Makkah News and Updates

25 October 2012

Millions of pilgrims streamed down the Mount of Arafat with the sunset on Thursday, heading to Muzdalifah, after carrying out the main hajj ritual by spending the whole day on Arafat.

In Muzdalifah, which is located between Mina and Arafat, the pilgrims will collect pebbles, to be used the following day to hurl at three large walls representing Satan at al-Jamarat Bridge, between Mecca and Mina.

The symbolic “stoning of the devil” is followed by the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a lamb.

During the remaining three days of the hajj, the pilgrims continue the stoning ritual before performing the circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba in Mecca and heading home.

Saudi authorities said that some 3.4 million Muslims from more than 300 nations were performing hajj this year. More than 100,000 members of the security and civil defense forces have been deployed to ensure the safety of the pilgrims, while some 3,000 CCTV cameras have been installed across hajj sites.

Each able-bodied Muslim is required to make the hajj once in a lifetime, as it is one of Islam’s five pillars. All male pilgrims must wear seamless white garments of terrycloth and seamless shoes to show the equality among Muslims.

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and its ruling monarchy derives much of its legitimacy from its guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites. Saudi Arabia’s king is formally titled Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Thousands of tents were pitched alongside the main roads to Mount Arafat since early Thursday. As the sun rose, pilgrims were still streaming in and others who had already secured their spot were sleeping in tents or on slabs of rock.

“It’s impressive to see the amount of people from all backgrounds asking Allah for forgiveness,” Babacar Diagne, 47, a Canadian originally from Senegal in West Africa, told Reuters. He looked down the mountain towards a sea of people all dressed in simple white robes.

“The atmosphere is excellent. I spent the time in prayers and asking for God’s forgiveness,” Hamada Awad Metwally, an Egyptian, told AFP. “I have come to Mount Arafat early in the morning and now I am walking to Muzdalifah,” he said.

Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars in recent years improving hajj infrastructure to avoid of stampedes and accidents.

Hundreds of cameras and other monitoring devices are fixed around the main sites of the hajj, including the Grand Mosque, Mount Arafat and al-Jamarat Bridge, to monitor crowd levels.

“We’re using technology that allows us to take the right decisions at the right time,” said Mansour al-Turki, the Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman.

“If we notice that the number of pilgrims is increasing in one area we can take preventive measures so that the intensity doesn't grow in a way that harms the pilgrims.”

At al-Jamarat Bridge, the authorities built extensive new facilities to ease the flow of pilgrims seeking to hurl pebbles at three pillars representing the devil.

They replaced the pillars with long walls and built a multi-story bridge around them, creating far more space for the pilgrims to stand on the bridge levels and perform the rite.

Meanwhile, Fahad Abu Tarboush, General Manager of the so-called Rituals Train, was quoted by AFP as saying that the train “is operating in its full capacity this year, which is 17 trains in both ways.” He explained that the train started working at 9:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Wednesday, transferring pilgrims to Arafat, until 10:00 am (0700 GMT) on Thursday.

At 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) Thursday, the train started transferring pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifah; a process that is likely to continue until the early hours of Friday. “More than 540,000 pilgrims are being transferred by the train” on Thursday, he said.

Abu Tarboush expected that around 1.5 million pilgrims will benefit from the train during the 3 following devil-stoning days– known as the ‘Days of Tashreeq’.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...25/245936.html

 

26 October 2012

Pilgrims raised rebel flags as the hajj reached its climax near Mecca on Thursday, despite a call from Saudi Arabia’s top cleric for the annual Islamic pilgrimage to be free from nationalist sentiment and Muslim infighting.

This year’s hajj takes place against a backdrop of divisions among Muslims, as Shiite Iran and Sunni countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey back opposing sides in Syria’s civil war.

“My parents asked me to pray for God to bring peace, stability and safety to Syria,” said Musa al-Ali, 38, a Syrian man living in Riyadh. “I hope death is brought to a halt in Syria.”

Nearly three million Muslims stood at Mount Arafat in western Saudi Arabia on Thursday in the most important ritual of the hajj. Most had spent the night at nearby Mina.

The message of the Grand Mufti, the most senior Saudi cleric, echoed comments by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who urged Islamic solidarity during the pilgrimage.

In 1987, hundreds of Iranian pilgrims died in clashes with Saudi security forces after protests.

“We want the call of the faithful, not a factional one. Avoid raising national and factional slogans,” the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said in his sermon in the Grand Mosque.

He said Muslim leaders were responsible for the well-being of their people and should resolve problems through religious teaching, not violence.

In his hajj message, Ayatollah Khamenei warned that bloodshed in Syria could spill across borders in the Middle East. Iran accuses Turkey and Gulf Arab states of fuelling the Syrian conflict by supporting rebels.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...26/246025.html

Friday, 26 October 2012

Muslim worshipers around the world gather at mosques to mark the beginning of the four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on Friday.

Eid al-Adha -- the Feast of Sacrifice -- is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim Calendar. It includes the pilgrimage to holy city of Mecca, known as “Haj”, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and is supposed to be undertaken by every Muslim who can afford to do so.

The holiday commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son Ismael.

Muslims worldwide traditionally slaughter a four legged animal in commemoration. The meat is then distributed amongst the family and neighbors as well as the poor and needy.

