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#4306 [Permalink] Posted on 18th July 2014 16:22
 
Women visitors accuse officials
 
in Prophet’s Mosque of racism

Thursday, 17 July 2014

MADINAH — Several Arab women visitors to the Prophet's Mosque here have alleged that they have been racially discriminated against by Saudi women guards.

They claimed that they were being forced to vacate their places for Saudi women and were not allowed to stay more than a few minutes in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharif [the spot between the dais and the room of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)].

Local daily Al-Bilad this week quoted a number of Arab women visitors as saying that it was unfair to designate special places for Saudi and Gulf women inside the mosque.

They said sitting in the mosque should be done on a first-come, first-served basis without any consideration for race or nationality.

Zainab Abdul Fadeel, an Egyptian pilgrim, said she and her other compatriots ululated when they first set foot on Al-Rawdah as a sign of joy.

She said: “The Saudi woman supervisor strongly reprimanded us and told us that this was not a wedding palace.
“We were only expressing joy. In my country when you are happy you make trills of joy. We meant no harm.”

Abdul Fadeel was angry that the Saudi woman supervisor did not guide them quietly or advise them politely.

“The supervisor was harsh and callous with us because we were foreigners,” she said.

She added that they were all evicted and ushered out to the extension in the western side of the mosque after only performing two rakats (complete cycle of any given prayer) at the Rawdah.

Abdul Fadeel said women pilgrims were classified according to their countries.

"Every group of women visitors from the same nationality were put together," she said, questioning why the Saudi and Gulf women were kept together while the other women were grouped according to their countries.

She said it was better to leave all the women visitors to freely mix with other visitors.

"We are all Muslims. There is no reason for this racial discrimination," she said.

Huda Bint Ismael, a Moroccan woman from the city of Fez, said she was hurt when she heard a supervisor saying that all Saudi women should go to one side while all foreign women should go another side.

"I was shocked by this flagrant disparity. Is the mosque not for all Muslims?" she questioned.

Bint Ismael said she should not be forced to leave Al-Rawdah after a short time, especially as she was coming from a distant place once in her lifetime.

"With their bad treatment, these supervisors are killing the spirituality we came looking for at the Prophet's Mosque," she said.

Salma Abu Qrait, from Algeria, said she was surprised to see security men at the women's section closely scrutinizing their faces. "Many of us quickly covered our faces," she said.

Abu Qrait said women supervisors should replace the men in these areas.

She also objected to the grouping of the women visitors according to their nationalities. "This does not happen in the Grand Mosque in Makkah," she said.

Khadijah Abdul Hameed, a Turk, asked why Saudi men were allowed to mix with male visitors from other countries while women are only grouped with their compatriots.

"What is the problem if I prayed between two women, one from Indonesia and another from Nigeria?" she questioned.

Zahida Ammar, from Palestine, said she was an old lady and was visiting the Prophet's Mosque for the first time in her life.

She said: “I wished so much that I had spent more time in Al-Rawdah to pray and recite the Holy Qur'an.This simple dream was not realized because the Saudi women supervisors kicked me out only after a short stay there.”

Ammar said she waited for an hour at the gate to be allowed entry into the Prophet's Mosque but was allowed to stay only for five minutes in Al-Rawdah before being asked to leave.

"I pleaded with the Saudi woman supervisor to give me time to offer two more rakats at Al-Rawdah but she refused and asked me to leave immediately," she said.

Sheikh Abdul Wahid Al-Hattab, director of information and public relations at the Presidency of the Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque, said the women visitors had to be evicted quickly from Al-Rawdah to give other women an opportunity to pray.

He said the Prophet's room and Al-Rawdah is open three times daily for women during Ramadan: after Fajr, Dhuhr and taraweeh prayers.
"These visitation times will be cut down to two only in the last 10 days of Ramadan: after Dhuhr and Asr prayers," he said.
Al-Hattab said there was no racial discrimination or social disparity and grouping women according to their nationalities was done to facilitate smoother movement.
He said: “We are organizing the entry of women to the mosque to avoid stampedes. It is a lot easy to make them enter according to their country or nationality.”
Hattab said the supervisors would be able to address women visitors in their own language if they are grouped according to nationality.
“It is true that the Saudi and GCC women are grouped together. This is just like grouping pilgrims who are on Haj. It is practical and will not result in any problems between the visitors.”

