Riyadh, Sha'aban 15, 1436 AH, May 2, 2015, SPA

King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran in Madinah distributed during the month of Rajab, a total of (1,702,216) copies of the Holy Quran in various sizes, recordings, translations of its meanings, and Islamic books to a number of government, private and charitable agencies in the Kingdom, in addition to a number of charities, Saudi embassies and consulates abroad.

A report issued from the complex explained that the total number distributed by the complex since the beginning of the distribution of publications in 23 Jumada 1405AH, and until the end of the month of Rajab 1436 AH, reached (284,512,236) copies of different versions.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1367932

Madinah, 15 Shaaban 1436 H, June 2, 2015, SPA

A study conducted recently by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Madinah has expected that the population of Madinah reaches by 2050 about 4 million people, and that the number of visitors jumps from inside and outside the Kingdom to more than 56 million visitors by 2050.

The study included all sectors that form economy axes and the trends of investments and investors until 2050.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1368072

Jun 04, 2015

A total of 3927 Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims, who went to Saudi Arabia to perform umrah in past four months, did not return from Saudi Arabia.
This is the highest numbers of Bangladeshis who did not come back home after their umrah visas expired.

Of the trafficked, 992 persons went through Alite Travels, 939 through Jeminy Travels, 253 through Rowshan Travels International, 241 through Three Star Travels, 215 through Fly Home, 182 through Anjan Air Travels, 182 KSP Travels, 77 through Lord Travels, 68 Comilla Travels, 63 through Modina Air Travels Limited, 60 through Farhan Aviation Service, 59 Eastern Travels, 37 through Rajshahi Travels and Tours, 18 Hashim Air International, 16 through Kaniz Travels, 9 through Al-Hajj Travels Trade, and 3 through Mims Travel and tours.

Bangladesh Hajj office at Jeddah forwarded a letter to Bangladesh religious affairs ministry for taking actions against the agencies, which are behind the human trafficking in disguise of umrah visa, and take back the Bangladeshis who are illegally residing in Saudi. If these demands are not met, Saudi goverment will stop issuing umrah visa to Bangladeshis.

The Jeddah office sent a list of 31 agencies to the country’s religious ministry.

A delegation of the religious ministry is set to travel Saudi in this regard. Another representative’s team, led by the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on religious affairs Bazlul Haque Harun, will travel to Saudi Arabia today (Thursday).

The religious ministry said some travelling agencies are sending people to Saudi on umrah visa as the umrah pilgrims do not have to go through any police verification and ministry certification.

Saudi Arabia closed the visa for Bangladeshi Umrah pilgrims on 22 March as nearly 4000 Bangladeshi pilgrims did not return home after their travel permit expired.

The Jeddah hajj office also said no umrah pilgrim will get visa to Saudi Arabia in future if exemplary punishment has not been taken against the travelling agencies, which are trafficking people in disguise of umrah pilgrims.
The agencies are responsible to bring back the trafficked persons, the hajj office mentioned in the letter. The Jeddah hajj office requested the ministry to create pressure on the agencies.

The Saudi government closed its five Hajj agencies in this connection.
The closed hajj agencies are Dallah General Service Company, Nazod Group Company, Shaghadif Transport Co, Al Musari For Umrah East, and Mutaleb Al-Harbi Joint Liability Company.

http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh...ot-return-home

June 4, 2015

We’ve been noticing a certain kind of story more often lately, one that helps restore our faith in our fellow Jakartans: humble taxi drivers returning left behind valuables.

On May 11, Blue Bird taxi driver Safdirzon picked up two executives of Hannien Tour, a company that specializes in Islamic tourism. The two executives, Farid Rosyidin and Arief Munandar, were going from Cibinong to the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport as they were on their way to Solo, Central Java.

In a rush to catch their flight, the executives unknowingly left behind their iPad in the taxi.

After he left the airport, Safdirzon spotted the iPad in the back seat and turned his taxi around back to the airport. There, he handed the iPad over to authorities so they could pass it on to the executives.

