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#1861 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2013 01:00
Mataf expansion progress

20 February 2013





 
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#1862 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2013 16:51
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21516955

20 February 2013

Saudi Arabia king swears in first women on Shura Council

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has sworn in 30 women to the previously all-male Shura Council, seen by many as a major step in female participation in public life in the conservative kingdom.

It is the first time in country's history that women have been able to hold any political office.

The council advises the government on legislation and comprises 150 members.

Critics say the move is only symbolic, as the council cannot make laws and its members are all appointed by the king.

King Abdullah appeared on state television, welcoming the women at a swearing-in ceremony.

The monarch, seen as a proponent of gradual reform, has also granted women the right to vote and stand in the next municipal elections, scheduled for 2015.

Some Saudi clerics have criticised allowing women onto the Shura Council, saying it was against Sharia (Islamic law).

The king said he had consulted religious scholars, who had approved the move, before he made the appointments in January.

One of the new female council members, Thuraya al-Arrayed, told the BBC it could help reshape opinions of women among Saudis.

"I must say it's an historic occasion. I'm honoured to be part of it. If it works, if it is positive then it will change the attitudes that are still worrying about the participation of women.

"I'm not just talking about the Shura Council, I'm talking about the empowerment of women and their participation in the general affairs of the country," she said.

Despite the latest move, women still have little role in public life in the conservative state.

They are forbidden from driving, are currently excluded from holding high political office. They are also unable to travel without permission from a male guardian and may not mix with unrelated men.
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#1863 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2013 21:55
Mataf expansion progress

Demolition of minarets begin

by mohammed idrees - 21 February 2013







 
 
Reconstruction north part



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#1864 [Permalink] Posted on 21st February 2013 22:17






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#1865 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd February 2013 06:30





 
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#1866 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd February 2013 15:58
Demolition of minaret

22 Feb 2013 by mohammed idrees




 
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#1867 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd February 2013 21:36

Umrah Season 2013

Makkah

Madinah

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#1868 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd February 2013 21:38
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#1869 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd February 2013 21:40
 
 
8,000 Filipinos to perform Haj this year

Friday 22 February 2013

A total of 8,000 Filipinos will perform Haj this year, said Secretary Mehol K. Sadain of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) yesterday.

Sadain left the Kingdom on last night after a five-day visit to ensure all arrangements are in place for a smooth Haj this year.

“The Saudi Ministry of Haj granted our request for 8,000 visas for our pilgrims.

Last year, only 6,000 pilgrims came to perform Haj with a further 2,000 having requested visas,” said Sadain from Jeddah.

He added that there is a 12,000-visa quota for the Philippines.

Sadain led a five-member delegation to the Kingdom this year. He left on Thursday night due to his participation in peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The four other members of the delegation have remained in the Kingdom to complete preparations. They are commissioners Edilwasif Baddiri, Mirqarl Allian and Abang Marohom Salic and director Laman Piang. They are scheduled to leave the kingdom on Feb. 27.

Sadain said he was able to sign three of the five contracts needed for this year's Haj.

“These include the contract with the Ministry of Haj, a contract for Naqaba (transportation in Mina and Arafat), a contract for MOASASA which involves the provision of tents and food at Mina and Arafat and United Agents for transport from the airport to Madinah and from Madinah to Makkah,” he said.

He said the contracts with the Saudi Ministry of Haj and the housing provider were yet to be signed.

Sadain said that during his stay in the Kingdom, his delegation was able to visit the accommodations to be provided for the pilgrims.

http://www.arabnews.com/8000-filipinos-perform-haj-year
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#1870 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd February 2013 21:42
Makkah crash survivor
 
dubbed ‘Miracle Baby’

 
Thursday 21 February 2013

The 2-year-old survivor of the horrific road accident in Makkah that claimed the lives of his parents, grandfather and two other close relatives has returned home in South Wales.

A memorial service was held at the Jamia Mosque in Newport to remember the five members of the Welsh family who died in the car crash while on the pilgrimage to Makkah.

