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By Nishang Narayan
Published on June 16, 2024
Eid ul-Adha and the Hajj pilgrimage stand as pillars of spiritual tourism, drawing millions of Muslims from around the world to Mecca and other significant locations for profound religious experiences. This year, Eid ul-Adha will be celebrated globally on June 16 or 17, 2024, contingent upon the sighting of the crescent moon. This festival, known as the Feast of Sacrifice, honors Prophet Ibrahim's devotion and willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, symbolizing themes of faith, sacrifice, and compassion.
In 2024, the celebration of Eid ul-Adha will vary slightly worldwide based on the Islamic lunar calendar and the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon. In Saudi Arabia and several other countries, the moon sighting will take place on June 6, 2024. If the moon is seen, Dhul Hijjah will start on June 7, and Eid ul-Adha will be celebrated on June 16. If not, Dhul Hijjah will begin on June 8, making Eid ul-Adha on June 17. In India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries, the moon sighting will occur on June 7, potentially placing Eid on June 17 or June 18, depending on visibility.
Eid ul-Adha significantly boosts global travel, especially as millions of Muslims undertake the Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam's five pillars. This pilgrimage not only reinforces religious bonds but also substantially impacts the economies of Saudi Arabia and surrounding regions. Hotels, airlines, and local businesses experience a considerable increase in activity during this period, highlighting the festival’s economic importance.
The essence of Eid ul-Adha extends beyond its religious observances, fostering a sense of global community and unity among Muslims as they gather to perform the qurbani, the ritual animal sacrifice, and share the meat with family, friends, and those in need. This act of sharing underscores the festival’s values of generosity and social solidarity. Additionally, the festival encourages charitable acts and brings together families and communities, boosting local economies through increased spending on food, clothing, and festivities.
As the festival approaches, Muslims worldwide prepare by purchasing new clothes, organizing feasts, and planning their participation in communal prayers. In many countries, special congregational prayers are held at mosques and open grounds, where the faithful come together to listen to sermons that emphasize the values of sacrifice and obedience to God. Traditional dishes and sweets, such as sheer khurma and seviyan, are prepared and enjoyed, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Eid ul-Adha also imparts profound moral and ethical teachings, reminding Muslims of the importance of faith, gratitude, and caring for others. The festival’s emphasis on sacrifice and sharing serves as a poignant reminder of the need for empathy and generosity in daily life. By encouraging acts of charity and fostering a sense of community, Eid ul-Adha helps to reinforce the core principles of Islam and promotes social cohesion.
In the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries, Muslim communities celebrate Eid ul-Adha with a blend of cultural traditions and local customs, often integrating public celebrations and community events. The festival provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding, as non-Muslims are often invited to join in the celebrations, furthering the spirit of inclusivity.
The three-day festival of sacrifice, known as Eid al-Adha, is observed on the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah, which falls on the third day of the Hajj. It falls on June 16 of this year. After Eid al-Fitr, which commemorates the end of Ramadan, the month-long fast, Eid al-Adha is the second most important Muslim holiday. On this holiday, they slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some of the meat to the poor.
In a communal sense, the Hajj brings Muslims from all walks of life together to perform religious rites and acts of worship at the same time and location. These Muslims come from a variety of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Many of them are left with a sense of equality, humility, and togetherness as a result.
Additionally, pilgrims bring their own requests, desires, and life experiences with them. In addition to fulfilling a pilgrim's religious duty, the Hajj is, for many, a once-in-a-lifetime, profoundly spiritual event.
Muslim travelers intending to do the Hajj travel from all over the world arrive in Mecca in a pure ihram state. The ihram, which unites pilgrims from many origins, is a symbol of humility and spiritual focus. For men, this implies wearing only seamless white clothing, with the right shoulder always left uncovered and one piece wrapped around the waist and another over the left shoulder. Women can also dress in plain piece of clothing adhering to the Hijab rules and not covering their faces.
For several pilgrims, standing on the Arafat plain and praising God, pleading for forgiveness, and making supplications is the pinnacle of the Hajj experience spiritually. Other customs include "tawaf," which is the circling of the Kaaba in Mecca seven times in a counterclockwise direction.
In conclusion, Eid ul-Adha and the Hajj pilgrimage are not just religious events but powerful cultural phenomena that enhance spiritual tourism, support local economies, and strengthen community bonds. As Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate, the impact of these events on both the individual and collective levels highlights their enduring significance and far-reaching benefits.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on November 13, 2026
Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group, has completed the installation of Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet of Gulfstream G700 and Gulfstream G650ER aircraft. The upgrade brings high-speed internet connectivity to passengers across its ultra-long-range fleet, further strengthening the company's focus on technology and passenger experience.
With Starlink, passengers can access fast, low-latency internet throughout their journey. The service supports video conferencing, streaming, messaging and other business activities, even during some of the world's longest flights. In many cases, the onboard internet experience can match or exceed connectivity speeds available in homes and offices on the ground.
Starlink's global coverage also allows passengers to stay connected while flying over oceans, remote regions and international air corridors, offering a more seamless online experience across long-distance journeys.
The installation was part of an extensive fleet enhancement programme, with most of the work completed in-house by Qatar Executive Engineering and Qatar Airways Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) teams. The project highlights the technical expertise and operational capabilities of teams across the Qatar Airways Group.
As one of the leading operators of ultra-long-range business jets, Qatar Executive continues to invest in technology that improves aircraft operations and passenger experience. Its fleet, led by the Gulfstream G700 and G650ER, connects major financial centres, business hubs and leisure destinations through non-stop long-haul and ultra-long-range flights.
