Makkah News and Updates

5 October 2013

A new research finding has provides evidence that the Ajwa date from Madinah contains active elements useful in the prevention of diseases like cancer.

The research was carried out in Riyadh-based King Saud University (KSU) to discover the health benefits of Ajwa dates, which resulted in the finding that the fruit has anti-inflammatory properties similar to commercially available drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin.

The study found that the inhibition rate in Ajwa was equal to existing commercial anti-oxidant products available in the market. The research was published in the 61st issue of the US-based journal for agriculture and food chemistry, a KSU official said.

The official said that professor Muraleedharan Nair, head of the natural materials laboratory at the University of Michigan, conducted the research in collaboration with KSU’s date palm research chair. A number of researchers from both the universities participated in the study.

Saleh A. Aldosari, the chair’s supervisor, said the research was the first among a series of studies being conducted at the center to study the main types of dates found in Saudi Arabia. The research projects are supported by KSU as well as King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Kingdom’s national plan for research projects.

King Saud University has adopted a policy of pursuing scientific leadership through its many scientific research chairs, which are sponsored by the university’s agency for graduate studies and scientific research.

The dark brown Ajwa date from the Madinah region of the Kingdom is known for its softness, dryness and high price in the Kingdom’s date market.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also mentioned the benefits of the Ajwa, saying they prevent certain diseases.

According to health experts, Ajwa dates contain many flavonoid glycosides, which have anti-oxidant properties. Beyond the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, the sugar in Ajwa dates is only monosaccharaides, making the date beneficial for people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes.

Ajwa dates are also found to have a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory effect that is similar to commercial anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, celebrex and naproxen.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466767
5 October 2013

South Africa is seeking an increase in its Haj quota from 2,500 to 6,000, the country’s consul general said recently.

“An ideal quota for South Africa would be 6,000,” said Ebrahim Edries. South Africans would be “extremely satisfied” if this was approved by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

Edries said that South African officials have spoken to the Saudi authorities about this situation. He claimed that other minority Muslim countries such as Australia and New Zealand are not subject to the 0.1 percent quota.

“They are given a baseline number. For example, the Muslim population of South Africa is similar to those of Australia and New Zealand but they bring 14,000 pilgrims whereas we are allowed only 2,500,” he said.

“We would also like to be treated like Australia and New Zealand. We are not asking for 14,000 because it is probably unlikely that we would be able to fill it every year with first-time Hajis.” He said some South Africans who performed Haj 20 to 50 years ago might want to come again.

He said 90 percent of the quota could be filled with first-time pilgrims. The other 10 percent would come from pilgrims who performed Haj over 10 years ago. Currently only first-time pilgrim come for Haj, he said.
Before the country became a democracy in 1994, South African pilgrims were the only people who could get visas on arrival for Haj because Saudi Arabia did not have diplomatic relations with the Apartheid regime.
Until the early 1990s nearly 10,000 pilgrims used to come for Haj every year. After 1994, Saudi Arabia opened its embassy in South Africa and had to regulate Haj matters. “Then we were subjected to an OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) quota of 2,500.”

He said South Africa is a secular country with no official organization for pilgrims. However, Muslims have established a nonprofit company called the South African Haj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) to coordinate all Haj-related matters. The company does not raise funds for pilgrims. “Of course, ideally we would like to establish something like Tabung Haji (the Malaysian body that raises funds for pilgrims). It is up to individuals to make their own plans. But they need permission from SAHUC because of the quota system.”
South African pilgrims follow certain practices before leaving for Haj. These vary from region to region. For example, in the Western Cape, people go to neighborhood mosques for two-hour Haj lessons every week for two to three years before they depart for Haj.
Edries said that South Africa intends to have observer status at the OIC because 27 African countries are already members of the organization.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466774

 

‘KSA proud of its Islamic heritage’


GLORIOUS PAST: SCTA President Prince Sultan bin Salman, accompanied by Rome Mayor Ignazio Romino
and other senior Saudi and Italian officials, tours the Saudi heritage show in Rome on Thursday.