Shaukat Ali Hayat, 56; his wife Abida, 47; eldest son Mohammed Ishaq, 33; daughter Saira Zainab, 29; and Ishaq’s wife, Bilquees, 30; were killed when the taxi they were traveling in rammed into a concrete barrier on the busy Makkah-Jeddah Expressway.

Mohammed Eisa, son of Mohammed Ishaq and Bilquees, was the only survivor. He suffered a dislocated shoulder, broken arm and ribs. “How he survived is a miracle,” said Dr. Ibrahim Hayat, the boy’s great uncle.

Talking to Arab News from Newport yesterday, he said: “My brother (Eisa’s grandfather) grabbed him and held him in his arms so tight he took the brunt of the impact and died. I am told that if there had been a fly flying around in that car it would not have survived.”

According to eyewitnesses, Eisa’s feeble cries were heard among the wreckage before he was found cushioned in the arms of his grandfather. “What a miracle,” he said.

Ibrahim Hayat said there was an outpouring of love and affection from the entire community. “The memorial service was attended by top politicians, community representatives and elders, neighbors and people of all faiths,” he said. “That was very soothing and comforting, and has to some extent lessened our pain and anguish.”

He said the young survivor was showered with kisses and affection by all those who came to console us. “They hugged him and held him aloft; all eyes were on him,” he said. “The newspapers here have dubbed him ‘the miracle baby,’” he said.

All the five victims were buried in Madinah early this week. “My brother always felt very attached to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his city, and so it comes as some kind of a solace that he and others have their final resting place in Jannat-ul-Baqi,” said Ibrahim Hayat.

“My brother leaves behind two young daughters, one son and one grandson — I will be their legal guardian,” said Ibrahim Hayat who is very popular in the community as a general practitioner.

“It is not often that politicians are lost for words but today is one of those days. I speak as a mother and a grandmother and I’m here just to pay tribute to the fantastic community work done by the whole Hayat family,” said Rosemary Butler while speaking at the memorial service.

Jamia Mosque Secretary Abdul Rahman Mujahid said more than 1,000 people attended the memorial service to pay their respects to the family.

“All of us were closely following their heart-rending story through the newspapers and television and radio and so when the memorial service was held in our mosque, everyone came in,” Mujahid told Arab News on phone from Newport. “There were many poignant moments, and little one looked like an angel.”

http://www.arabnews.com/makkah-crash...-baby%E2%80%99
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#1871 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd February 2013 21:59
Mataf expansion progress
 
23 Feb 2013

Minarets demolition



minaret top part



construction north part





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#1872 [Permalink] Posted on 24th February 2013 14:28
 
 
Start work on the basis of the project
to raise the capacity of the Mataf


Expansion first phase in service during the next Ramadan


بدء العمل في وضع أساس مشروع رفع
 
الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف


السبت 23/02/2013
بدء العمل في وضع أساس مشروع رفع الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف
بدأت الشركة المنفذة لمشروع زيادة الطاقة الاستيعابية لمطاف المسجد الحرام في صب القواعد الخرسانية لوضع أساسات للمشروع الذي ستدخل المرحلة الاولى منه الخدمة خلال رمضان المقبل.

وتابعت «المدينة» الأعمال الجارية ميدانيًا حيث لم يعد بإمكان المعتمرين والزوار الطواف في الدور العلوي (الأول والثاني) كما هو المعتاد نظرًا لبدء الأعمال في الجزء الشرقي من التوسعة السعودية الأولى المحاذية للمسعى والجزء الشمالي المقابل لباب الفتح.

وأكد الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الشيخ الدكتور عبدالرحمن بن عبدالعزيز السديس فى تصريح لـ»المدينة» أن مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز لزيادة الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف؛ يتواصل بنجاح هذه الأيام لضمان الوفاء بالجدول الزمني المحدد للاستفادة من مخرجات المرحلة الاولى في موسمي رمضان والحج المقبلين، واكد أن أعمال الإزالة الحالية ستشمل الجزء الشرقي من التوسعة السعودية الأولى المحاذي للمسعى والجزء الشمالي المقابل لباب الفتح، كما ستشمل إزالة الجزء الشرقي الخرساني المكمل للرواق التاريخي والذي تم الانتهاء من إنشائه في عام ١٤٢٦هـ ضمن مشروع توسعة المطاف في الدور الثاني والسطح.

