Makkah News and Updates

Passengers at King Abdulaziz International Airport.

Monday 3 June 2013

Passengers using King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah can now enjoy free Internet services.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation yesterday launched the service at departure lounges of KAIA’s Northern and Southern Terminals.

GACA’s IT Department has set up 42 Wi-Fi systems at the airport to provide the much-awaited service with the support of a specialized company.

The Wi-Fi will have a speed of 100 megabits, a GACA official said. “We have introduced this service as part of our efforts to improve our services to passengers and pilgrims,” he added.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/453831

A major low-cost housing project is being implemented in Makkah to accommodate 2,300 Saudi families.

Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Mansour yesterday inspected the progress of work at Um Al-Joud, located about 14 kilometers from the Grand Mosque.

The first phase of “Makkah Oasis” www.wahat-makkah.com has been completed and it will be handed over to 500 families. Prince Mansour said similar projects would be carried out in other parts of the country.

He said the government would provide necessary land for low-cost housing projects. The Kingdom intends to build 500,000 homes shortly to solve housing problem and has allocated SR 250 billion for it.
Abdul Rahman Al-Kheraiji, chairman of the project, said the first phase would be ready within two months.

“The second phase will have 1,800 housing units,” he added.
He described Makkah Oasis as a model development project. “It’s a pioneering experiment,” he added.

Nabeel Abbas, engineering consultant, said the project is being implemented following high quality and safety standards. “Modern technology is applied to make it cost-effective,” he added.

The project aims to build a total of 2,300 housing units on 670,000 square meters. It includes a number of commercial buildings and public utility facilities. The first phase includes 23 buildings of three to six floors.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/454049

Maybe you saw it, inshallah I will post this info each month before Hajj ...

 

Haj 1434 - 2013
________________________


Official Key Dates for Haj 1434/2013


Haj First Day: 8 Dh-Hijjah - 13 Oct
Arafat Day : 9 Dh-Hijjah - 14 Oct
Eid al-Adha : 10 Dh-Hijjah - 15 Oct

- First day of arrival in the Kingdom for pilgrims is 1st of Dhu al-Qidah 1434 H - 7th September 2013.

- Last date for arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom by air, at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah,
or at the Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah is 4th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1434 H - 9th October 2013.

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Jeddah to Madinah by bus is 25th of Dhu al-Qidah 1434 H - 29th September 2013.

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Jeddah to Madinah by air is 2nd of Dhu al-Hijjah 1434 H - 7th October 2013.

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Madinah to Makkah by bus (before Haj) is 5th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1434 H - 10th October 2013.

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Madinah to Jeddah by air (before Haj) is 6th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1434 H - 11th October 2013.

- Final date for departure (return trip) is 15th of Muharram 1435 H - 18th November 2013.

Important dates for Pilgrims


Dates of receipt of applications for Hajj visas

The last date for receiving applications for Hajj visas from the embassies and representations Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques outside the Kingdom is the 25th of Dhu al-Qi'dah of each year according to Hijri calendar*.

Validity of Hajj visas

The Hajj Visas for pilgrims coming by air will expire by the end of Dhu al-Hijjah, and no later than the 15th of Muharram of the year which followed. And the date of coming back must be according to the dates of travel tickets.

The last date of pilgrims coming by sea is the end of Muharram.
The last date of pilgrims coming by bus is 5th of Muharram.

Dates of arrival for Pilgrims coming by Land

Last date for arrival of pilgrims to the Kingdom by land is the end of the Zil Qadh of each year according to the Hijri calendar*.

Dates of arrival for Pilgrims coming by Air

Last date for arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom by air, at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah,
or at the Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah is the 4th of Dhu al-Hijjah of each year.

Dates of arrival for Pilgrims coming by Sea

Last date for arrival of pilgrims to Jeddah Islamic Port is the 4th of Dhu al-Hijjah of each year.

Dates of travel to Medina after arrival

Last date for pilgrims to travel from Jeddah to Madinah by Bus is the 25th of Dhu al-Qi'dah of each year.
Last date for pilgrims to travel from Jeddah to Madinah by Air is the 2nd day of Dhu al-Hijjah of each year.
Last date for pilgrims to travel from Medina to Makkah by Bus (before Hajj) is the 5th of Dhu al-Hijjah of each year.
Last date for pilgrims to travel from Medina to Jeddah by Air (before Hajj) is the 6th of Dhu al-Hijjah of each year.


