Makkah News and Updates

http://www.muftisays.com/forums/hajj/5123/makkah%2C-madinah%2C-history%2C-museum-pictures-video-inside-the-kabah.html?p=31880#31880

You can see images of the old Masa'a in the above link. Some very old pictures.

The New Masa'a

The new Masa'a build in 2007-10.

Mount Arafat - Haj 2010

By MD HUMAIDAN | ARAB NEWS

Published: Oct 27, 2011 01:44 Updated: Oct 27, 2011 01:44

JEDDAH: The Haj Ministry has strongly warned against felling trees in Arafat and other holy sites and said anyone found violating the sanctity of the place by such acts will be dealt with severely.

The warning came in the wake of a contractor cutting down 15 trees in Arafat to erect tents on Wednesday.

The supervisors of the forestation and weather improvement in Arafat complained to the ministry about the contractor, who admitted his wrongdoing and signed a pledge to replant the trees.

The ministry asked all Haj services providing companies and contractors working in the holy sites not to cut trees that provide pilgrims with shades. It asked those who face difficulties in erecting their tents because of the trees to contact officials in charge of forestation to resolve the matter.

Planting trees in Arafat to provide shade for the guests of God was a welfare wakf (endowment) project initiated by Saudi businessman Abdul Rahman Fakieh in 1986. He was very keen about the project and has been inspecting it since then every day after the Fajr prayer. There are now 300,000 neem trees in Arafat.

Adel Khamis, the engineer in charge of the project, said neem trees were suitable to the climate of the region, as they shade large areas and purify the air. "The neem tree is an environment-friendly plant. It purifies the air and fights agricultural pests," he said.

Khamis said the pilgrims spend the day in Arafat under these trees, which protect them against heat, and said pilgrims are very keen about the preservation of these trees.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Committee for Religious Ifta and Scholarly Research has issued a ruling preventing the cutting down of trees in the holy sites.

It cited a number of traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) warning against cutting down of trees.

The Arafat tree project had won the Makkah prize for distinction in preserving cleanliness of environment. The project started with a few trees planted along the main roads, Jabal Al-Rahma (Mountain of Mercy) and Namira Mosque before it covered the entire area of Arafat.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article524907.ece

Pilgrims camp at Mina - Haj 2010

27 October 2011

It is this time of the year when millions of Muslims around the world come to Makkah to perform Haj, the spiritual journey of a lifetime.

To assess how easy Haj will be for them, every pilgrim wonders how Haj was last year and if pilgrims faced any difficulties.

In an exclusive interview, Adeal Felimban, manager of the Hassan Abdullah Alqurashi and Mohammed Marzog Alqurashi company which has been serving Haj pilgrims for over 17 years, gave an insight of last year’s Haj and what to expect this year. Felimban said that their company belongs to section A, which is one of the best of all camps, from services to prices.

He added their company didn’t face any major difficulties or problems in serving Haj pilgrims last year. However, there was one common problem that all companies faced, which was insufficient water supply to fill the air-conditioners and he hoped that it wouldn’t happen this year.

Regarding Haj services for pilgrims, he said that they upgrade their services every year. They provide air-conditioned buses with comfortable seats and make sure that buses are working to ensure timely movement of pilgrims.

They also provide fresh hot meals to pilgrims, which are cooked in the camp and they have cafeterias that are open 24 hours. They also provide excellent medical services and have separate doctors for male and female pilgrims who are ready to serve them provide checkups and medication free of cost.

One of the services which they provide to pilgrims is educating them on the rituals of Haj. “After we make sure that the pilgrims have finished all their applications and are ready for Haj, we give them a booklet and tape containing instructions of Haj, in order to educate them on Haj rituals, and when they are ready, we have instructors who they can contact if they need help,” he said.

Felimban pointed out that they have a systematic and organized schedule planned for their pilgrims. Regarding the price which they charge for their services, he said, “Of course every company has their own price that represents their section. We charge SR6,100 for each pilgrim, which is one of the lowest price in section A.”

Mohammed Nasser, manager of Alferdous United Company, which has been serving Haj pilgrims since eight years, said, “Last year there were a large number of applications, more than the year before, because of the risk of swine flu. He added that this year, they received applications from 1050 pilgrims in 3 days. Regarding their services, he said they provide the best medical, food and transportation services to pilgrims.

“Last year, we had an instructor for every 50 pilgrims to help them during their journey when there was no train service. However, this year, the ministry has an organized schdeule for pilgrims to avoid crowding and if a pilgrims needs help, he can contact the camp.

Regarding prices, Nasser said, “Our prices are cheap compared to other companies. We give special discounts to those who apply early and they pay SR7450 while the regular applicants are charged SR7850 SR.”

Yaser Mohammed Alghamdi, who performed Haj last year shared his experience. “My journey was smooth and I didn’t face any problems last year, except that the train stopped for some hours. The prices have increased by 30 percent this year, but I didn’t face any problems while applying for Haj,” he said.

Ahmed Al-Tejani, a man who performs Haj every five years said, “I didn’t face any problems while performing Haj last year and the police was always available to help us.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20111027111269

Mina’s Tent City - Haj 2010

27 October 2011

JEDDAH — Mina’s Tent City needs to be expanded to cope with the increasing number of Haj pilgrims every year, according to Khaled Bin Abdulaziz Khoqiar, a member of the Haj and Umrah Committee. He expects more than two million pilgrims to perform Haj this year.