But before the slaughter, men, women and children alike flock to mosques around the country to take part in the prayers.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hosted officials for holiday prayers at the presidential compound and later laid a wreath on the grave of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

“The upcoming month, November, we will go to the United Nations to get an observer state status so things can be clear. After this we can see what's next," Abbas told reporters after prayer.

Prayers in the Hamas-run and sanctions-hit Gaza Strip were attended by the Islamist-group’s leader Ismail Haniyeh who’s preaching reaffirmed unity between all Palestinians.

In neighboring Egypt, hundreds of Muslims gathered at Cairo’s Mostafa Mahmoud mosque to attend Eid prayers.

People in the crowd wished everybody a happy Eid and hoped that president Mursi’s presidency would be successful.

“We are 91 million people and I wish that we can all move to the same rhythm and heartbeat. I want to wish all the Egyptian people a happy Eid and on the forefront, his Excellency President Mohamed Mursi, a happy Eid to him as well,” said Abdel Kereem Fahmy.

Indonesians, who make one of the largest Muslim population in the world, marked the holy occasion with prayers that conflict in the Middle East to end.

“I hope Muslims in Syria can stop the civil war, that’s already suffered thousands of civilian casualties. Let’s make peace in this Eid al- Adha, the Holy day,” said Ahmad Jais, who came to pray at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Grand Mosque.

Despite the agreed ceasefire by both Syrian opposition and government, activists reported that least eight people were killed in the country.

Muslims in the Philippines were also highly charged when around 1,000 Filipino Muslims gathered in Rizal Park in downtown Manila past sunrise, despite rain showers, and joined prayers led by an imam.

Muslims from Manila, including Imam Ahmad Javier who converted from Christianity, expressed optimism about the peace framework agreement signed between the government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group last week.

The pact raises prospects of an end to a 40-year-conflict that has killed 120,000 people and displaced 2 million.

“There’s a lot of hope. Of course, this [peace agreement] has been long awaited, and it’s gaining some clarity. So Muslims are continuing to pray for the success of the negotiations between the government and Muslims in Mindanao,” Imam Ahmad Javier said.

But in Bangladesh, Eid sentiments were apolitical and celebratory amid the hustle and the bustle as thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims filled the streets, ferry terminals and train stations on Friday to make it home in time for the Holy day of Eid al-Adha.

“To celebrate Eid festival I am going to my home, I bought a ticket but I could not get into that train. This one is also very crowded, it is impossible for me to take this train, it is just hopeless. But I must find another way to go home. Let me see what I can do,” said Sahana Begum, a female passenger.

Eid al-Adha, the second largest religious festival for Muslims, will be celebrated across the world on Saturday.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...26/246034.html

26 October 2012

Millions of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia on Friday furiously cast pebbles in a symbolic stoning of the devil, carrying out a final rite of hajj, as Muslims around the world celebrated the start of Islam’s biggest holiday, the Feast of Sacrifice.

Chanting “Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest),” worshippers from 189 countries advanced in waves around Jamrat al-Aqaba, the largest of three adjacent pillars, in the rite that will continue at least until Saturday.

Though pilgrims will repeat the stoning ritual for at least two more days, they could now call themselves “hajjis,” referring to those who have done the pilgrimage.

Malik Evangelatos, from Ukiah, Calif., said the experience felt “wonderful, satisfying and humbling.”

Evangelatos, who converted to Islam six years ago, said the simple pilgrim’s garment that he had worn the past few days helped him “see the bigger picture in life and go back changed, happy and appreciative.” For him, the hajj brought a chance to be truly equal regardless of ethnicity or race.

“It has probably been the highlight of my life outside of getting married and having a baby,” he said. “You feel an emotional release. It is something that is not recreated anywhere else in the world.”

For the stoning ritual, the 3.4 million pilgrims from around the world filed in crowds through a multi-level structure housing the walls symbolizing the devil in the desert valley of Mina, outside the holy city of Mecca.

The ritual is an emulation of Ibrahim’s stoning of the devil at the three spots where he is said to have appeared trying to dissuade him from obeying God’s order to sacrifice his son, Ismael.

“I managed to throw pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba early in the morning when the place wasn’t so crowded,” 47-year-old Malaysian Abdullah Noor told AFP.

“My feelings are a mixture of happiness and sadness. I’m happy because I managed to reach this holy land -- a dream I have had for years,” he said. “But I’m sad because I couldn’t bring my family with me.”

Daud Baev, a 65-year-old Kazakh, said: “This is the time to atone for the sins committed over the years.”

The structure of ramps maintains traffic flow, moving pilgrims on four levels past the walls, as they throw seven pebbles at each. Some have criticized the nearly kilometer-long (0.6 mile) cement structure, which resembles a mega parking garage with escalators, saying it detracts from the simplicity and spiritual aspect of hajj.

But the facility protects lives, Hajj Ministry Director General Amin Fatani, told The Associated Press.

“The life of a hajji is precious to the government and their safety comes first,” Fatani said. “If we leave hajj the way we had it been before, there will be a catastrophe from the first day.”

On Friday, Muslims marked the holiday, known in Arabic as Eid al-Adha, commemorating what Muslims believe was Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of his faith from God.