5 October 2013

Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia announced the month of Dhu al-Hijjah on Sunday. It said in a statement on Saturday, it proved the sighting of the crescent this month on Saturday, after offering a witness of the court and testified seeing the crescent.

In this declaration, the Arafat Day is will be on Monday, October 14, 2013, and Eid al-Adha on Tuesday, followed by the 15th of the same month.

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/saudi-to...AD%D9%8A-.html

6 Oct 2013

Saudi Arabia will continue to slash the number of domestic and foreign pilgrims for two more years until the ongoing mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) expansion project is completed to ensure the safety of pilgrims, a senior official said.

“The Kingdom decided to reduce foreign pilgrims by 20 percent and domestic pilgrims by 50 percent this year because of the mataf expansion project, which will take three years to complete,” Deputy Haj Minister Eissa Rawwas told Arab News when asked whether the government would allow more pilgrims to perform Haj next year.

The mataf project is carried out in three phases.

“This year they will complete one-third of the project while the remaining two phases will be completed in the next two years. Once the project is complete more pilgrims will be able to perform Haj,” Rawwas said.

The project aims at increasing the mataf’s capacity from 48,000 to 130,000 pilgrims per hour. The Haram expansion, which is taking place concurrently, will hike the Grand Mosque’s capacity to two million worshippers.

The minister called upon all pilgrims to follow the Kingdom’s Haj regulations as well as the grouping system that was introduced to prevent overcrowding at mataf and the Jamrat (where the faithful stone Satan) in Mina.

Rawwas said the government decided to reduce the number of pilgrims until the completion of mataf expansion following the advice of crowd management experts. “Definitely this is done for the benefit of pilgrims.”

Saad Al-Qurashi, president of the National Haj & Umrah Committee at Makkah Chamber, told Arab News that the minimum Haj service charge has been reduced to SR2,500, adding that it would benefit 10,000 pilgrims.

Nearly 2 million pilgrims, including about 1.3 million who have come from abroad, will take part in this year’s Haj that begins on Oct. 13. Civil Defense Director General Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijri has warned that his department would not tolerate any violations of Haj safety regulations, adding that the violators would be arrested. “We have given powers to our officers to remove all safety violations at pilgrim houses in Makkah and tents in the holy sites.”

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466881
6 Oct 2013

Experts will present 32 research papers at the Haj Ministry’s annual conference in Makkah Tuesday through Thursday.

The conference will discuss vital issues related to Haj in order to help Saudi Arabia successfully manage the annual event without problems.

“This is the largest gathering of Islamic researchers and think-tanks,” said Eissa bin Muhammad Rawwas, deputy Haj minister and supervisor of the event, adding that papers for discussion were selected from 200 thinkers, researchers and Islamic scholars from across the world.

“Haj Priorities” is the main theme of the three-day conference, which will have four sessions daily. He urged Saudis and expatriates who have performed Haj in the past not to repeat the pilgrimage this year in order to make way for first-time Hajis to perform their religious rituals.

“The conference aims at enlightening pilgrims on the need to prioritize their religious activities without causing harm to fellow Muslims. This concept will solve many problems during Haj. Pilgrims should care for others instead of just trying to maximize their own comfort and convenience at the expense of others,” he told Arab News.

Rawwas also asked pilgrims to keep away from crowded areas to ensure their safety and that of other pilgrims. “The conference will discuss a number of papers on this topic with an Islamic perspective,” he said.

Participants include Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia), Sulaiman Abalkhail, president of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, and Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, former president of the Shoura Council and imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque.

Foreign speakers include Tunisian Islamic Affairs Minister Nuruddin Al-Khadimi, Guinea’s International Cooperation Minister Qutub Mustafa Sanu, Muhammad Ali Al-Jozo of Lebanon, Asman Kozlic of Bosnia and Hekmat Ozdemir of Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih University in Istanbul.

