Makkah News and Updates

March 04, 2013

JEDDAH – Need for more investment in the hotel sector – especially in the two holy cities – was highlighted here Sunday on the second day of the Residential and Affordable Housing summit taking place on the sidelines of the Jeddah Urban Development and Real Estate Investment Event – Cityscape Jeddah.

Speakers at the summit said that despite the construction boom in Makkah more needs to be done to make hotels affordable and enough to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

Filippo Sona, Head of Hotels and Resorts/Hospitality MENA, Colliers International, said that the main drivers for religious tourism were mega projects like the Haramain Railway and the massive Jabal Omer Project.

According to a report published by Colliers International, there is a limited supply of quality internationally branded economy hotels in the Kingdom. Surveys show that there are currently seven notable cities without any such hotels, representing a significant gap in the market. However, many internationally branded economy hotels are coming up, with 1.182 rooms to be delivered to the market across the Kingdom by 2015.

Colliers International’s latest investigations have found evidence that the market could potentially absorb an additional 34,882 economy hotel rooms over and above forthcoming supply over the next five years, spread across major and secondary cities.

Attractive investment opportunities lie in wait as economy hotels operate with a very cost-efficient structure characterized by a less volatile and sustainable pricing strategy. Based on the current profitability ratios of existing economy hotels, new developments prove to be a lucrative investment, with potential IRR ranges between 18% and 21%.

Hussein Al-Harithy, Managing Director of National Exhibitions Company, said that the summit was specially designed as the perfect platform for hotel developers, investors, government officials, hoteliers and financiers to come together and share ideas, source new business contacts and shape strategies for maximizing and supporting growth of the Saudi Arabian hospitality industry.

Hotel development has emerged as one of the most attractive segments in real estate in Saudi Arabia. Driven by an average growth of 6% year-on-year on business and tourism and the government’s investment of SR100 billion in infrastructure and transportation projects, the opportunities to gain from high returns on hotels and overall boom in religious tourism throughout the Western province has never been more lucrative than now.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130304155333

Thursday, 14 February 2013

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Khurshid Shah on Wednesday said that 180,000 Pakistani people would perform Hajj this year.

"It has been decided in an agreement made to facilitate the pilgrims during the Hajj, "he said.

Talking to Pakistan Television, he said that 90,000 people would travel to Saudi Arabia, under the government schemes.

He said that 40,000 people would go directly to Madina Munawara due to the heavy rush at Jeddah airport being observed every year during the Hajj season.

Replying to a question, he said "It would be difficult to arrange residents for pilgrims near Harram (Holy place in Makkah).

He said that a number of buildings had been demolished after the expansion project of the holy places in Saudi Arabia.

http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/ge...minister-.html
Friday, 22 February 2013

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah on Thursday announced salient features of Hajj Policy 2013 under which Hajj quota will remain 179,210 and shall be implemented through government scheme and private Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) in the ratio of 50:50.

Addressing a press conference at PID along with Minister of Information and Broadcasting , he said applications for hajj-2013 under Government Hajj Scheme will be received on the principle of "First come, First serve."

He said the applications under Government scheme will be invited through designated banks after the approval of Hajj Policy-2013.

Khurshid Shah said any person who has performed Hajj during the last five years will not be eligible to perform Hajj in 2013 except Mehram, Group Leader or the one undertaking Haj-e-badal.

http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/10...rst-serve.html

Thursday 7 March 2013

The International Media Organization, an affiliate of the Makkah-based Muslim World League, has announced plans to establish a television channel and media production and training units as part of a program to spread the message of Islam and defend Muslim causes, said Dr. Hassan Al-Ahdal, the organization’s secretary-general.

“Our immediate aim is to set up two units for training and production. There is a lack of good television programs in the Islamic world,” Dr. Hassan Al-Ahdal, the organization’s secretary general, said in an exclusive interview with Arab News. “After that is up and running, we will establish a channel for MWL and its sister organizations.”

