Makkah News and Updates

27 September 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Express Rail Link (ERL) is again extending operational support to Saudi Arabia's Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line during the Haj season by sending 31 staff recently to the Middle Eastern country.

ERL in a statement today said it is the second year ERL is supporting the 18-kilometre metro line, also known as the Makkah Metro Line.

"The positions the staff will be taking up are Assistant Station Masters, Station Masters, Roving Agents and Operations Training Specialists.

"Most of them hold senior posts with at least 10 years of experience with the company," ERL Chief Executive Officer Noormah Mohd Noor said.

She said the staff will be deployed in two batches, with the first batch responsible for the recruitment and training of temporary staff, testing and commissioning of the system, setting up station operations, conducting trial runs and subsequently beginning shift duty.

Meanwhile, the majority in the second batch will immediately go on shift duty as they have the experience from the previous year, she added.

Specially designed to transport the millions of pilgrims who travel to Makkah each year, the Makkah Metro Line connects Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, and has the capacity to carry 72,000 passengers in each direction per hour, allowing it to transport about 500,000 pilgrims in six to eight hours.

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/erl-ext...ampaign=Buffer

27 September 2013

Jeddah police on Thursday uncovered three bogus Haj campaigns run by five Arab and Asian expats, in addition to a number of Saudis. Police recovered SR50,000 that was paid by citizens and residents to perform Haj. Charges ranged from SR4,500 to SR5,500 per pilgrim.

Hatim Qadi, deputy minister of Haj and spokesman for the ministry, has warned citizens and residents who want to perform Haj against falling prey to such bogus campaigns.

Speaking to Arab News, Qadi urged citizens to ensure that those who run the campaign have valid permits issued by the Ministry of Haj. “Permits are renewed year by year. Older permits are not acceptable,” he said.

“I urge pilgrims to visit the portal of the ministry, where they will find an updated list of approved companies and Haj campaigns, along with their phone numbers. They can also call the toll free number 8002444480, which is open around the clock, to enquire about Haj campaigns,” he said.

The criminal investigation team at the Jeddah Police Department raided fake campaigns in the Safa, Bawadi and Mushrifah neighborhoods. An undercover security team conducted the surveillance under directions from Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Qahtani, chief of the Jeddah Police.

The campaign located in Mushrifah was found to be run by three Asian expats, who charged each Haj pilgrim SR5,500. They had SR23,000 in their possession at the time of the raid, which they had persuaded pilgrims to pay after assuring them that they were licensed to send them on the pilgrimage and that prices were relatively low compared to other campaigns.

The second campaign in Bawadi was run by three Arabs who charged each pilgrim SR4,500. The police found SR26,000 in their possession. The third raid in Safa was run by a number of Saudis who charged pilgrims SR5,000 each.

First Lt. Nawwaf Al-Bouq, a spokesman for the Jeddah police, said these people did not have permits to practice and that they are still being questioned to identify pilgrims who had signed up with them in order to issue a refund on deposits paid for going on the pilgrimage. The perpetrators will be referred to agencies for further action.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/465981

27 September 2013

Col. Salman Al Jumai’I, director of the Jeddah Traffic Department, outlined prominent features of the traffic plan for this year’s Haj season in an interview with Arab News.

“The plan incorporates three important elements. First, traffic check points have been installed in key areas to block the entry of vehicles, buses and public transportation one hour before and after prayer times throughout the day. The idea is to prioritize pedestrians over transportation.”

“Second, the central area around the Grand Mosque will not have any vehicles transporting pilgrims. This area will be reserved only for loading and offloading passengers. We want to give the pilgrims ample room for mobility,” he added.

He explained that the department will, for the first time, apply a new plan on 12th and 13th Dhu Al Hijjah.

“All traffic will move one way in streets such as King Abd Al Aziz, Ibrahim Al-Khalil, Prince Mit’ib and Al-Masjid Al-Haram streets. This will allow for smooth traffic flow from Mina through the tunnels onwards to the mosque to perform the last tawaf (circumambulation) and leave Makkah thereafter for Jeddah,” he said.

He said that the department began denying small vehicles carrying passengers from entering Makkah from yesterday.

