Makkah News and Updates

المطاف المعلق الجديد، وهو حلقة دائرية محاذية للرواق القديم لفصل المعوقين عن الطائفين في منطقة الصحن. تصوير: أحمد حشاد - «الاقتصادية»

وجدي القرشي من مكة المكرمة

دحضت الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي، جميع المواعيد التي تنبأ بها عدد من وسائل الإعلام حول انطلاق المطاف المؤقت لفئة الاحتياجات الخاصة، مؤكدةً أنه حتى هذه اللحظة لم يحدد موعد لانطلاقه.

وقال لـ "الاقتصادية" أحمد المنصوري مدير العلاقات العامة للرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي: "طالعتنا وسائل الإعلام طوال الأيام الماضية بمواعيد مختلفة حول موعد البدء في تشغيل المطاف المؤقت الذي يخدم الاحتياجات الخاصة، حيث لا يزال العمل جاريا على قدم وساق للانتهاء منه في أقرب وقت ممكن".

وأضاف المنصوري: "أن هناك ترتيبا معدا مسبقا قبل البدء في تشغيل المطاف وهو عمل اختبارات على المشروع ومعرفة مدى كفاءته وتحمله، حيث لن ينطلق المشروع حتى يتم التأكد من جاهزيته الكاملة مائة في المائة".

وأشار المنصوري إلى أن تنفيذ هذا المطاف سيكون على شكل حلقة دائرية محاذية للرواق القديم ومشرف على الكعبة بعرض 12 مترا وارتفاع 34 مترا، وذلك لفصل الحركة بين المعوقين والطائفين في منطقة الصحن طيلة مدة تنفيذ مشروع المطاف الرئيس والنهائي، ويتكون هذا المطاف المؤقت من طابقين أحدهما سوف يتم ربطه مع مستوى الدور الأول، حيث يتكون من مدخلين رئيسين وفرعين، إضافة إلى مخرج طوارئ يتم استخدامه عند الحاجة، وهذا الطابق هو الذي سوف ينفذ ويستفاد منه خلال موسم شهر رمضان المبارك لهذا العام، أما الآخر سوف يتم ربطه مع الدور الأرضي كمرحلة ثانية بعد الموسم.

من جانبها، أكدت مصادر لـ "الاقتصادية" أن مشروع المطاف المؤقت سيتم تدشينه مع دخول العشر الأواخر من شهر رمضان المبارك، مشيرة أنه لم يتبق إلا لمسات بسيطة على المشروع التي لا تستغرق سوى أيام قليلة، خصوصا أن العشر الأواخر من رمضان تشهد عادة توافد أعداد كبيرة من الزائرين والمعتمرين الأمر الذي يجعل تدشين المطاف المؤقت أمرا ملحا ومساهما في تخفيف الضغط على صحن المطاف.

وبالعودة إلى المنصوري وفيما يتعلق بمشروع توسعة الملك عبد الله بن عبد العزيز في الساحات الشمالية، قال: "إن العمل قائم ليل نهار في هذا المشروع، وكما ذكر في البيان الذي أعلنته الرئاسة قبل بدء شهر رمضان، سيتم تهيئة كامل الدور الأرضي وميزاني الدور الأرضي ونسبة ما يقارب 70 في المائة من الدور الأول وميزاني الدور الأول، إضافة إلى جزء يسير من الدور الثاني والميزانين التابع له حيث تقدر نسبته بنحو 20 في المائة، كما سيتم استخدام مساحات كبيرة من الساحات الداخلية والخارجية التي سوف تتسع لما يقارب 540 ألف مصل كعدد إجمالي لهذه التوسعة.

http://www.aleqt.com/2013/07/25/article_772982.html

Google translation: 25 July 2013

Refuted the General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, all appointments predicted by a number of media about the provisional starting of Temporary Mataf a special needs class, stressing that until this moment did not specify a date for its launch.

He told the "economic" Ahmed Al Mansouri, Director of Public Relations of the General Presidency for the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque: "طالعتنا media throughout the past few days the dates are different on the date of start to run up the interim which serves special needs, where it is still a work in progress by leaps and bounds to finish it in as soon as possible. "

Mansouri added: "There is an arrangement prepared in advance of the start of Temporary Mataf is the work of tests on the project and see how efficient and afford, where the project will not starts until you confirm the readiness full one hundred per cent."