Hattab denied Saudi or GCC women visitors received any preferential treatment.
“We treat the Saudi visitors exactly like other visitors. This is why we group them together.”
Hattab denied supervisors treated the visitors harshly.
He said they receive intensive training courses on etiquette organized in collaboration with Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah and King Saud University in Riyadh.

Hattab said it was not Islamic to ululate inside the Prophet's Mosque.
"The place has its sanctity, which has to be respected," he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140717211879

 
 
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#4307 [Permalink] Posted on 18th July 2014 16:24
 
Mataf expansion
__________________________________________

The work of the third phase of expansion
begins after the pilgrimage this year


Mataf capacity from 48 000 to 105 000 worshipers
in time at the end of 1436 AH


أعمال المرحلة الثالثة من التوسعة تبدأ بعد حج هذا العام
صحن المطاف من 48 ألفاً إلى 105 آلاف طائف في الساعة في نهاية 1436هـ



وسوف تبدأ بعد حج عام 1435ه أعمال المرحلة الثالثة، بتركيب أسوار العزل المؤقتة الخاصة بمنطقة العمل للشروع بأعمال الإزالة والإنشاء مع بقاء جزئي لأسوار المرحلة الثانية والأولى لإنهاء أعمال التشطيب حتى نهاية شهر شعبان من عام 1436ه، ومع نهاية ذلك العام تكون كافة الأسوار المؤقتة قد أزيلت مع المطاف المؤقت، حيث تكون أعمال مشروع رفع الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف قد اكتملت بإذن الله.

Read more: http://www.alriyadh.com/953486

Google translation:

Will begin after the Hajj in 1435 AH Phase III, installing walls insulation temporary work area to begin the work of removal and construction with the survival of partial to the walls of the second stage and the first to finish the finishing works until the end of the month of August of the year 1436 AH, with the end of that year, all of the walls interim has been removed with ultimately temporary, where the work of the project to raise the capacity of took shape has been completed, God willing.

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#4308 [Permalink] Posted on 18th July 2014 16:25
 
Makkah: The city that does not sleep in Ramadan


Friday, 18 July 2014 - 20 Ramadan 1435

Ramadan in Makkah is like no other experience in the world. It is as if the city does not sleep; its roads and streets are crowded throughout the day and while there is a momentary reprieve after Maghreb prayer when people break their fasts, the hustle and bustle that has come to characterize life in Makkah returns after Taraweeh prayer and continues until Fajr (dawn) prayer, Al-Hayat daily reported.

The manifestations of Ramadan in Makkah are numerous due to the existence of the Grand Mosque in the holy city and the large number of Umrah pilgrims who come to the city from all corners of the world. Pilgrims who throng the city are of different races, nationalities and ethnicities but what unifies them is their worship of one God.

An elderly citizen of Makkah, Ismail Bakhsh, spoke to Al-Hayat about the manifestations of Ramadan and the traditions of Makkah residents in dealing with Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque.

“Serving Umrah performers and visitors is a tradition that has been inherited through many generations. The preparations for Ramadan begin in early Shaaban and while they may appear to be simple, a lot of time and energy goes into them.

“Citizens begin to purchase and collect food items in preparation for the banquets that begin on the 1st of Ramadan for iftar (breakfast) or suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) in the house of the head of the family. Aside from this, since so much food is cooked during the month, people exchange dishes with neighbors,” he said.

Bakhsh said pedestrian traffic on the streets of Makkah begins after Dhuhr prayer as business is brisk and there is a flurry of activity in the markets until dusk. He said trade is brisk in Ramadan and the profits are high compared to other months of the year.

“The crowding on the streets reaches its peak before the call for Maghreb (dusk) prayer. Shops selling ful (mashed fava bean), subiya (a Hijazi drink made of fruit), shuraik (a kind of bread) and cake become heavily crowded.

“Pedestrian traffic drops sharply after the call for Maghreb prayer as if the city does not have any residents. Movement on the streets resumes shortly before Isha (evening) prayer,” he said.

Bakhsh said food carts increase on the streets with baleelah (chick peas) stalls being the most famous. Baleelah is one of the most popular foods in Hijaz.

Subiya carts are also popular as it is a drink found on most Ramadan tables in the region.