He emphasized the importance of having a strong media to defend Islamic causes and mobilize public opinion.

“Media is a powerful institution that plays an important role in world affairs. It influences cultures and traditions,” he said.

Al-Ahdal said the MWL established the organization as part of its efforts to strengthen Islamic media. “Most media organizations in the Muslim world reproduce what has been produced by foreign news agencies and television stations,” he said. “Our media has very little impact on world affairs and even on Islamic societies. In light of this pathetic situation, the MWL decided to establish the new media organization,” he explained.

IMO will coordinate with media organizations in the Islamic world and contribute to developing Islamic media, defending Islamic causes and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), using modern methods.

“Our organization will also work to develop media activities, deepen Islamic and moderate values and correct the wrong image of Islam among the public, win international support for Islamic issues and promote world peace and stability,” he said. “We’ll use various means to achieve our goals and make use of modern media and information technology. We’ll also work to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue and organize media seminars and conferences.”

Asked whether IMO would establish an international news agency, Al-Ahdal said his organization does not have a plan for setting up such an agency at the moment, given the huge financial resources it would demand.

“There is a need to establish a credible international news agency. We have heard that some organizations were working on it but nothing has materialized. We cannot set up a news agency now, because it is a big project that requires huge funds. We hope Muslim businessmen will take up this matter seriously and mobilize funds to establish a profitable news agency.”

He said IMO would create an electronic gateway to interact with media persons and organizations all over the Islamic world and exchange information and research studies. “We would like to hold media seminars and conferences in different parts of the world. This will promote coordination among Muslim media and organizations,” he said.

Al-Ahdal said IMO would hold a general assembly meeting with the participation of prominent media persons and academics from across the Islamic world, adding that it would discuss the organization’s future programs.

“We also intend to organize a seminar on how to confront Islamophobia. It will give a roadmap for Islamic media to confront this serious issue,” Al-Ahdal said.

Another seminar will be held on media’s role in strengthening Muslim unity and cooperation. The Islamic media conference organized by MWL in Jakarta last year has approved a charter for media persons and organizations to follow, he said.

A charitable organization depending on donations, IMO will be based at the MWL headquarters. The MWL will provide necessary financial support to the organization in its initial stages.

“We need moral and material support from everybody,” the IMO chief said and thanked Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of MWL for his backing.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...-muslim-causes

9 March 2013 - 26 Rabi Al-Thani 1434 H

JEDDAH — A Saudi scholar has slammed the common practice of satellite channels inviting unqualified people appear as guests and airing misguided religious edicts (fatwas) on various religious issues.

Sheikh Hassan Safar warned such fatwas would lead to sedition and a general feeling of confusion in society. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, he said a fatwa must be issued with the sole intention of winning Allah’s pleasure and reward.

“It is not permissible to accept money for issuing a fatwa and it is unfortunate that some channels are hosting sheikhs and giving them remuneration for answering viewers’ questions on religious topics. These sheikhs should not be issuing fatwas if they seek publicity or monetary rewards,” he said while drawing attention to a recent case in which a sheikh issued a controversial fatwa.

“A preacher appeared on a satellite TV channel and wrongly said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) traded in liquor. Such vile comments can create sedition and confusion in society,” he said in strong language.

According to Sheikh Safar, religious edicts should be issued on topics that are useful to people and they should provide guidance so people can follow the true path.

He further said a fatwa must be issued by a competent authority that can thoroughly study the various aspects of the issue and these studies should be on the basis of fundamental principles of the Shariah. Once issued, such fatwas should be legally recognized and then made available online so people can benefit from them.

Sheikh Safar said that only competent and well-qualified scholars are allowed to issue religious verdicts. It is essential to ensure that the mufti has personal integrity, intellectual and moral credentials as well as sound and in-depth knowledge in the Shariah.

“He can enlighten the Ummah with his clear vision and broad perception of the topics in which he is pronouncing the fatwa. The mufti should be punctual in performing prayers in congregation, observing obligatory fasting and payment of Zakah, besides staying away from forbidden and undesirable things like backbiting, gossip and doing injustice to anyone,” he said.

