Riyadh tells Binladin Group to stop work at Madinah mosque expansion: report 12.01.2016
Saudi Arabia’s finance ministry has instructed Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) to stop work on the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) reported, citing a letter issued to the contractor last month.
The ministry asked SBG to halt construction after it finishes dewatering and drainage work, MEED added.
The letter was issued on December 29, a day after Saudi Arabia announced its 2016 budget and fiscal reforms.
SBG had been appointed in 2012 as the main contractor on the $1.5 billion expansion. The project was set to be completed in June 2016.
As part of the recent reforms were major spending cuts on infrastructure. Only SAR 23.9 billion was allocated for projects in 2016, compared to SAR 63 billion last year.
Ministry of Interior tells not to remove temporary mataf yet
The fate of "Temporary Mataf" is determined by next Thursday (25 Feb)
"الداخلية" ترى عدم إزالته في الوقت الراهن. مصير "المطاف المعلق" يتحدد الخميس المقبل
Tuesday - 14 Jumada the first 1437 - February 23, 2016
تعقد اللجنة الفنية لمشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين لرفع الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف، اجتماعًا لها بعد غد الخميس (25 فبراير 2016)، للبحث في تعديل آلية إزالة المطاف "المعلق".
ورفعت اللجنة في اجتماعها السابق توصية إلى ولي العهد نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الداخلية رئيس لجنة الحج العليا الأمير محمد بن نايف، بإزالة المطاف مع بداية الشهر الجاري، على أن يتم تفكيك أجزائه على مراحل، واستمرار عملية الإزالة شهرًا كاملا، تنتهي مع غرة شهر جمادى الآخرة لهذا العام.
وأوضحت مصادر أن وزارة الداخلية ارتأت مواصلة الاستفادة من المطاف المؤقت في الوقت الحالي، وخصصت اللجنة إقرار كل الترتيبات الدقيقة المتعلقة بخطوات وآليات الإزالة خلال اجتماعها الخميس المقبل برئاسة مدير جامعة أم القرى رئيس اللجنة المشرفة على المشروع الدكتور بكري معتوق عساس.
Tuesday - 14 Jumada the first 1437 - February 23, 2016
The Technical Committee will hold a project Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to raise the capacity of Mataf, held a meeting on Thursday (February 25, 2016), to discuss the amendment removing up mechanism "Temporary Mataf."
The Commission raised in its previous meeting a recommendation to the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, removing Temporary Mataf with the beginning of this month, to be the dismantling of its parts in stages, and the continuation of the removal process a whole month, ending with the lunar month of May Hereafter for this year.
Sources indicated that the Ministry of Interior considers continue to benefit from the temporary Mataf in the moment, the Commission has allocated approve all related steps and mechanisms accurate removal arrangements at its meeting next Thursday under the chairmanship of the Director of Umm Al Qura University Chairman of the Committee supervising the project, Dr. Bakri Matouk Asas.
Holy sites may remain open for Umrah pilgrims all year: Hajjar
Bandar Al-Hajjar
Feb 23, 2016
MAKKAH — The Haj Ministry is presently considering to keep the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah open throughout the year for Umrah pilgrims, minister Bandar Al-Hajjar has said.
In an exclusive interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Hajjar said the holy sites will remain open for Umrah pilgrims on condition that there are no excessive religious practices and under the rules to be approved by the government.
“We are considering the step in coordination with 20 other ministries and government departments which are involved in the Haj services,” he explained.
The minister also said his ministry will next Haj season make it obligatory on each pilgrim to wear the electronic bracelet which contains all data about him/her including name, Haj mission, address in the holy sites and other information that can be automatically retrieved any time.
He said the ministry will also introduce smart electronic applications to provide better and more comprehensive services to the Guests of Allah.
“We will complete our electronic portal which has so far been implemented by about 80 percent,” he added.
Hajjar said, under the portal, the ministry now has complete information about the real or fake service-providing companies inside the Kingdom and abroad.
“Thanks to the portal, we now have a complete blacklist of the violating companies,” Hajjar said threatening to withdraw the license of any company which is found to be substandard.
He advised external pilgrims to browse the ministry’s e-portal to know all the travel and tourism agencies which are licensed in their own countries to provide Haj services so as not to fall prey to the fake companies which will only embezzle their money.
He said the ministry will also next Haj season start enlightening pilgrims via text messages on their mobile phones about the correct methods of doing the rituals and the legal safe conduct they should closely observe during their stay in the Kingdom.
Hajjar asked all the Muslim countries and the Muslim communities in non-Islamic countries to enlighten their pilgrims to stay away from all publicity actions, secret meetings, demonstrations, tampering with the security of pilgrims, raising banners and flags containing unacceptable slogans, organizing political symposia or spreading sectarianism.
