Makkah News and Updates

 

Security Spokesman of Interior Ministry

Holds Press Conference on Hajj


- Success of transporting pilgrims to the holy sites
- More than 75 % of pilgrims have reached the holy sites

14 October 2013

As per the yearly custom, the Kiswa, the black cloth with golden embroidery covering the Holy Kaaba, will be changed on Monday (Dhul Hijja 9), an official of the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced here on Sunday.

Director General of Kiswa Factory in Makkah Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Pajudeh said more than 240 workers and employees are working in the factory. The cost of making Kiswa amounts annually to more than SR22 million. Pajudeh pointed out that 700 kg of silk and 120 kg of silver and gold wires are used in making the Kiswa.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183647 13 October 2013

MINA — At the outbreak of dawn Monday, tens of thousands of pilgrims from 118 countries and the Kingdom donning the Ihram, two white seamless pieces of cloth, chanting the Talabiya, “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik,” (I am here, O Lord, I am here!) will start for the Mount of Arafat to accomplish their life’s mission and fulfilling their dream of performing Haj.

The white sea of humanity will surge toward the plains of Arafat, some 10 km southeast of here, where the pilgrims will spend the day in prayer and supplication, marking the high point of the five-day Haj.

The Civil Defense has completed arrangements for a comprehensive plan to preserve the safety and security of pilgrims during Arafat Day.

The Civil Defense, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), has completed all arrangements to deal with any emergency situation in the holy sites through the integrated efforts of field teams and emergency units.

“We are ready to deal with any hazardous situation during the grand stand in Arafat until the pilgrims leave for Muzdalifah after sunset,” Director of Civil Defense forces in Arafat Brig. Abdul Rahman Bin Hassan Al-Zahrani said.

The official asked pilgrims in Arafat to remain within the capacity of their tents and be careful of exposed electric wires. “There will be survey teams from the Civil Defense to remove any obstacles that might impede our work of providing safety and comfort to the pilgrims,” he said.

Brig. Al-Zahrani said Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Muhammad Bin Naif has ordered a ban on the use of liquid gas for cooking in the holy sites and his directives will be strictly observed during the entire Haj season. The ban started on the first of Dhul Hijja (Oct. 6) and will continue until Dhul Hijja 13 (Oct. 18).

Meanwhile, Col. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Shahrani, director of safety, said all precautionary measures against fires in Arafat have been taken. “Pilgrims will be safely evacuated from their tents in case of fires or other emergency situations,” he said. “The Haj service-providing companies will be given a limited period of time to make sure that the safety measures have been taken. Otherwise they will be punished according to the rules and their tents will be confiscated,” he warned adding that the Civil Defense teams have been thoroughly qualified and trained to carry out their duties in protecting the safety and security of the guests of Allah.

Col. Al-Shahrani said special arrangements had been made to ensure the safety and smooth running of the Mashair train in collaboration with the operating company.

On the dangers of rainfall and floods, another Civil Defense official Col. Khaled Mubarak Al-Johani said a comprehensive plan has been formulated to deal immediately with any eventuality. “We are in constant contact with the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment so we can warn pilgrims before a change in weather occurs,” he said.

The arrival of pilgrims in Mina was safe and smooth, said Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior.

He said about 1,000 motorcycles were impounded for not having proper license plates and for failure to comply with traffic regulations.

Extensive efforts are being made by security forces to prevent pilgrims from sleeping on mattresses in the streets and blocking the roads leading to the Jamarat Bridge, he noted.

Al-Turki said the ministry has chalked out plans to manage crowds during the shortened and combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers at Nimrah Mosque in Arafat.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183649 14 october 2013

MINA – About 1.38 million pilgrims from 118 countries arrived in the Kingdom to perform Haj this year, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Muhammad Bin Naif announced here Sunday.

In a cable sent to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the minister said the arrival of the pilgrims has been smooth and trouble-free.

“This is due to success granted by Allah and because of the utmost care and guidance extended by the King and the Crown Prince,” the cable said.

Prince Muhammad said of the 1,379,531 foreign pilgrims, 752,424 were men representing 55 percent and 627,107 women forming 45 percent.

The number of foreign pilgrims this year was less by 377,439 (21 percent) compared to last year. The number of pilgrims who arrived by air was over 1.29 million. Over 72,000 pilgrims arrived here by sea and 14,898 by land, Prince Muhammad said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183646 14 October 2013

MAKKAH — Security officials said Sunday that 46,713 Saudi and expatriate pilgrims were turned back for not carrying legal permitsand around 19,193 more were arrested. Also, 37,799 vehicles carrying illegal pilgrims were impounded, officials said.