“We allow only large vehicles and buses to enter Makkah. Any vehicle that is caught violating traffic rules will be fined in accordance with regulations. Fines will range between SR1,500 to SR5,000. There are more than 2,500 traffic policemen deployed in the area. There will be more than 2,000 patrols, of which 500 will be on motorcycles. In addition, we have installed 10 ‘Saher’ cameras in the holy areas and major streets of Makkah,” he said.

He also noted that the department registered more than 29,000 traffic violations in the month of Shawwal.

“The fine amount will be dependent on the violation. Running a red light could cost you anywhere from SR500 to SR900. Last year, we impounded more than 1,000 motorcycles that did not have permits to enter Makkah,” he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/465974

29 September 2013

MADINAH – All government authorities entrusted with providing services to pilgrims have finalized their plans and are ready.

Prince Faisal Bin Salman, Emir of Madinah and Chairman of Haj Committee in Madinah, will follow up on the progress and performance of all authorities to ensure everything is going according to plan and that pilgrims are served well during their stay in Madinah.

As of Saturday 600,000 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom. Half of them arrived in Makkah while the rest arrived in Madinah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Haj for Haj Affairs Hatim Hassan Qadhi said.

He said that the Ministry of Haj and Tawafa establishments under it have mobilized 40,000 people to serve pilgrims. He said all the Tawafa establishments have received their camp sites in the holy sites. They are now preparing them to receive the pilgrims.

Qadhi said that Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah received on Friday more than 96 international Haj flights while the international Haj flights at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah exceeded 100.

The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has assigned 5,300 male and female employees to cater to the needs of pilgrims.

The Presidency will provide guides in several languages and organize religious lessons at the Prophet’s Mosque to allow pilgrims from all walks of life to benefit and learn about the rituals of Haj.

This year guides will distribute pamphlets and booklets in various languages.

In a published report, the Presidency said that it has prepared 250 shaded areas to protect the pilgrims from the sun or rain. In addition, 436 mist spraying fans are installed, and 100 speakers put up around the outside yards of the Prophet’s Mosque. The Mosque has been furnished with 10,000 new carpets, and the courtyards are equipped with 18 service facilities, and 10,000 lighting fixtures.

The head of Madinah police, Maj. Gen. Saud Al-Ahmadi, said that the police had benefited from the lessons of previous years to develop and improve plans for this year’s Haj season. He said that these plans will be effective until the middle of the first month of next year.

Madinah police spokesman and head of the traffic safety section Col. Omar Al-Nazawi said that 225 traffic patrol vehicles and 500 motorcycle cops are ready for the season.

In addition, more than 900 additional traffic officers are working on the implementation of the Haj traffic plan.

Head of the Ministry of Haj branch in Madinah Mohammad Al-Beejawi said that 7,321 accommodation contracts have been signed so far to cater to 644,177 Hajis.

Twenty golf carts have been pressed into service to transport elderly pilgrims around and 300 male employees will be on call to help pilgrims who lose way to their accommodation. For female pilgrims, there are female guides and supervisors who can guide them around and help them.

The Presidency has opened 100 gates and prepared all escalators leading to the roof. At each gate, there are employees to prevent crowding.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130929182014

September 29, 2013

RIYADH – Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), said the commission values highly the religious significance of some historical sites and will not promote them simply as tourism sites.

Prince Sultan made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Thursday after chairing the joint meeting of the guidance and consultancy committees under the Program for the Care of Islamic Historical Sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Prince Sultan, who is also chairman of the guidance committee under the program, said the program aims at bringing the citizens closer to their nation through taking care of historical Islamic sites.

“For this, the first thing is bringing the citizens closer to the history of their religion through acquainting them with the historical sites that witnessed the spread of our divine religion. However, the SCTA is also keen to avoid a mix-up of the holy sites and historical sites,” he said.

Prince Sultan said the commission launched the program to translate into action the keenness of the Saudi leadership to protect Islamic holy sites and historical sites, especially those related with the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). “It reflects the extra care given by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, deputy premier and minister of defense, to preserve this great nation’s rich Islamic history and heritage. The SCTA is making great efforts to document these sites and the landmarks associated with the great eras of Islamic history, in addition to protecting them for academic and Dawa purposes.”