The scholar also said the Board of Senior Scholars is the most competent body to issue fatwas in the Kingdom. “The Board is comprised of a number of eminent scholars who are qualified to pronounce fatwas on any topic. A mufti should take into consideration the place, timing and situation when issuing a religious edict. He should not do this noble deed for any material gains,” he added.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130309156028

MAKKAH – Experts from the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Turkey and other countries will discuss the ways to develop Makkah region, improve its infrastructure and solve the problems related to unplanned areas.

The two-day meeting at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) will be inaugurated Saturday by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region.

Dr. Bakri Assas, UQU President, said the meeting organized by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal’s Chair for Development of Unplanned Areas will discuss gigantic projects to develop the region.

Dr. Nabeel Koshak, UQU undersecretary for creative work and supervisor of academic chairs, said the chair seeks to achieve sustainable development for the region. It also focuses on social, economic, environmental, and urban analyses.

Dr. Amjad Maghrabi, supervisor of the chair, said the chair studies the local and global development methods used for improving unplanned areas and applies these methods to local areas that need development.

“This chair is a shining example of knowledge-based economy which Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has called for.”

The chair supports programs and research that help achieve its goals.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130309156018

 

7 March 2013 - 24 Rabi Al-Thani 1434 H

MAKKAH — The roof of the expanded Grand Mosque will have a helipad that will be used to transport patients to hospitals to avoid traffic jams, especially during the Ramadan and Haj seasons.

The helipad is part of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s Grand Mosque expansion project.

The project includes new toilets and a network of paths for carts that are completely separate from pedestrian routes. It also includes pedestrian tunnels equipped with escalators and all the necessary safety and security means. The tunnels will facilitate movement to and from the northern and southern courtyards.

The expansion project also includes drinking water coolers and an advanced system to dispose of waste, in addition to security monitoring systems, and facilities to provide shade for the northern courtyards.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130307155773

Sunday 10 March 2013

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mutlaq, member of the Board of Senior Ulema and Royal Court Adviser, has signed up as an organ donor in a move to end the debate over organ donation permissibility in Islam.

Al-Mutlaq attended a symposium on organ donation organized by the Specialist Hospital in Riyadh. Currently, three to four organ transplant operations are conducted daily.

Kidney donations from non-relatives increased by 10 percent, which resulted in 73 more donation cases last year, while liver transplants increased by the same percentage, roughly equivalent to 30 more operations, said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, supervisor general of the Prince Fahad bin Salman Charity Association for Renal Failure Patients Care (Kellana) who attended the event.

Prince Abdulaziz said that in the last 30 years, more than 7,000 people had kidney transplants and more than 1,000 had liver transplants. There were 94 reported lung transplants, 228 heart transplants, 663 cornea transplants and 19 pancreas transplant operations in the same period.

Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, member of the Board of Senior Ulemas and imam of the Grand Mosque, said that organ donation permissibility is decided in terms of Shariah, although it is crucial to be sure that the prospective donor is pronounced brain dead, which is an issue that still needs more research.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...ion-end-debate

Monday 11 March 2013

Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah has established the Haj preparatory committees for Makkah and Madinah for the forthcoming season, according to a statement made by the ministry here yesterday.

Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development Mohammed Bin Hamza Khoshaim has been appointed the head of the new committee, while the other committee members include deputy ministers of health, undersecretaries and the director generals of health in Makkah and Madinah.

Khalid Al-Mirghalani, spokesman of the Health Ministry said, the committee is being appointed in a timely fashion to allow health officials to make their own arrangements for the upcoming season. The Haj central department within the Ministry of Health will coordinate with the new Haj committee for necessary arrangements this year. He explained that the functions of the committee would be sub-divided into three sections including planning arrangements, preparatory work and supervision of the Haj health related issues. The committee will also be responsible for taking preventive measures against contagious diseases and for drawing up a contingency plan for the Haj season in Makkah and Madinah.