Authorities have set up checkpoints on all roads leading to the holy sites and have continuously been monitoring dirt roads to keep track of illegal pilgrims.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183648 14 October 2013

Nearly 2 million pilgrims arrived in Mina on Sunday as part of the first phase of Haj 2013.

What was a ghost town until Saturday evening was teeming with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, men and women, young and old. They were reciting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (O God, here I am answering your call) and verses from the Holy Qur’an.

Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif said the number of pilgrims from outside the country totaled 1.37 million, down 21 percent from last year’s 1.75 million. Around 1.29 million of them had flown to the Kingdom from 188 countries, he said.

The reduced number of pilgrims is due to the massive expansion projects in Makkah and government’s aggressive campaign to bar undocumented pilgrims from undertaking the pilgrimage.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said that over 70,000 violators who tried to infiltrate the holy sites were turned away. Security forces seized more than 138,000 vehicles.

“The international media has gotten it wrong when it attributed the lesser number of pilgrims to the so-called coronavirus fear,” said Mufreh Al-Ghamdi, a volunteer at a Haj establishment. “The health minister has made it very clear that there has not been a single case of coronavirus among pilgrims.”

Many pilgrims walked the 12-km distance from Makkah to Mina to avoid being caught up in traffic. Helicopters flew overhead and security forces kept a close watch on any untoward activity.

Water sprinklers placed on pedestrian walkways helped keep the intense heat at bay. Once inside the tent city, the pilgrims focused on prayers and the Qur’an recitation.

The weather was extremely hot in the morning, forcing many pilgrims to take frequent breaks along the routes to their camps. As the evening wore on, a mild breeze blew across the valley, cooling the temperatures. Many pilgrims tried to catch some sleep after a tiring journey from Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Dammam.

The center of activity in Mina was the historic Masjid Al-Qaif. Most pilgrims deposited their luggage in their tents, and headed straight to the mosque, which was full. Pilgrims praying Dohr, Asr and Maghreb in the huge mosque was a sight to behold.

Soon after the prayers many pilgrims were seen exchanging salutations and greetings with complete strangers.

“I am delighted beyond words,” said Rawan Mustafa, an Egyptian pilgrim. “It is only when you come here for the Haj do you realize that you are part of such a huge community of Muslims.”

“Syria is suffering and that means that the Arabs and the Muslims are also suffering,” Abdel-Karim Ahmed was quoted as saying by the AP. “I will beseech Allah to lift the suffering of the Syrian people and stop the bloodshed.”

Saeed Al-Dabbagh, from Palestine, said: “It is such a beautiful feeling to walk in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) in this holy land. I am praying for peace.”

Yasin Kanchwala, from Surat, India, was equally ecstatic. “These beautiful white tents reflect peace and purity,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has deployed more than 100,000 troops to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. Security forces are monitoring the holy sites with 4,200 high-tech cameras, some of which can cover a distance of 60 km.
On Monday, the pilgrims will head to the nearby plains of Arafat in what is widely described as the climax of Haj.

At Arafat, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh will address the congregation from Masjid Al-Nimira. With the Muslim world in massive churning, the message from the topmost scholar will be heard with utmost attention, inside and outside the holy land.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467732

14 October 2013

The tent city of Mina remains deserted throughout the year. It comes to life only during the five days of each Haj season.

Situated 12 kilometers outside Makkah, it was in this city that Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) spent the night before he was set to carry out an order by God to slaughter his son. As Prophet Ibrahim prepared to slaughter Ismaeel, God instructed him to sacrifice a sheep instead. Muslims around the world slaughter sheep, cows and camels to feed the poor marking Prophet Ibrahim’s supreme sacrifice.

Mina is a small city located inside a valley. As far as the eye can see, tents cover every open space. They are neatly arranged, row after row. It is because of these ubiquitous tents that the city is referred to as the tent city.

In the last two years, the city underwent a massive change with the government investing billions of riyals into many infrastructural projects to ease the daunting and physically demanding rituals of the annual pilgrimage.

Those who came here 30 years ago or even 10 years ago can barely recognize Mina as it stands today.

Ahmed Muhammad Al-Haj, a Sudanese pilgrim, vividly remembers how the city looked in 1980.

“The one dominant structure in those days was Masjid Al-Qaif, in the center of Mina,” he said. “All pilgrims would come straight to the mosque from Makkah.”