Hisham Al-Abbas, secretary-general of the conference, said this is the 38th annual conference organized by the ministry, adding that it had sent its recommendations to ministries and government agencies to benefit from them. He highlighted the role of the media in enlightening pilgrims about Haj rituals, as well as about Haj safety and security issues.

“We have accepted papers from experts in 80 countries to present at this conference,” Al-Abbas said. Nearly 200 delegates from Saudi Arabia and other countries, including academics, will take part in the event.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466873 6 Oct 2013

KANO, Nigeria: An airline manager says a Boeing-747 jetliner carrying 400 pilgrims hit a sharp object as it was landing in Nigeria’s northern Sokoto city and blew out two tires.

Aminu Salahu of Kabo Air said no one was injured in the accident that affected two of the Jumbo Jet’s 18 tires. He said the chartered plane was flying from Kano city to Saudi Arabia and had stopped to pick up more pilgrims in Sokoto.

The accident comes three days after a plane chartered from Associated Airline crashed and burst into flames minutes after taking off from the country’s main airport in southern Lagos. At least 13 people died in that crash of a Brazilian-made Embraer-120 turboprop.

Nigerian airlines and airports have a notoriously poor record.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466880

6 Oct 2013

The Makkah Municipality has introduced German technology at a cost of SR56 million to speed up slaughtering this Eid.

In a statement, the municipality said that 40 animals including camels and cows, would be slaughtered, skinned and packed in an hour.

Two German butchers who embraced Islam are overseeing this new project. Their team members are also from Germany.

The municipality has deployed teams to prevent unauthorized slaughtering in the holy city while the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), which oversees the adahi project, has urged pilgrims to buy its coupons.

The municipality has designated five abattoirs where slaughtering will take, to uphold health and Islamic standards.

The Al-Maisam area close to Mina will handle millions of livestock this Haj. About 7 million animals will be slaughtered in the holy city on Eid Al-Adha. The ministries of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Interior, Health and Agriculture are working together to monitor the slaughtering of animals in the holy city.
Students of King Faisal University’s veterinary college are also participating in the project.

Municipal officials are also monitoring livestock coming into the holy city. Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar has warned that the government would punish those involved in unauthorized slaughtering.

The mayor said veterinary experts are regularly checking the health of animals and the people involved in slaughtering. A total of 300 security officers would be deployed in the abattoir area in Al-Maisam.

Ahmed Mohammed Ali, IDB’s chairman, said in a statement that he visited the Al-Maisam area to inspect the arrangements made for the adahi project. Hundreds of veterinary doctors from various parts of the Islamic world are working on the IDB project in Makkah.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466874 6 Oct 2013

Saudi banks have opened up more branches ahead of Haj to serve pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah. They have also opened up temporary offices at the entry points to the holy cities and set up mobile ATMs at the holy sites.

Banks have also made arrangements to ensure a continuous supply of cash in ATMs in anticipation of a large money withdrawal rate during the Haj season and Eid Al-Adha holidays.

“There is a 5 percent increase in the number of ATMs and automatic sales machines in Makkah and other holy sites compared to the last Haj season,” said Talaat Hafiz, secretary-general of the media committee for banking awareness at Saudi banks.

Banks have set up emergency teams to deal with ATM malfunctions during Haj.

Fake agents

The Haj Ministry has detected 13 fake Haj agents in the Makkah region, said Hatim Qadi, deputy minister and spokesman for the ministry.

“Monitoring authorities, including the Control and Investigation Board, will continue to look out for fake Haj agents who intend to cheat pilgrims by promising false services,” he said.

Qadi said the ministry has set up a committee to monitor advertisements by fake companies in newspapers and social media. “We have announced the names of 205 licensed companies through our websites,” said Qadi.

