28 July 2012 - 09 Ramadan 1433 H

MAKKAH — Makkah Police busted 11 members of a pickpocket gang who are suspected of robbing residents and pilgrims of their possessions inside the Grand Mosque.

Police were tipped off about the gang’s activities and after exhaustive investigations, police raided the gang’s hideout in Al-Jumaizah neighborhood and arrested all of the members. Inside their hideout, a large quantity of cash and razor blades used to cut slits into their victims’ pockets were found. Lt. Col. Abdul Mohsin Al-Maiman, spokesman for Makkah Police, said they are still interrogating the members to learn more about their activities.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120728131316

Residents and pilgrims gather in the Grand Mosque in Makkah,
left, and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to open the day’s fast.

28 July 2012 - 09 Ramadan 1433 H

MAKKAH — For people in the Kingdom, the holy month of Ramadan has a special taste and flavor due to the existence of the holiest place on earth for Muslims: Makkah. Makkah’s Grand Mosque, or specifically the Ka’aba, is the direction where Muslims all over the world pray toward. Then there is also the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Millions of Muslims travel to these two holy mosques and feel the warmth of Ramadan in the most beautiful atmosphere of tolerance and coexistence with citizens of the Kingdom every year. The Ramadan dishes of these communities vary with their cultures.

Okaz/Saudi Gazette met and interviewed people from different corners of the world who had come to Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan for the ultimate spiritual experience.

Khaled Shuwairid, a Pakistani resident, said, “It is known that every Muslim country celebrates Ramadan in its own way. We in Pakistan get ready for Ramadan with a fried salty snack known as pakora, fruit salad and fresh juices. Also, a siren blares when it is time for Iftar and Suhoor unlike the cannon that is used in Makkah and other cities. The cleaning of mosques begins in Sha’ban to welcome Ramadan during which people pray in congregation in mosques and increase their acts of worship aside from giving alms, similar to how things take place in the Kingdom.”

“Pakistanis in the Kingdom make sure to fast during the holy month, perform Umrah and spend as much time as possible in the Grand Mosque. The Kingdom places all of its facilities at the disposal of pilgrims, visitors and worshippers during this blessed month. There are lots of fruits and vegetables, apart from dates of different kinds. Alms and zakat are distributed to the poor and needy. Ramadan in the Kingdom has a special taste. The spirituality in any part of the world is incomparable to that in the Grand Mosque in Makkah,” he added.

Hamad Kareemi from Morocco said, “Ramadan in Morocco has a special flavor, as Moroccans respect the holy month confirming their centuries-old affiliation to Islam. The preparations for Ramadan do not differ from those in the Kingdom. The preparations in Morocco also begin in Sha’ban, especially for shops selling traditional Moroccan clothes as there is an increase in demand for the Moroccan Jilbab during Ramadan when both men and women prefer to wear the loose-fitting garment. The same applies to their children, who accompany them to perform Taraweeh prayers.

Hence, there is a great rush at tailors’ shops. Also, there is a great demand for dates. Some shops specialize in selling Ramadan foodstuffs like Moroccan pastries and sweets known as Al-Mukharraqah, Al-Shubakiyah, and Al-Maqroot among others. These are considered to be main dishes on the Ramadan table.”

“However, fasting during Ramadan in the Kingdom has countless distinctive features. Moroccans living in the Kingdom do not feel we are living in a foreign country, but among a generous people, who are our brethren. I wish all success in their fasting and other acts of worship during the holy month. I’m always keen to visit the Grand Mosque frequently; first, to seek to please Allah Almighty and, second, to enjoy these beautiful Ramadan nights,” Kareemi added.

Sudanese resident Ayoub Abdulghaffar said, “Welcoming the holy month of Ramadan can be likened to welcoming a guest, who is dear to us all. We welcome Ramadan with great joy especially since we are in the holy land. We don’t feel a big difference between the customs and traditions in our country and those in the Kingdom including being amicable, cordial, compassionate and kind to one another; increasing philanthropic work and giving alms to the poor and needy.”