“Makkah cannot live up to its Ramadan atmosphere without its stalls. If one were to tour Makkah’s old neighborhoods, one would find preparations going on round the clock. All of this characterizes Makkah and the whole of Hijaz,” said Bakhsh.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140718211887






Iftar for diabetics at Haram

Friday, 18 July 2014

MAKKAH — President of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais instructed workers to provide special Ramadan meals for diabetics at the Grand Mosque. Special spaces in the courtyards have been marked for diabetic people.

The presidency is intending to serve 3.2 million meals for people suffering from the chronic condition. Initially 150,000 meals a day will be served while in the last 10 days 250,000 will be offered.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140718211894
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#4309 [Permalink] Posted on 18th July 2014 16:26
Subya — the drink of choice in Ramadan
 

Thursday, 03 July 2014

MAKKAH — Most people in Makkah love to have the drink subya when they break their fast.

This popular beverage is made of barley, dried bread, raisins, sugar, cardamom and cinnamon. It is served ice cold and comes in two colors, red and white.

It is undoubtedly the drink of choice for quenching the thirst of people in Makkah.

There are two families in the city that are known for their tasty subya — Al-Khodari and Ibn Al-Wahaj.

Most visitors from outside Makkah love to have a drink or two of subya when they visit the city to perform Umrah during Ramadan.

Subya is made in different ways. The red one is made from whole wheat bread, cardamom, and cinnamon. The bread is left for hours until it dries. Water is poured onto the dried bread, which is then put into special machines that will turn it into juice. Cardamom and cinnamon will be added to the juice. After being left for an entire day, the juice will be cleared of any hard pieces or seeds. The white subya is made in the same way with berry colors added to it.

There is another type of subya that is raisin-flavored. Yemeni raisins are usually used to make this variant of the drink. Raisins are put inside water and left for a full day. They are then boiled and placed into big barrels for another day before they are turned into juice using special machines after cardamom and cinnamon are added.

This type of subya is more expensive. A big can of subya, which can fill three big glasses, is sold for SR12.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140703210366

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#4310 [Permalink] Posted on 19th July 2014 15:07
 
GPH camera scouring the skies
above the Grand Mosque


كاميرا الرئاسة تجوب فوق سماء المسجد الحرام

1435/9/21 - 19 July 2014

وفقاً لتطلعات معالي الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الشيخ الدكتور عبدالرحمن بن عبدالعزيز السديس في تقديم ارقى الخدمات لقاصدي بيت الله الحرام الذين يتشوقون دوما لرؤية المسجد الحرام ويتمتعون بمشاهدته.

رصدت كاميرا الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي من خلال جوله جوية تم خلالها تغطية ونقل عدد من الصور الايمانية التي توضح المشاريع العملاقة التي تتم في الحرمين الشريفين من زوايا ومواقع غير تقليدية وذلك بالتعاون مع طيران الأمن العام التابع لوزارة الداخلية .

الجدير بالذكر أن هذه المشاركة التي قامت بها الرئاسة تعد للسنة الثانية على التوالي وقد مثل الرئاسة في الرصد " البانورامي" المصوريَّن بالعلاقات العامة بمكتب معالي الرئيس الأستاذ أيمن الشريف والأستاذ أحمد الراجحي .

http://www.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm?do=c...0&categoryid=2

Google translation: According to the aspirations of His Excellency President General for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais in providing the finest services for Cassidy House of God who is always eager to see the Grand Mosque and enjoy watching.

Spotted a camera General Presidency for the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque during an aerial tour during which the coverage and transfer the number of pictures faith that illustrate the giant projects that are in the two Holy Mosques of angles and non-traditional sites, in cooperation with Aviation Security General of the Ministry of the Interior.

It is worth mentioning that this review carried out by the presidency is for the second year in a row, such as the presidency has been monitoring the "panoramic" Photographers Public Relations Office of the President HE Mr. Ayman Al-Sharif and Mr. Ahmed Al-Rajhi.











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#4311 [Permalink] Posted on 19th July 2014 15:08
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#4312 [Permalink] Posted on 19th July 2014 15:09
 
KSA: Quran Exhibition Is Set For November

The exhibition will be held along with symposium
on printing and publishing aspects of Holy Quran


10 July 2014

King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran in city of Medina invited all the institutions and people who are involved in printing and publication of Holy Quran to participate in an exhibition to be held from 25 to 27 November 2014. Organized by King Fahad Complex the exhibition will run along a symposium on printing and publishing aspects of Holy Quran.

