The Islamic Information

News from Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi with daily Islamic reminders, facts and information.

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Michigan's new senator-elect, Abdul El-Sayed, plans to take his oath on a Quran this January. No US senator has ever done that. He is choosing between Thomas Jefferson's copy and a very old one from the University of Michigan. He is also the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

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اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

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Masjid an-Nabawi offers a practical facility known as the Tasheel Card (Facilitation Card) for worshippers attending Friday prayers (Jumu’ah).

Worshippers often arrive early to secure a place inside the mosque. Once the indoor prayer areas reach capacity, general entry is restricted.

However, those already inside who need to step out temporarily for wudu (ablution) or other essential needs can request a Tasheel Card before leaving. Upon returning, they can present the card at the entrance to regain access, even after general entry has been closed.

This facility allows worshippers to briefly leave the mosque and return without losing their place for Jumu’ah prayers.

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Quba Mosque
(Before and After Transformation)

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🚨 Fact-Check: MADINAH ZIYARAH SUSPENSION CLAIM IS FALSE

A viral notice claiming that organised Ziyarah programmes in Madinah will be suspended from November 10 to 24, 2026, is FAKE.

The notice also falsely claims that travel companies could face a three-month suspension and a SAR 10,000 fine for violations.

There is no official Saudi government announcement confirming these restrictions. The circulating notice should not be treated as genuine.

Do not believe or share this fake notice.

[The Islamic Information @IslamicInfoOff]

Indonesia may ban vapes completely. The Health Ministry is looking at the idea after the country's top Islamic scholars' council, MUI, ruled on Nov. 6 that Muslims cannot use or sell vapes. No date or details for the ban have been shared yet.

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Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles fired toward the western region late Wednesday night.

Debris from the missiles fell in the Makkah region, in Sabuhah village (about 35 km northeast of Masjid al-Haram) and Wadi al-Maghmas (about 21 km east), according to Saudi state TV.

The coalition also reported intercepting three cruise missiles and four drones aimed at Riyadh, Makkah, the southern and eastern regions. The Houthis have repeatedly denied targeting Makkah and Madinah.

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**Six UK Universities Promote Interest-Free Sharia-Compliant Student Loans**

Six universities across the United Kingdom are informing Muslim students about a proposed Sharia-compliant student finance scheme that could become available in the 2026–27 academic year.

The Alternative Student Finance scheme is designed to help Muslim students access higher education without paying or receiving interest (Riba), which is prohibited in Islam.

**How will it work?**
- Students will repay the same amount as under a conventional student loan.
- Instead of interest, they will make an equivalent contribution.
- These contributions will be ring-fenced to support other students using the scheme.
- Students of all faiths will be eligible to apply.

**Universities promoting the scheme:**
1. University of Bristol
2. University of Leeds
3. University College London (UCL)
4. City St George's, University of London
5. Newcastle University
6. De Montfort University

The initiative aims to address concerns among Muslim students who feel conflicted about taking conventional interest-based student loans.

However, the UK Department for Education has yet to announce a confirmed launch date.

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To Apply: https://t.co/3hIPRUD704

Saudi Residents Only

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Four Volunteer Opportunities at Masjid an-Nabawi, Madinah | November–December 2026

The National Volunteer Platform (NVG) has listed four volunteer opportunities at Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. The positions cover visitor guidance, crowd management, perfume assistance and Friday prayer organisation.

Here are the details of all four opportunities:

1. Spatial Guidance & Crowd Management
- Duration: November 11 – December 9, 2026
- Timings: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

2. Perfume Assistance at Masjid an Nabawi
- Duration: November 11 – December 9, 2026
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

3. Perfume Assistance – Second Period
- Duration: November 11 – December 9, 2026
- Timings: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

4. Friday Prayer Organisation & Spatial Guidance
- Duration: November 13 – December 4, 2026
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Sessions: November 13, 20 and 27, and December 4.

- Personal interview: Required.

**Eligibility & Nationality**

All four opportunities are listed for male volunteers aged 15–90.

The individual NVG listings do not specify a Saudi-national-only restriction. The National Volunteer Platform's government service information also lists citizens, residents and visitors among its target audiences. Non-Saudi and international applicants should confirm that they can register and apply through the platform and meet the individual opportunity requirements.

**How to Apply**

To apply, visit our website:

1. Open **The Islamic Information** website.
2. Click on **Jobs**.
3. Select **Masjid an-Nabawi**.
4. Choose your preferred volunteer opportunity and click **Apply Now**.

These opportunities offer volunteers an opportunity to serve worshippers and visitors at Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.

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**Fact Check: Fake Madinah Ziyarah Suspension Notice**

A viral notice claiming that Madinah Ziyarah programmes will be suspended from 10–24 November 2026 is not backed by any official Saudi announcement.

Masjid an-Nabawi remains open. Pilgrims should avoid spreading unverified claims and check with their travel operators for package-specific updates.

Read the fact check: https://t.co/cHTRx10yEG

[The Islamic Information @IslamicInfoOff]

Friday Imams for 13 November 2026 (3 Jumada al-Akhir 1448) at Masjid al‑Haram and Masjid an‑Nabawi:

Sheikh Bandar Baleelah (Masjid al-Haram)
Sheikh Muhsin al-Qassim (Masjid an-Nabawi)

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UPDATE: Raining at Masjid al-Haram

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90 days left in Ramadan 2027, Alhamdullilah!

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Masjid an-Nabawi’s Smart Command Centre Operates 24/7 to Serve Millions

Masjid an-Nabawi has a smart command centre that operates around the clock to monitor the mosque’s engineering systems and services. Using advanced technology, it monitors 31 assets, identifies issues and helps teams respond quickly. Over the past six months, the centre recorded more than 4,500 operational issues, all of which were addressed and closed. This helps improve services for worshippers and visitors.

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Saudi Arabia has expanded its tourist visa programme to include citizens of Mexico, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.

Eligible travellers from these four countries can now obtain a Saudi tourist e-Visa or visa on arrival, allowing them to visit the Kingdom and perform Umrah outside the Hajj season.

The expansion makes it easier for more international pilgrims to visit Makkah and Madinah.

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Saudi Arabia has started a new training program in Jeddah for staff who look after Hajj pilgrims. It covers 11 areas, from transport and housing to health and media. The goal is better service for pilgrims at Hajj 2027. It runs alongside the Hajj Conference, which takes place from 8 to 11 November.

Photo Credit: SPA

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By December 2030, residents of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are expected to travel between GCC countries by train.

The GCC Railway will connect all six Gulf countries, making travel to Saudi Arabia easier for millions of residents planning Umrah.

Passengers arriving in Saudi Arabia can continue their journey to Makkah and Madinah using domestic transport, including the Haramain High-Speed Railway.

The project is expected to begin operations in December 2030.

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🔴 NEWS: Saudi Arabia issues a red weather alert for the Holy Capital, Makkah, warning of heavy rainfall, strong winds, hail, flash floods, thunderstorms and near-zero visibility until 9 PM today (November 10, 2026).