Around the world, Muslims slaughtered lambs, sheep and other livestock in remembrance, giving the meat to the poor. At Mina, pilgrims purchased tokens to have a sheep slaughtered at nearby slaughterhouses.

The day of stoning marked an exhausting trek for pilgrims between the string of ritual sites strung across the desert outside Mecca. They spent the day Thursday at Mount Arafat in a day of contemplation and prayers to wipe away past sins. Then overnight, they went to the nearby plain of Muzdalifah to collect the pebbles they would use in the stoning ritual before heading to Mina by the morning.

After they stone the pillars, pilgrims end their Ihram by shaving or cutting their hair for men while women trim the length of a finger-tip from one strand of hair.

Ihram is a state in which pilgrims wear special clothing -- two-piece white seamless garments for men and any loose dress for women, who completely cover themselves except for their hands and faces.

Pilgrims then change back into normal clothing from white shrouds that symbolize the resurrection.

Between the movements, many also went back into Mecca to again circumambulate the Holy Kaaba, toward which Muslims pray every day – Islam’s holiest site.

Tunisian pharmacist Ahlam Zahar said she teared up seeing the sheer number of people praying in unison as she approached the Kaaba late Thursday before coming to Mina for the stoning on Friday.

“Hajj needs energy and concentration,” she said. “It’s really hard under the heat.”

For most pilgrims coming from poorer Muslim nations, it is common to sleep in the streets and walk the trajectory among the sites, a distance of around 30 kilometers (19 miles). Many have children or elderly relatives with them.

“I envy them,” Ahmed Fahmy said of those enduring the difficult trek. “These people are following the footsteps of the Prophet (Mohammed). They could manage to get rides, but they exhaust themselves for the bigger reward with Allah.”

Fahmy, the general manager of the Cairo-based Islamic Huda TV, said this was his 11th hajj to complete. Despite feeling tired afterward, the reward of the pilgrimage is in the hardship one faces, he said.

“You feel obedient to Allah,” Fahmy said. “I feel like it’s something that is entirely for the pleasure of Allah.”

Red Crescent and civil defense helicopters have been overflying the area since the early morning.

“God is greatest, God is greatest, no God but Allah,” bellowed loudspeakers in Mina as pilgrims repeated the words.

The stay in Mina used to mark the most dangerous phase of the hajj for the Saudi authorities.

In past years, tents have been fire-proofed and gas canisters and cooking are now banned in the camps. The stoning area has also been expanded to avoid overcrowding.

Saudi authorities have built a five-level structure around the three sites, allowing for a smooth flow of pilgrims.

According to the authorities, 168,000 police officers and civil defense personnel were mobilized for the hajj this year.

For this year’s devil-stoning, the authorities organized specific times of day for each group of pilgrims to carry out the ritual.

Interior ministry spokesman Mansur al-Turki told AFP on Friday that so far “hajj has passed normally and in good manner,” with no incidents reported.

Health ministry spokesman Khaled Mirghalani also said “no outbreak” of any illness had been recorded at the pilgrimage.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...26/246096.html

Pilgrims stone Jamrat Al-Aqaba

with remarkable ease

Mina, Dhu-AlHijjah 11, 1433, Oct 27, 2012, SPA -

The numbers of pilgrims in this year's Hajj season, 1433 AH, increased by 8% to register 3,161,573 pilgrims, the Director General of Statistics and Information Department Muhanna bin Abdulkareem Al-Muhanna has reported.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), he said that pilgrims included 64.3% males and 35.7% females.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1043586

Saturday 27 October 2012

Plans are afoot to set up moving walkways inside new tunnels at the holy sites to ensure quick and smooth flow of pilgrims, according to Habib Zain Al-Abidine, head of project development at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

“These moving walkways, which are similar to the ones at airports, will be available for service during next Haj season,” he said. It will be made available at pedestrian tunnels with a length of total six km.

He said the new tunnels would have open areas covered by fire-resistant sunshades. A single walkway will have a length of 3,000 meters. Zain Al-Abidine said the new project to link Shuaibin with the fourth level of the Jamrat Bridge includes construction of tunnels and flyovers with a length of six km.

“We are going to construct pedestrian tunnels with a width of 16 meters for the first time,” he said, adding that the new facility would benefit 600,000 pilgrims living in Muaisem and Shuaibin.

He said a small 350-meter tunnel, with a width of 16 meters, is under construction to transport pilgrims directly from Aziziya to Jamrat. This project will be ready within seven months.

He said the new plan to construct buildings on northern Mina mountains would create space for 1.5 million pilgrims. “The northern track of Mashair Railway will accommodate 550,000 Arab, African and Iranian pilgrims,” he said, adding that the project would be completed in 24 months.

http://www.arabnews.com/moving-walkw...-ease-haj-2013
27 October 2012 - 11 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

MINA — Plans are afoot to construct a 3,000-meter-long moving walkway next year to facilitate movement of pilgrims inside the holy sites, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Rural and Municipal Affairs.

Habib Zainul Abideen, who is in charge of the ministry’s development projects in the holy sites, said the walkway will be similar to the ones in major airports and will be built inside a pedestrian tunnel, Al-Watan newspaper reported Friday.