According to Prince Sultan, the program is one of the major initiatives introduced by the SCTA, in cooperation with the concerned agencies, universities and prominent people in society, in preserving the nation’s heritage. The program will bring about a qualitative leap in maintaining and protecting these historical sites, he said.

Referring to the measures taken to protect historical Islamic sites, the SCTA chief said King Abdullah issued in 2008 a royal decree aimed at preventing encroachment on these sites in Makkah and Madinah.

The decree also tasked the SCTA with enumerating such sites. “The commission swung into action to implement the decree soon after its issuance in cooperation with the concerned government agencies, specialists, archeologists and historians associated with such sites. Our field teams counted 384 historical sites in the two regions,” he added.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130929181979 26 Sept 2013

His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of SCTA, Head of the Steering Committee of Islamic History Sites Caring Program, on 26th Sept, will chair a joint meeting of the Steering and Advisory Committees of the program at the headquarters of ‘Makkah and Holy Rites Development Authority’.

The meeting, which is the first since the launch of the program, will discuss a number of issues related to the plans and programs that will be implemented by the program.

HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, President of SCTA, in the meeting, announced the start of the program which embodies the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the importance of paying special attention to Islamic history sites, and to document and study the sites and monuments related to this great historical period, in order to preserve and rehabilitate them to become the sites for Islamic Dawah (Call) and places for experiencing the Islamic history, of which this country has the honor of being the scene of glorious events of Islamic history.

The program will focus on Prophet Mohammad Sira (Prophet's deeds, sayings and acts) related sites which are verified by reliable books of Sira and Islamic history.

The program, in collaboration with the Ministry for Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawa and Guidance, will provide professional and qualified guides in those sites to give accurate information on the historical events of Islam that occurred on those sites.

http://www.scta.gov.sa/en/MediaCente...2-26-9-13.aspx

 

Serving pilgrims is an honor,

 

says Haj guide

 

 

September 28, 2013

JEDDAH — Sameer Abdulaziz Mirdad is a mutawwif (Haj guide) from the Tawafa Establishment for South Asian Pilgrims, an umbrella organization of mutawwifs catering to pilgrims from south Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

When Saudi Gazette met him in Makkah’s Aziziyah district recently, he was personally supervising the reception of pilgrims from the Indian state of West Bengal coming from Madinah.

As soon as the pilgrims disembarked from their buses, Mirdad got busy supervising workers from the Tawafa Establishment and the Indian Consulate personnel guiding them to their accommodation.

Mirdad was also seen supervising the provision of hot meals to each pilgrim.

“It is a great honor for me to serve the pilgrims,” said Mirdad, who has been serving pilgrims for 12 years as a mutawwif.

His brother Faisal Mirdad is the head of the “maktab” (office of the mutawwif).

The two brothers work full time as mutawwifs after the death of their father Abdulaziz Mirdad, who served pilgrims for about 35 years.

Mirdad, who runs Maktab No. 50, expressed his unhappiness over the cut in the quota of pilgrims.

“Apart from this, the Indian Haj Mission reduced this year the number of pilgrims under each maktab. All these factors resulted in a substantial drop in our revenues this year,” he said.

There are 3,570 pilgrims under him.

Mirdad rented out 24 buildings — 14 in the Ajyad area near the Haram and 10 in Aziziyah.

“These are very good buildings. We will also serve meals for pilgrims at Mina, Muzdalifa and Arafat,” he said.

Last year, there were 5,000 pilgrims under one mutawwif, also known as muallim, serving Indian pilgrims while the total number of mutawwifs was 25. But this year there are 34 mutawwifs and only 3,500 pilgrims under each one.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130929181967

29 September 2013

The move to shift government departments from Mina to a new administration complex in Muzdalifah would create 23 percent extra space in the tent city to accommodate 185,000 more pilgrims this year, said Sultan Al-Dossary, spokesman of the Makkah governorate.

The first phase of the complex has been completed on an area of 1 million square meters. Most of the non-essential government agencies would be shifted to the new facility, he said.

Al-Dossary said the project’s second phase would be implemented in due course to move the remaining government agencies from Mina within a few years. Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal would inspect the new building complex on Monday. The complex, located on Muzdalifah’s borders, will have 13 buildings with 3,200 offices and housing units in addition to a helipad and a huge water tank with a capacity of 36,000 cubic meters of water.