Pilgrim buses

The Car Syndicate has prepared 20,000 buses to transport 1.32 million pilgrims during this Haj season. “These buses will carry about 3.3 pilgrims between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah and 4.6 million between the holy sites at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah,” said an official of the organization.

Buses ensure safe travel for pilgrims, the official said, adding that the organization makes sure the buses are roadworthy.

The syndicate has purchased 1,425 new buses for SR712.5 million, bringing the total number of buses to 20,888.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466875

6 oct 2013

Madinah is one of the most prosperous Saudi cities, with numerous investment opportunities that have contributed to the growth of its trade, industry, tourism and agricultural sectors.

Madinah’s religious status has made it one of the most prominent tourist cities thanks to the high volume of visitors and pilgrims, in addition to its natural and mineral wealth. This has helped in fostering a commercial atmosphere, especially with regards to demand on consumer products.
Commercial registrations are expected to increase to more than 39,000 according to the research center at the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

More service and transportation projects are expected to be established in the future. Industrial cities have 201 factories, with a metal factory in the lead at 25.4 percent and foodstuff production accounting for 20.4 percent of investment, making the city an attractive investment venue.

Statistics from the Chamber show that the city’s religious, historical and cultural status has made it a distinguished economic location. According to statistics, the number of factories has increased by 6.3 percent during the first half of 2012. The total volume of financial services reached SR70.4 billion, accounting for 13.6 percent of industrial finances. This figure is expected to rise by more than 4 percent of the Kingdom’s productive factories.

The most prominent industries in Madinah include non-metallic mineral products, which account for 25.4 percent of production with 51 factories and 8,333 workers, who make up 29 percent of the total number of factory workers in the area.

The center has also said that chemical factories rank first in terms of funding, with a value of SR29 billion, or 41.2 percent of total funding expenditure. Chemical factories have 22 percent of the labor force in Madinah, while coal production and refined petroleum products have 32.5 percent.

The chamber’s research center said the number of commercial registers is on the increase and are expected to reach more than 39,000. There were 1,284 documented registers during the first half of 2012, an increase of 21.4 percent from the same period last year and a 10.2-percent increase from the same period in 2010.

The center also stated that Madinah Province has 159 hotels, equivalent to 16.7 percent of the Kingdom’s hotels. There are 18 five-star hotels, 11 four-star hotels and 46 three-star hotels. The city also owns 23 residential units. The city’s religious status and geographical location, in addition to archaeological sites in governorates such as Ola, Khaibar, Yanbu and Badr further increase its touristic value.

Major projects to be implemented in Madinah will contribute to the growth and development of the area’s economy. These include the expansion of the Prophet's Mosque, which is being implemented over three stages to accommodate more than 1.6 million worshippers. The Madinah Economic Knowledge project spans 4.8 million sqm, which aims to attract more than SR25 million in investments.

The project will provide 20,000 job opportunities, in addition to the Al-Haramain train, which connects Makkah and Madinah through Jeddah, spanning 480 km and accommodating more than 3 million passengers.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466863
6 Oct 2013

ROME – President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) Prince Sultan Bin Salman said here on Saturday that after this year’s Haj season the Kingdom will allow post-Umrah tourism in cooperation with the ministries of interior, foreign affairs and Haj.

He made this announcement during a visit to the Cultural Days Exhibition being held in the People’s Square in Rome.

Last year, SCTA approved more than 30 tourist companies to provide post-Umrah tourist services.

The post-Umrah tourism program will make it possible for Muslims who come from overseas to remain in the Kingdom after completing Umrah rituals to tour the Kingdom’s archeological sites.

Commenting on the term religious tourism, Prince Sultan said that the Kingdom does not use this term officially as a concept for tourism used internationally.

He said people adhere to their religion and perform their religious rituals.

Prince Sultan said the Kingdom spares no effort to provide the best services to the visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.

“We are servants of the Two holy mosques and we carry out this duty without boasting. Allah blessed us with this honor to serve Islam, Muslims and the two holy mosques,” he added.

