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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance launched the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ programs for the distribution of dates and iftar meals in Indonesia, Albania, and Jordan this week.

A ceremony held in Jakarta on Wednesday was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Faisal Al-Amoudi and several ministers and heads of Islamic associations and centers in Indonesia.

This year, 56,000 individuals will benefit from the date distribution program, 5,000 will benefit from the iftar program, and 35,000 will receive copies of the Qur’an during Ramadan, Saudi Press Agency reported.

A similar ceremony was held this week in Tirana, Albania, where five tons of dates will be distributed and 22,000 people are set to benefit from the iftar and dates distribution programs.

Iftar and dates distribution programs in Jordan are providing humanitarian assistance to charitable associations, orphanages, and Palestinian and Syrian refugee camps this Ramadan, SPA added.

MAKKAH: The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has launched its first trial operation of the ritual of exiting from the state of Ihram after completion of rituals on the courtyard of the Grand Mosque for the first time during the current holy month of Ramadan. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance services for pilgrims and improve the Umrah experience.

The new service allows pilgrims to exit from Ihram after completing the rituals through shaving their head or cutting their hair at five designated locations opposite the Marwa area. These stations can be relocated as needed during periods of high congestion. They are staffed by experienced specialists using fully sterilized equipment, ensuring efficient service delivery while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

The authority is working on developing services within the Two Holy Mosques by introducing many new services while maintaining standards of quality and efficiency to provide a distinguished experience for visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Mohammed Asiri, a Hajj and Umrah affairs specialist and religious researcher, explained that exit from Ihram after completing the Umrah rituals is an essential final step in completing Umrah, where pilgrims shave their heads or trim their hair after completing Sa'i between Safa and Marwa.

"This practice follows the Prophetic Sunnah, as Prophet Mohammed instructed his companions to shave or trim their hair after performing Umrah," Asiri noted. He added that men typically prefer complete shaving, while women need only trim a small portion of their hair.

The ritual symbolizes purification and renewal after worship and marks the end of Ihram restrictions that began when pilgrims entered the Miqat.

Fahd Al-Hamidi, who used the service at the Grand Mosque, praised it as "an extension of Saudi Arabia's significant efforts to serve pilgrims from around the world." He explained that the exit from Ihram service is just one of thousands of great services provided by this nation, both people and government, to make the rituals of Umrah performers coupled with ease and simplicity, enriching their experience and providing service to the highest standards.

Al-Hamidi described the exit from Ihram as a joyful moment that brings a sense of relief and spiritual closeness to Allah. He added that this simple procedure carries deep spiritual meanings, symbolizing renewal and purification from sins and beginning a new page full of faith and piety.

"The ritual release is not merely cutting or shaving hair, but a profound spiritual symbol of submission to Allah's commands and the Prophet's Sunnah," Al-Hamidi concluded.

"With these modern solutions like mobile barbershop units, this important final step of Umrah has become more convenient and efficient for pilgrims."