More than 600,000 foreign pilgrims have already arrived for Haj that begins on Oct. 13. Nearly 2 million pilgrims are expected to take part in this year’s pilgrimage.

Prince Khaled has instructed 15 government agencies to take immediate measures to prevent possible flooding of roads leading to Makkah and other holy sites during this Haj season.

“Related government departments have to deploy enough manpower with the necessary equipment to deal with floods and protect pilgrims traveling through flood-prone routes,” a source said.

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment has predicted the possibility of light rainfall in Makkah and Madinah during the Haj season. During the month of October, from 1985 to 2012, Makkah received rain for short periods followed by floods in some years, it said.

In its weather report for October, the presidency said temperatures in Makkah during the day would be hot, with pleasant weather at night. Temperatures would range from 38 to 43 Celsius at noon and 24 to 27 Celsius at night. Humidity would drop to 14 percent at noon and go up to 87 percent at night, it added.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466170

29 September 2013

Malaysia’s Tabung Haji recently joined hands with the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank to provide Haj consultancy services to interested countries and organizations, a senior official said.

Syed Saleh Mufadhal, senior general manager for Haj, said his organization has set up a consultancy company in association with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), an IDB subsidiary, for the purpose. Tabung Haji has a 50 percent stake in the company.

“Our organization marks its golden jubilee this year,” he told Arab News. Tabung Haji mobilizes funds from Malaysians intending to perform Haj and invests the money in stocks, properties, transport, plantations and other viable projects. Its total assets have reached 45 billion ringgits (about $14 billion).

“We launched this joint venture with IDB last year and have conducted a study on the management of Haj in some countries and their requirements,” Mufadhal said, adding that many countries and organizations have shown their interest in making use of Tabung Haji’s long-standing expertise in Haj affairs.

“We have a full-fledged computer system for Haj management. It covers all Haj matters from registration and selection of pilgrims, to their training, health care, hotel accommodation and transportation,” he pointed out. A number of foreign Haj missions wanted to meet Tabung Haji officials during this Haj season.

Tabung Haji (also known as Haj Fund) is a government agency under the prime minister’s department. It is the only licensed authority to manage Haj affairs in Malaysia. There are about 8.5 million investors in Tabung Haji and it pays them an annual dividend of about six percent. Once people have enough money in the fund, they can go for Haj.

Speaking about Haj services, Mufadhal said: “We give prospective Hajis three levels of training. In the first level, pilgrims are taught the basics for 17 weeks and classes are conducted on weekends. The second level involves intensive courses with tests. In the third, Hajis are given practical training using models of the Holy Kaaba, Jamrat and other Haj sites.”

All prospective Hajis meet at the state level to get training on how to wear ihram (two pieces of white cloth for men and a lose garment of any color for women) and how to perform the various Haj rituals. “We provide them with all the necessary services from the moment they embark on their pilgrimage journey until they return to Malaysia. They need not worry about anything. This helps our Hajis concentrate their full attention on worship and Haj rituals,” he said.

This year 22,300 Malaysians are to perform Haj, he said adding that about 13,000 of them have already arrived. He said the organization’s financial strength has allowed it to rent buildings in Makkah and Madinah on long lease and at cheaper prices. “We have published a number of Haj books including a check list of what to do, a book for women pilgrims, and an e-book which could be downloaded onto smart phones. We have set up a call center in Makkah to answer queries of Hajis around the clock and clear their doubts.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466166

 

29 September 2013

MAKKAH – Vehicles carrying less than 25 pilgrims will not be allowed to enter Makkah from next week, a senior security official has said.

“We secure legal means of transport for pilgrims to Makkah. Violators are handed over to the Passport Department to be deported according to the latest regulations that stipulate violators will not be allowed back into the Kingdom for a period of 10 years,” said Assistant Commander of Haj Security Forces for Traffic Affairs Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Abdullah Al-Muqbil.

“Penalties are imposed on cars and buses — SR1,500 on the driver of the violating vehicle at the gateway to Makkah, SR3,000 at the gateway to the holy sites and SR5,000 in the holy sites along with impounding the vehicle until the end of Haj (Dhul Hijja 13),” he said while adding that 541 vehicles have been impounded until now.

