August 4, 2023: Hayyakom initiative welcomes visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah.What is the Hayyakom initiative? Keep reading to know more!
The "Welcome" initiative "Hayyakom" has been introduced by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques in the Grand Mosque's library in Makkah.
The Two Holy Mosques- Al Masjid Al Haram in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
Significance of Makkah
Makkah or Mecca a city in W Saudi Arabia which is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad who was the founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Qurʾān, Islam's sacred scripture.It is the holiest city of Islam, containing the Kaaba.
The Kaaba is located in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca. It is the Black Stone of Mecca, whose now broken pieces are surrounded by a ring of stone and held together by a heavy silver band universally considered by Muslims to be the most sacred spot on Earth. Mecca is a deeply spiritual destination for Muslims all over the world and is considered the heart of Islam.
Aim of the Hayyakom initiative
The initiative aims to welcome pilgrims and visitors while also encouraging enrichment in the arts and in education.It provides a venue for introducing tourists to the Kingdom's cultural history and Islamic heritage.
Additionally, it aspires to raise visitors' and pilgrims' spiritual awareness and cultural enrichment.The proposal is an aspect of the rules set forth by Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
Spiritual awareness- Spiritual awareness is about exploring our inner selves, our feelings, and our beliefs. It's about discovering what gives our lives meaning and purpose.Spiritual awareness is not about following a specific religion or belief system. It's about exploring and discovering what feels meaningful and fulfilling to us individually.
Cultural enrichment- Cultural enrichment is all about exploring and appreciating the diverse traditions, customs, art, music, food, and stories of different cultures around the world. It's like going on an exciting adventure to learn about how people in different parts of the world live, what they believe in, and how they celebrate.
A group of Chinese pilgrims visited the Two Holy Mosques Exhibition at the same time and learned about the Grand Mosque's initiatives.
According to Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdul Majeed Al-Barakati, Assistant Undersecretary for Field Advisory Affairs, the visit was a part of the programme that the president had planned for this year's Hajj season under the banner "From Arrival to Departure."
Hajj season-The Hajj is performed every year between the 8th and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar, also known as Hajj season.
Al-Barakati also emphasized the leadership's outstanding efforts and leading position in servicing the mosques and the people who support them.