Currently, two vital projects are being implemented in the holy sites by the ministry: Al-Shi’aibain Tunnel, which will link Al-Shi’aibain area in Al-Moaisim neighborhood, close to Mina, with the third floor of Al-Jamarat Complex. The six-kilometer-long tunnel will serve 600,000 pilgrims who camp in the Al-Shi’aibain area.

The second project is a 350-meter-long tunnel, which will link Al-Aziziyah neighborhood, close to Mina, with Al-Jamarat Complex. The tunnel will save pilgrims the trouble of taking the current tunnel used by vehicles to reach Mina. “This project will finish in seven months,” Zainul Abideen said.

Regarding the construction projects in Mina, Zainul Abideen said the ministry has completed a study and sent it to the Makkah and Holy Sites Development Commission for approval.

“We have two feasible options: either we build two-floor tents or 12-floor buildings in the northern side of Mina,” he said.

The project will create additional space to accommodate 1.5 million more pilgrims, according to Zainul Abideen.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121027140930

Saturday 27 October 2012

MINA: Forty-two-year-old Haruna Sayibu is from Tamahel, Ghana. Basking in the bright afternoon sun here in the tent city on the third day of Haj, he was relaxed and exuded an air of spirituality.

“Ever since I came back from the Plain of Arafat, I am in a state of excitement. So many people, wearing the same clothes, reciting the same talbiyah, doing the same thing, imploring the same God, crying their hearts out … unbelievable,” he said.

“This is my first Haj and I had no idea about how powerful these symbols of Islam were. We saw on television what happens during Haj but television relays do not give you any idea about what is happening on the ground. The reality is totally different. It is when we come here we realize how fragile and insignificant we are. Just one speck on the vast plains of planet Earth,” he said.

Sayibu counts himself lucky in that “not many people in my country can afford to undertake this journey.” He said it costs quite a fortune.
“We come from an average country but when it comes to faith we are no less that any other Muslim,” he said.

“I will be treated like a celebrity when I go back to my town. I will have attained a new status. Every step that I take from now will be followed. There will be so much onus on me not to go astray. And then my village folks will come to me with all their problems, domestic and monetary. And then everybody will abide by what I will rule. This is how it is in my country. Haj puts a lot of responsibility on us,” he said.

Sayibu said he is saddened by the divisions that wrack the Muslim Ummah.
“I can’t understand why we can’t unite to take on our enemies. Remember that fable of a father with four sons. United we stand divided we fall. Our contribution to the 21st century world is minimal or non-existent. What have we given to the world? We have not even been able to project the right image of Islam. We are a quarrelsome community, and once every year we come together in this holy places to renew our faith. That is it,” he said a tinge of sadness.

He said there is a lot more to Haj than symbolism. “The message of Haj is unity. Not only on the plains of Arafat but beyond it as well,” he added.

http://www.arabnews.com/%E2%80%98i-w...-town%E2%80%99 Saturday 27 October 2012

JEDDAH: The government has announced a number of options including construction of a wall around the holy sites, deportation and fining of violators and provision of low-cost Haj services to reduce the number of illegal pilgrims. The move comes after reports that more than 500,000 undocumented pilgrims performed Haj this year, despite the campaigns to discourage Haj without permits.

According to a report carried by Al-Eqtisadiah business daily, a consultancy house would study prospects of cutting down charges of domestic Haj service agents.

Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Ahmed has instructed the Haj Ministry to take measures to reduce charges imposed on domestic pilgrims.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, chairman of the Central Haj Committee, warned that the government would think of deporting illegal pilgrims as a majority of them are expatriate workers in the Kingdom. He also ordered an investigation into an incident where 36 pilgrims where injured when undocumented pilgrims rushed into a railway station and caused train services to be delayed.

Haj Minister Bandar Hajar said among the 230 licensed domestic Haj agencies, only 19 offered low-cost services with their prices ranging between SR 1,900 and SR 3,900.

The ministry later learned that these 19 agencies accommodated only 30,000 pilgrims. The ministry then licensed 17 more companies that helped 3,000 more pilgrims to perform Haj charging lower prices.

Deputy Makkah Gov. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khodairy disclosed that the higher authorities have approved the plan to build a wall around the holy sites, adding that experts are currently studying the project.

http://www.arabnews.com/government-w...-illegal-hajis
Saturday 27 October 2012

MINA: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah stressed the duty of the security forces to guard the Kingdom against any enemies’ attempt to disrupt its unity and stability, especially when the region is passing through a troublesome time.

“You are our nation’s shield after Allah. No doubt, you are aware of the state through which our region is passing currently. The Ummah’s enemies are waiting in ambush for your nation. They have no other goal but to disrupt our nation’s safety and unity, which were achieved with the struggles of King Abdul Aziz and your forefathers, may Allah be pleased with them,” the king, supreme commander of all military forces, told the commanders and officers of the security forces and scouts serving in this years’ Haj in a reception at the royal palace in Mina yesterday.

“Sedition is surrounding us from all sides, there is nothing to protect us from it except to standing firm, with total reliance on Allah, against any one who fancy to play with our country’s safety, unity and sovereignty,” the king said, reminding the armed forces their responsibility to rise up to their task.

The king also received princes, scholars and sheikhs including the grand mufti, guests from the Gulf Cooperation Council and ministers in the same function, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“I congratulate you and the people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al-Adha and pray to Almighty Allah to repeatedly shower more blessings on our country and the Muslim Ummah,” the king said.