The completion of the Starlink installation marks another step in the company's fleet modernisation plans. By combining its advanced aircraft with next-generation internet connectivity, Qatar Executive aims to help passengers travel longer distances while staying connected and productive throughout their journeys.
By Hariharan U
Published on November 9, 2026
Air India has expanded its Maharaja Club frequent flyer programme with the launch of The Maharaja Shop, a premium lifestyle marketplace that allows members to earn Maharaja Points through eligible purchases across a curated selection of Indian and international brands.
The platform extends the loyalty programme beyond air travel, giving members additional opportunities to build their points balance through everyday shopping. The accumulated Maharaja Points can be redeemed towards Award Flights and Cabin Upgrades on Air India.
The marketplace covers a range of lifestyle categories, including electronics, luggage, travel accessories, fragrances, home essentials, wellness, watches and jewellery. It features products from a curated portfolio of Indian and global brands, with complimentary shipping available on eligible orders.
The initiative adds a retail component to Maharaja Club, enabling members to earn travel rewards through purchases that are not directly related to flying. The platform is intended to create more frequent engagement with the loyalty programme while offering members additional ways to accumulate points.
Alongside its wider lifestyle marketplace, The Maharaja Shop features an exclusive collection of Air India merchandise available only through the platform.
Inspired by the airline's heritage and identity, the collection includes Maharaja magnets and collectibles, aircraft-inspired keychains, lapel pins, postcard sets, coaster sets and travel essentials. The range is aimed at frequent flyers, loyal members and collectors interested in Air India memorabilia.
Eligible purchases from the merchandise collection also allow members to earn Maharaja Points, extending the programme's rewards proposition to products connected with the airline's brand.
Sunil Suresh, Head of Loyalty, E-Commerce and Marketing, Air India, said the marketplace is an extension of the airline's vision to develop Maharaja Club into a lifestyle loyalty programme that rewards members beyond their travel journeys.
He added that bringing together a curated selection of brands would give members more opportunities to earn points through everyday spending. The platform will also serve as the exclusive destination for Air India merchandise, offering members access to branded products beyond the airline's travel services.
Maharaja Club members can currently earn points through Air India, Air India Express and more than 100 partners across airlines, hospitality, retail, lifestyle and financial services.
Members can redeem their points for flights on Air India and Air India Express, as well as on 25 Star Alliance partner airlines. The programme also offers tier-based privileges and access to more than 1,100 airport lounges worldwide.
The Maharaja Shop is available exclusively to Maharaja Club members. Travellers who are not yet enrolled can join the programme to access the marketplace and begin earning eligible points on their purchases.
The launch adds another earning channel to Air India's loyalty ecosystem, connecting retail purchases with future travel benefits.
Explore the platform: The Maharaja Shop
Published on November 2, 2026
As the festive season approaches, Six Senses Bhutan is inviting travellers to exchange crowded itineraries for a slower journey through the kingdom's Himalayan landscapes, cultural traditions and spiritual heritage. Spread across five lodges in Bhutan's western and central valleys, the collection brings together nature-led stays, local experiences, destination dining and wellness programmes.
Each lodge offers a distinct setting and interpretation of Bhutan's landscape. In Thimphu, Six Senses Thimphu, known as the Palace in the Sky, is surrounded by apple orchards and pine forests. In Punakha, the Flying Farmhouse sits amid rice fields in one of the country's warmer valleys.
At Paro, the Stone Ruins lodge is set within 12th-century stone ruins, while Bumthang's Forest in a Forest setting brings guests closer to the surrounding pine forests and river valley. Together, the five lodges offer different perspectives on Bhutan's natural and cultural character.
At Paro, guests can experience Chubjakha Ruins Regale, a candlelit destination dining experience inspired by medieval Bhutan. The evening combines specially crafted cocktails, a Bhutanese menu prepared over an open fire and traditional masked-dance performances.
The lodge also provides a base for an early start to the climb to Taktsang Lhakhang, widely known as Tiger's Nest Monastery, one of Bhutan's most recognised spiritual landmarks.
In Gangtey, the Phobjikha Valley offers a different experience. The valley becomes the winter habitat of endangered black-necked cranes arriving from Tibet each October. Inspired by a traditional birdwatching bridge, the lodge offers views across the landscape, while walking trails and cycling routes allow guests to explore the valley and its conservation environment.
The connection with Bhutanese culture extends to the dining programme through Six Senses' Eat With Six Senses philosophy, which focuses on natural ingredients and wholesome, locally sourced produce.
Guests can explore local food traditions through experiences such as mushroom foraging with a local chef. Other cultural activities include butter lamp lighting ceremonies with monks and visits to monasteries that remain central to Bhutan's spiritual life.
Wellness is another part of the experience, with programmes incorporating sunrise meditation, yoga, holistic spa treatments and traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths.
Rather than positioning the festive season around packed schedules and conventional celebrations, Six Senses Bhutan presents an alternative centred on time in nature, cultural discovery and personal well-being.
Travellers can explore all five valleys as part of a wider journey or choose a single lodge for a more focused retreat. Across the collection, the emphasis remains on experiencing each destination at its own pace, through its landscape, traditions and local communities.
For those looking to close the year with a quieter holiday, the five-lodge experience offers a way to discover Bhutan beyond its familiar landmarks, while making space for rest, reflection and meaningful encounters.
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