Religious Tourism

“Hajj” or the pilgrimage to Mecca is the last pillar of Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make this at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it (Five Pillars of Islam, 2009). This pilgrimage is not dependant on distance either. If living in the States or even further away it is still an expectation that if able the pilgrimage will be made.

From its rich and varied cultural history and practices to its stunningly beautiful cities full of unique architecture, Saudi Arabia is a fascinating country. With its acknowledged status as the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia is an important cultural and religious hub for many who come seeking spiritual enlightenment or simply a chance to experience the bustling cities and thriving commerce of the prosperous metropolises. With a population of over 28 million people, Saudi Arabia is a vital part of the Middle East, with some major influence on the Arab countries around it. In order to fully appreciate the unique customs and overall societal expectations of this or any other country, one must understand not only its geographical location and a few key facts about it, but how it functions both as a nation made up of many diverse minds, and as a singular driving force in the complicated dance between all the nations of the world. With this in mind, there are several factors to consider when studying a country such as Saudi Arabia, namely, the main language, the major religion, the culture and cultural norms, and the business etiquette.

The Arabian Peninsula in the early seventh century was the perfect economical, political, social and religious setting for the rise of Islam. Its successful emergence was due in part to the adoption and rejection of various factors which allowed Islam to mirror the socioeconomic trends, traditions, practices and religious theories that were prevalent throughout the region during this time period. One of the most influential events on the rise of Islam was in the rise of Mecca as a center of trade. Mecca’s rise allowed people from various backgrounds to be exposed to and exchange ideas about culture, tradition and religion. All these ideas congealed in to some of the main concepts and ideas adopted by Islam. Yet Islam

A community is a social unit of any size that shares common values, whose members resides in a

This essay will discuss how Hajj as a pilgrimage has grown throughout the years, and how this tragic incident will affect Saudi’s handle on growth in the future by looking at the steps they can take in order to improve the Hajj environment and safety for the people.

As most of our readers know, I was greatly blessed to have the opportunity to travel to South Africa and engage in a series of six debates recently with defenders of the Islamic faith. This included two debates in mosques, and four at universities. My opponents were Bashir Varnia (in Lenasia), Yusuf Bux (in Johannesburg), Yusuf Ismail (in Potchefstroom) and Shabir Ally (in Erasmia and Pretoria). I also lectured at a number of locations, including Northwest University in Potchefstroom. This was the start of a very busy traveling season, as I just finished speaking at the Semper Reformanda Conference at Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas, pastored by Dr. Voddie Baucham, and I will soon be flying to Canada to speak at the Sola Scriptura Conference. This is, in fact, the busiest traveling month of my life, as my burgeoning frequent flier account and new status as a Platinum frequent flier can attest. I am very thankful for these wonderful ministry opportunities, and surely recognize how blessed I am to be able to serve in these locations.

Saudi Arabia has one of the most exceedingly terrible human rights records on the planet as the nation routinely detains and executes many individuals named as foes of the kingdom. As indicated by the Human Rights Watch (HRW), the rule of King Abdullah, who passed away on 2015 at 90 years old, realized minor advances for women, yet neglected to secure the key privileges of Saudi Arabia subjects to free expression, affiliation and assembly. The nation regularly sparks overall shock for its restraint of fundamental flexibilities and oppression of political adversaries and human rights activists. The issue in Saudi Arabia is that the legal framework is utilized as a device against the individuals who need more opportunity. In Saudi Arabia, there is the supposed religious police, whose part is to discover human rights seekers and flexibility contenders and rebuff them. Additionally, there are high courts, which do not work like in Western nations and they are not accountable for ensuring the security of rights, but rather ensuring that disciplines are completed. There are additional reports expressing that numerous individuals who are detained, regularly without being charged, are likewise tormented, as the degree is to mortify them and make them endure. Detainees are likewise tormented in light of the fact that the Saudi Arabian legitimate framework depends on admissions. This is a gross infringement of worldwide principles, considering the way that Saudi Arabia intentionally

The meeting discussed the brutal attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran where Al-Jubeir noted that the attacks were clear violations of the international conventions, laws, and treaties. According to the sanctity of these international agreements, the Iranian government has a responsibility to protect the diplomatic missions on their soil. Further, he confirmed that the attacks on Saudi diplomats were highly condemned by other countries, as well as regional and international organizations such as UN Security Council, the Arab League, and Gulf Cooperation Council. He asserted that OIC needed to issue a strict stance to Iran from its principles and other international conventions and laws. Additionally, he concluded that Saudi Arabia was more concerned with better relations, mutual respect, non- interference and good principles of neighborliness with Iran but the latter failed to adhere to these basic rules.

1a) To prove one’s devotion and commitment to the Islam culture, Muslims are instructed to take the Hajj, a spiritual pilgrimage, at least once in their lifetime, Ibn Battuta inspired people to do so (Britannica).

Pilgrimage to the Holy city of Makkah (in Saudi Arabia) and other sacred sites must be performed at least once in a person’s life, if they are physically and financially

At issue herein is an overview of the Saudi position and the specific efforts that it is undertaking in a struggle against extremism. An overview of the issue is included along with a description of specific Saudi responses and its communication activities as well as reference to the Prevent

By South Africa voting and intervening through the promoting a sense of harmony between both the Hadi and Wadi tribes exposes the country (Assadistan) to a democratic concept .This could therefore hopefully and possibly influence the Wadi monarchy to become a democratic state and thus become harmonized. Through South Africa’s vote, it allows the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to act as a negotiation forum between both tribes. This will therefore allow the Hadi civilians to successfully voice their opinions on governance in their country with no form of oppression. This allows the Hadi civilians the freedom of speech to exercised and functional in the political sphere. In the case of South Africa intervening in the civil

By 2012, the number of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in South Africa had increased to 315 - the second-largest number of diplomatic offices accredited to any

For this second religious site visit, I decided that I would visit a mosque around my hometown. I wanted to learn more about the Islamic religion as it one of the Abrahamic religions. Also,

On Thursday September 7, 2017, Al Masri Al Youm published an interview it conducted with the Eritrean ruling party ambassador in Cairo. Here we present the English version of the Arabic original which was translated by the Awatestaff.