Prince Sultan said the Kingdom enjoys distinctive relations with the majority of countries.

He said the relations between the Kingdom and Italy are strong in the political, economic and cultural aspects.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131006182763
6 Oct 2013

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Haj has allowed 23 local Haj companies to offer low cost Haj at SR2,500-SR5,000 to fight the spiraling cost of Haj.

The Ministry will provide these companies with special camps, and residents will be allowed to register their names with these companies during this week only.

Assistant Deputy Haj Minister for pilgrims’ affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Nefai'ei said that so far around 30,000 local residents have registered their names with these companies.

He said that only two companies have refused to offer Haj services to pilgrims, and that 204 local Haj companies will be in service this year.

He pointed out that 31 local Haj companies have applied to offer low cost Haj, but 24 of these companies were approved, taking into consideration the available camps area for these companies.

Of these companies, 19 are in the Haj and Umrah business, while 4 are charitable organizations.

He said that the Ministry has intervened in this matter to curb the increasing cost of performing Haj, which has reached SR20,000 a head.

He added that this decision was taken to cater for the needs of local Hajis, who could not perform Haj due to the high costs.

He said that this system was applied two years ago as an experiment, and after the results were reviewed, the Ministry decided to apply it again.

He said that only companies that have a 1,000 Haj permit are allowed to offer this service. These companies will be monitored, and any company found to be offering Haj at higher prices will be penalized.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131006182761

Civil Defense personnel using hydraulic fans in tunnels in Makkah to clean 200,000 cubic meters of air and smoke in an hour. These fans can also sprinkle more than 150 liters of water in a minute. Vehicles fitted with these fans will be used mainly in tunnels used by pilgrims as well as at residential towers and commercial centers to bring down temperature.

6 Oct 2013

MAKKAH –The Civil Defense authorities have warned Haj service providers that they will face stringent penal action in case of any violations in safety regulations.

Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijry, Director General of Civil Defense, warned firms engaged in providing accommodation for pilgrims against committing any violations with regard to the safety requirements and standards of the buildings.

“We will deal sternly with those who are negligent with regard to the safety of pilgrims,” he said.

Al-Tuwaijry praised Civil Defense field teams for finding out some violations of safety regulations during their inspections in the last few days. “These cases were referred to the preventive supervision teams at the Civil Defense. Subsequently, these violations have been rectified and penal actions were taken against the violators,” he said.

Al-Tuwaijry drew attention to the dangers of using some unlicensed buildings for accommodating pilgrims.

“Licenses were denied for these buildings for want of safety requirements. All these buildings will be under the close surveillance of our inspection squads around the clock,” he said, adding that punitive measures will be taken against those who use these buildings to accommodate pilgrims.

He urged the pilgrims to call the Civil Defense on the toll free number 998 if they notice any safety violations in their accommodation. He also called on all tawafa establishments and Haj firms to strictly adhere to the safety requirements and not to make any construction and décor work in the buildings or passageways at the expense of the pilgrims’ safety. He also warned that those who repeat violations such as bringing cooking gas to the holy sites and illegal erection of tents will face imprisonment.

More than 70 security patrol teams will be deployed to catch those who enter Makkah and the holy sites without a Haj permit.

The Haj Security Command officials told a press conference in Mina on Saturday that these illegal pilgrims will be handed over to the concerned agencies so as to take penal action against them. The authorities earlier disclosed that those who are caught performing Haj without permit would be deported immediately and banned from entering the Kingdom for 10 years. Similarly, owners of vehicles used to smuggle illegal pilgrims to the holy sites would be detained and fined, and their vehicles will be impounded.

Brig. Gen. Abdullah Al-Obaid, field security commander for Al-Behaita Center in Taif, said that the center, one km from Al-Sail Meeqat (place from where pilgrims enter in a state of ihram), will closely check all the pilgrims coming by land from the central region and GCC states. He said that there will be a foreigners’ department at each security center, and any foreign pilgrim who was caught without a valid Haj permit will be fingerprinted and deported instantly. Penal action shall also be taken against illegal Saudi pilgrims, he said.

