Crescent not seen, Ramadan likely on Monday

The Crescent for the month of Ramadan was not seen in any parts of Saudi Arabia today, prompting the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia to look for the crescent again on 5th May.

It is likely to be announced on the evening of 5th May that Ramadan will begin the following night

Taraweeh Salats in the Haramain to begin from tomorrow, after Isha Salat. Sheikh Shuraim will begin in Makkah while Sheikh Abdullah Buay'jan will start in Masjid Al Nabawi

Procedure of Registration for I'tikaf in Masjid Al Haram, Makkah

The Registration for I'tikaf in Masjid Al Haram will begin from 25 Sha'ban 1440 (30 April 2019) and and will end on 10 Ramadan 1440 (16 May 2019). We have explained the procedure of registration in this article. For further questions and queries email at  l.tikaaf@gph.gov.sa 

Step 1- Visit (https://eservice.gph.gov.sa/Visit/UUserInfo.aspx) and create your profile

Fill up the information as following:

1- Select your appropriate identification document (جواز السفر for Passport)
2- Enter your Passport number or ID
3- Select your Nationality
4- Select your current city
5- Enter your First Name (As per your Passport or or ID)
6- Enter Last Name
7- Select your gender (ذكر for male)
8- Select your Education level
9- Enter your Mobile Number
10- Enter your Date of Birth (Hijri Calender)
11- Make up and enter a password
12- Re-confirm your password
13- Press the Green button to save and proceed

Step 2- Scroll over and select the option highlighted in yellow

Step 3- Read the terms and conditions, tick the option that says you agree and proceed

Step 4-  Fill up the final phase of the form

1- Upload your Passport size photo
2- Select the language you speak
3- Enter your Mobile Number
4- Enter your email adress

Press the Green button to send your Request

New Rules limit Imams Appointment to at least 4 years

The Council of Ministers headed by King Salman passed new rules and regulations regarding the appointment of Imams and Muadhins in Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi

Previously the appointments were made on either direct Royal Decree or were based on hereditary.

The decision of appointments will be made by a council of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Haramain headed by the President of GPH who is currently Sheikh Abdul Rehman Al Sudais.

Imams and Muadhins will be appointed on four years contracts which can be renewed, with the exception of Taraweeh Imams whose appointment to lead Jahrih Salat will be made the council at the conclusion of Ramadan.

According to the new rules for appointment of an Imam, an individual has to be a Saudi National, who has full capacity and experience of being an Imam , has a distinctive and good voice and holds at least one master's degree from one of the faculties of forensic sciences in the Kingdom, and is a guardian of the Holy Quran (Hafiz)

For appointment of Muadhins, the individual has to be a Saudi National, have a good voice, experience, and the need to obtain a scientific degree not less than a bachelor degree from one of the faculties of Islamic sciences in the Kingdom.

New Restrictions have been imposed on Imams such as they cannot attend or hold public speaking events without and travel abroad to attend an event without permission, have social media accounts.

Imams and Muadhins can be terminated if they fail to perform their duties or be relieved of their duties at the expiration of their contracts at the behest of the council.

Umrah Season 1440: 3.45 Million Pilgrims performed Umrah so far

The number of Umrah visas issued this year has reached 3,896,580, of which 3,454,398 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom, according to data provided by the Hajj Ministry. 

There are 431,293 pilgrims still in the Kingdom, with 297,147 in Makkah and 134,146 in Madinah. 

Most pilgrims — 3,069,062 came to the Kingdom by air, while 357,165 entered by land and 28,171 arrived by sea. 

The largest number of pilgrims are from Pakistan (863,317) followed by Indonesia (564,273), India (373,781), Yemen (191,214), Malaysia (185,716), Egypt (177,695), Turkey (143,074), Algeria (119,545) and Bangladesh (86,476).

Imams of the Haramain met with King Salman

Imams of the Haramain and other prominent Scholars met the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman in Riyadh on Monday.

Imams and Scholars meeting King Salman

Among the Imams were Sheikh Bandar Baleelah and Sheikh Khalid Al Ghamdi who were reportedly suspended from leading Salats at Masjid Al Haram since September of this year. Many are speculating that the Imams might return to lead prayers at Masjid Al Haram from next week.

Sheikh Saud Al Shuraim, Sheikh Faisal Gazzawi and other Imams of Masjid Al Nabawi did not visit as they were on duty leading prayers in the respective Masjids

Sheikh Baleelah meeting King Salman on Monday, 5th November 2018

Sheikh Khalid Al Ghamdi also present during the event

Six Muadhins and Three Imams of Masjid Al Haram Suspended

According to an anonymous source, Five Muadhins of Masjid Al Haram have beeen suspended earlier this week namely:

-Sheikh Naif Faydah
- Sheikh Majid Abbas
-Sheikh Yunus Khoja
-Sheikh Ahmed NuhasSheikh Tawfeeq Khoj
-Sheikh Muhammad Maghribi

According to the official schedule released by the General Presidency, a number of named Muadhins were scheduled to deliver the Adhan which they did not. The exact reasons for their suspension is currently unknown

Three Imams were also reportedly suspended in the weeks preceding the Muadhins Suspension, the reasons for the suspension of the Imams also remain unknown.

Imams suspended:

-Sheikh Saleh Al Talib

-Sheikh Khalid Al Ghamdi

-Sheikh Bandar Baleelah

Three Imams of Masjid Al Haram, Makkah suspended from Preaching and Leading Prayers

Three prominent Imams of Masjid Al Haram, Sheikh Saleh Al Talib, Sheikh Khalid Al Ghamdi and Sheikh Bandar Baleelah have been suspended from leading and Prayers and Sermons in Masjid Al Haram, Makkah.

The current whereabouts of the Imams are also currently unknown although many have claimed that Sheikh Saleh Al Talib has been arrested and is jail since August 2018.

Sheikh Saleh Al Talib, was appointed to lead Masjid Al Haram in the year 2002 and was later appointed as Khateeb aswell. He also served as a judge in Makkah

Sheikh Khalid Al Ghamdi was appointed as a permanent Imam of Masjid Al Haram in 2008 and later as Khateeb in 2016

Sheikh Bandar Baleelah was appointed as a guest Imam for leading Taraweeh Prayers in Ramadan 2013 and was later appointed as a permanent Imam in Dhul Hijjah 2013. He was then made the Khateeb for Istisqa Prayers in July 2016

Sheikh Talib (left), Sheikh Ghamdi (center) and Sheikh Baleelah (right)