* Hijjri calendar is based on Umm Al-Qura calendar.

http://www.saudiairlines.com/portal/...00d59618acRCRD

 

__________________________________________________________


Ministry of Hajj - وزارة الحج




Arabic/English: www.haj.gov.sa

English/Français: www.hajinformation.com

 

7 June 2013 - 28 Rajab 1434 H

MAKKAH — Illegal residents have created a black market for selling bottled Zamzam water at the Zamzam plant in Makkah’s Kudai District.

The gangs operating outside the plant have become a nuisance for the citizens, residents and pilgrims alike, Al-Madinah newspaper reported.

Several people approached by the newspaper said the black market was thriving due to the fact that many people are averse to standing in the queue awaiting their turn to get coupons to buy the sacred water.

Mohammad Shah and Kareem Rahman, members of the gang selling Zamzam outside the plant, said they began selling Zamzam bottles ever since the plant was opened. They buy bottled Zamzam and resell it for a small profit to those who do not wish to stand in long queues.

They said that security bodies do not monitor the area, except during Ramadan.

Naser and Khalid Ismail said they assist buyers who wish to buy quantities larger than what is designated for individuals.

They buy Zamzam in their names, and resell to such buyers for a fee.

They said that these days, and during Ramadan, their income ranges between SR500 and SR700 a day. They said that the campaigns conducted by the Passports Department and the police have limited their activities. But they said they were not bothered as they knew how to deal with the officials.

Abdullah Jalali and Khalid Baji said that they help buyers in pushing their carts and carry Zamzam bottles to their cars.

Several citizens said that the services of these illegal workers are required due to the haphazard management of the plant.

They said that long lines form because there are not enough employees at the plant to sell Zamzam, and that more selling points should be made available, especially during Ramadan.

Dr. Mohammad Al-Futawi, manager of the environment health department at Makkah Municipality, said that the characteristics of Zamzam may change when subjected to direct sun light.

Spokesman of Makkah Passports Department Lt. Col. Mohammad Al-Hussain said his department conducts intensive campaigns at all locations where illegal residents normally gather. Some campaigns, such as the one at the Zamzam plant, are conducted jointly with other government bodies, he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130607168877

7 June 2013

I found an document circulating on facebook saying that the validity and the duration of the stay of Umrah visas will be 15 days only during the months of Sha'ban and Ramadan. It's from Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London, with no date of publishing, for all Hajj & Umrah agencies.

I think if you want clear info you should call Saudi Embassy because there is no date on this paper.

Here's the document ...

 

INDIA

Saudi slashes Umrah visa validity by half

Jun 8, 2013

HYDERABAD: Dealing a blow to thousands of Umrah pilgrims from the country, the Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia (RCGSA) has slashed the validity of Umrah visa from one month to a mere 15 days during peak season.

In what might come as further disappointment to these pilgrims, is the fact that, the RCGSA has imposed restrictions during the Islamic months of Ramzan, the holy month, in which an estimated 3,000 pilgrims from the state go to Saudi Arabia, through Shaban.

A circular sent by RCGSA to travel agents of the city on Friday pegs the reason for restriction to a massive expansion work of the mataf (area of circumambulation around the Kaba). "Around 1,500 travellers have already booked tickets. This will be a disappointment for them because Ramzan is peak Umrah season and thousands from the state wish to spend their time in prayer in both Mecca and Medina. I expect that sales will take a beating because of this new rule," Mohammed Shoeb from Link Travels in Dewan Deodhi said.