As to the Ramadan dishes in Sudan, they include Al-Assidah, Al-Baleelah and Al-Hiluwmurr juice. The Sudanese community in the Kingdom and Sudanese pilgrims from abroad make sure that they perform Umrah during the holy month and perform the other rites every year. Also, visits between friends and relatives increase during Ramadan.

Ahmad Abdul Aal, an Egyptian resident in the Kingdom, expressed his happiness about spending Ramadan in the Kingdom among its generous people. “What distinguishes Ramadan in the Kingdom is the beautiful atmosphere of spirituality during the holy month and the chance to perform Umrah. These things bring great joy and tranquility to the heart. The value of performing Umrah in Ramadan cannot be stressed enough,” he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120728131321

The white small building to the right (now demolished) was blocking the centre of the tower elevation

 

السبت 28/07/2012
أدى أكثر من مليون مصل ومعتمر ثاني صلاة جمعة في شهر رمضان المبارك بالمسجد الحرام في مكة المكرمة وسط أجواء روحانية وإيمانية تسودها الطمأنينة والأمن ومنظومة متكاملة من الخدمات التي وفرتها حكومة خادم الحرمين الشريفين وسمو ولي عهده الأمين. وتم فتح أبواب توسعة خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز لأول مرة أمام المصلين الذين امتلأت بهم أروقة التوسعة الجديدة التي تتسع لأكثر من (200) ألف مصل.

واكد مدير العلاقات العامة والإعلام بالرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي أحمد محمد المنصوري الاستفادة الأولية من مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز لتوسعة المسجد الحرام والساحات الشمالية خلال موسم رمضان هذا العام، وشملت الاستفادة معظم الدور الأرضي والساحات المحيطة بالتوسعه بطاقة استيعابيه تقدر بمئتي ألف مصل. ولفت إلى تهيئتها بكافة الخدمات الضرورية كأنظمة الصوت والإضاءه والفرش وسقيا زمزم بالإضافة إلى دورات المياه المؤقتة، وتم فرش الموقع بأكثر من 7 آلاف سجادة وتزويده بأكثر من 4 آلاف حافظه ماء زمزم كما سيتم الاستفاده من ألف دورة مياه أسفل الساحات. وكشفت جولة ميدانية قامت بها المدينة أمس عن استمرار العمل في التشطيبات الداخلية على أحدث وأرقى النظم الميكانيكية والكهربائية.
من جانبه قال مساعد مدير الأمن العام لشؤون التدريب قائد قوة دعم العاصمة المقدسة اللواء سعد الخليوي: تم إعداد خطة خاصة بالتوسعة الجديدة لافتًا إلى توزيع طلبة مدن التدريب المشاركين في تنفيذ الخطة على مساحات وأروقة ومداخل توسعة الملك عبدالله الجديدة وتدريبهم على المواقع منذ وقت مبكر لتحقيق الانسيابية في حركة قاصدي المسجد الحرام مع منع الافتراش على الممرات الداخلية وأمام البوابات وأشار مدير إدارة مرور العاصمة المقدسة العميد مشعل بن مساعد المغربي إلى إقامة نقاط فرزرئيسة على مداخل المنطقة المركزية لمنع دخول السيارات الصغيرة قبل آذان صلاة الظهر بساعتين لإتاحة الفرصة للمشاه للذهاب إلى المسجد الحرام بكل يسر وسهولة.