The Mansouri that the implementation of this ultimately will be in the form of circular ring adjacent to the gallery of the old and the supervisor of the Kaaba display 12 meters high and 34 meters wide, to separate the movement of persons with disabilities and الطائفين in the saucer for the duration of the implementation of the project ultimately the president and the final, and consists ultimately temporary two-story, one will it is linked with the level of the first floor, where consists of two entrances presidents and two branches, as well as director of emergency is used when needed, and this floor is the one who will be implemented and utilized during the holy month of Ramadan this year, and the other will be interfaced with the ground floor a second stage after season.

For its part, sources confirmed for "economic" that the Temporary Mataf the interim will be launched with the entry of the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan, noting that it was left only touches a simple project that not only lasts a few days, especially the last ten days of Ramadan witnessing usually flocked numbers large of visitors and pilgrims which makes the launch of Temporary Mataf a matter of urgency and a contributor to relieve pressure on the Temporary Mataf.

Returning to the Mansouri Regarding the draft expansion of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in the squares North, said: "The work is based day and night in this project, as stated in the statement that declared the presidential before the start of the month of Ramadan, will create a full ground floor and budget ground floor and the proportion of Nearly 70 per cent of the first round and budget the first round, in addition to a small fraction of the second round and mezzanine of him, with an estimated rate of about 20 per cent, as will the use of large areas of the squares of internal and external, which will expand to nearly 540 thousand worshipers as the number of total for this expansion.

25 July 2013 - 16 Ramadan 1434 H

MAKKAH – The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has refuted all media reports about the date of opening of the temporary mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Ka’ba) for pilgrims with special needs.

“No date has been set for its opening until this moment,” said Ahmad Al-Mansouri, director of public relations at the Presidency.

He was responding to press reports that predicted different dates for the opening of the raised mataf area for wheelchair pilgrims in the last few days.

“We are racing against time to finish work of the mataf at the earliest possible time. There are certain arrangements to be completed before starting its operation, and these include putting the project’s efficiency and capacity to test,” he said, adding that this mataf for wheelchair pilgrims will be opened only after ensuring its fitness 100 percent.

Al-Mansouri said that the mataf was built in the form of a circular ring adjacent to the partially demolished old porch and overlooking Islam’s holiest shrine with a width of 12 meters and a height of 34 meters. This raised platform aims to facilitate ritual of tawaf (circumambulation) for the disabled and elderly pilgrims until the completion of the mataf expansion.

The temporary mataf would have two levels, of which the upper level will be linked to the first floor of the Grand Mosque and it will have two main and branch entrances and an emergency exit. This level is expected to be opened during this Ramadan. The lower level, which will be linked to the ground floor of the Grand Mosque, will be implemented in the second phase after the Umrah season.

Authorities have stepped up preparations to receive over one million pilgrims who are expected to throng the Grand Mosque in the second half of Ramadan to perform Umrah and attend special prayers, especially in the last 10 days of the holy month.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130725174738

 

Temporary Mataf bridge opened
as per King instructions

this is an experimental opening

Friday 26 July 2013

At the orders of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, President of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, on Thursday opened the temporary mataf bridge for disabled and elderly worshippers.

Al-Sudais said that he was opening the bridge experimentally and the operational opening would take place today.

He said the 12-meter wide and 13-meter high bridge can accommodate 1,700 wheelchairs in one hour.

He added that one more level will be opened later and it will be linked to the first floor of the Grand Mosque. The bridge will be used by disabled people until the completion of the expansion work, the sheikh added.
The expansion of the mataf started on Nov.15.

The expansion is being undertaken at the orders of King Abdullah with the aim of increasing the comfort and safety of pilgrims. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj and Umrah Studies prepared a study on how to implement the expansion project.

The study recommended using the available space and potential of the mataf to the maximum while maintaining the architectural features of the Grand Mosque using advanced technology.