“The Haj Security Command will strictly enforce the slogan of “No Haj without a permit” in cooperation with all the concerned departments and agencies, said Maj. Gen. Yahya Al-Zahrani, Commander of the Special Forces for the Security of the Grand Mosque.

Meanwhile, the Civil Defense pressed into service vehicles equipped with devices for air filtration and exhaust fans. These vehicles will be used mainly in tunnels used by pilgrims as well as at residential towers and commercial centers to bring down temperature, according to Civil Defense sources.

The hydraulic fans in the device will help clean 200,000 cubic meters of air and smoke in an hour. These fans can also sprinkle more than 150 liters of water in a minute. This will be helpful for safety and rescue operations in case of any accidents such as fire in tunnels and residential towers, the sources said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131006182768 6 oct 2013

MAKKAH — The assistant head of operations at Makkah's Civil Defense Brig. Miksib Al-Omairi, said more than 1,700 CCTV cameras have been installed around Makkah’s neighborhoods to monitor pilgrims during this year’s Haj.

He said the Civil Defense Operations Center is prepared to receive notifications of accidents and direct the relevant field teams using a number of advanced informational systems including an advanced GPS system that allows authorities to pinpoint the location of a caller. Vital installations will be linked with the Civil Defense Operations Center.

A wireless communications system is also being used to alleviate pressure on the main communications network. Text messages are also used to communicate with government bodies and their representatives. A system to broadcast live television pictures from accidents sites will also be used. Such a system will allow Civil Defense commanders to monitor and follow-up on accidents and take necessary decisions.

The head of the safety section, Col. Abdullah Al-Qarsh, said there is complete coordination with all government bodies to monitor and follow-up safety requirements. In addition, safety patrols have been increased to monitor safety measures in all public installations and hospitals. He added that Civil Defense representatives are also present at all current projects that are under construction.

The Civil Defense has, for the first time, also set up an electronic link with the Haj Ministry to closely follow the movements of pilgrims from their arrival at various air, land and sea inlets until they are accommodated in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites, a local daily reported.

Quoting the director general of Civil Defense Maj. Gen. Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Qarni, Al-Madinah newspaper reported that the linkup would enable the Civil Defense to monitor the movements of pilgrims, their means of transport and their accommodation, which should meet certain safety standards.

“Thanks to the project, we can make emergency plans to deal with any accident that may take place at pilgrims’ accommodation,” he said.

Al-Qarni said the initiative would also enable the Civil Defense to safely evacuate pilgrims in case of emergencies and accommodate them in other safe areas. “We will also be able to monitor any violations that may be committed by the Tawafa establishments,” he said.

The director said a special Civil Defense committee would consider any violations in the pilgrims' accommodation and punish violators accordingly.

“A committee from the Civil Defense has already visited all the accommodation facilities of the pilgrims in Makkah before granting them licenses to accommodate them,” he said. The Civil Defense has already positioned its personnel in Makkah, Madinah, the holy sites and all the Kingdom's air, land and sea inlets.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131006182758
6 Oct 2013

MAKKAH — Neither the hot weather nor the scorching sun and accompanying high humidity in Makkah has prevented pilgrims from roaming the streets near the Grand Mosque to do some shopping in Al-Azizia and similar shopping areas that are full of markets. Shops are filled with pilgrims, who have come to the Kingdom to perform Haj, from early morning until late at night. Textile and gold shops are reporting some of the highest sales in the city.

According to local resident, Abdullah Bawazir, pilgrims begin trickling into the Grand Mosque at dawn to perform Fajr prayer, after which they begin to visit various districts of Makkah. Many pay local bus drivers to take them to the city’s historical areas. Others go shopping to buy gifts for their relatives when they return to their respective countries.