The executives were grateful that their iPad was returned, but they had no idea who their driver was. Once in Solo, they tracked down their driver and arranged a special reward for him.

On May 31, Safdirzon was invited to a get together between Hannien Tour and Blue Bird management. Hannien Tour rewarded Safdirzon’s honesty with an Umrah pilgrimage package to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

“Honesty is a simple luxury these days. We hope this reward and the Umrah package can open our eyes and those of the leaders of this country, that the culture of honesty is still alive among our people,” said Arief Munandar, as quoted by Detik today.

Safdirzon will embark on the Umrah pilgrimage in January 2016.

Recently, an Express taxi driver also showed that honesty is alive and well among taxi drivers as he returned around Rp 100 million that was left behind in his taxi by his passengers.

http://jakarta.coconuts.co/2015/06/0...-umrah-package

Friday 5 June 2015

JEDDAH: Saudi missions abroad have issued 5.5 million Umrah visas until June 2.

“As many as 4.9 million of the faithful have already performed Umrah this year,” said Abdullah Marghalani, assistant undersecretary for Umrah affairs at the Haj Ministry.

There was a shortfall of 200,000 Umrah visas this season compared to the same period in 2014, he said.

Hundreds of thousands of foreign pilgrims are expected to come for Umrah during the fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to start on June 18.

“We expect the total number of Umrah pilgrims this season to be around the same as last year,” said Marghalani.

“The electronic service introduced by the ministry in coordination with Umrah service providers has helped reduce many negative developments,” he added. He said the electronic grouping system has reduced overcrowding of pilgrims at airports and border points.

“We have also introduced five Umrah Plus tourism programs for pilgrims in coordination with authorities in Jeddah without affecting their rituals.”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, said his organization would deploy 12,000 workers to assist the millions of Muslims expected to visit the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan.

“We’ll start implementing the Ramadan plan on June 5,” said Al-Sudais, adding that pilgrims and worshippers would be able to use all three expanded areas of the mataf, circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba, during the holy month.

“We have completed all the basic work of the third phase by 100 percent,” Al-Sudais said.

Pilgrims will be able to circumambulate not only in the immediate circle of the mataf but also on the ground floor, first floor and terrace, thus reducing congestion, he said.

He said the remaining mataf expansion would be completed after Ramadan and before the upcoming Haj season, when more than 2.5 million Muslims are expected.

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/757116 Friday, 05 June 2015

MAKKAH — The plazas and the passages of the Grand Mosque will be opened during the holy month of Ramadan to enable Umrah pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the General Presidency for the affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said consummate services will be provided to the pilgrims during the holy month.

He said enough quantities of the Zamzam water will be available for them in the mosque 24 hours a day.

He said all arrangements were completed for the guests of God including supplying the Grand Mosque with furniture, air conditioning, amplifiers, bathrooms, places for ablution and various other facilities.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20150605246202

Friday 5 June 2015

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has tightened security around more than 94,000 mosques across the country, following two terrorist attacks on mosques in Qatif and Dammam during the past weeks.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said it has been working with security agencies to protect worshippers at all mosques. “We have adopted new mechanisms for the protection of worshippers,” a ministry official said, without disclosing details.

Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Interior Ministry, confirmed the coordination between the Islamic Affairs Ministry and the Public Security department. “We have a plan to double the number of patrol police during Ramadan,” he said in comments published by the Arabic press.

There are about 94,300 mosques in the Kingdom. “We have intensive security measures around mosques following the attack on Al-Qadeeh Mosque in Qatif,” the ministry official said.

Security officers would be deployed to monitor mosques during Friday prayers. “People will not be allowed to pray in the courtyards for their own safety,” the official said.

Abdul Rahman Al-Othman, imam and khateeb of a mosque in Dammam, said it is the duty of everyone, not only the police, to protect mosques. “Following the two terrorist attacks, instructions have been given to take precautions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the four victims of Al-Anoud Mosque attack were buried in a graveyard on Dammam-Jubail Expressway.

