Prince Mohammed Briefed On Preparations For Exhibition on Hajj
London, Muharram 23, 1433, Dec 18, 2011, SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, was briefed during a meeting recently on preparations for the exhibition 'Hajj: Journey to Heart of the Muslim World.'
During the meeting with officials of the British Museum, the ambassador stressed the importance of the success of the exhibition which is due to open on January 26, 2012 and will last for about three months.
The British Museum is meticulously preparing for its January launch of Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam. It will be the first major exhibition committed to the Hajj, exploring the importance and history of this religious journey.
Little signs with intricate descriptions are held in their place with masking tape. An impressive well lit rotund space underneath a colored dome roof is strewn with ladders, plastic and other protective shrapnel while artifacts are carefully carried to and arranged in their display cabinets and hanging places.
Meticulously, The British Museum is preparing for its January launch of Hajj: Journey to the heart of Islam. Curated by Venetia Porter, it will be the first major exhibition committed to the Hajj, exploring the importance and history of this religious journey. The exhibition is being held in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Public Library and its reach outside of the Kingdom has been supported by HSBC.
Viewed as the Islamic spiritual center and as one of the five pillars of Islam, it is considered a sacred duty of Muslims everywhere, if they are physically and financially able, to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage takes place annually during the last month of the Islamic calendar (Dhu’l Hijja) and pulls together Muslims from all over the world regardless of nationality or sect.
Though Hajj rituals have remained intact since its creation, contemporary art works by Saudi artists, including Ahmed Mater and Shadia Alem, will sit alongside historical pieces to demonstrate how the journey has impacted old and new generations.
Focusing on three themes, the pilgrim’s journey, the Hajj today, and Mecca itself, the exhibition will consist of archeological material, manuscripts, textiles and photographs, gifts of devotion offered to the sanctuary, as well as souvenirs brought back from the Hajj. The exhibition includes loans from collections in Saudi Arabia, the British Library, and the Khalili Family Trust, among others.
Neil Macgregor, Director of the British Museum, says: “Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam will enable a global audience to deepen their understanding of the significance and history of the Hajj.” He adds, “In Particular, it will allow non-Muslims to explore the one aspect of Islamic practice and faith which they are not able to witness directly”.
Hajj:Journey to the Heart of Islam will open at the British Museum from 26th January – 15th April 2012.
Closing Ceremony of King Abdulaziz International Contest for Memorization of the Holy Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
By MD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 26, 2011 02:14 Updated: Dec 26, 2011 02:14
JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said on Sunday that Saudi Arabia has taken the Holy Qur'an as its constitution and exerts all possible efforts to spread its message at national and international levels.
Speaking at the concluding session of King Abdul Aziz Qur'an Memorization Contest www.alquran.gov.sa at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, he said the Qur'an was send by God as His blessing to the mankind.
"Saudi Arabia has been working to achieve its ambitious development programs without deviating from the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah," the governor told contestants from various countries.
He called upon Muslims to follow the teachings of Qur'an in all walks of their lives in order to get proper direction and peace of mind. "We have to follow Qur'an not only by memorizing its verses but also practicing its teachings," he added.
Prince Khaled urged the participants of the Qur'an contest to work as ambassadors of the holy book in their societies. "You should also contribute to building your countries and spreading a culture of development," he added.
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah instructed me to attend this ceremony on his behalf and convey his greetings to all of you," the governor said.
Spelling out the Kingdom's efforts to promote Qur'anic studies, Prince Khaled said a number of Qur'an memorization societies have been established in various parts of the country. The King Fahd Qur'an Printing Complex in Madinah has distributed millions of copies of the holy book around the world.
Al-Haramain Train project begun demolishing some properties
26 December 2011
EDDAH —The final phase of the multibillion riyal Al-Haramain Train Project will be signed soon.