All the guests greeted and congratulated the king on the occasion of the Eid Al-Adha.

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense; Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, chairman of the Central Haj Committee; and Interior Minister Prince Ahmed, chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, also attended the reception.

Speaking on the occasion, Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of the Public Security and chairman of the security committee, said security forces have been striving to fulfill their responsibility at the orders of the king and directives of the crown prince and instructions of the interior minister and the Makkah governor to ensure maximum safety and security to the pilgrims making their rites and movements smooth and comfortable.

“The Haj security forces and support forces have executed all the security plans prepared in advance and have succeeded in creating a safe environment for the millions of pilgrims to perform their rites comfortably,” Al-Qahtani said.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Ghalib Al-Johani, secretary-general of the Civil Defense Council, inspected the emergency arrangements including shelters and the center for coordination of emergency operations at Mina. Al-Johani expressed satisfaction at the arrangements that can handle any difficult situation.

Civil Defense is also distributing booklets of awareness programs about handling emergency situations in nine languages to pilgrims. They discuss briefly what the pilgrims should do in situations of flood, torrential rains, cyclone and falling rocks. The program also discusses hazards involved in using liquefied gas for cooking in tents and sleeping on pavements besides the precautions while they pass through pedestrian and motor tunnels and against sunstroke.

http://www.arabnews.com/king-abdulla...ecurity-forces

27 October 2012 - 11 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

MINA — A total of 443 sick pilgrims were assisted Thursday to travel to Arafat for the most important ritual of Haj, according to Dr. Ayman Yamani, Director of Mina Emergency Hospital and Supervisor of Medical Fleet for Assisting Sick Pilgrims to Perform Haj.

Of the sick pilgrims, 411 were from Makkah and 32 from Madinah.

“These sick pilgrims who were hospitalized in Makkah and Madinah were taken in a convoy composed of specially-equipped ambulances and accompanied by experienced healthcare professionals,” Yamani told Saudi Gazette.

Dr. Khalid Marghalani, the Health Ministry spokesman, said taking sick pilgrims to Haj has been a practice by his ministry for several years. “It goes in line with teachings of our religion, especially when it does not pose any harm or threat to the condition of the patient,” he said.

“This tradition stems from a moral responsibility to enable the sick pilgrims to complete the mission for which they came here. They came to the holy land after spending a lot of resources with the hope of fulfilling this lifetime dream, but for some reason or other, they fell sick, “ he added.

Saeeda Nzifar, a 40-year-old Indian pilgrim who underwent a heart surgery, expressed her extreme happiness for enabling her to go to Arafat.

The same feeling was shared by Muhammad Abil, an 80-year-old Pakistani who was hospitalized with some internal health problem.

Algerian Muhammad, who suffered from breathing difficulty, also expressed his joy after he was taken to Arafat.

While expressing their gratitude to the government of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, they prayed to Allah to profusely reward the good deeds.

Standing in Arafat on Dhul Hijjah 9 is the most important pillar of the pilgrimage, without which the Haj will not be valid. Some of the other remaining Haj rituals could be completed by proxy.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121027140928
27 October 2012 - 11 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

MAKKAH – Seven fake Haj service companies have been caught for violating regulations and cheating more than 1,000 pilgrims out of their money, according to Dr. Bandar Hajjar, Minister of Haj.

He said the ministry’s monitoring committees would continue to pay surprise visits to Tawafa establishments.

Dr. Al-Hajar was present physically in Arafat and Muzdalifah to ensure that the movement of pilgrims to Arafat and back to Mina went smoothly.

He gave his directives to concerned authorities within the ministry to see that all tasks are carried out according to the operational plan.

Over 250 committees were tasked with patrolling the streets and districts of Makkah to ensure that all pilgrims moved to Arafat and no one was left behind, Hajjar said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121027140929 27 October 2012 - 11 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

ARAFAT – Ibrahim Abdul Latif, who hails from the Maldives, has been performing Haj over the past 35 years. He has also sponsored 200 male and female pilgrims to perform Haj during this period.

Abdul Latif, who is in his 50s, performed his first Haj when he was a child. He came along with his father who was working for a Tawafa establishment in the Maldives. His father sponsored many a family to go to Makkah and perform one of the most important rituals in Islam.

Working with his father for several years, Abdul Latif acquired solid experience in the field and became the manger of his father’s establishment. “Every time I see the Grand Mosque, I can’t help but cry tears of joy. Makkah is one of the most breathtaking cities on the globe. Its holiness makes every stone-hearted person melt in awe.”

He lauded the gigantic efforts exerted daily to clean the Grand Mosque, saying that cleaning is done without causing inconvenience to any of the two million pilgrims in the complex.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121027140934

27 October 2012

Millions of Muslim pilgrims from all over the world, grouped by nationality, stoned the devil in Saudi Arabia's Mina valley on Saturday, as the hajj reached its final stages.

After stoning three walls symbolizing Satan in a rejection of sin and temptation, male pilgrims changed out of the seamless terrycloth robes of pilgrimage and shaved their heads, as a sign of renewal. Women - and those men who prefer not to undergo a complete shave - had a lock of hair clipped.

Security forces were heavily deployed in the stoning area and first aid teams remained on high alert around the three adjacent pillars representing Satan.