وبين السديس أنه ستتضح معالم المشروع بشكلٍ دقيق بعد اكتمال مرحلتيه الثانية والثالثة اللتين ستنفذان في عامي ١٤٣٥، ١٤٣٦هـ على التوالي، وذلك من خلال الإبقاء على الرواق العباسي في النواحي الشمالية والجنوبية والغربية بعد ترحيل الرواق الشرقي المتمم للرواق العباسي باتجاه الغرب لإفساح المجال لتوسعة مسار الطواف في الأدوار العليا، بالإضافة إلى تنزيل منسوب أرضيته إلى منسوب صحن الطواف لضمان الربط الأفقي الفعال بين صحن الطواف والقبو وانتهاءً بالساحات الخارجية.

وأوضح السديس أن المشروع سيحدث نقلة كبرى في الخدمات المقدمة لقاصدي المسجد الحرام، ولا يقتصر ذلك على مضاعفة أعداد الطائفين لثلاث مرات إذا ما اكتملت التوسعة في كل مراحلها بل يتجاوز ذلك إلى جودة وتنوع الخدمات التي سيوفرها، فضلًا عن تلبية الفراغات الداخلية ومسارات الطواف لكل المتطلبات الوظيفية والتشغيلية لكل المستخدمين بما في ذلك كبار السن وذوو الاحتياجات الخاصة من خلال منظومة حركة مستقلة ومتكاملة.

وردًا على سؤال لـ»المدينة» حول الجهود التي تبذلها الرئاسة للمعتمرين، قال السديس: إن الرئاسة وضعت خطتها لموسم العمرة ولا تتداخل مع خطة شهر رمضان المبارك الذي سيخصص له خطة مستقلة، مشيرًا إلي أن خطة هذا العام تعمل على تحقيق عدد من الأهداف من أهمها مساعدة المعتمرين على تأدية مناسكهم بكل سكينة.

وقال السديس إن الرئاسة حريصة على توفير خدمات التوجيه والإرشاد بالمسجد الحرام، مشيرا الى أن عدد المشاركين في تنفيذ الخطة يصل الى 4150 موظفا وعاملا، كما رحب بالملاحظات والاقتراحات سواء بإرسالها مباشرة للرئاسة أو عبر الفاكس المخصص لذلك (025739992) او عبر الموقع www.gph.gov.sa.

http://www.al-madina.com/node/435476...%A7%D9%81.html

Saturday, 23/02/2013

Google translation: The company began implementing a project to increase the capacity of the Mataf for the Grand Mosque in pouring concrete rules to establish the foundations for the project, which will enter the first phase of service during the next Ramadan.

She 'city' ongoing work on the ground can no longer pilgrims and visitors wandering upstairs (I and II) as usual, is due to start work in the eastern part of the first Saudi extension adjacent to the endeavor and the northern part corresponding to the door opening.

The President-General for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al Sudais in a statement »City» that the draft of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to increase the capacity of the destination for; continue successfully these days to ensure meeting the timetable set for the benefit of the output of the first stage in the seasonal Ramadan and Hajj next, and stressed that the work of removal Current will include the eastern part of the first Saudi extension adjacent to the endeavor and the northern part corresponding to the door opening, will also include removal of the eastern part concrete supplementing the portico historical and which were completed its inception in 1426 AH within expansion project up in the second round and the surface.

And between Sudais it will become clearer project milestones accurately after the completion of phases II and III, which Stnfman in Ami 1435.1436 e respectively, and by maintaining the hallway Abbasi of the northern and the southern and western after the deportation of the hallway eastern complement of the portico Abbasi westward to make room for the expansion path wandering in the upper floors, in addition to download floor level to the level of circumambulation bowl to ensure effective horizontal linkage between wandering dish and the cellar and the end of the foreign yards.