Ali Al-Salman, imam of Imam Al-Hussein Mosque where the blast took place, led the funeral prayers and praised the role played by the victims in protecting worshippers.

A large number of people attended the funeral from various parts of the Kingdom. Fatma Al-Arbash, mother of two victims Mohammed and Abdul Jaleel Al-Arbash, said the death of her sons had strengthened the family’s faith in God. Her brother’s son, Mohammed Hassan Al-Eissa, also died in the attack.

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/757111 Friday, 05 June 2015

DAMMAM — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance is currently coordinating with security bodies to provide protection for the Kingdom’s 94,300 mosques. The ministry, according to Al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday, would not reveal the nature of the measures for security reasons.

Spokesman of Eastern Province Police Col. Ziyad Al-Riqaiti said the force was coordinating with the ministry to increase the number of security patrols around the mosques. A ministry source said security was increased following recent explosions at mosques in Qatif and Dammam.

Abdul Rahman Al-Othman, an imam in Dammam, said the protection of mosques was the responsibility of everyone and not the security forces alone. He proposed closing down prayer places for women in the mosques or provide them with female security guards.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20150605246200

Sunday, 31 May 2015

ABHA — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has strongly warned all mosque imams and muezzins not to be absent from prayers during the fasting month of Ramadan.

“Harsh punishments will await the imams and muezzins who are absent from prayer during Ramadan, especially in the last 10 days, without acceptable excuses,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said it has distributed more than 65,000 copies of the Holy Qur'an in various sizes among mosques in the Kingdom and has allocated enough funds for the repair and maintenance of mosques.

It asked mosque supervisors to closely monitor the conditions of the buildings and the performance of imams and to report any shortcomings.
The ministry asked supervisors never to allow any imam or muezzin to be absent from prayer, particularly during the last 10 days, without a valid excuse.

“You should not accept any lame excuse or allow the imams and muezzins to be absent from the mosque for weak reasons,” the ministry said.

Director of the ministry's branch in Asir Hajjar bin Salem Al-Ammari said the branch would supply its various departments, supervisory offices and mosques with enough copies of the Qur'an in various sizes.

He said the branch has identified all mosques in the region in need of repair and maintenance.

Ammari asked the mosque supervisors to make plans for the sermons and lectures to be delivered in the mosques after Asr (late afternoon) prayer and also between the adhan (prayer call) and iqamah (start of congregational prayer) of the Isha (late evening) prayer.

He asked the muezzins to adhere very strongly to the stipulated times of the adhan.

The director said based on a fatwa (religious edict) by renowned scholar Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Baz, the call for the Isha prayer during Ramadan should be two hours after the Maghreb (sunset) prayer.

He also asked the imams not to increase the volume of the amplifiers and loudspeakers to avoid disturbing residents and other mosques.

The director said the mosques should obtain the ministry's approval before organizing after-parties for fasting congregates.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20150531245631

Friday, 05 June 2015 - 18 Shaban 1436

Samar Yahya

Salah, the obligatory prayer, is the second pillar of Islam. The five daily prayers are a unique form of worship; through the prayers a Muslim can experience many valuable spiritual, physical, and ethical gains, if the prayer is devotedly performed.

Before the night journey of the Israa and Miraj, prayer was not obligatory, but Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions used to pray. Scholars differ in their opinions; some say the early Muslims in Makkah used to pray two rakaat in the morning and two at night. Others say that the devoted Muslims used to pray at night, offering two rakaat and more. What is important to note is that performing the prayer was not alien to the Muslims, but it did not become prescribed as five daily, obligatory prayers until the night of the Israa and Miraj, which took place approximately a year and a half before the migration to Madinah.

First Qiblah

When Muslims began to perform the obligatory salah, they used to face Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, the third holiest site for Muslims, located in Jerusalem.

It continued to be the Qiblah since the early phase of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) mission and for one and a half years after migrating to Madinah in 623/624 AD. During the thirteen years of his prophetic mission in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to offer his prayers facing Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. Even after his migration to Madinah, Allah ordered that the Muslims continue facing the same Qiblah, and it was also the same Qiblah for the Jews in Madinah.