This will see the purchase of 35 trains with 13 carriages, traffic signs and railway tracks, which will be installed by a Saudi-Spanish consortium. This phase will reportedly cost just over SR30 billion. It will include the consortium carrying out operations and maintenance for 12 years.
Currently, civil works are being completed in addition to the building of four train stations.
The contractor in charge of the Al-Haramain Train project has also begun demolishing some properties to make way for the new Briman Bridge Project. Traffic is being redirected while demolitions take place.
A Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) report has indicated that this is the most difficult part of the project because it involves considerable coordination with relevant authorities for detours on Al-Haramain Highway, renovation of bridges on the highway and the moving of traffic signs, without disrupting traffic flow.
The report added that all teams have been working non-stop to complete all the necessary tasks; and that the Pilgrims’ Lounge has been completed and new construction is taking place on the Air Base Bridge.
Over 153 bridges will be built outside the urban area, 20 of which have been completed. A total of 678 flood drainage canals will be constructed as well, according to the report. It pointed out that the consortium was informed that it should provide adequate number of workers and construction equipment to finish building the train stations.
The report added that government will pay market-related prices for the acquired properties. The valuations are being carried out by a committee with members from seven official agencies.
The 444-km high-speed Al-Haramain Train will have stations in Makkah, Madina, Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh and King Abdul Aziz International Airport. It will reduce travel time between Makkah and Jeddah to less than half-an-hour and between Madina and Jeddah to less than two hours.
Crown Prince Naif greets the people on arrival at Imam Muhammad bin Saud University in Riyadh to open the symposium. By ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 28, 2011 01:31 Updated: Dec 28, 2011 01:31
RIYADH: Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and ministerof interior, opened a symposium on "Salafism: A Shariah approach and a national demand," organized by the Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University here Tuesday and commended its objectives.
Prince Naif said Saudi Arabia would continue to follow the Salafist ideology and denounced those who create doubts about this moderate Islamic ideology and link it with terrorism and extremism.
"Salafism is rooted in the Qur'an and Sunnah and calls for peaceful coexistence with other faith communities and for respecting their rights," the crown prince said. "We have to stand united against those who launch smear campaigns on Salafism."
He also laid the cornerstone for a number of educational projects worth SR2.3 billion at the university.
Suleiman Abalkhail, president of the university, thanked Prince Naif for opening the event.
"The Kingdom is based on the moderate Salafi ideology," he said, adding that the Saudi government has been following the teachings of Islam in all its affairs and relations.
He said more than 100 religious experts from around the world would take part in the symposium to discuss 120 research papers on seven core subjects.
This seminar aims to achieve several goals such as shedding light on the doctrinal teachings of the Salafist movement, clear misconceptions about Salafism, clarify theroots of Saudi government regulations and its rightful principles and lastly provide a clear idea about Islam's approach toward non-Muslims.
The core subjects include Salafism, an approach pursued by the state since its foundation and its connection to Islam; misconceptions about the Salafi approach; the Salafi approach and its connection with the modern religious discourse, the relationship between the Saudi stateand the Salafi approach in terms of originality and application; and the link between the Salafi approach and school curricula.
First phase of Makkah project to be ready in four years
Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar shakes hands with Suleiman Al-Harbi, chairman of Duroub Development Co., after signing
the agreement in the presence of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. (AN photo by Ahmed Hashad)
By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 29, 2011 00:56 Updated: Dec 29, 2011 00:56
MAKKAH: The first phase of a massive project to develop Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah will be completed within four years, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal announced on Wednesday.
"The completion of the first phase will coincide with the completion of the new Haram expansion project," the governor said while presiding over a meeting of the executive committee of the Development Authority for Makkah and the Holy Sites.
He said the giant Makkah development project would change the face of the holy city by setting up an integrated transport system including trams and ring roads and developing underdeveloped residential districts in various parts of the city.
The meeting discussed executive measures to implement various projects and how to remove the obstacles facing some projects. Prince Khaled said the King Abdullah project would bring about an unprecedented development of Makkah and the holy sites.