Dr. Mohammed Salem Al-Awfi secretary general of King Fahad Complex and head of symposium organizer committee said that a subcommittee has been established in King Fahad Complex to follow up with Symposium presentations. The subcommittee so far conducted 27 weekly meetings.

Awfi says the Symposium met with great interest of university educators and people involved in publication of holy Quran. The participation of a number of speakers from around the globe has already been confirmed. For registration and more information on the symposium you can visit: qprint.qurancomplex.gov.sa

King Fahad Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran was established in Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah in 1984, and is considered as one of the largest centers for scientific studies and researches on everything associated with the Holy Quran and its sciences, and the greatest printing establishment specialised in the printing of the Holy Quran.

http://meprinter.com/news/4549/Quran...t-For-November



Holy Qur’an translated into Swahili

The number of Holy Qur’an translations is now 63
 
Friday, 18 July 2014

MADINAH — The King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex has finished the translation of the Holy Qur’an into Swahili, the official language of Kenya and Tanzania and a spoken language in Uganda, Congo and different African countries, said Muhamamd Al-Oufi, secretary-general of the complex. Swahili is the mother tongue for 5 million people and a second language for 50 million. The number of Holy Qur’an translations is now 63.

The complex has translated the Holy Qur’an in 32 Asian languages, 15 European languages and 16 African languages. Inaugurated by King Fahd in 1984, the complex currently publishes a total of 90 publications, including Qur’an translations, books of Hadith and the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Its website offers various recitations, textual search, translations and exegetic commentaries, in addition to images of early Qur’an manuscripts.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140718211891



Download Quran
in the language of your choice

____________________

Service "Barcode" to download Quran
on phone for visitors of the Grand Mosque



Dear Visitor

Kindly download the translation of the Holy Quran with
the language you prefer following these indications:

1) Download the (barcode) program from the web
2) Download the translation of the Holy Quran using the barcode.






 
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#4313 [Permalink] Posted on 19th July 2014 15:11
 
The last 10 days of Ramadan

Escape from hell-fire

Saturday, 19 July 2014 - 21 Ramadan 1435

More than a million faithful from all over the world have thronged the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to spend the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan. As the holy month entered its final phase on Friday, the faithful are prepared to embark on vigorous prayers and worship by offering taraweeh and qiyamullail (late night) prayers, seeking the blessings of Lailat Al-Qadr (Night of Power), a night which is better than a thousand months. They will also participate in the Khatmul Qur’an (completion of Qur’an in taraweeh) prayers.

According to a tradition, the last 10 days of Ramadan are earmarked by Almighty Allah to free the faithful from the torment of Fire.

Thousands of worshipers started Itikaf (seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of worshipping) Friday at the Two Holy Mosques, after being chosen by the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques following their online registration.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from various parts of the world as well as from within the Kingdom are in Makkah to perform Umrah. A total of more than six million visas have been issued during the current Umrah season. There was unprecedented rush for performing Umrah during Ramadan because of its reward equal to performing Haj with the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (pbuh) said: “When the month of Ramadan arrives, go for Umrah, because Umrah in Ramadan is like accompanying me on Haj.”

Despite the soaring temperatures, the two mosques were filled to the brim with worshipers for Friday prayers.

Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid and Sheikh Abdulmohsen Bin Muhammad Al-Qassim delivered Friday sermons at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque respectively. They urged worshipers to take full advantage of the blessed days in seeking forgiveness and mercy of God.

Authorities have swung into action to make available to the Umrah performers and visitors all the facilities and services to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. Elaborate arrangements have been made under the close supervision and monitoring of the heads of various government departments and security agencies to ensure smooth flow of pilgrims.

Sheikh Abdurrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, Thursday chaired a meeting of the heads of all departments under the presidency to review preparations for the final days of Ramadan. He directed them to double their efforts to deliver the best services to the faithful. All the government and private departments and agencies in Makkah and Madinah, including the Haram presidency, police, traffic police, Haram security force, Civil Defense and mayoralties are actively involved in implementing their plan for the last 10 days of Ramadan.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140719212025






King Abdullah expansion







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#4314 [Permalink] Posted on 19th July 2014 15:13
 
Mosques are ready for itikaf


ALL SET: The Al-Rajhi Mosque at Exit 17 is one of the two big mosques
in the capital, which have made arrangements for those opting for itikaf.

