Students in Makkah during the Umrah trip.
Doha, Qatar: As a reward for academic excellence and commitment to Islamic values, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, represented by the Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance, organised an Umrah trip for 42 high-achieving scholarship students.
The week-long spiritual and educational journey took place from December 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026, marking the conclusion of the first semester of the academic year 2025.
The group comprised students from fourteen different nationalities, reflecting the diverse reach of Qatar’s scholarship programmes. Participants included students from African nations such as Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, Benin, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, and Comoros.
The delegation also featured students from Asian countries including Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Bangladesh, as well as representatives from Great Britain and Russia.
Under the guidance of seven administrative and educational supervisors, the programme was designed to blend worship with cultural enrichment. The trip began in Medina Al-Munawwarah, where students performed prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque and visited significant historical sites like Masjid Quba and the Uhud Martyrs’ cemetery to deepen their understanding of the Prophetic biography. Following the stay in Medina, the students travelled to Makkah to perform the rituals of Umrah. The programme further included educational tours of Mount Thawr, Arafat, the Holy Qur’an Museum, and the Revelation Museum.
The Ministry emphasised that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate academic learning with character building. The programme provided practical training on the correct performance of Umrah rituals starting from the Miqat at Dhul-Hulayfah. Beyond the rituals, the supervisors focused on fostering leadership and cooperation by organising students into small teams with specific responsibilities, encouraging teamwork and mutual respect in a supportive environment.
The Ministry of Awqaf stated that these scholarship students are envisioned as ambassadors of peace and guidance for their home countries. Upon graduation from Qatar, they are expected to carry back the message of moderate Islam and wisdom to their respective communities.
By honouring these top performers, the Ministry aims to motivate all scholarship students to strive for academic excellence, Quranic memorisation, and disciplined conduct in future programs.