More than 7,000 real estate units will be acquired and demolished in Makkah in 2012 to make way for the expansion of the Grand Mosque and the development of the holy city.
"About 3,000 of these new units worth more than SR40 billion will be appropriated as part of the King Abdullah project," said Mansour Abu Rayyash, chairman of the real estate committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said another 4,000 houses would be demolished for the construction of the parallel road from the western side of the Grand Mosque. "About 1,300 real estate units will be demolished after their value is evaluated for the construction of the second ring road while the remaining 2,700 houses will be demolished to make way for the first ring road and other development projects," he said.
Abu Rayyash explained real estate units that would be seized for the second ring road were those lying at the extension of the road joining the Al-Biban area and Al-Kaaki bakeries. "The real estate in this area is very expensive and the value of the houses may range from SR15 billion to SR20 billion," he said.
Meanwhile, Prince Khaled presided over the signing of an agreement between Al-Balad Al-Amin Co. and Duroub Development Co. for the development of the old path to the holy sites. It is part of the project for the development of the holy sites.
The project includes construction of shopping centers, prayer places, public toilets, medical services, car parks and other support services. "The new project will provide excellent service facilities in Mina and Aziziya and contribute to sustainable development," said Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar, who is also chairman of Al-Balad Al-Amin, adding that the project would cost about SR6 billion. "This is the first joint project between Al-Balad Al-Amin and the private sector," he said.
Action sought against violators of Haj traffic plan
Transportation of millions of pilgrims during the peak days of Haj poses a logistics nightmare for the Saudi authorities.
By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 30, 2011 01:13 Updated: Dec 30, 2011 01:13
MAKKAH: The National Committee for Haj and Umrah and the Traffic Department in Makkah have urged the Ministry of Haj to take stringent punitive measures against Haj tour operators and transport companies that violate the traffic plan put in place for them.
Field inspections teams had detected violations of traffic rules and regulations by a number of these companies during the past Haj seasons.
They said traffic violations would be calculated using a points-based system while evaluations of the performance of each Haj service company and establishment would be carried out by the ministry at the end of every pilgrimage season.
Senior officials of the committee and the traffic department called for these measures at a function held on Wednesday to honor the special working team tasked to organize buses carrying domestic pilgrims to the parking areas of Arafat through designated tunnels during the last Haj.
Speaking on the occasion, Ziyad Farsi, member of the board of directors of Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and spokesman of the committee, said the first experiment carried out by the committee in coordination with the traffic department to facilitate the smooth movement of buses carrying domestic pilgrims through the designated routes was a great success.
"There were some small hitches that are usual for any project when it is being implemented for the first time. The chamber and the traffic committee are determined to eliminate these over the coming years and thus achieve higher performance results," he said.
Farsi reiterated the determination of the committee to further improve the services being extended to the guests of Allah in coordination with the Ministry of Haj and concerned agencies including the traffic department.
Saad Al-Qurashi, chairman of the committee, said the experiment was conducted through Road No. 4 in Arafat and the road leading to the Haram through the tunnels. "The experiment that aimed to ensure the smooth movement of domestic Haj pilgrims will be implemented during the forthcoming Umrah season also," he said.
Abdul Qadir Jabarty, deputy chairman of the committee, stressed the need for the ministry to take penal action against those Haj transport companies that are found violating traffic regulations and obstructing the smooth flow of traffic during the pilgrimage.
"Taking punitive measures by handing out points for violations would serve as a deterrent for Haj transport companies to strictly adhere to the traffic plan assigned to them," he said.
Addressing the gathering, Col. Mishaal Maghrabi, director of the traffic department in Makkah, underlined the need for working out a comprehensive mechanism in coordination with all concerned departments and agencies to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims.