Saturday 19 July 2014

Two large mosques in the capital have made extensive arrangements for Muslims who would like to perform “itikaf” (meditative seclusion) during the last 10 of the holy month of Ramadan.

The management of the Al-Rajhi Mosque at Exit 17 and the King Khalid Mosque in Ummul Hammam had instructed the mosque authorities to make arrangements for those men and women who want to perform itikaf to provide accommodation and meals during stay in the mosques.

Those who stay in the mosques for the purpose of itikaf will be allowed accommodation and served meals during suhoor and iftar. Religious discourses have been arranged for the worshippers to spend their time usefully inside the mosques.

In an earlier message, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said the worshipping act of itikaf can be done at any mosque and should not be confined to the Grand Mosque.

Itikaf is a spiritual retreat in Islamic ritual in which believers seclude themselves from others to engage solely in acts of worship and keep away from worldly dealings, especially during Ramadan.

The entire city of Makkah is holy; believers may go to other mosques in Makkah for seclusion. They should not abandon their duties toward their families, We urge them to take care of their wives and children, while also engaging in nightly prayers and engaging in acts of worship,” the grand mufti said.

The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, has made preparations to accommodate 14,000 worshippers in the mosque for seclusion. The administration has doubled the facilities for worshippers and prospective stayers are registered online.

Those performing the act of seclusion in Makkah , have been advised to take three to four pairs of clothes for the 10 day period. Women should carry an extra abaya and hijab in case the regular one gets dirty.

Though it's hot in Makkah, one might feel a chill if one's clothes are too thin, especially in an air-conditioned hall. Cotton clothes help as they keep you cool during the day and warm at night.

People intending to perform itikaf are also advised to take special personal care and make provision for deodorant, oud, hand wipes, lots of tissue papers, small shopping bags, comb, small mirror, extra pair of glasses, tablets for headache and flu, face masks, tooth brush, tooth paste etc.

People performing itikaf generally remain on the first floor of Masjid Al-Haram (not the ground floor) because it's not as packed as it is downstairs. But it is still very crowded in Ramadan.

If worshippers enter the Haram Mosque through Gate No. 84 (one of the mini gates next to the huge King Fahd Gate) and go straight up using the stairs, they would come right to a female cabin (there are many more to the right and left). Ahead of the female cabin there's the men's area.

The great thing about this area is that there are ablution areas right behind so one does not have to go to bathrooms for wudhu. Also, if one leaves the mosque through Gate No. 84, the female bathrooms are straight ahead. So are the restaurants.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/604236



Al-Rajhi Mosque, Riyadh



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#4315 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd July 2014 22:27

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#4316 [Permalink] Posted on 24th July 2014 18:36
 
Al-Rajhi mosque to host 2,000 for Itikaf

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

MAKKAH — Officials at Al-Rajhi mosque in Makkah have accepted 2,000 applications for Itikaf (seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of worshiping and becoming closer to Allah) during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

The total number of meals provided for worshipers at the mosque till date has reached 126,000.

Shuja'a Al-Matrafi, an official at the mosque, said that each approved Itikaf worshiper will be given an ID carrying his name and identification number. Each worshiper will also have a locker to put his clothes and personal belongings in.

Worshipers will also be offered free iftar meals, dinner and suhoor inside the food court. They will be provided with blanket and mattresses, a toothbrush and religious books.

Also, the mosque is providing 2,200 iftar meals and over 600 boxes of water daily to the faithful to break their fast, Al-Matrafi said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140716211694

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#4317 [Permalink] Posted on 24th July 2014 18:43
 
6.3 million Umrah visas issued

Sunday 20 July 2014

More than 6.3 million Umrah visas have been issued since the beginning of the season, an increase of 900,000 over the same period last year, said Mohammed Al-Bijawi, Haj Ministry branch director in Madinah.

This does not include the last 10 days of Ramadan, in which the number is expected to further increase, he said.

“There has also been a 1.4-percent decline in the number of overstayers,” said Al-Bijawi.

“Pilgrims who stay past the expiry of their visas usually have health issues or experience a delay in departure for one reason or another,” he said.

“We can thank the drastic drop in the number of Umrah overstayers to the effective control mechanisms undertaken by the Haj and Interior Ministries, in addition to the cooperation of the 48 Umrah service providers within the Kingdom and the 2,000 foreign agents,” he said.

