Latest news with #Dhuhr
Gulf Insider
15-07-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
Sun Aligns Directly Over Kaaba In Rare Celestial Event, Offering Muslims Precise Qibla Direction
In a rare and striking celestial event, the sun aligned directly over the Holy Kaaba in Mecca on Tuesday, allowing Muslims around the world to determine the Qibla — the direction of prayer — with remarkable accuracy. At the moment of alignment, the sun stood precisely above the Kaaba, causing shadows to vanish completely in its immediate vicinity. 'The sky over Mecca witnessed the sun directly aligning with the Kaaba, causing shadows to disappear completely. The Qibla can be precisely determined from any location where the sun can be seen,' the Jeddah Astronomy Society said in a statement. The phenomenon occurs as the sun travels southward from the Tropic of Cancer and crosses Mecca's latitude at approximately 21.4 degrees North. Known as a Solar Zenith, the event typically occurs twice a year, around late May and mid-July, due to the Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees. Majed Abu Zahra, President of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, noted that the zenith coincides with the Dhuhr prayer in Mecca, imbuing the event with both scientific and spiritual significance. For a moment, sunlight descends vertically upon the Kaaba, creating a powerful and symbolic alignment. Beyond its visual impact, the event provides a traditional means for Muslims worldwide to verify the Qibla without the use of modern tools. At the precise time of the solar zenith, those able to see the sun can simply face it to align their prayers toward Mecca with exceptional precision. Astronomers also view the alignment as a valuable opportunity to observe atmospheric refraction near the zenith point, yielding insights into how light behaves at steep angles. Such observations help refine our understanding of solar positioning and atmospheric conditions.
Sharjah 24
22-06-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Mosques provide peaceful, chilled prayer environment
This initiative includes checking and maintaining air-conditioning systems and cooling units for ablution water. Additionally, they are enhancing the care of public facilities and the interiors of mosques. These improvements aim to ensure that worshippers can enjoy a cool breeze, refreshing water, and a peaceful spiritual environment during the hot summer months. Technical Maintenance Plan The plan, carried out by specialized engineering and technical teams, includes inspection and maintenance of cooling devices in various mosques across the emirate. This includes cleaning and servicing air filters, testing the efficiency of the equipment, adjusting cooling levels for comfort, and updating control systems to ensure they meet high standards of quality and performance. Clean Water Systems Teams are also conducting regular maintenance on the cooling units for ablution water and water tanks. They are focused on keeping everything clean and safe, especially in mosques that see a lot of visitors during Dhuhr and Asr prayers. This effort is part of a plan to ensure that worshippers have access to cold water in a healthy and safe way. Proactive Service Response The department announced that they are actively carrying out preventative maintenance to keep cooling systems working well in extreme conditions. Maintenance teams are assigned throughout the emirate according to a set schedule and use an electronic system for quick reporting and fast responses to any emergencies, usually resolved within hours. There are also backup support teams ready to assist in case of emergencies. Spiritual Comfort Priority The department affirmed that ensuring the comfort of worshippers and preparing mosques year-round remains a top priority. The maintenance and readiness of mosque facilities are not merely logistical services but are integral to the department's religious and community-focused mission. Annual Improvement Plan These efforts are part of the department's yearly strategy, implemented in coordination with inspection and monitoring teams to maintain continuous mosque services. The initiative seeks to improve the internal environment of mosques, raise the standard of services, and create a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for worshippers across Sharjah.
Kuwait Times
07-06-2025
- Kuwait Times
Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for Hajj's most significant ritual
MAKKAH: Pilgrims performing Hajj have begun gathering at Mount Arafat, marking the most significant ritual of the annual Islamic movement to the Arafat plain started early Thursday, as pilgrims arrived in a deeply spiritual atmosphere marked by humility, prayer, and supplication, seeking forgiveness, mercy, and salvation. Saudi authorities provided direct and comprehensive security oversight as pilgrims made their way to Arafat, with personnel from various security sectors deployed along roads and pedestrian paths to ensure orderly movement in line with pre-established crowd management plans. All relevant Saudi government agencies involved in serving the pilgrims operated at full capacity, providing medical, emergency, food, and logistical services across Arafat. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported smooth and organized movement of pilgrims from Mina to Arafat. Pilgrims are expected to perform the combined and shortened Dhuhr and Asr prayers at Al-Namirah Mosque in Arafat, in accordance with the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad. At sunset, pilgrims will begin their journey to Muzdalifah, where they will perform the Maghrib and Isha prayers and spend the night, following the example of the Prophet. - KUNA
Saudi Gazette
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Saudi Gazette
Most pilgrims remain inside their camps in Arafat until 4 p.m.
Saudi Gazette report ARAFAT — Most pilgrims remained inside their camps in Arafat until 4 p.m., in line with the directives of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This precautionary measure is intended to ensure their safety during the peak hours of the day when temperatures are high. The directive helped bringing down the huge crowd of pilgrims around the Namira Mosque under sweltering sun while offering the Arafat sermon and performing Dhuhr and Asr prayers. The ministry also stressed the importance of adhering to the approved grouping plans and following designated transportation schedules. It underscored the necessity of strictly using official means of transportation, such as buses and the Mashaer Metro Train while prohibiting walking between sites, as this poses risks to pilgrims' safety and disrupts the orderly flow of traffic. These directives are part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and comfort of pilgrims and to ensure a smooth and organized Hajj experience. The Ministry of Health monitored a number of heat stress cases among pilgrims on the Day of Arafah. In response, the ministry strongly emphasized the critical importance of avoiding direct exposure to the sun until 4 p.m. to safeguard pilgrims' health. The ministry urged pilgrims to use umbrellas, increase their water intake, and adhere to group planning. It underscored the continuous efforts of medical teams to monitor and treat cases, all as part of the health sector's comprehensive endeavors for a safe and healthy Hajj.
Saudi Gazette
05-06-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Sheikh Bin Humaid emphasizes upholding values of family ties in Arafat sermon
Saudi Gazette report ARAFAT — Pilgrims gathered at Namira Mosque in Arafat on Thursday to perform Dhuhr and Asr prayers in congregation, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), amid flawless security arrangements and integrated services. Delivering the Arafat Day sermon, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, imam of the Makkah Grand Mosque, called for piety and adherence to the religion that was perfected on this day. He emphasized the values of family ties, truthfulness, moral conduct, and the spiritual essence of prayer, noting that these are integral components of true faith. He stressed that acknowledging Prophet Muhammad as the final messenger necessitates obedience to his teachings, alignment with his path, and rejection of religious innovations. He added that prayer not only connects the believer to Allah but also instills discipline, self-purification, and spiritual mindfulness. The sermon also praised the efforts of the Saudi leadership in serving pilgrims, ensuring their safety, and enabling them to perform their rituals in peace. Sheikh Bin Humaid urged all pilgrims to adhere to Hajj regulations as a religious and moral duty that ensures cooperation, safety, and order. Namira Mosque, one of the most prominent religious landmarks in Arafat, hosted tens of thousands of pilgrims. The mosque, originally built during the Abbasid era and massively expanded under Saudi rule, spans over 110,000 square meters and accommodates more than 350,000 worshippers. It features six minarets, three domes, and 10 main entrances with 64 doors. This year, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs installed 19 new shades in the mosque's rear courtyard to lower heat by up to 10°C, applied reflective coating on the ground, and activated 117 misting fans. A smart ventilation and air-conditioning system was also deployed, capable of renewing air at 100 percent capacity twice per hour, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for pilgrims.