"This mechanism should be in place well before the Haj season after learning the lessons from the shortcomings that occurred during the previous season and taking remedial measures. Some domestic Haj service firms and companies violate the traffic plan designed for them without taking into account public interests," he said.
Maghrabi attributed their behavior to their belief that they would not be penalized. "It is unfortunate that most of the firms that commit violations of traffic regulations are from outside Makkah. This requires the strong intervention of the ministry to take stringent punitive measures against violators," he said.
In his speech, Ibrahim Al-Jabri, director general of the general department for domestic pilgrims at the ministry, said the National Committee for Haj and Umrah has been playing an active role in improving the services rendered to pilgrims, especially in making the traffic plan a great success.
"The ministry has all the administrative facilities and monitoring committees to detect any violations in Haj operations. The ministry is currently working on verifying reports about those companies that had allegedly violated the regulations before referring their cases to the concerned committee so that appropriate penal action can be taken against them," he said, adding that there has been a substantial improvement in the performance of domestic Haj service companies over the last few years.
The ministry is exerting every effort to force them to further improve their services for pilgrims in coordination with concerned agencies and departments, he pointed out.
Al-Jabri said an announcement with regard to the establishment of the Coordination Council for Haj Work will be made within the coming few days. The council will be comprised of representatives from both the public and private sectors.
In another development, Adnan Shafi, secretary general of the commerce chamber, said the MCCI had opened for the first time two of its outlets at the office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Mina and Arafat during the last Haj season.
"These offices extended services such as attestation of documents and subscription services for its members during Haj. The offices had also prepared questionnaires and distributed them among domestic Haj service companies and establishments as well as pilgrims," he said
He added the questionnaire focused on their observations about the functioning of the Makkah chamber and the required services and facilities to be introduced by the chamber for the private sector as well as pilgrims during the coming Haj and Umrah seasons.
Adnan Shafi said the outcome of the questionnaire was encouraging. "Respondents have stressed the need for continuing similar services for the next Haj seasons also. They also called for carrying out studies to solve problems facing Haj service providers as well as to expand the chamber's activities covering all parts of the holy city," he said.
Adnan Shafi noted that domestic Haj service firms in their replies to the questionnaire urged the chamber to conduct training courses for their staff members as well as for all those taking part in the Haj operations to enable them to be well-versed in major languages spoken by a large number of pilgrims such as English, Urdu, Persian, French and Indonesian.
Davutoglu said that it was the only Turkish-Ottoman masterpiece in Kaaba(meaning Masjid al Haram), adding that Turkey was monitoring the matter.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Ottoman Porte in Kaaba, sacred site of Islam in Mecca, Saudi Arabia would be preserved.
Answering a parliamentary question, Davutoglu recalled that he had a meeting with Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Saud al-Faysal bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud in Rabat on November 15, 2011 and quoted Saud as saying that Ottoman Porte in Kaaba would be preserved.
Davutoglu said that it was the only Turkish-Ottoman masterpiece in Kaaba, adding that Turkey was monitoring the matter.
Wolffkran and its partner in Saudi Arabia, the Roots Group, have sold 44 tower cranes for work on the enlargement of the holy city of Mecca.
The town is currently undergoing a massive growth spurt, mostly for large hotel complexes, as it attempts to keep up with the demand from the ever growing number of pilgrims that visit each year.
The al-Haram mosque is currently surrounded by a tower cranes, almost blocking a clear view of the Kaaba from some directions. The first phase of the project for the cranes involved 20 Wolff 355B luffing jib models.
A view of Mecca with one of the Wolffkran cranes
The fact that the project is located on holy ground posed some challenges for the Wolffkran erection crew. German technicians were not permited on the premises and therefore had to pre-assemble the cranes outside of the city and ensure that enough Muslim erectors were trained to sufficient skill levels to carry out all of the work on site.
The second phase of construction includes a mix of luffers and saddle jib cranes. The 44 cranes will be in place until late 2012.