Men, women and children from 189 countries moved easily from one pillar to the next shouting "Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest)" as they hurled pebbles at the stone walls.

They walked in groups carrying their national flags so no members would get lost in the massive crowds.

As many prayed after and during the stoning, others were taking pictures on their mobile phones of themselves next to the pillars.

The photographing was criticized by members of the security forces who said through loudspeakers: "How are you people stoning Satan and taking pictures with him at the same time?"

Though pilgrims will repeat the stoning ritual for at least two more days, they could now call themselves "hajjis," referring to those who have done the pilgrimage.

Malik Evangelatos, from Ukiah, Calif., said the experience felt "wonderful, satisfying and humbling," according to AP.

Evangelatos, who converted to Islam six years ago, said the simple pilgrim's garment that he had worn the past few days helped him "see the bigger picture in life and go back changed, happy and appreciative." For him, the hajj brought a chance to be truly equal regardless of ethnicity or race.

"It has probably been the highlight of my life outside of getting married and having a baby," he said. "You feel an emotional release. It is something that is not recreated anywhere else in the world."


The ritual, which takes place in the kingdom's usually-deserted Mina valley and comes to life only during the annual hajj pilgrimage, began on Friday with the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday as the faithful began by stoning the largest pillar, Jamrat al-Aqaba.

Mina used to be the most dangerous phase of the hajj and the most problematic for the Saudi authorities, marred by deadly stampedes in the past as well as by fires in tent camps.

In the past few years, however, tents have been fire-proofed and gas canisters and cooking are now banned.

The stoning area has also been expanded to avoid overcrowding.

The Saudi authorities have built a five-level structure around the three stoning sites, allowing for a smooth flow of pilgrims who are only permitted to move in one direction throughout the area to prevent congestion.

The ritual is an emulation of Abraham's stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade the biblical patriarch from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son, Ishmael.

According to the authorities, 168,000 police officers and civil defense personnel were mobilized for this year's hajj. For the stoning, they organized specific times of day for groups of pilgrims to perform the ritual.

Over three million registered pilgrims are taking part in the rituals which will be over on Monday. Many pilgrims, however, conclude the pilgrimage on Sunday.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...27/246181.html

Sunday 28 October 2012

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday urged the United Nations to adopt a resolution condemning those states and groups that abuse divine religions and Prophets (peace be upon them).

Addressing a reception given to prominent personalities and heads of foreign Haj missions at Mina Palace, he urged Muslims to strengthen their unity. “Haj is a symbol of Islamic unity and solidarity,” he said.

“From the vicinity of Grand Mosque in Makkah, I demand a UN resolution that condemns any country or group that insults religions and prophets,” he said. “It is our duty and that of every Muslim to protect Islam and defend the Prophets.”

The king’s statement comes after a low-budget film produced in the US, “Innocence of Muslims,” triggered a wave of deadly anti-American violence last month across the Muslim world targeting US symbols ranging from embassies and schools to fast-food chains.

He highlighted the importance of a center for dialogue between Muslim sects (madahib), which he proposed during the emergency Islamic summit in Makkah last Ramadan.

“This center (in Riyadh) is not necessarily for reaching an agreement on matters related to the Islamic faith but for finding solutions for the division and achieve coexistence among the various sects without any intrigues,” he said.

King Abdullah stressed that such a center initiating dialogue between Muslim sects would benefit the Ummah, strengthening its unity.

The annual royal reception was attended by Malaysian King Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, President Professor Alpha Conde of Guinea; Indonesian Vice President Dr. Bodiono; Iraq’s Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi, Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Djibouti Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita.

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Interior Minister Prince Ahmed, chairman of Supreme Haj Committee, Professor Ekemeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council attended the ceremony.

In his keynote speech, King Abdullah highlighted the significance of Haj as a manifestation of Islamic unity as Muslim pilgrims from all over the world assemble in the holy sites, unifying their ranks and getting rid of their divisions.

The Saudi leader said the importance of dialogue between Muslims in order to strengthen moderation and end reasons of conflict and extremism. He called upon Muslim scholars and organizations to work for unity, without losing hope in God.

Later in a detailed message to the Islamic Ummah on the occasion of Haj, King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia would continue its efforts in the service of pilgrims to help them perform their religious rituals with ease.
He quoted a Hadith from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that “He who performs Haj, without committing obscenity, nor wickedness, will return home free of sins such as on the day he was born.”

King Abdullah congratulated Muslims all over the world on Eid Al-Adha. “From the holy sites of Mina and Arafat … I congratulate you and all of the Islamic nation, praying to Allah to accept Haj from all who came to this sacred House, and forgive all their sins, and to return them safely to their homelands, after Allah Almighty has honored them with the performance of the fifth pillar of Islam and the honor of standing in these sacred places, holding firmly to the guidance of the Holy Qur’an and Prophet’s Sunnah.”

The message continued: “Contemplating on the Haj and the pilgrims’ movement, makes me think deeply about the purpose of this rite and its meaning. On this blessed land where pilgrims repeats Talbiya and the praises of God, the meaning of monotheism is clearly manifested, as if Allah kept this sacred land to let the faithful renew their pledge toward Him, century after century, generation after generation, and year after year. Whenever the humanity deviates from the guidance of its Lord, we find in these sacred places, what makes humanity return to the right path.