Murtaza Kamal, a pilgrim, said, “It is an opportunity to get acquainted with the sites of Makkah, a city in which direction we pray every day in our countries. But now we can see Makkah and touch its soil. Now we can enjoy the sight of the Holy Kabaa and pray near it in a state that is difficult for me to describe. It is an indescribable spiritual state. We can tour Makkah and see its historical sites and see how life was in the past.”

Kamal went on to say he was happy to be in Makkah as it is the dream of every Muslim to perform Haj, since performing the pilgrimage is one of the pillars of Islam. He also said being in the city was an opportunity for his family to shop in Makkah’s streets.

“There are so many markets near the building where we are staying. We are buying lots of gifts for friends and family back home.”

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131006182755

6 Oct 2013

MAKKAH – Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais, Head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, will hand over on Sunday the kiswa (black cover) of the Kaaba to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Shaibi, the keeper of the Kaaba.

Every year around this time the new kiswa is handed over to Al-Shaibi in order to replace the old one on the 9th of Dhul Hijja.

Last week, the Presidency announced that the key of the Kaaba will be replaced with a new one during the customary washing of Islam’s holiest shrine in the beginning of the Hijri year (early November).

The new key will be handed over formally to the keeper (Sadin) of the Kaaba and its installation will be done in his presence, said Ahmad Al-Mansouri, spokesman of the Presidency.

Referring to the steps taken to replace the old key, Al-Mansouri said: The demand to replace the old key with a new one first came from former senior Sadin the late Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Shaibi.

He wrote a letter to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Dhul Hijja 15, 1429, in which he had mentioned the difficulties faced in opening the door of the Kaaba for washing on Shaaban 1, 1429.

It was revealed that the key, which was made more than 30 years ago, was rusting.

As a result, the key was taken to a specialized workshop for maintenance work. It returned to its position after the maintenance work that lasted for 12 hours was completed.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131006182766
6 oct 2013

The Ministry of Haj plans to employ women in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah to help process pilgrims arriving for Umrah and Haj, according to an official from the ministry.

Abdullah Marghalani, assistant undersecretary and director general of the ministry’s branch in Jeddah, also outlined other measures undertaken by the ministry for this year’s Haj. Thy included allowances for late arrivals, the expansion projects, the reduction in the number of pilgrims, visas for Syrians and security issues.

On the employment of women, Marghalani said preparations are under way to set up the branches. “Women will work side by side with men, in accordance with Shariah principles, to help achieve the objectives of the Ministry of Haj.”
“The women will work on programs for the reception of pilgrims, support all administrative programs, transcription programs, and translation duties.”

He said he does not expect opposition to the move. “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has given women the opportunity to work in all areas as long as they operate within the teachings and limits of Islamic law.”

Marghalani said an estimated 1.4 million pilgrims would arrive this year for Haj, which is about 20 percent less than previous years. This was because of the expansion projects taking place in Makkah. A total of 791,425 pilgrims arrived up until end September.

He said Saudi Arabian Airlines would be the only airline allowed to transport pilgrims for one day after the Dhul Hijjah 4 deadline for Haj flights.
He said the war in Syria has resulted in an 85 percent reduction in the number of pilgrims from that country. Before the crisis, 22,500 visas were issued, but this year only about 3,000 pilgrims are expected.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466872

Riyadh, Dhu-AlQa'dah 29, 1434, Oct 5, 2013, SPA

Tomorrow, Sunday, will be the first day of the lunar month of Zul-Hijja 1434, the Higher Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced this evening, citing a number of adult witnesses who presented to it their testimonies of having seen the moon by mere eye sighting.

Accordingly, pilgrims will stand at Arafat mountain, the peak of pilgrimage, on Monday evening, the ninth of Zul-Hijja corresponding to October 14, 2013 and that the first of the three-day Eid Al-Adh-ha, Greater Bairam, falls on Tuesday, the tenth of Zul-Hijja corresponding to October 15, 2013.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1154244

7 Oct 2013

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, on Sunday handed over the Kaaba kiswa (apparel) to Abdul Qader Al-Shaibi, custodian of the Kaaba's key. It will be put on the Holy Kaaba on the 9th of Dul Hijjah.

