Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques: Intensive religious guidance in Mina for the year 1445 AH
As pilgrims flock to Mina to spend the days of Tashreeq, the Sharia Committee within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation continues its intensive religious and awareness efforts to ensure that the program's guests perform their rituals in the best possible way, in a serene and tranquil atmosphere of faith. This program, overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, is part of the comprehensive services provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve the pilgrims of the Sacred House of God.
Historical background of the Royal Hosting Program
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation is a generous royal initiative launched several years ago, specifically in 1417 AH, with the aim of hosting thousands of Muslims from around the world to perform the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The program is not limited to the general Muslim public, but also gives special attention to hosting prominent Islamic figures, families of martyrs and those injured in service to Islam from various countries, and those distinguished in their service to Islam, thus making it a bridge for cultural and humanitarian exchange and deepening the bonds of Islamic brotherhood. This initiative reflects the Kingdom's leading role in serving Islam and Muslims, and its exceptional care for the guests of God.
Integrated guidance system in Mina
The Sharia Committee operates around the clock from its fully equipped headquarters and the prayer area in the Mina camps, offering a diverse range of educational and guidance services. These services include delivering lessons on Islamic jurisprudence and guidance lectures explaining the rulings of the Hajj rituals, particularly those related to the days of Tashreeq, such as the stoning of the Jamarat, staying overnight in Mina, and other rites. To ensure that the message reaches all pilgrims arriving from over 100 countries, these programs are presented in several international languages, with the participation of a select group of scholars, preachers, and certified translators who readily answer all pilgrims' questions on Islamic jurisprudence.
Scientific movement and intellectual interaction
The efforts are not limited to direct guidance; the camp's prayer area witnesses diverse intellectual and scholarly activity after each prayer. Cultural and religious competitions are organized to enrich the pilgrims' religious knowledge, with winners and outstanding participants being honored. A key service provided by the committee is the direct response to inquiries, where scholars and preachers are keen to receive and answer guests' questions, removing any ambiguity or confusion, especially regarding the intricate matters related to the rulings on stoning, circumambulation, sacrificial offerings, and all other Hajj rituals.
Local and international importance and impact
The importance of these guidance efforts extends far beyond the camps in Mina. Locally, they embody the Kingdom's leadership's profound care for the pilgrims and its commitment to facilitating their spiritual journey. Internationally, this program reinforces the Kingdom's position as the heart of the Islamic world and the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. It also contributes to disseminating Islam's tolerant and moderate message, correcting misconceptions, and building a positive image of the tremendous efforts Saudi Arabia undertakes in organizing and managing the Hajj season, the world's largest annual Muslim gathering.