After the completion of the mataf expansion work, its capacity will increase to 105,000 pilgrims per hour. The capacity fell to 22,000 pilgrims per hour during the expansion period from 48,000 pilgrims.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/459255

Thursday 25 July 2013

Violations involving Umrah companies have fallen this year because of the Kingdom's strict monitoring and implementation of safety and security regulations, said Bandar Hajjar, minister of Haj, here recently.

He said operational plans are on schedule under the supervision of the Haj Ministry, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Minister of Interior Muhammad bin Naif, and other authorities. This has seen better services provided for the 4.8 million pilgrims who have visited the country this season.

Hajjar praised the security forces for controlling the large crowds and protecting pilgrims.

He said the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has instituted various Umrah services including guiding lost pilgrims back to their missions, receiving complaints, answering pilgrims' inquiries and receiving suggestions.

Hajjar said the Al-Hajla Center, next to King Abdulaziz Gate, which is one of the most congested at the Grand Mosque, has a center with a computer network, a wireless communication system and services for pilgrims through its field officers.

Through its automated system, the Haj Ministry serves pilgrims with various administrative, electronic and field services. Tasks are assigned to various monitoring committees. The automated system provides rapid response for pilgrims needing assistance.

These committees check on the accommodation of pilgrims and supervise the work of Umrah companies in Makkah.

More than 25,000 lost pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah were returned to their Umrah companies, or taken directly to their residences.

He said the ministry punishes Umrah companies found breaking the law. The ministry has updated its laws and regulations to include private Tawafah establishments in Makkah, guides in Madinah and the offices of agents.
Hajjar said the ministry has a 25-year strategic plan to provide top class services to pilgrims in line with the vision of King Abdullah.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/459108

Thursday 25 July 2013

Iftar meals for the needy or travelers to break their fast, or “Banquets of God” as the custom is known among Muslims, is an ancient Islamic custom.

Taha Al-Bashir, a researcher in Muslim customs, said: “Historians differ on how the custom originated. Some people believe it goes back to the era of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he was in Madinah. When a delegation from Taif came to see him to convert to Islam, he ordered that they be given food every morning and night.

“The other story is that this custom first started during the era of Ahmad ibn Toulon, who invited Egyptian dignitaries to a banquet to break their fast and asked them to feed the poor from what they ate. He told them that this should go on during the whole month of Ramadan. This became an Egyptian custom, and was later copied in other countries.”

Regardless of the controversy over its origin, some observers believe that it's better to provide the food directly to the poor at their houses and gathering places.

Ahmad Hamzah, imam of Al-Rahmah mosque, told Arab News that “to do so is better because this preserves their dignity and does not embarrass them. It's much better than having them line up at the mosque to wait to be served,” he said.

“I believe this is where charities should step in. They have lists of the poor and needy families, or the families with low incomes. And they can take the food to them.” He said iftar meals at mosques often see people who are not poor come for food.

Some wealthy families offer these meals to the poor at “Ramadan tents” that are erected for this purpose.

Ikram Husseini, a Pakistani cook, said that he has been working for a wealthy family for five years, who “offer these meals to the poor in Ramadan.”

Al-Azhar University recently conducted a study about the Banquets of God in Egypt. It found that in Ramadan people offer 21,000 meals at a cost of more than 1 billion Egyptian pounds (SR535 million) in Cairo, while people in other provinces spend another billion pounds. It also found that these banquets feed about 3 million people, and are organized by 10,000 parties or institutions.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/459111

Thursday 25 July 2013

The construction of the King Abdul Aziz Airport Project is on schedule and will be completed by the end of next year, Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced Tuesday.

Following a tour of the project site, he said schedules were being maintained despite fewer workers because of the ongoing amnesty process. “A total of 30,000 workers including 1,250 engineers are working at the airport site,” he said.

He said 96 meters of the 135-meter air traffic control tower, the largest in the Middle East, was nearing completion. The airport lounges were also almost done, with work taking place on the interiors.

Prince Fahd said the glass facades of the building were being installed. There was also progress on the installation of a cooling system, baggage conveyor belt and power generators. In addition, a mosque with a capacity of 3,000 worshippers would soon be completed.