من جهته قال أمين العاصمة المقدسة الدكتور أسامه بن فضل البار: تم تكثيف أعداد عمال النظافة في المنطقة المركزية وزيادة أعمال الرقابة الميدانية على المطاعم ومحلات بيع المواد الغذائية حفاظًا على سلامة المعتمرين والمصلين.
من جانبها جندت الشؤون الصحية بالعاصمة المقدسة كافة الطاقات البشرية والآلية ووفرت التجهيزات الطبية اللازمة في مراكزها الصحية الخمسة المنتشرة في أروقة المسجد الحرام والتي تستقبل أعدادًا كبيرة من زوار البيت الحرام من كبار السن والمجهدين والحالات المرضية العادية.
فيما كثف الدفاع المدني وجوده من خلال أكثر من (2000) مسعف و6 فرق طبية منتشرة في أرجاء المسجد الحرام وفي التوسعة الجديدة لتقديم خدمة الإسعاف لطالبيها من الزوار والمعتمرين والمصلين وأوضح مدير إدارة الدفاع المدني بالعاصمة المقدسة اللواء جميل أربعين أن التوسعة الجديدة كان للاستفادة منها يوم أمس دور إيجابي في جذب المصلين من الساحات إلى داخل التوسعة حيث كانت درجة الحرارة مرتفعة يوم أمس ولكن بفضل الله ثم بفتح أبواب توسعة خادم الحرمين الشريفين خف الضغط على الساحات المحيطة بالتوسعة الجديدة باتجاه المصلين إلى داخل التوسعة التي زودت بالتكييف الكافي الذي خفف من وطأة درجة الحرارة وكان لرجال الدفاع المدني وجود وانتشار في كافة أرجاء المسجد الحرام لتقديم الخدمة الإسعافية من خلال المسعفين والفرق الطبية.

http://www.al-madina.com/node/392348

 

Different currencies were found in the gang’s hideout in Makkah’s Ajiad neighborhood.

30 July 2012 - 11 Ramadan 1433 H

MAKKAH — Makkah police busted a gang of pickpockets that targeted pilgrims in the Grand Mosque’s courtyards. The gang, which called itself Aunt Zainab, was caught after a member was seen snatching a bag from a pilgrim. Police followed the man to the Ajiad neighborhood located near the Grand Mosque and then raided the house he entered. Officers arrested the entire gang and recovered different currencies, jewelry, watches and cell phones worth SR100,000.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120730131540

Elderly pilgrims are pushed by relatives on wheelchairs provided
by the Wheelchairs Administration in the Grand Mosque, Sunday

30 July 2012 - 11 Ramadan 1433 H

MAKKAH – The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques provides wheelchairs, free of charge, to elderly pilgrims and visitors and people with special needs, said Muhammad Al-Shamrani, Director of the Wheelchairs Administration.

Up to 10,000 wheelchairs are distributed in the eastern courtyard and Al-Shubeikah area of the Grand Mosque, where people can be hired to push the wheelchairs from after Asr prayer until midnight. Two hundred electric wheelchairs which can be controlled by the pilgrims are also available and can be requested from Al-Safa Office on the first floor of the Grand Mosque.

Al-Shamrani added that the Wheelchairs Administration supervises all matters related to the use of wheelchairs in the Grand Mosque such as giving permits to wheelchair owners and their Saudi helpers and ensuring that the helpers abide by the standard charges for wheelchairs.

The administration also oversees the routes allocated to wheelchairs and deploys supervisors at the Mas’a on the ground floor to direct pilgrims using wheelchairs to the allocated route.

Al-Shamrani said that in order to counter those using unlicensed wheelchairs to exploit pilgrims, a committee has been formed comprising the Wheelchairs Administration and the Makkah Haram Security Force in order to confront and punish perpetrators.

At the conclusion of his statement, Al-Shamrani called on pilgrims to cooperate with the Wheelchairs Administration by safeguarding the wheelchairs handed over to them and to follow the routes allocated to wheelchairs for Tawaf and Sa’iy. Performing Tawaf using a wheelchair is not permitted on the ground floor, but is encouraged on the upper floor which can be reached via escalators and the Ajyad Bridge.

Eighteen entrances have been allocated for those using wheelchairs. These include the King Abdul Aziz, New Ajyad, Hunain and Al-Safa gates, apart from the escalators at Al-Marwah, Al-Marwah Gate; Murad, Al-Qararah, Al-Qararah Gate, Mazlagan, Al-Fateh, Al-Fateh Gate, Al-Madinah Gate, as well as gates 64, 74, 84 and 94.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120730131545