“There are also several field committees conducting ad hoc checks on visa validity on the ground.”

The Haj Ministry recently made it mandatory for Umrah firms not to send new groups of pilgrims until existent pilgrims have left.

“It is through such measures that the ministry has succeeded in controlling pilgrim traffic,” he said.

Prince Khaled bin Saud bin Khaled, assistant foreign minister, had earlier affirmed that the number of incoming pilgrims never exceeds 400,000 pilgrims at a time.

Madinah’s transport network, meanwhile, is operating for the third year in a row. Thousands of commuters travel to and from the Prophet’s Mosque via five tracks in Taiba.

The project was launched through liaison between the Madinah Municipality, the Madinah Development Authority, the Transport Ministry, the Madinah Traffic Department and the carrier company.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/604751

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#4318 [Permalink] Posted on 24th July 2014 18:44
 
500 iftar meals confiscated

Sunday, 20 July 2014

MAKKAH — The monitoring committee in the Makkah Governorate confiscated 500 meals that were to be distributed for iftar. The head of the committee, Abed Al-Qurashi, said the meals were from unknown sources and did not meet the committee’s food standards.

He explained that the committee has issued 200 licenses to eateries to prepare iftar meals and the committee supervises the distribution of 90,000 iftar meals every day in neighborhoods, mosques and parking lots designated for Umrah pilgrims. The committee has recorded 100 violations during the first half of Ramadan.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140720212126



Grand Mosque police arrest female pickpocket

Sunday, 20 July 2014

MAKKAH — Search and investigation teams at the Grand Mosque detained an Arab woman who they suspected of being a pickpocket. The head of the Grand Mosque Security Force, Maj. Gen. Yahya Al-Zahrani, said the force had received several reports of pickpockets targeting pilgrims and visitors.

As a result, monitoring of crowded areas was intensified and the woman was caught acting suspiciously, Al-Zahrani said. He added that the woman was found to be residing in a nearby hotel and officers found US dollars, Egyptian pounds and other currencies in her room, in addition to 19 mobile phones and 13 watches, jewelry and handbags. The currencies and other stolen items were estimated to be worth SR43,000. The suspect was referred to the concerned bodies for further action.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140720212098



230 lost children reunited with families

Sunday, 20 July 2014

MAKKAH — The center for lost children at the Grand Mosque has reunited 230 lost children with their families during the first half of Ramadan.

The head of the Grand Mosque security force, Maj. Gen. Yahya Al-Zahrani, said there is continuous communication between security personnel and other bodies in the Grand Mosque to report lost children and safely keep them at the center until they can be reunited with their parents.

He said lost children remain at the center for 24 hours, after which they are referred to the Grand Mosque police force. Lost adults are referred to the Ministry of Haj offices.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140720212125
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#4319 [Permalink] Posted on 24th July 2014 18:45

 

General statistics
of the Umrah season 1435/2014




Until 22 Ramadan 1435 - 20 July 2014

Total Number of the Mutamirs:

*6,033,544*
______________________________________
Number expected for the whole Umrah season
6,000,000

* Mutamir/s: is/are the one who come into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
to perform Umrah rituals and visit the Prophet's Holy Mosque.


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#4320 [Permalink] Posted on 24th July 2014 18:46
 
Camps for low-cost Haj to be allotted soon

Sunday 20 July 2014

The Haj Ministry has announced that it would soon start allocating camps to companies for the 41,000 pilgrims expected to participate in this year’s expanded low-cost Haj program.

The General Directorate for Domestic Pilgrims said firms wanting to reserve camps were sent electronic applications on Monday.

The ministry said that the winning companies would be notified via text message. The firms would have to abide by regulations issued by the ministry recently.

Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar said the program would provide for 41,000 pilgrims, up from the 17,000 last season. Pilgrims would be able to choose from a range of prices. Hajjar said there was a high level of satisfaction expressed by pilgrims who were on the program last year.

Hajjar said the ministry was committed to helping poor pilgrims. Those wanting to participate this year can apply on the ministry’s website.

Hajjar had announced earlier that the ministry plans to expand its domestic Haj program to include 168,000 pilgrims this season. A total of 120,000 would be part of the regular program, subject to agreements with companies.

He said the decision to expand the domestic program was to help more citizens and expatriates perform Haj, and also meant to bring down prices.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/604741
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