“That makes the pilgrim forget everything in the mundane life, and respond to the Great Qur’anic call: “And proclaim to mankind the Haj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Haj).” (22:27) Soon the pilgrims responded to the call and arrived saying Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik.

“When pilgrims come to this holy land and circumambulate the Kaaba, make Saei between Safa and Marwa in the Holy House, ascend to Mina, stand on Arafat, and then move from Arafat to Muzdalifa and Mina, in a unique view of faith, leaving behind them their families, wealth, homes and their accustomed types of life, they pledge to Allah Almighty- the unity of faith, repeating the word of the unity of the creator: “Say: truly my prayer, And my service of sacrifice, My life and my death, Are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds’. No partner hath He: This am I commanded, And I am the first of those who submit to his will.” (6:162-163)

King Abdullah said: “Dear brothers and sisters, during Haj, the values of brotherhood and tolerance and the rejection of rancor appear clearly, since Allah wished the Muslim to lead a life which is an example of purity, and Haj reflects the above mentioned values, in submission to Allah’s Almighty saying in His Holy Qur’an:

“For Haj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Haj (2:197). Then come forgiveness and tolerance.

“All the atmosphere surrounding the pilgrims makes them feel that the mission of the true Muslim is to spread security and peace, not only with the human being, but also with birds, trees and stones. This ultimate aim to which a Muslim yearns, is to contribute to the reform of the earth and populate it.

On this blessed site, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) whom Allah sent as a mercy to mankind stood preaching pilgrims, explaining to them the sanctity of souls and property, and laid down the highest sense of brotherhood, saying:

“Oh people: Your blood and wealth are sacred to you such as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this country of yours. I have informed you and my lord stands as witness.”

King Abdullah continued: “Dear brothers and sisters, Haj has many lessons to consider, and many aims. And that provides a chance for the pilgrims who came from remote areas to devote themselves to Allah in order for them to return back home free of sins such as on the day they were born, and have been given a new chance to reform themselves and be useful members of their societies.

During Haj pilgrims show feelings of love and brotherhood. There is no difference between one language and another, nor between one race and another. The rich help the poor, and the strong help the weak. All hearts are united on one call to Allah, and the unity of the nation is achieved, so that the sublime social purpose, which Islam sought will be fulfilled:

“O mankind! We created You from a single (pair), Of a male and a female, And made you into Nations and tribes that Ye may know each other, Not that ye may despise, (Each other). Verily, The most honored of you, In the sight of Allah, Is (he who is) the most, Righteous of you, And Allah has full knowledge, And is well acquainted, (with all things) (49:13).

King Abdullah emphasized the importance of Islamic solidarity. “We are in dire need of true solidarity which maintains the unity of the nation, protects it from fragmentation, division, and prohibits the bloodletting which Allah has made sacred.

“Indeed this is the message of Haj which calls for unity of ranks and the rejection of fragmentation. We beseech Allah Almighty to help leaders of Muslim states for the good of our homeland and societies. We also call on Muslim leaders to fear Allah while dealing with their peoples and countries. We are responsible before Allah for our peoples and nation,” the king said.
“As renaissance and progress are achieved through prosperity and security, we Muslims, nowadays, are in dire need of dialogue with the others and ourselves, in order to put an end to dissent, ignorance, extremism and injustice which threaten the aspirations of Muslims.

Out of this vision, Saudi Arabia is still calling for dialogue between religions and cultures. It is following this path for the good of the Islamic nation and humanity as a whole.

The Kingdom, which Allah has honored to serve the two holy mosques, pilgrims and visitors, feels the great responsibility bestowed upon its shoulders and exerts every effort to achieve this mission to enable pilgrims to perform Haj in ease and comfort.

“Dear brothers and sisters, We pray to Allah Almighty to accept your righteous deeds, Haj, forgive your sins and to return you safely to your homelands. Once again, I renew congratulations to you on the blessed Eid Al-Adha and pray to Allah that it would bring greater progress, prosperity, security and stability to the Islamic nation.”

Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar spoke about the gigantic projects being implemented by the Saudi government to improve services to the millions of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah, including the massive expansions of the two holy mosques.

Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki commended the king for launching the largest expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque, adding that it would increase the mosque’s capacity to three million worshippers. Yemeni Minister of Endowments and Guidance Hamoud Muhammad Abbad, who spoke on behalf of the delegates, thanked Saudi Arabia for its services to pilgrims.

http://www.arabnews.com/king-urges-u...lting-prophets

Sunday 28 October 2012

Expatriates dominated the number of domestic pilgrims during the ongoing Haj, a statistical study published by the Central Department of Statistics and Information (CDSI) said yesterday.

“Conclusion of the data gathered by CDSI shows that expatriates of Egyptian, Pakistani, Indian, Yemeni, Sudanese and Bangladeshi nationalities dominated the number of domestic pilgrims in 2012,” Director General of the CDSI Mohanna Al-Mohanna said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency yesterday.

The number of pilgrims participating in the current Haj grew by eight percent pushing their total to 3.16 million compared to 3.12 million pilgrims last year.

Giving more details about the 1,752,932 pilgrims arrived from 107 foreign countries, Al-Mohanna said 951,806 pilgrims are males while 801,126 are women pilgrims.