“The Haj Security Forces for Traffic Affairs are implementing a plan to prevent the entry of violating cars and buses into Makkah and the holy sites from Oct. 1. Six security points have been approved for impounding violating vehicles: on Jeddah-Makkah Expressway, Taneem, Al-Leeth, Al-Kur, Al-Sayel and Al-Behaitah in Taif governorate.”

Maj. Gen. Al-Muqbil said if pilgrims in the impounded vehicles have necessary Haj permits, a vehicle will be secured to transport them but violators of Haj regulations who want to perform Haj without permits will be referred to the Passport Department.

He added that work has started at the newly-opened Al-Behaitah impoundment center where Traffic Department personnel are working alongside other security authorities under a unified command.

A strict traffic campaign has begun in Makkah and the central area of the holy city to impound violating cars that carry passengers and old cars and buses without permits from the concerned authorities.

Maj. Gen. Al-Muqbil called on all citizens and expatriates to comply with the directives of the Traffic Department with regard to transporting pilgrims.

29 September 2013

For the 10th consecutive year, the Ministry of Health will launch its phone-in service for Haj pilgrims today.

The program, which is run by the ministry’s Information Center, is part of its efforts to raise awareness regarding safety measures and hygiene to ensure this Haj season is free of health problems, Khalid Al-Mirghalani, the ministry’s spokesman, told Arab News.

Beginning Sunday, the services will be available on toll-free number 800 249 4444. Ministry officials will also be accessible online on the ministry’s website and via the social networking site Twitter @ saudimoh.

The service, entitled “Health for the guests of God” will be formally launched in the presence of senior health officials at the ministry’s call center in the capital. The phone-in service is available in Arabic and will be open for the public from 8 a.m. for a period of two weeks.

“We have a team of expert call attendants who will be instantly replying to the inquiries of callers seeking medical advice during their pilgrimage to the holy cities,” the spokesman said.

The medical team comprises consultants, cardiologists, medical specialists, pharmacists and dentists. The program is handled by a group of Saudi women who work with the ministry and in its city hospitals here, he added.

The official recalled that the “Hello Ramadan” program, which aired during the holy month of Ramadan was a success and he hoped that this service would also attract a larger number of pilgrims who wanted to avail themselves of the ministry’s services.

“We assure all callers strict confidentiality of the information provided during their telephone inquiries,” he said, adding that men suffering from chronic ailments such as diabetes and hypertension are free to ask questions about their dose of medication and how they should store their insulin during the pilgrimage, while women could inquire about vaccines and matters concerning their menstrual cycle and how to prevent it during the pilgrimage.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466164

 

 

Kaaba will have new key in Nov.

30 September 2013

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has instructed authorities to host 1,400 pilgrims from different parts of the world to perform Haj this year at the government’s expense, Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh said on Sunday.

“The king’s gesture reflects the Kingdom’s desire to establish stronger relations with Muslims all over the world,” he said, adding that his ministry has made arrangements to host the king’s pilgrim guests.

Guest pilgrims will come from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, South Korea, Maldives, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Slovakia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand, Fuji, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Mexico, Trinidad, Cameroon and South Sudan, as well as from 40 African countries.

More than 22,000 pilgrims from across the world have performed Haj under this program during recent years, he said. “We’ll do everything in our power to host the pilgrims and arrange their pilgrimage,” the minister said, adding that Muslims all over the world have appreciated the king’s gesture.

Meanwhile, King Abdullah on Sunday welcomed princes, ministers, Islamic scholars and new officials who came to greet him at his palace. Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, attended the reception.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hashim Abdu Hashim, editor in chief of Okaz, said the reforms, introduced by King Abdullah, were unprecedented in the country’s history.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466291 30 Sept 2013

Makkah's Pilgrim Housing Committee has issued 5,710 permits for the provision of 33,980 rooms for Haj pilgrims this year.
Head of the committee, Zuhair Haddad, said this year also saw 270 permits issued for new buildings that can accommodate 112,000 pilgrims in 22,831 rooms.

He said there has been a decline in the number of permit applications from owners of old buildings, which now amounts to about 2 percent of all applications.