It was here that Al-Haj made many friends from across the world. “There were Pakistanis, Indians, Malaysians, Americans, all of them,” he said. “The tents were there but they were in such massive numbers and they were not arranged with such meticulous precision. There was a lot of open space.”

The Jamarat Bridge, where pilgrims carry out the symbolic ritual of stoning Satan, was more like a small pedestrian footbridge. “There was a ground floor and a first floor; it was very small, but quite sufficient for the number of Hajis who came in those days,” said Al-Haj. “As the number of pilgrims swelled into millions in later years, the bridge became a death trap.”

Maulana Maqbool Rahmani, from India, is performing Haj after a gap of nearly 17 years. He was here in 1997. “We call that the year of the blaze,” he said, referring to the massive fire that swept through the tent city killing nearly 350 pilgrims. “I was among those who survived.”

Rahmani is full of appreciation for the Saudi authorities. “The very next year, the Saudi government started putting up high-tech fire-resistant tents throughout the city,” he said.

Each tent is made of fiberglass coated with Teflon and a heat-sensitive water sprinkler, which is linked to an alarm system, and electric lighting. That changed the face of Mina. The tents were organized in a scientific way.

After the fire, the government was faced with other daunting challenge; That of conducting an orderly ritual of stoning the Satan.

“That was the biggest challenge because tragedies at the Jamarat Bridge became a norm,” said Abrar Siddiqui, a Jeddah-based Haj operator. “It was a logistical nightmare for the authorities.”

It was then decided to convert the pedestrian-looking bridge into a massive complex to avoid congestion. Billions were spent on constructing the multi-floor complex with multiple exits, water sprinklers and air-conditioning.

“Now, performing the ritual is a breeze,” said Siddiqui. “The project, executed by Saudi Bin Ladin Group, has a helipad to evacuate pilgrims in distress during rush-hours.”

Also, in what is described as a smart move, the throwing of stones was made much easier by changing the shape of the pillars that symbolize Satan. “They were round pillars in the past and pilgrims would strain and sometimes injure themselves taking a shot at them with their pea-sized pebbles,” said Siddiqui. “They would miss their mark and would repeat the ritual again and again leading to catastrophes.”

The shape of the pillars was changed from round to elliptical. “As you approach them, they are now more like a V-shaped wall. And it is very easy to stone them,” said Siddiqui.

Once the tents and the bridge was taken care of, the government shifted its attention to organizing the chaotic transportation issue.

“Since all the pilgrims had to move from Makkah to Mina to Arafat and back to Muzdalifa and Mina, it would result in a logjam,” said Yasser Al-Qahtani, a television journalist. “Pilgrims would spend hours upon hours in their buses just to reach Muzdalifa and Mina from Arafat, a distance of mere 5 km.”
Despite constructing dozens of roads, there would still be traffic jams on the important day of Haj.

“That is when the government decided to introduce the Haj train,” said Al-Qahtani. “That resulted in taking the strain off the roads. Now, the Haj metro ferries thousands of pilgrims to Arafat from Mina and back.”

The Haj train added a dimension to the city. For first-time pilgrims it is nothing short of wonderment to see trains whizzing by on the elevated tracks in the tent city.

Rifat Anjum, a longtime Jeddah expat, said she performed Haj in 2000. “We were part of the Haj caravan organized by a Jeddah Haj operator. “We did not stay in a camp in those days; we were actually housed in a building located close to the Jamarat Bridge. On Jamarat day, we would actually look out from our building to see if the crowd was dense on the bridge,” she said.

All those buildings are now gone. The old city of Mina is now replaced by a modern city with massive health facilities, state-of-the-art slaughterhouses, over-bridges, pedestrian walkways and elevated train stations.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467727 14 October 2013

The Mina field hospital of the Health Affairs department at the National Guard has been built with fiberglass material, which is resistant to fire and heat.

The hospital includes 40 fully equipped beds and emergency beds. It is also equipped with medical devices and clinical supplies, and operates around the clock. The total area of the hospital is 256 square meters, divided into a section for men and one for women. It also includes specialized clinics, supporting services, dental clinics and gynecology, in addition to an integrated operation room, reception and administration offices, laboratories, an X-ray room and a pharmacy.

The location provides lodging for the staff on an area of 208 square meters.
The Health Affairs department provided umbrellas against the burning sun for the comfort and convenience of patients with air conditioners and emergency backup generators.

CEO of the department Bandar bin Abdulmohsen Al-Qanawi said that the field of medical services represents a common factor between the health department at the National Guard and the other health agencies in the Kingdom.