Regarding the number of male and female pilgrims in the current pilgrimage he said, “While the number of women pilgrims accounted for 35.7 percent of the total pilgrims, 64.3 percent of the pilgrims are men.”

He said the study noted that 83.5 percent of the domestic pilgrims arrived on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the day of Arafat.

The study also observed that while 37.4 percent of the domestic pilgrims traveled on Al-Sharaei road, 30.6 percent used Jeddah expressway and 21.7 percent traveled on the Makkah-Madinah highway. Only 10.3 percent of the pilgrims went to Makkah on roads such as the southern, Taif-Makkah and old Jeddah-Makkah highways, Al-Mohanna said.

He said the statistical study in the present Haj is more precise compared to the past years because the study used the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) system, which provides direct and instant link with the CDSI’s main headquarters enabling faster analysis of data, Al-Mohanna said.

He said his department received vast cooperation from all the departments and agencies working in the field of pilgrim services because of the growing public awareness of the importance of statistical information in making present and future planning.

“The honor of the location and the glory of the time has helped us surmount all obstacles in the way of serving the guests of Allah,” he said.

The department, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Economy and Planning, collects data about the Haj annually.

http://www.arabnews.com/local-pilgrims-dominated-expats
Sunday 28 October 2012

During the last days of Haj, many pilgrims are confused about which day they perform Tawaf Al-Wada.

Questions arise about offering sacrifices, when to leave Mina and what time they should go to Jamrat.

Indian pilgrim Mostafa Jalal said he was told by a scholar that Tawaf Wada can be performed on Eid day.

This reporter told him this was an odd fatwa and that he might want to check again with that scholar.

I suggested he may have heard it wrong especially that the scholar consulted was following a madhab that believes Tawaf Wada (farewell tawaf) is the final ritual ever. He called the scholar back and got the same first answer.

We happened to perform Tawaf Efadha and Sai of Haj together. After we finished he wanted to do Tawaf again for Wada. I was not sure of the accuracy of the fatwa he was given, but I told him about the toll-free lines distributed around Holy Mosque. I said to him he won’t lose anything by asking one more time.

We took the stairs down to King Abdul Aziz Gate were I recalled seeing those telephones. But on the way we passed by a fatwa office with few people queueing outside.

I suggested that he meet the sheikh in person. It took less than three minutes until the sheikh in the office was done with people before us. I imagined that with the number of people asking for fatwas from this office, the sheikh would be impatient. But that was not the case as he was answering the last inquirer with humor.

Our turn came and we I asked the sheikh on the behalf of my friend as he could not speak Arabic. It turned out that Tawaf Wada should be the last ritual in Haj as I thought.

My Indian friend said I never thought I could get fatwa this fast and easy from the most crowded place in the most crowded time.

“I never imagined that scholar will be so easily accessible during Haj time,” he said. Saudis are not just providing the necessary infrastructure, but also the spiritual guidance. This truly is the cradle of Islam.

As we separated, I went back to my camp and looked at the website of the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques. It contained an electronic gate that provides numerous services for the Grand and the Prophet’s Mosques. From there you can get a free ticket to access the libraries inside the two holy mosques. They both contain huge libraries that provide books, CDs and cassettes.

http://www.arabnews.com/religious-sc...ilgrims-fatwas Sunday 28 October 2012

The Women’s department of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) in the Grand Mosque has been expanded with more officials with the aim of beefing up its efforts to prevent men and women mixing during the Haj season.

The recruited women, who are postgraduate degree holders, have also been trained to handle languages such Turkish, English and Urdu, some of the major languages spoken by Haj pilgrims, Al-Hayat daily reported quoting a reliable source at the Haia on Saturday.

The Haia give special emphasis on proficiency of the workers in foreign languages because a considerable number of the Haj pilgrims do not understand Arabic.

The three-week language proficiency programs organized by the Haia for its officials focused on the most commonly used words in the major languages, the source said.

Women officials have also been sent to attend programs to develop their supervisory skills and work pressure management at the women’s campus of the Umm Al-Qura University, the source added.

Spokesman of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Ahmed Al-Mansouri, said the Haia set up a women’s department to regulate women’s prayers inside the Grand Mosque.

The department also prevents women mixing with men and instruct the pilgrims to behave in a gentle manner especially when they are in a crowded environment. The department will be working not only in the Haj season but year-round.

He added that the number of its workers would be increased during the Haj season particularly on the days of throwing at the Jamrat and the Tawaf Al-Wida (farewell circumambulation).

He said their duties also included instructing women pilgrims to perform the sunnah prayer after the circumambulation of Kaaba at locations away from men behind the Maqam Ibrahim, not to sit on the steps of the mataf (area of circumambulation), escalators, staircases and gates to the Grand Mosque. Women must also restrict themselves at the locations marked for women.

Women guides at the Grand Mosque have been looking after the areas allocated for women inside the mosque besides supervising cleaning of prayer carpets and hygienic standard of toilets and the locations where Zamzam water is supplied to women.

Women officials also arranges the copies of the Holy Qur’an available at the women’s locations and arrange women worshippers in proper lines and discourage women who stand praying out side their special locations when the obligatory prayers start, the source said.

http://www.arabnews.com/women-haia-m...rce-mixing-ban