To the Muslims, the Kaaba which Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them) built was the holiest place of worship, yet the Muslims were asked to face Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa instead of the Kaaba.

Al-Masjid Al-Aqsais of grave importance to all Muslims, as it is the place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken to on the night of the Israa and Miraj. It is at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led the congregational prayer of all prophets who had gathered in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa.

Significance of Qiblah

The Qiblah is a sign of the spiritual unity of Muslims at the time of prayer. The fact that Muslims all over the world are lined and face one direction creates a kind of spiritual unity amongst all Muslims all over the world.


Changing of Qiblah Direction

Nearly eighteen months after the establishment of the Islamic state in Madinah, new Quranic revelations instructed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Muslims to turn towards the Holy Kaaba in Makkah when they pray.

The following verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward Al-Masjid Al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.

(Chapter 2, verse 144)

During the Asr prayer, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was leading his companions in prayer and they were facing Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. Then, he was commanded to face the Kaaba, so he obeyed and turned around towards Kaaba.

Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) turned towards the new Qiblah without hesitation, accurately facing the Kaaba without the use of any scientific instrument or compass. This took place in the second year after Hijra, the migration. Most interpretations date it to the middle of the month of Shaban.

The mosque where Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) offered this prayer became known as the mosque of the Two Qiblah (Masjid Al-Qiblatain). It is situated in Madinah, a few kilometers from the Prophet’s Holy Mosque. It is one of the oldest Mosques in the world, and uniquely contains two mihrab one in the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and the other towards Makkah. The mihrab is a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the Qiblah; and it is at this mihrab where the imam stands to lead the prayer. The Prophet himself was very pleased with this change, which he had keenly desired but dared not request.

The verse in the Holy Qur’an which addresses the changing of the Qiblah says,

And We did not make the Qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided.

(Chapter 2, verse 143)

The Muslims changed their direction promptly in prayer, in compliance with the Divine command and following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). In prayer, they turned towards the Kaaba which was henceforth selected as the Qiblah for all the believers, living in any part of the world, for all times to come.

The Jews in Madinah reacted by instigating a campaign of criticism, as they felt that the change of the Qiblah deprived them of their argument for refusing to accept Islam. The Jews used the fact that Muslims adopted the Jews’ holy city as theirQiblah and they claimed that Judaism was the religion of truth and that Muhammad and his companions should adopt Judaism, instead of calling on the Jews to accept Islam.

Their new campaign sought to create doubts in the minds of Muslims as to the basis of their own religion, and they began to fuel dissent among the Muslims.

Reasons behind changing the direction of Qiblah

- The Kaaba, which had been constructed by Prophet Ibrahim, was dear to the hearts of the entire Arab society, and to monotheists who followed the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim.

- It was necessary that the Muslims have their own distinct and unique identity, just as the adhan or the call to prayer is unique to the Muslims, facing the Kabah was also unique to them.

- It was a test to show who were the true Muslims who believed in the Prophet (peace be upon him) and what was revealed to him, and to expose the hypocrites.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20150605246180

Saturday 6 June 2015

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs ordered mosques to shut down external speakers and only resort to the internal one, except during calls for prayers, Friday prayers, Eids and the rainfall prayer.

Mosque imams were prevented from installing echo devices and transmutation cutting devices as the ministry said that mosques' neighbors complained of the loud noise of the speakers and the interference of sounds from different mosques creating distortions.

The ministry instructed field workers to conduct visits to make sure that imams and preachers abide by the new regulations. The ministry issued a number of warnings and regulations for mosques during the holy month of Ramadan when it comes to prayers and breaking the fast.

The ministry advised mosque imams, who are commissioned to perform Taraweeh and Qiyam Al-Lail prayers during Ramadan, against long preaching times, rhymes and attacking sermons.

Regulations included preventing preaching activities in the mosques during Ramadan other than the officially permitted lectures and seminars. The ministry said there is a need to choose people other than the employed imams who memorize the Qur'an, with preference given to students and teachers from Qur'an teaching schools.

The ministry stressed the need to abide by the Adhan times according to Um Al-Qura time, making sure that the call for prayer is made without distortion.
The ministry started working with a number of preachers, scholars and university professors, through a number of lectures and seminars for employees and staff of 10 government agencies, to expose the risks of extremism and ideological splits.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/757636 Saturday 6 June 2015

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has denied reports that women would not be allowed to attend taraweeh, night prayers, this Ramadan at mosques in the Eastern Province.

This comes in the wake of a suicide bomber dressed in a woman’s black abaya blowing himself up at the Al-Anoud Mosque in Dammam last week.

“There is no truth to the rumors that women would not be allowed to attend taraweeh prayers during the holy month of Ramadan in the Eastern Province or elsewhere,” an official said. These rumors were intended to create divisions in the country, he was quoted by a local publication as saying.

The official, who requested anonymity, said the ministry did not send a circular to imams about the issue. “However, some security precautions will be taken at mosques during the blessed month and for Friday congregational prayers in the wake of the tragic events at some mosques in the Eastern Province,” he said.

He said there were 150 mosques that hold Friday prayers in Dammam, Dhahran, Alkhobar, Qatif and other governorates. The Interior Ministry was coordinating the security measures, he said.

He did not disclose the precautionary mechanisms being implemented but urged worshippers not to be intimidated by the rumors being spread by “deviants.”

A source at the Interior Ministry said in a statement that there would be many police officers deployed at mosques, especially after the dawn prayers on Fridays.

He said the measures are being implemented with the Islamic Affairs Ministry, which would include undercover police officers in all Eastern Province cities.

Arab News reported on Friday that security has been tightened around more than 94,300 mosques across the country, following the two terrorist attacks on mosques in Qatif and Dammam.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/757641

Friday 5 June 2015

RIYADH: The Ministry of Health announced recently that it has drawn up a comprehensive plan to protect the health of Haj pilgrims this year, with a focus on infectious diseases.

The plan was unveiled at the fifth meeting of the Haj preparatory committee held in Riyadh. Hussein Abdullah Al-Ghannam, supervisor of health services for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, said the plan would be implemented in Makkah and Madinah.

There is a focus on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Ebola, yellow fever, influenza and polio. Measures would be taken to treat sun and heat stroke patients, and victims of natural disasters. Health officials would undergo special training, he said.

The ministry’s program is aimed at providing integrated health care services to the guests of Allah based on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

The Health Ministry would be linked electronically to other ministries to ensure quality services are provided. It recruits more than 20,000 people with various medical, technical, administrative skills for the Haj season. There will be more than 400 medics specialized in treating rare health conditions.

As a preventive measure, the ministry will deploy officials at all 14 ports of entry to monitor pilgrims coming for the Haj. These officials ensure pilgrims have taken the necessary vaccinations. There would be vaccinations for those who have not done so.

Last year, the ministry said that 80 primary health care centers in Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah were operational during Haj. Recently, the ministry upgraded these facilities, which include 28 in Mina, 46 in Arafat and six in Muzdalifah. There are seven hospitals, three in Arafat and four in Mina.

This year, the ministry would also focus on combating food poisoning. Pilgrims will be asked not to keep their cooked food for more than two hours. They have also been requested to wash fruits and vegetables before consumption. Meat and vegetables should not be washed together when preparing to cook.

Personal hygiene, and hygienic cooking, storing, transporting and serving methods are important to avoid diarrhea and vomiting, food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid and cholera. Hands should be washed before eating, the ministry has advised.

The ministry has also advised pilgrims to use disposal shaving kits, and wear masks made of cloth during the Haj rituals to prevent cold, coughs, sore throat and pneumonia. Covering the face with a towel while sleeping in congested rooms also helps prevent respiratory infections.

It has advised patients to be careful if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, migraine, epilepsy, skin diseases, psychiatric illnesses and gastric ulcers.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/757081