One of the Wolffkran 355B luffing jib cranes in Mecca
One of the highest parts of the a major project, to the south of the mosque, is a massive hotel complex – with the Mecca Royal clock tower at its centre, which will top-out at over 600 metres high. The tower will be the highest building in Saudi Arabia and the second highest in the world, after the 828 metre Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Fajr: Farooq Hadhrawi
Zuhr: Muhammad Muadhin
Asr: Ahmed Koja
Maghrib: Towfiq Koja
Esha: Farooq Hadhrawi
Sunday
Fajr: Asim Ali Khan
Zuhr: Majid Abbas
Asr: Ahmed Nuhas
Maghrib: Ali Mullah
Esha: Ahmed Basnawi
Monday
Fajr: Muhammad Maaroof
Zuhr: Farooq Hadhrawi
Asr: Asim Ali Khan
Maghrib: Ahmed Koja
Esha: Majid Abbas
Tuesday
Fajr: Towfiq Koja
Zuhr: Ahmed Basnawi
Asr: Muhammad Shakir
Maghrib: Muhammad Maarof
Esha: Muhammad Shakir
Wednesday
Fajr: Majid Abbas
Zuhr: Muhammad Maaroof
Asr: To Be Confirmed *
Maghrib: Naif Fayda
Esha: Asim Ali Khan
Thursday
Fajr: Ahmed Koja
Zuhr: Naif Fayda
Asr: Asim Ali Khan
Maghrib: Farooq Hadhrawi
Esha: Ali Mullah
Friday
Fajr: Ali Mullah
Jumah: Random
Asr: Muhammad Maaroof
Maghrib: Ahmed Nuhas
Esha: Naif Fayda
Full Names Of Muadhins:
Sheikh Ali Ahmed Mulla
Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf
Sheikh Mohammed Ali Shaker
Sheikh Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan Al-AlAbbas
Sheikh Majid Ibrahim Al-AlAbbas
Sheikh Farouk Abdulrahman Hadrawi
Sheikh Muhammad Siraj Maaroof
Sheikh Naif bin Salih Wa'dhudeen
Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Basnawi
Sheikh Tawfeeq Abdul Hafeeth Khouj
Sheikh Isam bin Ali Hasan Khan
Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali Hasan Nuhas
Sheikh Ahmed bin Yunus Ishaq Hauja
Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Assad Reese
A Web grab from the YouTube video clip shows the skillfull moves of the Grand Mosques' cleaners while performing their job.
By SULTAN AL-TAMIMI |ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 30, 2011 23:58 Updated: Dec 30, 2011 23:58
JEDDAH: A YouTube user uploaded video clip showing Makkah's Grand Mosque cleaners in synchronized moves during a routine cleaning around the Holy Kabba.
The clip received almost 60,000 views and tons of praises. The nearly one and half minutes clip evoked people's admirations and praises due to the cleaners' skillful and precise movements while doing their work.
"I have seen this with my own eyes during my visit to Makkah for Umrah. The Haram's floor is always shiny because of their cleaning," one commented on the video. Another commented, "This is great! I wish I was there to help clean the Haram like they do."
Saudi local papers pointed out that, people's admiration of the cleaners' work stems from the fact that around Kabba it is always crowded, which would make it hard sometimes for them to clean the floor and finish on time; without delaying impending prayers or crowding pilgrims and visitors over the grounds of the Grand Mosque.
"That were pretty fast! They do this all the time? Mashallah," one commented.
On Twitter, the YouTube clip was tweeted and retweeted several times to more people from all around the world.
"Watch how around Kabba in Haram the floors are cleaned, and it's done in minutes!" one user tweeted. Another tweeted, "This must be one of the coolest things, I have seen on YouTube, good job."
Many others shared the link on their Facebook walls and timelines. The clip was reportedly also popular with Web bloggers who wondered if such phenomenal appearance can be found anywhere else around the world, and if this is indeed unique to Makkah's Haram.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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