The Shaibi family has been the custodian of the Kaaba key for over 15 centuries. They are responsible for the maintenance of the Kaaba, including opening and closing its doors, cleaning, the annual draping and the reception of visitors inside the Kaaba.

The Kiswa, valued at SR20 million, is made of pure natural silk dyed in black. It is fourteen meters high. On the top third segment of the cloth lies the Kiswa belt measuring, ninety-five centimeters in width and forty-five meters in length. It consists of sixteen pieces and surrounds the Kaaba from all sides. The belt is embroidered with silver threads covered with gold.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/466932 7 Oct 2013

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba on Sunday, the first day of Dhul Hijja. More than one million pilgrims have already arrived in the Kingdom for Haj, according to Director General of Passports Salem Bin Muhammad Alblaiheed.

Jeddah, Dhu-AlHijjah 1, 1434, Oct 6, 2013, SPA -- The number of pilgrims coming from outside the kingdom to perform Hajj this year reached 1,100,544 pilgrims until the end of Saturday 29/11/1434 AH.

The number was provided by Director General of Passports Salem bin Muhammad Alblaiheed to Saudi Press Agency. Most pilgrims came by air.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131007182934
7 oct 2013

MAKKAH — The Haj Command and Control Center in Makkah is to use sophisticated digital cameras that can read vehicle number plates, confirm if the vehicles have permits or not and monitor people from up to 60 km for the first time during Haj, said the center’s commander.

Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Zahrani said the center has introduced new technology programs this Haj season that aim to upgrade its performance within an integrated system that incorporates concerned authorities working to serve pilgrims.

The sophisticated long-distance digital cameras will be tested for night surveillance and in all climatic conditions.

In a press conference on Saturday at the center’s headquarters, Al-Zahrani said the directives of top public security officials have emphasized the necessity to use new technology to upgrade the center’s efficiency in carrying out its tasks during the Haj season.He said linking all police locations in the holy sites with the center was a new initiative introduced this year.

Also, the center has been linked with the Ministry of Interior’s National Information Center, apart from using other sophisticated technology programs to help personnel working during Haj to serve pilgrims. Al-Zahrani said this year the center selected new locations to set up sophisticated cameras.

There are 4,200 cameras in total and this number is increasing due to the developments the holy sites and the Grand Mosque are witnessing.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131007182864
7 Oct 2013

MAKKAH — The Haj security forces for administering and organizing pedestrians have begun organizing the movement of pilgrims, who have arrived in Mina with the help of 15,000 personnel who contribute to streamlining the movement of traffic and pilgrims.

Assistant Commander of the Haj Security Forces for the Management and Organization of Pedestrians Brig. Gen. Masoud Faisal Al-Adwani said contingency plans have also been prepared.

Among the options is the existence of alternative routes in case of large numbers of pilgrims. Their movement will be transferred to these routes.


This year witnessed the addition of new command stations and the numbers of these stations have reached 25, while the centers under them are 140 and are distributed along Mina. The ‘no entry’ points at the gateways to Makkah have been supported via a point at Al-Nawariyah checkpoint and another at Al-Behaitah checkpoint east of the holy capital in which a force comprising of privates and students from the Department of Public Security training cities has been included so as to prevent infiltration across these points.

The personnel have received training in several courses, programs, seminars and theoretical and applied training aiming at acquainting the privates with the sanctity of the place and time and the duties he has been assigned so as to serve pilgrims.

They are trained to adapt themselves to prevent squatting, arresting infiltrators, controlling the flow of pedestrians, maintaining the flow of pilgrims in one direction, dividing and managing the masses of pilgrims and organizing the pedestrians in the northern and western courtyards of the Grand Mosque.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131007182865