The Sudais that the project will happen major move in the services provided to Kasdi Grand Mosque, is not limited to double the number of Taivin to three times if completed expansion in all its stages, but extend to the quality and variety of services to be provided by, as well as meet the interior spaces and trails circling each functional requirements and operational for all users, including the elderly and those with special needs through the system independent and integrated movement.

In response to a question by »City» about the efforts of the presidency of the pilgrims, said Sudais: The Presidency and put its plan for the Umrah season and does not interfere with the plan month of Ramadan, which will be dedicated to him a separate plan, pointing out that the plan this year is working to achieve a number of goals from the most important help pilgrims perform their rituals in all tranquility.

Said Sudais The presidency is keen to provide guidance and counseling services Aqsa Mosque, noting that the number of participants in the implementation of the plan up to 4150 employees and workers, also welcomed the comments and suggestions, whether sent directly to the presidency or via fax allotted (025 739 992) or through the website www.gph. gov.sa.

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#1873 [Permalink] Posted on 24th February 2013 15:47
First phase of Mataf expansion will
 
complete before Ramadan

12 Rabi Al-Thani 1434/23 February 2013

The first phase of the ongoing expansion of the Mataf (area for circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba) at the Haram Mosque will be completed before the forthcoming Ramadan. The first phase involves eastern side of the Mataf, parallel to Masa’a (the running area between Safa and Marwa), Okaz Arabic daily reported quoting sources at the company implementing the project. There will be three phases for Mataf expansion.

At present, there are more than 4000 workers engaged in implementing the expansion project. The company has plans to double the number of workers to 8000 so as to complete the first phase within the stipulated period of time. The company will stop the work for nearly four months when the Haram Mosque will witness huge flow of Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan and the Haj season.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Khozaim, deputy head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said that the capacity of the Mataf will increase from 50,000 pilgrims per hour to 130,000 pilgrims when the expansion completed. The expansion works are undergoing in a way not affecting the current Umrah season. The domes of the Ottoman-era hallway on eastern section of the holy mosque have been removed weeks ago to make way for the expansion work. The Mataf expansion is being undertaken as part of the largest ever expansion of the Haram Mosque, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

Preliminary work for the expansion of the Mataf started on November 15 (Muharram 1, 1434) with the installation of huge cranes at the northeastern courtyard of the Haram Mosque. The expansion is being undertaken on the basis of a study prepared by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj and Umrah Studies. The study focuses on using the available space and potential of the mataf to the maximum while maintaining the architectural features of the Grand Mosque using advanced technology. According to the study, the mataf will be separated from prayer areas and it will be linked to different floors of the mosque and facilitate entrance to and exit from the mataf. It will also take care of the crowding at the entrances to the mataf and nearby passages and will also give direct access from the mataf to the Masa’a. The Mataf on the second and third floors will have cable cars to carry aged and disabled pilgrims and there will be direct access to these floors from outside. The topmost floor of the mataf will have automated walkway revolving around the Kaaba.

The study said the original mataf is a circle with a diameter of 95 meters. Muhammad Idris, who prepared the study, said the first Saudi expansion of the facility was undertaken 60 years ago and then roof was not made for prayers. He said factors such as the change in the level of ground water and impact of salt on the foundation and the shaking caused by the rock blasts for the nearby projects are affecting the mosque building’s strength. The study said many efforts have been made to strengthen the pillars of the building. The new project will also take steps to make the building tremor proof.

