Makkah News and Updates

Kingdom does not meddle in affairs
of Muslim countries: Emir of Makkah 

August 13, 2019

MINA – Saudi Arabia does not take advantage of the Islamic gathering in the holy sites to interfere in the affairs of Muslims countries as the concept of Haj is worship only, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was quoted as saying by Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

“During the Haj no other issue is discussed and the Kingdom does not have the right to discuss with any Muslim pilgrim — who is coming to this country for worship and to perform one of the pillars of Islam — the economic, political or social conditions in his home country. Our basic task in the Kingdom is to ensure the pilgrims’ comfort, tranquility and peace of mind so that he can devote his time to perform acts of worship, as ordained by Allah Almighty,” said Prince Khaled, who is also Emir of Makkah Region and chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, during a press conference here on Tuesday to mark the end of the Haj.

Prince Al-Khaled thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, for their supervision of the services extended by the authorities to pilgrims, making this year's Haj a great success.

At the conclusion of the press conference, Prince Al-Khaled was asked about the Saudi-Emirati relations and he replied: “An Emirati is a Saudi and a Saudi is an Emirati.”

The Emir of Makkah said he is proud of every Saudi citizen who has contributed to serving the pilgrims and making this year’s Haj a success and every year, whether in the past or future. These include all the male and female volunteers.

He made special mention of the security staff who spared no effort to serve the pilgrims, including elderly pilgrims, women and children.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s keenness to see all the remaining Muslim countries joining the Makkah Route Initiative (MRI) so that every single Muslim is able to make the most of the initiative during his spiritual journey to the Kingdom. He said that the MRI system has become so efficient that it has reduced waiting time down to just about half an hour whether at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or any Saudi airport.

Asked about the reason for varying prices for Haj on the basis of nationalities and countries, Prince Al-Khaled said the prices are fixed for each category. If there are any issues with regard to implementation of the agreements between the pilgrim and the Haj establishment, then the pilgrim can write to the Emir of Makkah seeking redress of the grievance because what is of concern to the Kingdom is the pilgrims’ comfort.

Prince Khaled thanked the local and foreign media representatives for attending this great occasion and for their efforts in this year's Haj season.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...Emir-of-Makkah

New Madinah Gate

Haj season 1440/2019

https://twitter.com/MadinaAuthority/...50075538497538

Saudi Hajj ministry investigating how gift 
to pilgrims was wrongly labelled ‘anthrax’


Sheikh Yusuf Estes says the wrong translation has possible repercussions
and that those responsible have to be disciplined.

August 18, 2019

RIYADH: The Hajj and Umrah Ministry is investigating the inaccurate translation of the word â€œjamarat” into â€œanthrax,” which led to Sheikh Yusuf Estes making a video warning pilgrims of the mistake and its possible repercussions.

The translation concerned a bag that was a gift to pilgrims, containing small pebbles to use for the “stoning of the devil” upon their return from Muzdalifah. The bag had the correct original Arabic description, which roughly translates as “jamarat pebble bag,” whereas the English version of “jamarat” was translated into “anthrax,” a dangerous infectious disease.

According to SPA, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah was notified and opened an investigation with the contractor and translator on August 10, before handing them to authorities to take the necessary disciplinary action.

“Anthrax, where did they get that? They get it from Google, it’s not Google’s fault. Google allows people to tell the meaning of the different languages of words,” Sheikh Yusuf said in the video.

Google Translate, the free multilingual machine translator, relies on comparing large quantities of content between pairs of languages to establish patterns and, in most cases, determine the probability that certain words in one language will correspond with a set of words in another. 

Putting Google Translate to the test, Arab News used the platform to translate a name of a type of fish known in the region as “sha’oor” from Arabic to English. The scientific term for the fish is Lethrinus nebulosus, a type of emperor fish most commonly known as the green snapper or sand snapper. 

Google Translate’s translation was “thickness of feeling.”

Though it yields imperfect results, the service can be used at a pinch, though real human translators rather than artificial intelligence are far more likely to lead to more accurate translations. 

Speaking to Arab News, Dr. Gisele Riachy, director of the Center for Languages and Translation at the Lebanese University in Beirut, explained how the mistranslation of “jamarat” could have happened.

“We have two possibilities, it was either translated by Google Translate or the translator was provided with a single sentence and therefore didn’t understand the meaning of “jamarat,” she said.

“The translator may have not taken into consideration the general context of the word, which has certain religious connotations, therefore it should have been borrowed, translated by the “Stoning of the Devil” or even left as it is.”

Dr. Riachy said that the word anthrax cannot be translated without an accompanying adjective for a better explanation of the term.

“What surprised me is that when translating the word “jamarat” from Arabic to English, the word should have been accompanied with the adjective “khabitha,” or malignant in Arabic, for it to be translated to “anthrax” in English. That is why I am confused and I do not think Google Translate would have translated it into “anthrax” if the Arabic version didn’t include the word “khabitha.”

Sheikh Yusuf Estes’ video was intended for those who would like to take the small bags home as a souvenir or gift, sending a message that the mistranslation could cause the traveler trouble with customs in their own countries.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1541776/saudi-arabia

e-visa for Umrah in less than 24 hours

August 2019

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Haj and Umrah has established a special platform for issuing Umrah visas electronically, a senior official of the ministry has announced.

Abdulaziz Wazzan, the ministry's undersecretary for the affairs of the Umrah, expected 10 million Umrah visas to be issued in the new season and said e-visas for Umrah visits began on Saturday.

"People coming for Umrah will not have to go to Saudi embassies or consulates as they can have their visas issued electronically in less than 24 hours," he was quoted as saying in Okaz Arabic daily.

Wazzan said the new portal is named "the central platform for the electronic issuance of the Umrah visas" and added that the new system will be used extensively during the upcoming Umrah season.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...-than-24-hours

Over 55,000 worshipers can pray
in post-expansion Quba Mosque


Actual Quba Mosque

August 19, 2019

MADINAH — The historic Quba Mosque, the first mosque to be built in Islam, will accommodate more than 55,000 worshipers after its expansion is completed, according to the Al Madinah Region Development Authority (MMDA).

The authority said work on the expansion of the mosque will start soon.

The historic mosque is linked with the Prophet's Mosque by the Sunna Road (Quba Street) which is four km long and is considered one of the oldest streets in Madinah with special tracks for the pedestrians to walk to and from the Prophet's Mosque.

The pilgrims are always keen to visit the Quba Mosque and pray in it after paying homage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and praying at his mosque.

The visitors of the Quba Mosque usually take memorial photos documenting their visit to the mosque.

"This is a magnificent place where Madinah residents received the Prophet (pbuh) when he first came to their town," said Ahmed Fatih, a pilgrim from Egypt.

He said he enjoyed a deep feeling of comfort praying in the first mosque in Islam.

"Madinah is replete with historic sites which reflect the sanctity of the place," he added.

Quba Mosque was surrounded by palm trees and fruit farms. However, with the development of the city, a number of farms have been replaced by tall buildings.

Quba Mosque witnesses an influx of worshipers and visitors throughout the yea. Large gatherings can be observed in the mosque’s precincts especially in the early hours of the morning.

Author Sapphire Hamwi said in his book (Lexicon countries) that Quba Mosque was originally a well surrounded by a village named after it. It was inhabited by the tribe of Bani Amr Bin Auf. On his way to Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) visited the home of Bani Amr Bin Auf and built a mosque in the area which he named Quba.

Historical references indicate that the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) built the mosque to the southwest of Madinah, three km away from the Prophet’s Mosque in the first year of the Hijri or Islamic calendar.

The mosque contained a well which belonged to Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him). It became a blessed place as the Prophet’s she-camel first knelt down there to take a long draught of water after the Prophet’s migration from Makkah.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...on-Quba-Mosque

Quba Mosque expansion Model

Umrah season 2019-2020
_______________________________________________

18% increase expected in 
number of Umrah pilgrims 

New Umrah season starting Sept. 1

August 28, 2019

JEDDAH — The Ministry of Haj and Umrah has completed all arrangements to receive pilgrims in the new Umrah season starting Sept. 1 and expected their number to go up by about 18 percent over the previous season when more than seven million pilgrims performed the Umrah.

The ministry's undersecretary for the affairs of Umrah, Abdulaziz Bin Abdul Rahim Wazzan said the ministry has adopted new strategies and plans for the new Umrah season with the aim of providing the pilgrims with outstanding services that will make their trip a memorable event.

"We will thoroughly assess the performance of Umrah companies to make sure that the pilgrims receive the best of services," he told a symposium on Umrah being held under the sponsorship of Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.

Wazzan said the new Umrah arrangements include establishment of a central reservation platform through which the pilgrims can automatically receive their Umrah visas without the need of approaching Saudi missions abroad.

He said the plans also included preparation for accommodation of pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

"We have completed our readiness for the reception of Umrah pilgrims at all the Kingdom's air, land and sea inlets," he said.

Wazzan said under Kingdom’s Vision 2030 about 30 million people are expected to perform the Umrah that year.

Meanwhile, as many as 489,088 pilgrims have arrived in Madinah from the end of the Haj pilgrimage until late Monday to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and pray at his mosque.

The Madinah Haj ministry branch said 303,095 have completed their visit to Madinah and left for their respective homes leaving behind 185,967 pilgrims.

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/...Umrah-pilgrims

SR300 for multiple visa 
with one year validity

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...-year-validity

https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/aswaq/e...%8A%D8%A9.html

Saudi tourist visa allows visitors
to perform Umrah

September 29, 2019

JEDDAH — It is now possible for those wishing to visit the Kingdom on tourism and discover its landmarks to come to Saudi Arabia any time throughout the year.

The granting of tourist visas comes within the Kingdom’s plan to create one million jobs and reach 100 million tourists by the year 2030.

Among the most important features of the Saudi tourist visa, is the visa holder can benefit from it in performing Umrah, women need not be accompanied by a male relative, other than in the Haj season, and there is no need for a sponsor (kafeel) the way it is required for work visas.

In this regard, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has announced, while simultaneously marking the World Tourism Day, that the Kingdom has begun granting tourist visas to all wishing to visit the Kingdom’s regions from different parts of the world.

They can get their visas manually via the Kingdom’s representative offices abroad (embassies, consulates, etc.) and electronically without preconditions for 49 nationalities, including Europe, Asia and America.

In an interview he gave to Al-Arabiya satellite TV channel, chairman of the SCTH Ahmad Bin Aqil Al Khatib said: â€œThe Kingdom is celebrating the inauguration of the tourist visa for all visitors from all over the world. We look forward to tourism becoming the main source of income and a machine for creating many jobs for Saudis.”

Also the tourist visa does not exclude any tourist due to his religion or belief. The tourist can make multiple visits during the year, provided each visit does not exceed 90 days.

The ambassador of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Gerald Lawless said that the Saudi decision would raise the Kingdom’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 3 to 4 percent because the world tourism market is growing at a rate exceeding 5 percent annually.

The announcement of the Saudi tourist visa, also witnessed the signing of contracts in the fields of real estate, food, utilities and services, worth over SR100 billion.

The representative of the Triple Five Group conglomerate Christos Marafatsos said the announcement of the Saudi tourist visa is important news for tourism companies in the world. The Saudi market provides a big opportunity and opening it to 49 nationalities makes the Saudi market one of the best destinations.

These tourist visas come within the Saudi plan to create one million jobs and reach 100 million tourists by the year 2030. Among the most important features of the Saudi tourist visa, is that the visa holder can make use of it in performing Umrah.

As for women, they do not need to be accompanied by a male relative, other than during the Haj season, nor do the visa holders need to have a sponsor (kafeel), the way it is required for other visas.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...-perform-Umrah

Tourist visa allows visits
to Makkah and Madinah

September 30, 2019

JEDDAH – Those willing to visit the Kingdom on tourism and discover its landmarks, can come to Saudi Arabia any time throughout the year.

The granting of tourist visas comes within the Kingdom’s plan to create one million jobs and reach 100 million tourists by the year 2030.

Among the most important features of the Saudi tourist visa, is that a tourist can perform Umrah by visiting Makkah and pray at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. The other important feature is women need not be accompanied by a male relative, other than in the Haj season, and there is no need for a sponsor (kafeel) the way it is required for work visas.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has announced that simultaneously with marking the World Tourism Day, the Kingdom has begun issuing tourist visas to all wishing to visit the Kingdom from different parts of the world.

They can get their visas manually via the Kingdom’s missions and electronically without preconditions for 49 nationalities, including Europe, Asia and America.

In an interview to Al-Arabiya satellite TV channel, Chairman of the SCTH Ahmad Bin Aqil Al-Khatib said: “The Kingdom is celebrating the inauguration of the tourist visa for all visitors from all over the world. We look forward to tourism becoming the main source of income and a machine for creating many jobs for Saudis.”

Also the tourist visa does not exclude any one due to his religion or belief. The tourist can have multiple visits during the year, provided each visit does not exceed 90 days.

The ambassador of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Gerald Lawless said that the Saudi decision would raise the Kingdom’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 3 to 4 percent because the world tourism market is growing at a rate exceeding 5 percent annually.

The announcement of the Saudi tourist visa, also witnessed the signing of contracts in the fields of real estate, food, utilities and services, worth over SR100 billion.

The representative of the Triple Five Group conglomerate Christos Marafatsos said the Saudi market provides a big opportunity and makes the Saudi market one of the best destinations.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...ah-and-Madinah

Makkah 2019

view from International Space Station

UAE’s first astronaut, Hazzaa AlMansoori, shared a picture of Makkah from the International Space Station (ISS).

23,715 tourist visas issued
by Saudi Arabia in 10 days

October 8, 2019

JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia has announced that it has issued 23,715 tourist visas until Monday from the time the Kingdom opened up her lands for foreign tourists on Sept. 28.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) had announced the launch of the tourist visa on that day while simultaneously marking the World Tourism Day.

According to the SCTH, tourist visas will be issued on a one-year, multiple-entry basis, allowing tourists to spend up to 90 days in the country.

They can get their visas manually via the Kingdom’s missions and electronically without preconditions (e-visas) or upon arrival in the Kingdom during the admissions process (visa on arrival) for 49 nationalities from Europe, Asia and America.

More than 7,391 Chinese tourists have been issued visas to visit the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allowing for the Chinese being the nationality to obtain tourist visas the most.

The figures showed that tourist from Britain make up the next biggest numbers — 6159, while tourists from the United States came third with 2,132 visas. The Canadians were issued 1,612 despite a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

Among the top ten countries completing the growing demand for tourist visas are: Malaysia fifth with 1,107 visas, France sixth with 744 visas, Germany 557 visas, Russia 484 visas, Australia 476 and Kazakhstan 421 visas in that order.

The new tourist visa allows for those wishing to visit the Kingdom to discover its landmarks any time throughout the year.

Among the most important features of the Saudi tourist visa, is that the visa holder can benefit from it in performing Umrah.

In addition, a male relative need not accompany women, except during the Haj season, and there is no need for a sponsor to visit the Kingdom, as required for work visas.

Previously, the work visit and Haj visas were the main non-immigrant visa options for travel to the Kingdom.

The granting of tourist visas comes within the Kingdom’s plan to create one million jobs and reach 100 million tourists by the year 2030.

The new tourist visa program marks a significant transformation for the Kingdom and is in line with Vision 2030, its flagship initiative to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenue.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...bia-in-10-days

The highest suspended Mosque
in the world in Makkah
at Jabal Omar

Direct view of the Kaaba
______________________________________

إطلالة مباشرة على الكعبة
هذه تفاصيل أعلى مصلى معلّق في العالم بمكة المكرمة

2019/10/11

New information has been revealed about the project of the highest suspended mosque(mussala) in the world, embraced by Makkah, and is located directly overlooking the Kaaba, and is waiting for the final finishes in preparation for taking the necessary permits from the competent authorities, to be ready.

The hanging mosque(mussala) was built at an altitude of 161 meters, overlooking the Kaaba, an area of ​​more than 400 square meters, and can accommodate more than 200 worshipers.

The first phase of its construction, construction and lifting has been completed between two twin towers, in the area around the Holy Haram, and only the finishing, brushes and permits from the concerned authorities remain.

Anas Saleh Serafi, the consultant engineer and chairman of the real estate committee in the Mecca Chamber, said in a tweet through his Twitter account that the suspended mosque has a direct view of the Kaaba and an audio-visual connection with the Masjid al-Haram, within the Jabal Omar Tower.

On the main pedestrian axis leading to Al-Haramain train station via the King Abdulaziz Road parallel project and ends at Al-Haram Al-Sharif Square.

https://makkawi.com/News/Details/468...B1%D9%85%D8%A9

http://www.al-jazirah.com/2019/20190804/ec1.htm

إطلالة مباشرة على الكعبة.. هذه تفاصيل أعلى مصلى معلّق في العالم بمكة المكرمة

تكشّفت معلومات جديدة عن مشروع أعلى مصلى معلّق في العالم، تحتضنه مكة المكرمة، ويقع بإطلالة مباشرة على الكعبة المشرفة، وينتظر التشطيبات النهائية تمهيداً لأخذ التصاريح اللازمة من الجهات المختصة، ليكون جاهزاً.

وبُني المصلى المعلق على ارتفاع 161 متراً، ويطلّ على الكعبة المشرفة، وتبلغ مساحته أكثر من 400 متر مربع، ويتسع لأكثر من 200 مصلٍ.

وقد انتهت المرحلة الأولى من تنفيذه وتشييده ورفعه بين برجيْن توأمين، في المنطقة المحيطة بالحرم المكي الشريف، ويتبقى فقط عملية التشطيب والفرش وأخذ التصاريح اللازمة من الجهات المعنية.

وقال المهندس الاستشاري، ورئيس اللجنة العقارية في غرفة مكة، أنس صالح صيرفي، في تغريدة عبر حسابه على "تويتر"، إن "المصلى المعلّق يمتاز بإطلالة مباشرة على الكعبة المشرفة، واتصال سمعي وبصري مع جماعة المسجد الحرام، وذلك ضمن برج جبل عمر، وهو على محور المشاة الرئيسي المؤدي إلى محطة قطار الحرمين عبر مشروع طريق الملك عبدالعزيز الموازي وينتهي بساحة الحرم الشريف.

in construction






source: https://twitter.com/Jabal_Omar_SA/st...87970204471297

Haj Ministry may cancel Mahram
condition for women of all ages

October 19, 2019

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Haj and Umrah is considering the cancelation of the condition of Mahram (male guardian) for women of all age groups as a pre-requisite for granting them Umrah visa, Makkah daily reported on Saturday.

Marwan Shaaban, chairman of the Haj and Umrah committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said this was agreed upon during a meeting he held with Minister of Haj and Umrah Mohammed Saleh Benten.

Deputy Minister Abdul Fattah Mashshat, investors in the Haj and Umrah sectors, hoteliers and many other concerned officials attended the meeting, which discussed the difficulties facing the sector and the future of the Umrah visas vis-a-vis the electronic tourist visas.

Shaaban said during the meeting the minister agreed to study the cancelation of the condition of Mahram for women of all ages in order to issue them with Umrah visas.

Benten, on his part, asked the Haj and Umrah companies to exert more efforts for the comfort of the pilgrims and urged them to contribute effectively for the implementation of the Vision 2030.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...en-of-all-ages