessary visas and permits and book packages and programs electronically.
A range of other services will be added to the platform at a later stage and these will include interactive maps, a calendar for offers and activities, a digital instruction guide in several languages, and health information and services.
The Maqam platform will continue to operate until all services are transferred to Nusuk at a later stage. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah explained that the Nusuk platform is an extension of continuous efforts to improve the quality of services provided to pilgrims using the latest technology.
He added that the platform is a result of several government agencies coming together to facilitate pilgrim procedures with the aim of enriching their spiritual journey.
High-speed train service
A high-speed train service makes it possible for pilgrims to travel between the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in just two hours and 20 minutes.
The Haramain Express, which travels at a top speed of over 300 kph, is part of the Kingdom’s integrated transport network.
The train can accommodate over 400 business and economy class passengers, with tickets priced between SR40 and SR150 ($10.60-$40). The service also stops at Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City.
People from all over the world are permitted to perform Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom thanks to the visa scheme provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Offering a trouble-free cultural and religious experience for Umrah pilgrims is in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Pilgrims wishing to visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah are advised to use the Maqam platform — maqam.gds.haj.gov.sa/ — where they can make all of the necessary travel arrangements and select from a package of services.
Family and personal visit visa holders can perform Umrah easily by booking an appointment through the Umrah app.
Umrah pilgrims are required to have comprehensive health insurance, including cover for the cost of treatment for COVID-19.