The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issues an official statement to all residents and expatriate workers regarding the performance of Hajj rituals

This morning, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah revealed new decisions for all residents and expatriate workers regarding the performance of Hajj rituals, calling for seizing the grace of times, and acquiring good things.

With the rapid development of technology and the proliferation of social media, photography has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, there are some places and occasions where we should respect photography etiquette and act with caution. One of those occasions is the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, where Mecca and Medina are crowded with pilgrims from all over the world. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces the etiquette of photographing while performing the rituals, and invites us to respect the times and acquire good things.

The importance and need for photography etiquette during the Hajj

Performing the Hajj is a devotional rite that requires Muslims to perform a series of well-known religious acts and rituals. During this sacred period, Muslims are keen to respect and appreciate the place, time and people around them. Therefore, adhering to photography etiquette is an important part of this respect and appreciation.

1. Respect for privacy and security

During the Hajj period, pilgrims feel a need for privacy and personal safety. They like to immerse themselves in their rituals and focus on their worship, and people who film them without permission may be an annoyance to them. Therefore, photographers should respect the privacy of pilgrims and not take their pictures without explicit permission.

2. Keep calm and meditate

Makkah and Madinah are holy and serene places where pilgrims seek meditation and openness to spirituality and inner peace. Pervasive and disturbing photography would conflict with this goal, as it could distract pilgrims and disturb others. So, photographers should avoid causing any disturbance in these holy places.

3. Preserving the holy places

Saudi Arabia is home to many holy sites that Muslims flock to from all over the world. In order to preserve these places and maintain their cleanliness and aesthetics, we must be careful when taking pictures and take care not to harm the environment or cause any disturbance.

Photography etiquette during Hajj

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah provides some guidelines and etiquette for photographers who want to take pictures during the rituals. In order to maintain respect and appreciation, photographers must abide by these etiquette.

1. Obtain prior authorization

Photographers must obtain permission from the people they wish to photograph before doing so. This is an important measure to respect the privacy and comfort of others.

2. Avoid using flash

Photographers should avoid using flash while photographing in holy places. The use of flash can be disturbing to pilgrims and disturb the spiritual tranquility they are seeking.

3. Avoid filming in prohibited sacred sites

There are some sacred sites where photography is completely prohibited. Photographers must familiarize themselves with and adhere to the laws and directives relating to photography in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Exploiting the grace of times and acquiring good things

While performing the Hajj, we can take advantage of the blessings of the blessed times and acquire the good things that surround us. Taking pictures gives us lifelong memories and allows us to share them with others. However, this should be done with care and respect.

1. Photographing religious rituals and important landmarks

We can take pictures of religious rituals while performing rituals and of important landmarks in holy places. This contributes to documenting special moments and sharing them with the whole world.

2. Depicting natural beauty and cultural heritage

Saudi Arabia has natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. We can capture these aspects and show them to the world, while being careful not to cause any harm to the local environment or culture.

The etiquette of photographing while performing the rituals of Hajj aims to invite people to respect the times and appreciation. Photographers should respect the privacy of pilgrims and strive to maintain peace and security in the holy places. They should also take advantage of the grace of the times and document the spiritual and cultural beauty of this sacred period.