“The number of tents in Mina is not sufficient and cannot accommodate all the pilgrims, so it is necessary to consider building on the foothills of the mountains, in cooperation with domestic Haj companies. There are already six buildings that can be used as a model (for future construction),” he added, according to a report in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Arabic newspaper.

On the prices of camps, he said the Ministry of Haj has divided the camps into five categories. Category A is the closest to the Jamarat Bridge and costs more than Category E camps which are outside Mina.

The most expensive camp costs SR60,000 because of the special services provided by companies.

Meanwhile, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Institute for Haj and Umrah Research will hold its annual meeting for researchers Saturday at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah.

Dr. Bakri Bin Matouq Assass, president of the university, will chair the meeting.

Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Rashad Srouji, dean of the institute, said the meeting will present its research programs for the year.

“The institute is conducting several studies related to improving services for pilgrims,” he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20111027111267

Prince Khaled to launch Makkah gardens project
 

13 May 2011

MAKKAH: Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, is launching Saturday a mayoralty project for gardens in Makkah beginning with Al-Nawariya Gardens in the north of the city.

Osama Al-Bar, Mayor of Makkah, said his office was currently working on “three of the biggest public garden projects” at a cost of SR100 million.

“The projects will cover every area and district of Makkah and involve 37 public gardens,” Al-Bar said. “All the gardens have been designed in line with the very latest engineering models and to meet the highest standards in order to provide suitable and fully equipped places for the public.”

He said the mayoralty also had garden care and planting projects.

“Gardens are of great importance in terms of beautification, planning for roads and squares, and the planning of residential districts, and they also help clean and brighten up the atmosphere,” he said.

Al-Nawarita Gardens, described by Mayor Al-Bar as “one of the most significant public gardens in Makkah”, forms the first step of the projects, and the plans entail footpaths, sports and recreation areas, parking and lighting and other public amenities.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20110513100560

14 May 2011

صالح باهبري - مكة المكرمة - صحيفة مكة الإلكترونية

دشن صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير خالد الفيصل بن عبد العزيز أمير منطقة مكة المكرمة اليوم مشروع حدائق مكة المكرمة الذي تنفذه أمانة العاصمة المقدسة بحديقة النوارية بشمال العاصمة المقدسة.

وفور وصول سموه قام بقص الشريط إيذانا بافتتاح مشروع حدائق مكة المكرمة , كما قام سموه بافتتاح معرض مشروع حدائق مكة المكرمة الذي نظمته الأمانة.

واستمع سموه إلى شرح مفصل عن المشروع من قبل معالي أمين العاصمة المقدسة الدكتور أسامة بن فضل البار الذي أوضح أن المشروع يتضمن تنفيذ العديد من الحدائق بقيمة إجمالية تبلغ 100 مليون ريال.
عقب ذلك بدء الحفل الخطابي الذي أقيم بهذه المناسبة بتلاوة آيات من القران الكريم.
ثم ألقى معالي أمين العاصمة المقدسة كلمة عبر فيها عن شكره وتقديره لسمو أمير منطقة مكة المكرمة على تدشينه مشروع حدائق أم القرى مؤكدا حرص سموه على كل ما يسهم في تطوير مرافق هذه المدينة المقدسة وإيمانه بما للحدائق والزراعة من دور كبير في تجميل المدينة.

وأشار معاليه إلى توقيع عقدين جديدين بمبلغ 40 مليون ريال لتنفيذ 30 حديقة بمكة المكرمة وذلك ضمن المشروع الذي يشتمل على أكثر من 40 حديقة موزعة في أحياء شمال وشرق وجنوب وغرب مكة المكرمة تبلغ مساحتها الإجمالية 150 ألف متر مربع وتبلغ قيمتها الإجمالية 100 مليون ريال منها ثلاث حدائق عامة كبرى تشتمل على ساحات وملاعب ونوادي ، مشيرا إلى أن جميع هذه الحدائق تم تصميمها وفق احدث التصاميم والمعايير الهندسية من أجل توفير أماكن مناسبة ومهيأة للمواطنين إضافة إلى إنشاء 3 مراكز اجتماعية رياضية مغلقة ومسابح وملاعب مكشوفة.

 

14 May 2011

Saleh Bahebri - Makkah - Mecca electronic newspaper

Inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Makkah Region today Gardens project Mecca, which is implemented by the Secretariat of the Holy City Park Alnuarip north of the Holy City.

Immediately after his arrival he cut the ribbon marking the opening of Mecca Gardens project, has also opened his gallery Mecca Gardens project organized by the Secretariat.

He listened to his detailed explanation of the project by the Mayor of the Holy City, Dr. Osama Bin Fadl Bar, who explained that the project includes the implementation of many of the parks with a total value of $ 100 million riyals.

Following the commencement ceremony, rhetoric held on this occasion recited verses from the Koran.

Then, the Mayor of the capital, the holy word in which he expressed thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Emir of Makkah Region to launch the draft parks or villages, stressing his keenness to everything that contributes to the development of facilities of this holy city and his faith, including the gardens and agriculture a significant role in beautifying the city.

The Minister pointed to the signing of two new $ 40 million riyals for the implementation of 30 garden in Mecca as part of the project, which includes more than 40 garden distributed in the neighborhoods north and east, south and west of Mecca, a total area of ​​150 thousand square meters with a total value of SR 100 million, including three parks include a major public squares, playgrounds and clubs, pointing out that all these gardens have been designed according to the latest design and engineering standards for the provision of suitable premises and put up for citizens in addition to the construction of 3 community centers and indoor sports stadiums and swimming pools open.


http://www.makkahnews.net/news-action-show-id-8086.htm