Prince Fahd said GACA was working closely with various government agencies and contractors to expedite the project, which would make the airport one of the largest and most advanced facilities in the region.

Construction on the existing King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) started in 1974 and was inaugurated in 1981 with a royal terminal, Haj terminal and south and north terminals.

Since its opening, KAIA has seen a major growth in passenger traffic. KAIA is the second-busiest airport in the Middle East after Dubai in terms of passenger traffic.

Although it was originally designed to cater to 7 million passengers annually, it has been handling approximately 23 million passengers a year. KAIA alone accounts for 41 percent of the total air passenger traffic in the Kingdom. According to GACA statistics, KAIA has recorded a 16 percent increase in international passenger traffic and a 12 percent increase in Haj and Umrah flights.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/459109

Friday 26 July 2013

A staggering SR1 billion of incense sticks is sold during Ramadan in the Kingdom, according to a local trader.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest importers of incense and oud. Incense is imported in large quantities from Southeast Asia, particularly India and Cambodia. Trading in incense in the Kingdom is generally active all year round, but for Ramadan and the two Eids, there is a massive increase. Besides Ramadan, incense is used extensively during family events such as weddings.

Ibrahim Al-Qurashi, one of the largest and well-known importers of incense in Saudi Arabia, said that oud and incense represents a sense of history and tradition for Saudis. “During Ramadan alone, sales of incense can go as high as SR1 billion. For many Saudis and Gulf citizens, and to a lesser degree other Arab communities who have been living long in the Kingdom, they are a must on their shopping lists for Ramadan and the Eids,” he said.

Asked about the high prices of incense, he said: “Incense comes from tall trees with thick foliage. They are hundreds of years old, and are found mostly in large forests in India and Cambodia, including Indonesia and Malaysia. These forests are home to poisonous snakes such as the cobra. You can’t really distinguish these snakes from the surrounding trees because they camouflage themselves with the colors around them. This makes it very dangerous for people to fell trees, which are later chopped into small pieces. And since these trees are very old and very tall, it makes it extremely difficult to chop down.”

“Another, no less important reason for the extraordinary high prices is that the government of India strictly prohibits cutting down trees and exporting wood overseas. But we are given special reservations within these forests, which we are licensed to cultivate by the Indian government,” he said, adding that this was the reason why Indian incense was the most expensive.

Salih Kassar, a seller of incense in Jeddah, says that in addition to oriental perfumes, Indian incense is the most popular in Ramadan. “Our sales in this holy month go up 100 percent. The best grades of Indian incense fetch very high prices, sometimes as high as SR150,000 a kilogram. The Cambodian variety is sold for SR60,000 a kilogram,” he added.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/459220

Friday 26 July 2013

The Civil Defense in Makkah has an emergency plan in place for the last 10 days of Ramadan to deal with possible floods, fires, earthquakes and traffic accidents.

Director of Makkah Civil Defense Maj. Gen. Jameel Arbaeen said all teams are ready to deal with the expected influx of Umrah pilgrims in the coming days, which will place pressure on services in the city.

He said the plan was formulated under the guidance of Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Naif.

Arbaeen said the Civil Defense has identified 12 risks, including those related to the ongoing expansion inside the Grand Mosque. All this requires the presence of Civil Defense officers inside and outside the mosque.
He said the plan includes additional ambulances, rescue and firefighters. There are also medical services and emergency shelters ready for major accidents involving moving large numbers of pilgrims.

Arbaeen said the potential risks listed in the plan include the threat of fire in car parks, electricity stations, hotels, residential towers and tunnels that lead to the Grand Mosque. This is in addition to the risk of congestion and overcrowding inside the mosque and central area.

The plan takes into account the risk of strong winds, torrential rain and even earthquakes and tremors.

He said there are 120 field units for rapid fire and rescue intervention in all parts of the city, and emergency teams around the clock inside and outside the Grand Mosque. There are also teams of officers on motorcycles ready to deal with various incidents involving vehicles.

Arbaeen said the Civil Defense is using state-of-the-art technology this year to monitor the housing facilities of pilgrims and pollution levels in the tunnels of Makkah. It also uses smartphone applications to spread awareness among pilgrims of potential threats to their safety.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/459225