He also urged them to ask their pilgrims to be committed to the program of ascending from Makkah to Mina and Arafat, the grouping from their tents to the Jamrat and the Grand Mosque, regulations preventing squatting on the Haram plazas or the streets in Mina and to strictly observe good behavior.
Al-Hajjar said the ministry is currently considering to establish a new single institutional entity to represent the 48 Umrah companies before the ministry and other concerned Haj authorities.
“The companies welcomed the idea which will open the door for the licensing of new Umah companies which may reach at least 100 firms in the coming days,” the minister said.
35,000 workers to complete the expansion of Haram before Ramadan
35,000 workers are racing against the clock to complete the expansion of the Haram before Ramadan
35 ألف عامل يسابقون الزمن لإنجاز توسعة الحرم قبل «رمضان»
انتهت الشركة المنفذة لمشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين، الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز -رحمه الله- لتوسعة المطاف والحرم والساحات الشمالية، من تركيب القبة التي تعد من أكبر القباب على مستوى العالم، في الوزن والحجم، حيث يبلغ عرضها 36 مترا، والارتفاع 80 مترا، والوزن 68 طنًا.
ويذكر إن نحو 35 ألف عامل بالحرم المكي، يتسابقون للعمل على مدار الساعة؛ من أجل إنهاء أعمال مشروع التوسعة للاستفادة منها خلال شهر رمضان المقبل.
Company executing the project Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz mercy of Allah to expand up the Haram of North and squares ended, the installation of the dome, which is one of the largest domes in the world, in weight and size, with a width of 36 meters and height of 80 meters, weight 68 tons.
It is noteworthy that about 35 thousand workers Haram al-Makki, racing to work around the clock; in order to end the expansion project to take advantage of them during the next month of Ramadan.
The four minarets comprise of upper and lower composite pitched roofs, composite finial and crescent, laser system, LEDs and associate works.
The four fixed domes comprise of a structural steel frame supporting external and internal composite panels.
Finishes include mosaic tile and marble finishes to the exterior and maple veneers, teak ornaments amazonite stone inlays and gold frames, gilded gold profiles and teak profiles to the interior.
The Ceremonial dome comprises of a 36m diameter two stepped movable dome. The internal and external composite panels are supported by a 470 tonne steel frame that turns and is supported on four boogies which move along stainless steel rails fixed to a concrete structure.
The finishes are similar to that of the Fixed Domes. Skylights comprise of internal and external frieze panels with marble finishes to twelve movable skylights and four fixed skylights.
Installation of the inner shells of the Ceremonial Dome in Mecca are making good progress. The internal and external composite panels are supported by a 470 tonne steel frame set on four boogies which move along stainless steel rails fixed to a concrete structure. The weight of the dome including the boogies and outer cladding is 800 tonnes.
In the closed position the interior of the dome shall be visible to the pilgrims. The inner shell of the dome is finished in maple veneers, teak ornaments, amazonite stone inlays and gold frames with gilded gold and teak profiles. Preparations are currently underway to move the dome to closed position before Hajj.
Saudi Arabia sets plan to merge small local hajj companies
Saudi Arabia is planning to merge small local Hajj operators to a form single big entity, Hajj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar has said.
Saudi Gazette, Makkah
Monday, 22 February 2016
Saudi Arabia is planning to merge small local Hajj operators to a form single big entity, Hajj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar has said.
“Some of the more than 200 small local Hajj operators are only serving a maximum of 100 pilgrims each. So it will be more feasible if they merge into a single big entity,” he said, adding that the merger is currently being studied by concerned officials.
He made it clear that the ministry does not differentiate between big or small companies in the allocation of domestic pilgrims.
The minister said that the number of domestic pilgrims is determined by Mina’s limited geographical area which cannot be extended according to the Shariah rules.
“As an alternative solution, the ministry is considering to merge small Hajj operators into a big entity which will be given enough number of pilgrims and which will be able to provide better services to the guests of God at affordable prices,” he said.
Hajjar said domestic Hajj campaigns were invited to give their views on the merger which was aimed at reducing the administrative and marketing costs, upgrading services and ensuring enough pilgrims for the company.
He said the ministry is currently studying the remarks and observations of Hajj companies on its e-track system which it had launched last year.
Hajjar revealed that the ministry was also working on promoting the Tuwafa establishments which provide services to the external pilgrims with a view to restructuring them to provide better services.
He commended the level of cooperation with Hajj missions and said coordination meetings were annually held with them three months before the Hajj season. Asked about the establishment of multi-story buildings in the valleys in Mina, the minister noted that six such towers already exist in Mina. The proposal, which was approved by the Council of Senior Scholars, is currently under study by the authorities concerned.
