Hajj: The spiritual side the media rarely shows

Hajj: The spiritual side the media rarely shows

This week, more than 2 million people will go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, Islam’s holiest event on the calendar. What draws so many to go through what is not an easy journey, one that is often marred in media coverage that seldom highlights the significance the pilgrimage has with every practicing Muslim. We speak to Islamic scholar who works for Awqaf in the UAE, Yusuf Jha, who explains the spirituality of Hajj, often overlooked in Western media. Our reporter Haneen Al Dajani, who performed Hajj in 2012, provides a unique insight into what it means for to have performed Hajj. Finally, we talk to one of our former writers, Ayesha Al Mazroui, who is now in Hajj performing the pilgrimage for the first time.

Beyond the Headlines is The National's weekly current-affairs podcast. #news #islam #mecca #hajj #foreign #world

Episoder(476)

Can mediation cut through conflict in the Middle East?

Can mediation cut through conflict in the Middle East?

In Gaza, a fragile ceasefire comes with great uncertainty for the future. In Yemen, the Houthis are abducting humanitarian workers and journalists in a witch hunt for alleged spies. And in Syria, a ne...

29 Okt 202531min

Violence, gunfire and annexation: Palestinian olive farmers under attack

Violence, gunfire and annexation: Palestinian olive farmers under attack

Palestine’s olive harvest season started this month, and quickly became the target of Israeli settler attacks. A viral video this week showed a mob violently chasing Palestinian olive pickers in an oc...

24 Okt 202522min

Who will fill the security vacuum in Gaza?

Who will fill the security vacuum in Gaza?

World leaders gathered in Sharm El Sheikh on Monday to sign a declaration of peace in Gaza. But the resurgence of armed militias brings a new threat to the strip. Clashes have broken out between these...

17 Okt 202519min

What we know so far about the Gaza ceasefire breakthrough

What we know so far about the Gaza ceasefire breakthrough

Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets overnight to celebrate the prospect of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. They welcomed the news of a deal to pause the fighting and release Israeli hostage...

9 Okt 202510min

Stolen moments: Two years of war in Gaza

Stolen moments: Two years of war in Gaza

Almost 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war in Gaza began two years ago after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel. About 90 per cent of residential buildings have been damaged or ...

7 Okt 202520min

Reading between the lines of Trump’s Gaza plan

Reading between the lines of Trump’s Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump’s strategy to end the war in Gaza and prepare for the day after has divided opinion. After two years of failed ceasefire talks, it is the only prospect within reach now that ...

3 Okt 202522min

Vote for Beyond the Headlines in the Signal Awards

Vote for Beyond the Headlines in the Signal Awards

Follow the link to vote for Trending Middle East: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signal4_finalists_finalistnotification_092325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2025/[…]odcast F...

2 Okt 202530s

The question of Palestine: Is recognition the answer?

The question of Palestine: Is recognition the answer?

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly marks a milestone for the region. After years of being the exceptions, several western countries have joined more than 140 others in recognising...

23 Sep 202523min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
forklart
stopp-verden
popradet
det-store-bildet
nokon-ma-ga
dine-penger-pengeradet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
aftenbla-bla
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
frokostshowet-pa-p5
e24-podden
rss-dannet-uten-piano
bt-dokumentar-2
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk