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#451 [Permalink] Posted on 10th November 2011 14:19

Air ambulances evacuate victims of highway crash

Red Crescent air ambulances evacuate victims of a road accident on Makkah-Madinah Highway Tuesday night

By ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 10, 2011 01:01 Updated: Nov 10, 2011 01:01

MADINAH: Three air ambulances responded to a terrible road accident that killed two people and injured seven others on the Makkah-Madinah highway near Asfan on Tuesday night. One of the cars was carrying Pakistani pilgrims.

Director of air operations for Air Ambulance Capt. Abdul Hakeem Al-Joufi said they received a report of the accident at 9 p.m.

Three helicopters in Arafat took off to respond to the accident and to transfer the injured to hospital. The three helicopters transported the injured to Al-Noor Hospital in Makkah and King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Jeddah.

Al-Joufi said this was the first time three units responded to a single accident at nighttime. He said the air ambulances reached the accident location in 18 minutes despite the long distance.

Al-Joufi added 20 minutes after responding to the accident, there was another report of a road accident on the Makkah-Madinah highway that resulted in five injuries. A fourth helicopter responded to the accident. Two cases were transferred to Al-Noor Hospital in Makkah.

Al-Joufi said a plan would be implemented after Haj where two helicopters will be stationed in Al-Shumaisi center to respond to any accident between Jeddah and Makkah.

One helicopter will be stationed at Al-Laith in the southern highway, one in Jeddah and a fifth one in Madinah. He said the air ambulances were on high alert and on call 24 hours a day during Haj.

Al-Joufi said they would continue to be on alert until all pilgrims leave for home.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article531742.ece

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#452 [Permalink] Posted on 10th November 2011 14:21

Haj Ministry's guidance centers help out nearly 400,000

Some of the children who lost their way in the holy sites at the Haj Ministry's shelter in Mina

By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 10, 2011 01:01 Updated: Nov 10, 2011 01:01

MINA: The guidance centers of Ministry of Haj in the holy sites helped 398,698 pilgrims to return to their tents over the past six days.

"In the 12 guidance centers in Mina, seven in Arafat in addition to one children's center near Jamarat Bridge, 44 employees of the Haj Ministry and members of the Saudi Scouts Society were working to help pilgrims who lost their way," Chief of the Guidance Center Waleed Hausawi told Arab News on Wednesday.

The centers started helping pilgrims since last Thursday and were working until Wednesday when all pilgrims left Mina. Their field office in Arafat was opened Friday evening and operated until the end of Saturday, Hausawi said.

"The lost pilgrims were reassured and given fruit juice and refreshments on their arrival at the center. After all details about them are recorded, they were guided to their tents as early as possible," he said.

However, children were taken to a special shelter and details about them were published so that their guardians could pick them up from there, he said.

"When a child is brought to the center his photo is recorded and is subjected to a medical checkup. His physical description and other details are published by the Scouts Society. The workers also record the details of a guardian when he comes to collect the child. He should also sign a receipt," he said.

There is another shelter for women pilgrims. On the Arafat Day alone 55,072 pilgrims were guided to their tents and the next day 121,418 pilgrims were taken to their tents.

Three children were yet to find their guardians on Wednesday, according to deputy chairman of the guidance center Khaled Al-Jifri.

arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article531740.ece

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#453 [Permalink] Posted on 10th November 2011 14:24

Pilgrims stream out of Makkah

Published: Nov 10, 2011 01:02 Updated: Nov 10, 2011 01:31

MAKKAH: The Grand Mosque in Makkah was overflowing with pilgrims in a hurry to return to their homes on Thursday.

Despite the pushing, jostling and slow pace of the tawaf (circumambulation around Kaaba), the pilgrims were happy as they had fulfilled their life's dream of performing Haj in total safety and peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Many thousands were performing Tawaf Al-Widaa (the farewell tawaf performed on leaving Makkah which marks the end of one's Haj rites) on the first floor and the roof of the Grand Mosque, as the mataf (the area yard around the Kaaba), which has a capacity of 70,000 pilgrims per hour, was jampacked. Thousands of pilgrims on wheelchairs were also doing their farewell rite on the top floor.

All the 176 gates, including the entrances to the first and second floors of the Grand Mosque, were opened to accommodate the simultaneous influx and outpour. Eighteen doors were reserved for pilgrims with special needs. More than 1,000 officials were regulating the flow of pilgrims at the gates.

The Presidency of the Grand Mosque Affairs has also posted 6,000 workers at different locations in the Mosque to guide the pilgrims and regulate their entry and exit. No one was allowed to sit or stand in the passages leading to the mataf.

The masaa (the stretch of space between the mounts of Safa and Marwa where the pilgrims perform the ritual of Saie) was also equally packed.

The officials were distributing pamphlets in different languages to enlighten pilgrims on the various remaining rites.

Thousands of security men were working to reduce the crowding by watching the movements of pilgrims and directing them to less crowded areas. A green light will be blinking at the gate if there is any empty space in the area and a red light means no space.

More than 1,000 first aid workers of the Civil Defense were helping sick or exhausted pilgrims. There were 30 first aid points in the mataf, masaa and the courtyards.

The total number of pilgrims in the current Haj is estimated at 2,927,717 registering a 5 percent increase compared to last year.

The majority of the 1 million domestic pilgrims and a good number of foreign pilgrims returned on Wednesday and Thursday after completing Tawaf Al-Widaa.

A large number of foreign pilgrims are yet to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah before their departure from the Kingdom.

The health centers inside the mosque are equipped to treat pilgrims suffering from various crowd-related illnesses.

Hundreds of pilgrims are on their way to Madinah. The returning pilgrims leave after collecting cans of Zamzam water and copies of the Holy Qur'an.

The foreign pilgrims who have visited Madinah before the Arafat standing return via King Abdulaziz International Airport or Jeddah Islamic Port. Under the supervision and guidance of the Kingdom's top leaders, 239,000 employees deployed to serve the pilgrims.

arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article531732.ece

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#454 [Permalink] Posted on 10th November 2011 16:58

New ablution facility in Haram plaza
comes as a big relief to worshippers

Worshippers make ablutions at the newly built facility in the
courtyard of the Grand Mosque outside King Abdul Aziz Gate on Wednesday.

By SYED FAISAL ALI | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 10, 2011 01:18 Updated: Nov 10, 2011 01:18

MAKKAH: The new ablution point constructed in front of King Abdul Aziz Gate or Gate No. 1 of the Grand Mosque has provided much sought after relief to pilgrims who want to perform wudu (ablution), said many pilgrims.

“Earlier we had to go to the underground washroom, which is always crowded with people who want to relieve themselves, making it difficult for others who want to use the facility for ablution purposes only,” said Ekran Javed from India.

Pakistani pilgrim Tajammul Hussain agreed. He said due to crowding it takes a long time there to perform ablutions. However, now with this facility just in front of the mosque gate, it has become convenient and time saving for pilgrims to purify themselves in preparation for the prayer.

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs has planned to build another three such open-air ablution points in front of the major gates of the mosque. Now only one point is operational while work on the other three is in progress, said Shah Alam Siddiqui of the Saudi Binladin Group, which is implementing the project.

“The ablution point has been built over the exhaust junctions where pilgrims used to sit and relax. Now it has been converted into an ablution point, which has also been fitted with water sprinklers to provide respite to pilgrims from heat,” Siddiqui said.

He said every year the authorities observe pilgrims’ needs and come up with some practical and workable solutions. “The ablution point is the result of the authorities’ continuous efforts to serve the pilgrims in best possible manner.”

Earlier, if a pilgrim had to perform Haj, he would have to walk all the way down to washrooms on either side of the mosque.

A pilgrim from Syria found the ablution point very useful. “This was needed here and once all four points start functioning, it will be very convenient for pilgrims to perform wudu,” Jamal Nasser said. “It will also ease pressure on the basement washrooms.”

Pilgrims thanked the Saudi government for this facility and also for the water sprinkler at the ablution point, which they found more useful than the ones in Arafat due the fact it is backed with huge fans that throw water to a larger area.

“These water sprinklers are a great relief for those who perform prayers in the courtyard, as they also keep the area cool,” said Junaid Aftab, from India.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article531797.ece

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#455 [Permalink] Posted on 10th November 2011 17:00

''Future development of Makkah to be in tune with its heritage''

An aerial view of the Grand Mosque in this file photo. (Reuters)

By ASMA ALSHARIF | REUTERS

Published: Nov 10, 2011 01:04 Updated: Nov 10, 2011 01:04

MAKKAH: Future development in the holy city of Makkah will be more in tune with traditional architecture, says Mayor Osama Al-Bar.

The holy city is studded with dozens of yellow and red cranes and metal scaffolding aimed at increasing hotel space and improving facilities to make the annual Haj pilgrimage safer and easier.

As more than 2.5 million Muslims from across the world flood Makkah’s narrow streets for the annual pilgrimage, however, many visitors and residents point to a 600-meter tower surmounted by a huge clock as evidence development has moved too quickly.

“The building regulations in the city take into consideration the width of the streets, central locations and do not allow the building of skyscrapers...what was built was that,” Al-Bar told Reuters when asked about the tower.

Future projects “will be far from the Grand Mosque by 300 meters ... The buildings will have reasonable heights between 8 to 10 floors and will have the Makkah style,” he said.

Within six years, the government hopes to reinforce the infrastructure surrounding Makkah’s Grand Mosque replacing congested narrow roads with new ones, installing footbridges for pedestrians and a four-line metro.

On Tuesday, Crown Prince Naif said the development that had already taken place would “be little compared to what will happen.”

“We want to evolve Makkah, not change it,” said Sami Angawi, founder of Haj Research Center and an expert on Makkah.

“I love Makkah and cannot see the beloved (sanctuary) of the Prophet being handled this way,” said Angawi, who shares a belief with many Muslims that Makkah is a holy place where change must be made in a delicate manner.

Deadly stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have several times caused hundreds of deaths, forcing the government to spend lavishly on new infrastructure.

“For sure (the expansion) will be good for pilgrims because usually there are huge numbers of pilgrims, especially during prayer times,” Ahdab Seif, an Egyptian pilgrim, said outside the Grand Mosque.

“Makkah is known to be an old city ... it has some old haphazard buildings located near the Grand Mosque and this project will reshape the face of Makkah and raise the capacity and services of the city,” Al-Bar said.

“By 2020 we hope that results will be visible as major parts of the projects will be complete,” he said.

Among the announced projects, which will cost more than $30 billion, is a historic expansion of the Grand Mosque to add 400,000 square meters and add shaded areas to shelter worshippers from the scorching desert sun.

A sq foot of land around the Grand Mosque has in some cases reached up to $18,000, Al-Bar said, significantly higher than average prices of around $4,420 in Monaco.

Property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle could not corroborate those prices but confirmed that the land around the Grand Mosque is the most expensive real estate in the world.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article531711.ece

original article (longer): http://af.reuters.com/article/worldN...7A82MF20111109

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#456 [Permalink] Posted on 11th November 2011 13:48

800,000 pilgrims held back in Mina

Long queues of cars in the tunnel under the Haram courtyard in Makkah.

9 November 2011

HOLY SITES - The heads of Haj missions have undertaken to hold about 800,000 pilgrims in Mina to avoid overcrowding at the Jamarat and Grand Mosque in Makkah, according to Hatim Hassan Qadi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Haj for Haj Affairs.

The pilgrims have been asked to remain in Mina until Dhul Hijjah 13 - corresponding to Nov. 9. The authorities want the pilgrims to spend three days stoning the Jamarat, rather than complete the ritual in two days, which is permissible under the Shariah.

Qadi said this is simply a precautionary measure to prevent any chaos and overcrowding at the Jamarat and then later at the Holy Haram and Central Area as pilgrims rush off to Makkah.

He said Dr. Fouad Bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsy, Minister of Haj, had appealed to the heads of the Haj missions to hold some of their pilgrims in Mina.

Qadi said the Haj missions have succeeded in convincing 40 percent of the pilgrims to remain in Mina for three days compared to 30 percent last year. They will stay in their camps in the Tent City because they do not have accommodation in Makkah. He said the ministry and Haj missions have succeeded in persuading 150,000 out of 350,000 Arab pilgrims to stay in Mina.

In addition, 200,000 local pilgrims from Makkah have been convinced to remain in their homes in the city and not to visit the Grand Mosque. These pilgrims had earlier completed their ritual stoning of Satan in two days.

www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20111109111879

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#457 [Permalink] Posted on 11th November 2011 13:49

100 held trying to sell meat in holy sites

Sacrificial animals next to Al-Mu'aissim slaughterhouse.

9 November 2011

HOLY SITES - Authorities have arrested 100 men who were attempting to smuggle sacrificial meat to different areas to be sold to restaurants.

The men had promised trusting pilgrims they would distribute meat from slaughtered animals to the poor in Makkah. However, they were caught smuggling it to other regions where they planned to sell it to restaurants.

The Emir of Makkah, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, has ordered authorities not to be lax with the conmen. He said they "ought to be dealt with sternly and immediately referred to the authorities for investigation and put on trial."

A South Asian man is believed to have led the gang who posed as cattle traders who distributed meat to the poor. He was arrested and found with SR125,000 in his possession - allegedly profits that he made in just six hours.

Makkah mayoralty teams caught the men in the sheep pens in Al-Ka'kiyah and Al-Mu'aissim, Monday.

Prince Khaled said: "All these men have violated the regulations and played havoc with pilgrims and people's health."

Authorities at Makkah's exit points have also been put on alert to check the smuggling of meat.

Meanwhile, a dispute has erupted between Makkah Mayoralty and the Security Monitoring Committee (SMC) assigned to inspect sheep pens and kitchens.

In a letter to the governorate of Makkah, the Mayoralty lambasted the SMC team for "not cooperating with the mayoralty and performing Haj without giving prior notice."

The mayoralty alleges the team absconded from their posts in Arafat and did not return until just before noon the next day when work was at its peak.
This greatly impeded the mayoralties efforts to prevent violations by rogue meat traders.

Another incident occurred On Eid day when a mayoralty team tried to inspect sheep sheds in Al-Mu'aissim area. A dispute occurred when the owners refused to vacate the sheds.

The mayoralty alleges the SMC team allowed the owners of these "ramshackle sheds" to carry on with their activities.

The mayoralty also alleges that the "SMC only allows us to open sheds if the number of sheep, goats and cattle does not exceed 1,500 heads."

It insisted: "The ensuing chaos meant our teams were not able to prevent crooks from slaughtering animals and selling the meat."

www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20111109111880

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#458 [Permalink] Posted on 11th November 2011 13:51

All 176 doors of the Grand Mosque opened for Hajis

Grand Mosque in the Holy city of Makkah
10 November 2011 - 14 Thul-Hijjah 1432 H

MAKKAH/MINA - The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Holy Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque has opened all 176 doors of the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the entry and exit of pilgrims.

As many as 1,000 male and female employees have been deputed at these doors to serve pilgrims and to organize their entry and exit.

The Presidency has also allocated 18 doors for people with special needs.
Meanwhile, over 21,000 workers are frantically clearing the waste from the holy sites to prevent an outbreak of contagious disease.

Makkah Mayoralty has mobilized all it's resources to clear away the trash from the Mina, Muzdalifa, Arafat and Al-Haram areas.

"We have long experience in keeping the holy sites clean. We are constantly carrying out inspections to ensure that the environment in the holy sites is clean," said Mayor of Makkah Dr. Osama Bin Fadhl Al-Bar.

We are also using a modern treatment plant to cope with the large amounts of waste from millions of slaughtered animals.

"We used to bury the animal waste, but this had a very bad effect on the environment," said Engineer Arif Bin Abdullah Qadhi.

The new plant has a capacity of 500 tons daily which converts waste into natural fertilizers. The plant first removes all fats.

Qadhi said that the plant can complete the treatment of all the waste within eight days.

Mayoralty authorities said that a new tube system to pump waste from the holy sites will begin operating soon. This will pump sewage to two specially selected locations in Mina.

Pilgrims have expressed their approval of the new methods used in collecting the garbage.

Libyan pilgrim Quwaidir praised the high standard of cleaning in Mina, where heaps of garbage accumulate due to its small area and the presence of over three million pilgrims at one time.

"Wherever you look you see cleaners or garbage dumpsters. This keeps the environment clean and free of foul smells and enables pilgrims to perform Haj rituals with safety and peace of mind," he said.

Kuwaiti pilgrim Ruqayah Al-Khamees praised the cleanliness in the Grand Mosque and Mina.

"Garbage is immediately collected. This proves the holy sites are receiving great attention from the workers and the authorities in charge of keeping Makkah and the holy sites clean," she said.

www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20111110111914

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#459 [Permalink] Posted on 11th November 2011 13:52

10% drop in Makkah hotel occupancy
despite jump in number of pilgrims

By ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 10, 2011 23:34 Updated: Nov 11, 2011 01:55

MAKKAH: Despite the record number of foreign pilgrims who came to perform Haj from all over the world this year, hotel occupancy rates in Makkah witnessed a fall of 10 percent compared to the same period last year, according to a senior official.

Walid Abu Sab'a, head of the committee for tourism and hotels at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there has also been a decrease of 30 to 50 percent in the rent rates of hotels in the Central Haram Area during the current Haj season.

He attributed this mainly to the substantial increase in the number of new hotels and residential apartments that have been licensed to accommodate Haj pilgrims.

"In addition to this, there has been a steady decrease in the rent of hotels and residential buildings since last Ramadan," he told Al-Eqtisadiah business daily.

According to Abu Sab'a, the fall in occupancy rates affected not only hotels in the central Haram area but also in outlying districts, mainly Aziziyah where a large number of hotels and residential buildings have sprung up in recent years.

"The decrease in occupancy rates was not restricted to hotels. This is also the case of a large number of residential buildings that secured licenses to accommodate Haj pilgrims in the districts of Aziziyah and Shisha as well as at the townships of Al-Bank, Satar Al-Lahyani and Al-Shawqiya," he said.

Abu Sab'a noted the hotel occupancy rate in the central Haram area during the period from Dul Hijjah 1 to 14 last year ranged from 98 and 100 percent.

However, this year it fell by about 10 percent mainly because of the emergence of a number of new licensed hotels, he said.

Abu Sab'a pointed out that last year there were several hotels and residential buildings that failed to secure a license for accommodating pilgrims.

"Therefore, these buildings remained vacant throughout the Haj season. They have completed all the necessary procedures to obtain licenses well before the current Haj season," he said.

The chamber official said hotels and residential apartments managed to earn huge revenues since the beginning of the current year due to an influx of Umrah pilgrims, and rent rates were also comparatively higher.

"But the rates began to fall after the peak Umrah season of Ramadan. Most of the operators of hotels and residential apartments were forced to lower their charges by up to 50 percent due to the stiff competition," he said.

Abu Sab'a also drew attention to the fact that most Haj tour operators rent out hotels and residential apartments in the central Haram area only in the later phase of the Haj season because of the high rent.

"This is not the case for hotels and residential buildings in outlying districts. This is also another reason for a fall in rent in the area after the Umrah season," he added.

arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article532092.ece

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#460 [Permalink] Posted on 11th November 2011 19:16

Canadian imam accused of being a thief released after arrest in Saudi Arabia:

Postmedia News Monday, Oct. 31, 2011

By Carmen Chai

A Canadian imam who was arrested by religious police while on a pilgrimage to the Saudi Arabian city of Medina will continue with his plans there, even after he was beaten and thrown in a crowded jail for 24 hours, a witness said Monday.

Edmonton-based imam Usama Al-Atar had several bruises and cuts and looked "dishevelled" and "exhausted" after his release from Saudi custody Monday, said Mohamed Hayward, a British man who witnessed the arrest.

Al-Atar, who was resting in a hotel Monday morning, was confined to a small room filled with other detainees in the Medina city prison, Hayward said.

"He was not kept informed from the Saudis," Hayward told Postmedia News. "He was basically thrown into a cell with 28 other people in a room that was about eight metres by five metres. At one point, he was shackled."

Hayward said Al-Atar had a bruise on his foot, and another bruise and "bad" cut on his arm, injuries that were a result of being "manhandled" by religious police.

"We're extremely disappointed that nobody -absolutely no one -from the Canadian consulate made any contact with him whatsoever," Hayward said. "In that 24 hour period, no one from the consulate, the embassy or Foreign Affairs made any contact with him."

Foreign Affairs officials said Monday that they were "pleased" the Saudi government was receptive to Canadian appeals to offer immediate help to Al-Atar.

"We are pleased our partners in Saudi Arabia were co-operative in responding to our concerns on Mr. Al-Atar's situation in a timely manner," a government spokesman said in an email to Postmedia News.

The U.K.-based Islamic Human Rights Commission said that while Canadian officials assisted in Al-Atar's release, there was some delay.

"The Canadian government did put pressure (on the Saudi government) but it took some time. They didn't have anyone in place in those places," IHRC chairman Massoud Shadjareh told Postmedia News.

Shadjareh said the commission hopes to provide more information, including a message from Al-Atar, later in the day.

Hayward said Al-Atar was "flabbergasted" and "close to tears" when he found out about the IHRC's urgent action appeal and the response from the Canadian media.

"He can't thank everyone enough, from the campaign organizers to the IHRC to the media in Canada and, of course, to his family and friends. He's really grateful," he said.

Shadjareh said the IHRC will call on the Canadian government to follow in the U.K.'s steps in providing support staff, such as a team of advisers and medics, to residents making the pilgrimage to Mecca. He said that if federal officials were present in Mecca and Medina, Sunday's violent incident may not have occurred or it would have been resolved faster.

"It's essential that the Canadian government offer its services to its citizens," he said, noting that millions of people make the pilgrimage each year.

Al-Atar was leading a group of about 150 Canadian and British Muslims on the traditional Islamic pilgrimage known as the hajj, which takes place in the last month of the Muslim calendar. Muslims who take part in the hajj make a pilgrimage to the Islamic holy shrines of Mecca and Medina, culminating in the three-day religious festival of Eid al-Adha.

He will continue on with the group's travels through Saudi Arabia, leaving for Mecca Tuesday, Hayward said.

"We're here for the spiritual program. We're just going to carry on with it and finish what we came here to do. It's been quite the ordeal -one to remember to say the least," he said.

Their trip will wrap up on Nov. 10, he said.

Al-Atar, a prominent Islamic scholar and post-doctoral fellow at the University of Alberta chemistry department, was leading the 10 pilgrims in prayer at a religious burial site in Medina when a group of Saudi religious police began to harass the group, according to a witness.

The religious police first asked Al-Atar to lower his voice and then asked the group to leave the cemetery, witnesses said Sunday.

The police then accused Al-Atar of being a thief before restraining him, Hayward said Sunday. Eventually one of the officers pushed Al-Atar into a small kiosk area where he reportedly struggled to breathe.

Shadjareh said the incident may have been caused by discrimination against Al-Atar. He said some religious police are from a particular sect of Islam that is "very extreme."

"Unlike the majority of Muslims, they also see others as outside the fold and are very discriminatory. That otherness sometimes triggers religious police to behave very badly. This is something we need to address," Shadjareh said.

The arrest stunned the Shiite Muslim community in Edmonton, where the popular scholar regularly lectures and teaches Sunday school. Hundreds of Muslims gathered at the Edmonton Islamic Shiite Ithna-Asheri Association, where Al-Atar is imam, for a Sunday afternoon service to pray for his speedy and safe release.

Numerous people at the service said Al-Atar is a humble community leader with a reputation as a peacemaker.

In March, Al-Atar was among a group who gathered in Edmonton's Churchill Square to ask Canada to pressure the government of Bahrain to stop attacking protesters who were seeking greater rights. That was shortly after the Bahrain government called in troops from neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to help quell pro-democracy protests.

In his speech at the time, Al-Atar said: "The atrocities committed today against innocents in several countries, such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia among others, are crimes one cannot stand silent about."

Postmedia News

with files from the Edmonton Journal

www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/news/blog.html? b=news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/31/canadian-imam-released-after-arrest-in-saudi-arabia-report

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#461 [Permalink] Posted on 12th November 2011 22:41

Madinah Hajj Exhibition to receive pilgrims from tomorrow

Holy City of Madinah, Dhu-AlHijjah 15, 1432 - 11th November 2011

In implementation of the directives and under the supervision of Prince Abdulaziz bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah region and Chairman of Hajj Committee in the region, the Exhibition of Management of Partnership in Hajj Operations 'Bunyan' will start tomorrow receiving pilgrims and visitors of the Prophet's Mosque in its second version for this year's Hajj season.

The 15-day Exhibition will be organized by the Governorate of Madinah and with the participation of more than 40 public and private bodies.

The Secretary of Hajj Committee in Madinah, Mohammed bin Mustafa Al-Numan noted that as many as 198,651 visitors toured the first version of the Exhibition before the start of this year's Hajj season.

He pointed out that the Exhibition aims to highlight the great efforts of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in the service of pilgrims and visitors of the Prophet's Mosque during Hajj season. SPA

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#462 [Permalink] Posted on 12th November 2011 22:44

250,000 copies of the Holy Quran daily distributed to the pilgrims

Jeddah, Dhu-AlHijjah 15, 1432, Nov 11, 2011, SPA

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, has been distributing 20 million copies of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Gift of the Holy Quran and religious books to pilgrims returning home at exit points in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The advisor of the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance and Chairman of Information Committee for Islamic Awareness in Hajj, Sheikh Talal Bin Ahmed Al-Aqeel pointed out that the daily distribution stands at 250,000 copies of the Holy Quran and translation of its meanings in various languages as well as religious books and tapes.

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#463 [Permalink] Posted on 12th November 2011 22:47

''Avoid course of collision and chaos''
Makkah imam tells Muslims

The Grand Mosque in Makkah was packed with worshippers on the first Friday after the annual Haj.

By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 12, 2011 00:50 Updated: Nov 12, 2011 00:50

JEDDAH: Imam of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais on Friday urged leaders and people of Islamic countries to fulfill their duty of maintaining security and stability knowing fully well that the only option before them is to choose the path of unity, not a course of collision and chaos.

“Time and events are passing us swiftly with reports of thrones lost, dissolution or formation of governments in quick succession or deaths of great men. So use your time to strive hard to achieve a lofty state in the Hereafter,” Al-Sudais said in his sermon at the Grand Mosque on the first Friday after the annual Haj.

The mosque and its courtyards were overflowing with pilgrims who remained in Makkah after completing Haj rites.

The imam said Haj was a rite that instilled sentiments of tolerance, desire for dialogue, consultation and solidarity.

“The annual pilgrimage brings out the sublime image of a single Ummah with a single goal. The season of pilgrimage dictates to the faithful the noble lessons of tolerance, mutual assistance and the significance of maintaining security and peace. It also charges the pilgrims with a unique energy derived from the blessed gathering in the blessed land,” Sheikh Al-Sudais said.

He added that disputes in society would only lead to disunity and erosion of stability.

He exhorted pilgrims to continue to be virtuous in their life — that they adopted in Makkah with steadfastness and straightforwardness — until their last breath.

“A sincere pilgrimage lifts up a man to the heights of spiritual joy. But, he will have to stay on the path of Allah, distancing himself from disputes and sinful deeds, adorning himself with every humanitarian quality,” the sheikh said.

He told the pilgrims to arm themselves with firm belief, heartfelt repentance, noble intentions and to follow the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) model in order to overcome worldly challenges.

“Devotion to Almighty Allah fills the hearts with light and heals illness of minds and is the best defense against sins,” he said.

Sheikh Al-Sudais concluded the sermon reminding them to pray for the rulers of the Kingdom, who organized and supervised the services to pilgrims, and those workers who have been toiling day and night to make the Haj safe and comfortable.

Sheikh Husain Al-Asheikh, imam and khatib at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, said in his sermon that the greatest jihad in the life of a Muslim was to fight against one’s own self to obey Allah and His messenger. He added that a true believer would have to try hard to control his or her words and deeds that might harm others.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who arrived in the holy city after performing Haj in Makkah attended the congregational prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque. They also visited a number of historical locations in the city and its outskirts, such as the Quba Mosque, Shuhada Mosque, Uhud, Al-Qiblatain Mosque and Khandaq Mosque.

Large numbers of pilgrims have already left the Kingdom after performing Haj, which concluded on Wednesday.

The first batch comprising 262 Tunisian pilgrims returned home Thursday night. The plane also carried Tunisian Haj Mission headed by Minister of Religious Affairs Laroussi Almizori.

As many as 10,000 Tunisian pilgrims who performed Haj this year will be flown back home on board 40 Tunisian Airways flights until Nov. 28.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, has been distributing 20 million copies of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Gift of the Holy Qur’an and religious books to pilgrims returning home at exit points in the Kingdom.

Sheikh Talal bin Ahmed Al-Aqeel, adviser to the minister of Islamic affairs, endowments, call and guidance and chairman of information committee for Islamic awareness in Haj, said the daily distribution stands at 250,000 copies of the Holy Qur’an and translation of its meanings in various languages as well as religious books and tapes.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article532479.ece

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#464 [Permalink] Posted on 13th November 2011 22:06

220m pebbles pelted at the Jamarat

13 November 2011 - 17 Thul-Hijjah 1432 H

Haj pilgrims, the Guests of Allah, threw a total of 220 million pebbles at the three Jamarat in Mina by the fourth day of Eid. Tons of pebbles were accumulated daily near the Jamarat.

Nearly three million pilgrimsarrived from allovertheworld thisyear to perform Haj. Once the Haj rituals were over and pilgrims started to dwindle, pebbles were collected and dumped back in Muzdalifa.

A few years ago the most challenging part of the Haj was throwing the pebbles. A large number of accidents and stampedes occurred which cost several pilgrims their lives.

Over the years each Jamarat that represents a 'satan' was enlarged to cater the large number of pilgrims.However, thearrangments made this year were explicitly commendable with thousands of security guards, scouts and policemen controlling and oragnizing the crowd.

To ensure utmost saftey and manage the crowd efficiently all Haj sites were monitored by security cameras. The multitiered bridge at the Jamarat was another huge accomplishment which enabled thepilgrims to throw stones at the devil with ease.

The Saudi Gazette also witness several security guards, scouts, and guides preventing pilgrims from performing incorrect practices. For example, they stopped pilgrims from throwing large stones that could be dangerous, and others from throwing shoes and slippers. Homelesswho weresitting on theroadsbeggingfor money were forced to leave so as to avoid pilgrims from tripping and getting hurt. The walls at the Jamarat were clearly and boldly numbered, and this helped pilgrims in keeping track of one another.

Hence, almost all pilgrimswho returned home, not only described thethrowing of pebbles at the Jamarat easy and smooth sailing, but the entire Haj exemplary and meritorious.

www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...ate=13/11/2011

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#465 [Permalink] Posted on 13th November 2011 22:09

Pilgrim's suicide attempt foiled

13 November 2011

MAKKAH - The Grand Mosque's security forces prevented a young Arab pilgrim from committing suicide at around Maghreb prayers on Friday evening. The young man, in his twenties, tried to jump off the Al-Masa'a building's third floor overlooking the eastern courtyards of the Grand Mosque.

Lt. Col. Ali Al-Muntashiri, Makkah CivilDefense spokesman, said that a Civil Defense rescue team went to the scene after the operations unit received a call asking for a forklift and a big air balloon to be used if the young man decided to jump.

"The CivilDefenseteam tried to calm the pilgrim and contain the situation. They succeeded in their mission and handed the young man over to the Grand Mosque's police station for further investigations."

The team dealt professionally with the situation and treated the pilgrim with respect, Al-Muntashiri added.

Sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the young man tried to commit suicide to attract the attention of visitors and express his objection to bloodshed in his country. He wanted Arab countriesto interveneto stop the bloodshed.

Lt. Col. Abdul Mohsin Al-Maiman, spokesman of Makkah Police, said the case will be referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution.

www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20111113112047 arabic www.q8ping.com/18346.html

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