MAKKAH – Old age, language problem, getting separated from group are some of the reasons why pilgrims get lost in the Grand Mosque and the central area around it.
10 ReasonsMakkah Arabic daily has put together a list of the top ten reasons. Usually, pilgrims try to find those who speak their language or police officers to ask for direction to their hotel. This becomes a real problem when a pilgrim is unable to communicate with authorities or when he or she is unaware of the name or location of his or her hotel.
“You also need to take into account the age of pilgrims and their social and cultural backgrounds,” said supervisor of Turkish pilgrims Ahmad Halabi, who stressed that the Saudi Ministry of Haj pays special attention to lost pilgrims and make sure that they reach their destination.
He cited a number of reasons and factors why pilgrims get lost, which include old age. Elderly pilgrims find it difficult to remember the doors through which they entered the Grand Mosque. “The Grand Mosque is big and the streets and roads around it are confusing. Some insist on leaving their hotels alone and refuse to stay with the group. That’s when most of the accidents happen,” Halabi said.
“Some pilgrims refuse to carry wrist bands, which contain their names and location,” he said.
The Makkah Municipality is working to develop an indicative map of Makkah and major important sites in the city, he said.
Client: Jadwa Investment Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape, Design: WHITE SKY GROUP (Lindemann) – Gewers Pudewill Local Consultants: AlFayadh Engineers, Riyadh, KSA In Planning – Est. Construction Period: 2015-2030
Winning a 91 hectares development in Makkah has been a once in a lifetime project. Award-winning in sustainability, design and construction, the final master plan (2012-2014) integrates various building types including hotels, residential, malls, technical and medical infrastructure, mixed with parks and open spaces as well as spacious prayer areas, offering built space for more than 160,000 inhabitants.
The design defines new innovation strategies and mobility, introducing a sensitive and balanced urban matrix. At the same time it represents almost six million square meters GFA in close proximity to The Grand Mosque in Makkah, the holiest site in Islam. The Khandamah Mountain project reflects the cultural heritage of Makkah and Saudi Arabia. It represents a unique and groundbreaking landmark development within the Makkah Vision 2030.
The design builds on a strong urban matrix, identity and branding core, following the clients vision.The original design concept and winning scheme was judged by a renown jury: “The jury recognizes the team’s overall understanding of the site qualities and potentials as well as the cultural, symbolic, and urban values of the city of Makkah. The proposal has most successfully met the site challenges and the jury criteria. The urban morphology and scale have been quite sensitive to the heritage and context of the city in that they provide for a harmonious integration of the development within the existing city fabric.
The proposal skyline does not create an imposition on the city landscape and character. In particular the jury appreciates the proposal’s site accessibility and connectivity with the holy sites and the rest of the city. The “carpet” concept provides an innovative feature that can enhance the human and social dimensions and needs of site users. Moreover, the parcel configuration provides an innovative and practical mechanism for project phasing and implementation. The jury believes that this proposal stands out for its excellent quality, innovative approach, and immense potentials to make the Khandamah development a unique and value added contribution to the city of Makkah, residents, and visitors.”
Workshop discusses letting women visit Prophet’s grave
Mar 2, 2016
MADINAH — The Senior Scholars Council has discussed enabling women to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and grave.
The discussion on the subject was part of a workshop on Tuesday organized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Haj and Umrah Research Institute.
The workshop, under the patronage of Madinah Emir Prince Faisal Bin Salman, was titled “Organizing and Facilitating Prayers in Al-Rowdah and The Visits to the Prophet’s Grave”.
Participants in the workshop included members of the Senior Scholars Council and representatives of Taibah Holdings for Pilgrims Services. The workshop discussed many topics including the improvement of the women programs to visit the mosque,” said the institute’s dean Atif Asghar.
He added the religious scholars gave in the verdicts of women visiting Al-Rowdah and the boundaries of the location.
“The institute realizes that expanding the accessibility of women to Al-Rawdah and the Prophet’s grave will require larger security efforts. “The attendees of the workshop discussed the current status of the area and what needs to be done to improve the visitation of women,” said Asghar.
He added the institute will take all of the recommendations and suggestions presented at the workshop and will commence a feasibility study on women praying in the Al-Rawdah area.
Taibah Holdings Executive Director Anas Sairafi said the company is ready to expand Al-Rowdah area and improve it to allow women’s visits.
“The workshop was highly beneficial as it allowed us to discuss the project from the religious, legal and logistic angles. Taibah Holdings works in cooperation with various authorities to serve pilgrims of both genders and all nationalities,” said Sairafi.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
We apologise but you have been denied access to report posts in this thread. This could be due to excessively reporting posts and not understanding our forum rules. For assistance or information, please use the forum help thread to request more information. Jazakallah
.jpg)
Posted via the 