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency, stressed earlier that extensive studies have been undertaken to make sure that the quantity and quality of the water flowing into the well of Zamzam is not affected, in addition to avoiding any errors that could lead to environmental changes in the basin of the Valley of Ibrahim, as well as the surrounding area and near the well of Zamzam. Al-Sudais said during his inspection tour of the project that the measures taken by the Presidency toward the well of Zamzam coincide with the growing demand for water consumption of Zamzam. This goes hand in hand with the completion of the expansion project of the Grand Mosque and its surrounding squares. Al-Sudais also pointed out that the pumping tests and studies of the Zamzam water which were conducted before and after the implementation of the expansion project — under the follow-up and monitoring of the geological survey in coordination with the presidency — has a profound effect in reinforcing that there is no environmental impact in terms of water quality or flow rate at the cross section of valley with the expansion project. Al-Sudais requested the contractor of the project to double efforts to ensure the speedy completion of the work on the first phase of the expansion before the advent of the holy month of Ramadan in early July.

http://www.iinanews.com/en/index.php...before-ramadan
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#1874 [Permalink] Posted on 25th February 2013 04:35
Dramatic rise in Umrah arrivals


Prophet's Mosque

Monday 25 February 2013

The number of Umrah pilgrims who arrived in the Kingdom during the past three months reached more than 1.6 million, Haj Minister Dr. Bandar Hajjar said yesterday.

“We expect the arrival of a record number of Umrah pilgrims during this Ramadan,” the minister said, adding that the total number of Umrah pilgrims this year would exceed six million.

He said all government departments are working together to provide the necessary services to pilgrims. “We expect an increase of 500,000 pilgrims during this Umrah season compared to last year.”

He said the number of Umrah pilgrims increases by 10 to 20 percent every year.

Hajjar said the ministry arranged meetings with representatives of Haj missions in more than 70 countries to make early preparations for the upcoming Haj season. “These meetings are aimed at helping these Haj missions organize their pilgrims by educating them on Haj rituals,” the ministers said.

Egypt, Pakistan and Algeria were expected to send the highest number of pilgrims, according to figures given by Saudi missions abroad. The minister said the expansion of mataf (the circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) would not affect pilgrims as Saudi authorities have made arrangements to ensure their convenience.

Hajjar said the electronic track system for Umrah was working well. “Our officials will inspect the services being provided to pilgrims by various companies and take action against negligent operators,” he added.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...umrah-arrivals

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#1875 [Permalink] Posted on 25th February 2013 04:36
Makkah projects hit hard
 
by shortage of cement

25 February 2013 - 14 Rabi Al-Thani 1434 H

MAKKAH — The holy city is suffering from an acute shortage of cement, which is threatening major development projects, market sources said on Sunday.
They told Saudi Gazette the price of a cubic meter of liquid cement, which was sold for SR230 a few days ago, has now jumped to SR400 while the price of a sack of solid cement has risen to SR22 from SR15.

The sources said the Makkah region accounts for about 40 percent of the construction activities in the Kingdom due to numerous vital construction projects currently being implemented by both the government and the private sector.

They cited as examples the expansion project of King Abdulaziz International Airport, the Jeddah and Makkah metro projects, King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, the expansion of the Grand Mosque and many others.

Abdullah Saeedi, chairman of the committee of contractors at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the crisis was not new to the construction sector and that it was very common to see distribution points empty of cement stock.

“This crisis will greatly harm the sector of construction in Makkah. The concerned officials must intervene quickly to resolve the problem,” he said.

Naif Al-Zaidi, chairman of the board of directors of Al-Zaidi concrete factories, said the shortage of cement will impede the implementation of the development projects in the holy city.

He added that the contractors would be blamed for delays due to problems beyond their control.

He said temporary solutions could be through importing cement from Riyadh and the Northern Province but this would be expensive. “In this case we will be obliged to increase the price of cement to cover the costs of purchasing and transport,” he said.

Al-Zaidi blamed the cement factories for holding up transport trucks for long hours before loading them. “Some of the top cement factories claim that the vehicles would not wait more than few minutes to be loaded. This is incredible because in some cases the truck has to wait for four days in order to be loaded,” he said.

Al-Zaidi said small and medium projects will be the most affected by the brunt of the problem as most of the cement will go toward mega projects, especially the ones being implemented by the government.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130225154486
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