The ministry of tourism in Egypt has launched a website dedicated to the 2010 /1431 Pilgrimage and Egyptian pilgrims in an attempt to organize the pilgrimage process in the country using the benefit of the web. Here is the Arabic version of the website : www.hajj.gov.eg
Besides the information about the Hajj in general , there is a feature to search for the pilgrims in the Holy Land. Already I assume the database they have got is the official pilgrimage delegation. I do not think that the ministry of tourism will register the Egyptians who rent flats around the Haram and buy extra entry Visa from the Saudi Embassy employees in secret !!??
BY the way I would like to share with you this wonderful shots from the Holy Land in very precious time. Also here are very rare shots from Hajj season in the Holy Land year 1953.
Is the prohibition on non-Muslims in Mecca a matter of Saudi law, or in the Quran, or a hadith, or what? An atheist wants to know.
ReplyDeleteIf you mean the holy sites, there is no reason for a non-Muslim to be there they are essentially places of worship, not touristy places. As for the cities, I dnt think the prohibition is from the Holy Qur'an or Sunnah, bec the Prophet let non-Muslims in Mecca when he came back to it and Medina was a multi-faith society.
ReplyDeleteWhy makes an atheist interested in visiting in the first place?!!
"there is no reason for a non-Muslim to be there... "
ReplyDeleteBut I mean if the reason is, for example, curiosity or tourism as it would be in my case.
"Why makes an atheist interested in visiting in the first place?!!"
Zeinobia's links show interesting changes in, for example, the Kabah between 1953 and the present. All the surrounding awnings are gone! The Great Mosque is a very impressive structure not only religiously but from cultural and architectural standpoint. I would love to examine the Kabah.
@ Anon. 11/14/2010 12:32:00 AM
ReplyDeleteJason's questions are legitimate and should be addressed; Visiting the holy places may convert him to Islam?
That's unlikely. But I would enjoy the experience.
ReplyDeleteI am particularly curious about the basis for keeping non-Muslims out of Mecca, a city of 1.4 million. No other religion exercises such intolerance at the municipal or higher level as far as I know.
Haaj for Heathens has good pics.
ReplyDelete