"This year has seen a sharp decline in the number of old buildings applying for permits. These are located in districts such as Ajyad, Misfalah, Masafi and Ma'abdeh," he said.
Al-Aziziyah district acquired the largest share of new building permits. "The district received 2,200 permits in total, the most in Makkah. The second highest, with 1,250 permits, was the area around the Grand Mosque, then Misfalah with 1,030 permits, Al-Rusaiyfah with 734 permits and Al-Otaibeyiah with 524 permits.

Haddad said that around 1,000 buildings that received permits last year did not get approval this season for various reasons.
"In addition to the buildings that got the licenses, there are also hotels that got permission from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), which can accommodate more than 650 guests."
He said there would be sufficient rooms this year for pilgrims.
The committee has this month monitored safety measures at the licensed buildings, including furniture, air conditioning and other services provided for the guests of Allah

Haddad said inspections are carried out by 26 supervisory teams from nine centers across the holy city. Four emergency teams work around the clock. "Members of the teams usually rotate positions at these centers to achieve the best result," he said.

He said the committee would act against anyone violating safety and service agreements. "If the situation requires moving pilgrims to other licensed buildings it will be done without hesitation."

He said there has been a decline in illegal operators over the last four Haj seasons. "This is the result of the efforts and expertise of the committee in dealing with the locations and sites where such buildings exist," he said.
Haddad said each pilgrim should get a bar code before arriving in the Kingdom, with details of his or her accommodation, location and means of transport, but many tawafa and Umrah service providers have not yet introduced the technology.

He said there is an exemption for owners of certain new buildings from applying for permits, according to Article 10 of the regulations, even after the grace period ends in June next year.

He urged landlords to comply with the specifications of the building as stated in the construction permit. "Otherwise the landlord should refer to the municipality to record any changes in the specifications." No permits are issued for buildings that do not comply, he said.

The requirements also include that the floors of corridors and rooms have new tiles, and there are no cracks in the walls and ceilings.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466281

30 Sept 2013

RIYADH – The Ministry of Health has assigned two laboratories to test suspected cases of MERS-CoV infection, Deputy Health Minister for Public Health and Head of the National Scientific Committee for Infectious Diseases Dr. Ziad Maimish announced at a press conference here on Sunday.

Regional MoH laboratory in Madinah and that of Mina Al-Wadi Hospital in Mina will work along with the labs in Jeddah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.

Arrangements have been made to get the results from these labs within four hours, said Dr. Maimish.

Dr. Maimish said that so far 114 MERS cases have been reported in the Kingdom, of which there were 49 deaths.

The Ministry of Health has formed medical teams and set up preventative measures at points of entry to the Kingdom to monitor arriving pilgrims, verify their compliance with health regulations, and vaccinate those who have not been vaccinated.

The National Scientific Committee for Infectious Diseases said that reports compiled during the past 24 hours found no infection cases among the pilgrims who have already arrived in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has ordered to host 1,400 pilgrims from different countries this Haj season, according to Sheikh Saleh Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawah, and Guidance.

“The King’s orders reflect the attention the government gives to all Muslims around the world,” Al-Sheikh said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday. The Kingdom will host pilgrims from 40 African countries in addition to those from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Korea, Slovenia, Australia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela besides others.

By the end of this Haj season, the host program will have brought over more than 22,000 Muslims from all over the world since it started in 1996, Al-Sheikh said.

This country has one mission: Serving Islam and Muslims not only in Haj season but all the time, Al-Sheikh noted.

As of Saturday, 683,315 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom.

Director General of Passports Lieutenant General Salem Bin Mohammed Al-Belaihid told SPA that 661,734 pilgrims arrived at airports, 13,742 through land entry points, and 7,839 by sea.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130930182132
JEDDAH — Sources at the Ministry of Haj said 10 fraudulent local pilgrim service providers will be penalized and defamed. The penalties include imprisonment and financial fines, as these companies have manipulated the rights of local pilgrims. The source said an investigation is under way with the owners of these companies who have been detained. Security bodies and Haj Ministry committees had been monitoring these companies whose only purpose was to collect money from pilgrims and then disappear.

Deputy Minister of Haj Hatem Al-Qadhi said field teams are monitoring different areas and governorates to expose such phony companies. He said a site has been set up on the Internet listing all approved local pilgrim service companies. He advised pilgrims to check the site before dealing with any service companies.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130930182069