The director generals of the two regions will be directly in charge of the Haj arrangements in their respective areas under the overall supervision of the Minister of Health.

In addition, the primary purpose of the committee will be to provide adequate manpower for health services and to ensure the health facilities for pilgrims in hospitals, clinics and dispensaries are well maintained. Every year, the ministry sends out a circular to the Foreign Ministry for dissemination to all its missions abroad spelling out the quarantine requirements to enter the Kingdom during Haj season.

According to Al-Mirghalani before announcing the health requirements, the Kingdom will carefully monitor developments that take place throughout the world, especially those in relation to infectious diseases. He pointed out that the stipulated requirements in the new circular would be in line with the World Health Organization’s requirements for combating the spread of infectious diseases.

He added that the quarantine requirements would also prescribe some vaccines, considering the incidence of infectious diseases in some of the pilgrim’s respective countries. Moreover, the ships and aircraft carrying pilgrims should also produce a certificate that the carriers are free of mosquitoes.

Meningitis vaccines are compulsory for all pilgrims but vaccines against yellow fever, cholera are advised according to the pilgrim’s country of origin. Yellow fever endemic countries include Angola, Benin, Sudan, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, and many other African and South American countries.

Polio vaccines are also compulsory for all pilgrims from African countries as well as for pilgrims coming from Pakistan, India, Nepal and Afghanistan. Oral polio vaccine is compulsory for pilgrims arriving from countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Benin, Angola, Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. Upon arrival, pilgrims from these countries are given another oral dose of polio vaccine irrespective of their age.

Besides these vaccinations, the spokesman said the pilgrims would be advised to take necessary precautions against influenza to prevent a flu attack during their stay in the Kingdom. The flu vaccine is not mandatory but it is desirable to take it considering the prevailing weather conditions and the susceptibility of the pilgrims to influenza. Al-Mirghalani said that high-risk patients, who have chronic ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and renal diseases, would be advised to take the flu vaccine to facilitate the performance of their Haj and Umrah rituals without any problems.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...es-holy-cities

Monday 11 March 2013

A Makkah Municipality official said yesterday a project to install a solar-powered street lighting system in Makkah would commence in four months and take about 12 months to complete. The first stage will be experimental and cover three of nine parts of the Crown Prince Plan 9 that covers a total area of about 43 million square meters.

He said the project is now put up for developer and investor bids to provide the city with 30,000 to 40,000 light poles powered by solar energy. The project will be implemented all over the city if the experiment proves successful.

Amin bin Abdulqader Naebalharam, deputy mayor for municipal investment development and chairman of the Solar Energy Committee, said such a project would contribute to reducing costs for companies providing street lighting equipment, in addition to cables, fittings and other requirements, “especially in remote areas.”

The poles would have panels to absorb and store sun’s energy during the day and convert it to light at night. This would reduce consumption of petroleum that is the basis for generating electricity and spare the authorities the high cost of this type of power generation compared to the lower cost of solar-energy power generation, he said.

When the first stage is successfully completed, 150,000 solar-powered light poles will be put up on the streets of Makkah, covering a 180-million square meter area. Developers will be required to use such lighting systems if the experiment is successful.

“We expect to receive good offers as the cost for providing electricity generated by solar energy are decreasing every day. This also applies to equipment and the efficiency of equipment used for that purpose which are in constant improvement and development. In the long-term, we hope that we reduce cost and improve quality.”

Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest oil exporters in the world and it is now investing in solar energy, for which its location provides massive potential. International reports show the country comes second in the world after Atacama Desert in Chile in solar energy potential.

Saudi and International Energy Agency data show the country burned about 192.8 million barrels of crude oil to generate 129 million megawatt in 2010. Data also showed Saudi electricity generation stations pay about $4 per barrel, which means an operational cost of $0.006 per kilowatt/hour (also in 2010.)

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...ts-makkah-soon

 

Madinah 2013

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