Another travel agent said that the current ticket fare is Rs 36,000 compared to the previous fare of Rs 26,000. "Many have paid for various 21-day Umrah packages. We will see as to how to accommodate them. Further, the 15-day validity will make many unhappy as accommodation charges in various hotels have always increased during Ramzan and Shaban. So, the value for money also has diminished," the travel agent said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/n...w/20484676.cms

of the first phase of the Mataf expansion

إنجاز 80 % من أعمال المرحلة الأولى لتوسعة المطاف

8 June 2013

تتواصل الأعمال الإنشائية في مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز لزيادة الطاقة الاستيعابية لصحن المطاف، حيث يجري العمل على قدم وساق للانتهاء من أعمال المرحلة الأولى من المشروع قبل منتصف شهر شعبان المقبل. «عكاظ» وقفت أمس على أعمال المشروع حيث شهدت إنهاء شوط كبير من الأعمال بعدما دخل المشروع أمس، مرحلة متقدمة في العمل، حيث بلغت نسبة التنفيذ نحو 80 % من أعمال المرحلة الأولى، بعد الصعود بالحديد المسلح والخرسانة إلى الدور الأول من توسعة المطاف، وبذلك أصبحت الإنشاءات ظاهرة للعيان وأصبحت معالم المشروع المنجز وملامحه واضحة. وتجري حاليا أعمال صب القواعد الخرسانية ووضع الأساسات للمشروع للانتهاء من المرحلة الأولى، وتعتمد محاور المشروع على توسعة المطاف الحالي المجاور للبدروم، وامتداده بعمق 27 مترا داخل البدروم، إلى جانب رفع منسوب أرضية الدور الأرضي، وربط المطاف بمنسوب البدروم في الدور الأرضي عن طريق منحدرات وعناصر اتصال رأسي، وتوفير الخدمات اللازمة للطائفين، ويركز المشروع على إدخال المصلين إلى منسوب المطاف، من خلال عدة محاور عن طريق سلالم (عادية، ومتحركة)، مع رفع منسوب أرضية الدور الأرضي بمقدار متر للحفاظ على العلاقة البصرية بين الطائفين والكعبة المشرفة، كما يعتمد المشروع على إعادة تشكيل الرواق العثماني بمفرداته وعناصره المعمارية من أقواس، وقباب وأعمدة دون إزالته بالكامل، مع ربط منسوب الدور الأرضي بمنسوب الطواف عن طريق منحدرات وعناصر اتصال رأسي، مع استحداث الدخول والخروج من خلال عناصر الاتصال الرأسي القائمة من نفق السيارات إلى الجسور الموصلة مباشرة بالدور الأول.. يذكر أن المرحلة الأولى للمشروع بدأت من الناحية الشرقية التي تحاذي المسعى وتشمل هذه المرحلة النصف الشمالي الشرقي من المسجد الحرام وتنتهي في الناحية الجنوبية مقابل باب وسلالم الصفا الكهربائية سوف تنتهي في يوم الخامس عشر من شهر شعبان المقبل.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20...0608608845.htm

Google translation: 8 June 2013

Construction works continue in the project Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to increase the capacity of the Mataf, where work is in full swing for the completion of the first phase of the project by the middle of next month of August. «Okaz» stood yesterday on the work of the project which saw end run large business after income project yesterday, an advanced stage in the work, where the percentage of execution about 80% of the work of the first phase, after the Ascension of iron, concrete and concrete to the first round of expansion of the Mataf, and thus construction became visible and have become features of the completed project and its features and clear. Is currently being acts of casting rules concrete piling of the project for the completion of the first phase, and relies axes project to expand up current adjacent to the basement, and its extension in depth 27 meters into the basement, as well as raising the level of the floor ground floor, linking up Bmnsop Basement on the ground floor through the slopes and the elements touch my head, and provide the necessary services for طائفين, the project focuses on the introduction of worshipers to level up, through several axes via ladders (Normal, and mobile), with the lifting of level ground the ground floor by a meter to keep the relationship optic between الطائفين and the Kaaba, also supports the project reshape the hallway Ottoman بمفرداته and elements of architectural arches and domes and columns without removing it entirely, connecting with the level of the ground floor Bmnsop wandering through the slopes and the elements of touch my head, with the introduction of the entry and exit through the elements of communication vertical list of the tunnel cars to bridges directly on the first floor .. It is noteworthy that the first phase of the project started from the eastern side bordering endeavor this stage include the north-eastern half of the Grand Mosque and ends in the south against the gate and electric ladders Safa will expire on the fifteenth day of the month of Shaban.