“The coordination process includes our department, the agencies of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defense, the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Interior to provide the best services possible for the guests of Al-Rahman. These include medical evacuation operations. The National Guard has ten equipped teams on stand-by in case of emergencies,” said Al-Qanawi.

He pointed out the department is in constant coordination with the Civil Defense department to transport all patients whose health condition requires rapid intervention to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah.

“We coordinate also with the heads of Haj missions to provide all necessary medications, medical consultations and the other clinical supplies,” he said.
For this purpose, and a better cooperation between health affairs department and the Ministry of Health, a digital telephone line has been set up to link the information center at the Ministry of Health and the field hospital at Mina, in coordination with the Department of Information Systems and Informatics at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah.

The statistical system of the Ministry of Health, where all data on pathological cases and the services provided to the pilgrims are entered, will release special reports on the health status of the pilgrims.
He pointed out that equipped health camps would provide medical services in both Arafat and Muzdalifah as well.

“Two medical wagons were prepared to serve as an emergency centers at Arafat, one for men and the other for women. These can accommodate 20 beds,” he noted, adding that a team of doctors, pharmacists, technicians and administrators with the best Saudi qualifications will work around the clock to serve the pilgrims.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467725 14 october 2013

MAKKAH — The central department for the development of Mashair projects in the Ministry of Municipalities has published a guide for pilgrims using Mashair trains.

The guides include maps of the locations of camps for each train station at Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat, details of ticket colors used by pilgrims, train schedules, times of maintenance and the color of the wrist bands that will allow pilgrims to pass through the electronic gates in each station.
The Ministry has designated beige-colored wrist bands for stations No. 1 in Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat, dark brown for pilgrims using stations No. 2 and brown for stations No. 3 in the Mashair.

Black-colored wristbands are designated for all stations used by pilgrims during the Haj days from the tenth to the thirteenth of Dhul Hijja.
The Ministry stressed that wrist bands are only valid when worn on the wrist and become null and void if cut. The wrist bands are only valid for the days indicated on them and at the stations indicated by the color of the wrist bands.

Train stations No. 1 and 2 will serve 140,000 pilgrims each at the three holy places of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. Train stations No. 3 will serve 120,000 pilgrims and the total number of tickets will be 370,000.

Tickets are issued based on approved documents from the Ministry of Haj, which include the number of pilgrims and their camp locations, in addition to special permits of Tawafa establishments and Haj companies.

Tickets are issued and signed for by an official of the establishment who is committed to distributing the tickets to pilgrims.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183626

14 October 2013

MAKKAH — Female guides are providing various services to women pilgrims in the Grand Mosque. They feel honored and blessed to serve in the Grand Mosque, despite the difficulties they face. Some come on foot from their homes, due to the crowded streets, and they work under the heat of the direct sun.

Um Saleh, Um Fahad, and Um Khalid said that their duties differ according to the section they work at. There are general services that all women guides volunteer to do, such as giving advice and guidance to female worshipers.

The Haia section duties include guiding women to areas that are designated for women in the Grand Mosque. They advise women to stay away from crowded areas and to avoid mingling with men. They also guide women to pray behind men, and not to sit on the stairs and obstruct the passing of other worshipers. The entrance section is one the main sections the women guides work at.

This section is entrusted with inspecting women entering the Grand Mosque, to prevent any women from carrying banned items into the Grand Mosque.
Such items include food and drinks, in addition to sharp metal objects. Female guides at the gates also advise women worshipers to store their valuables at the available safety deposit boxes until they leave the Grand Mosque.

They also monitor women cleaners to ensure that cleanliness is at effective levels. Female cleaning supervisors monitor the toilets cleanliness, and the availability of cleaning material.

The head of the female guides affairs unit of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, Adel Al-Hamdan, said that his unit executes its plans for the Haj season, through a number of educated women.

These women assist and guide women worshipers in the Grand Mosque. He said that more than 900 permanent women guides are employed to execute these duties. He pointed out that the Presidency provides a number of services for the special needs worshipers.

Such services include specially equipped entry points at the gates for their carts, elevators and escalators, and special copies of the Qur'an in Braille.

The head of the Grand Mosque police, Maj. Gen. Yahya Al-Zahrani said that more than 179 permanent and temporary female staff is entrusted with security inside the Grand Mosque. They notify the police of any security or criminal activities, and assist lost female pilgrims.

In other developments, the Executive President of the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) Engineer Ali Saleh Al-Barrak said the company has completed its operation plan for this year’s Haj. He said the plan includes full supervision of operation and maintenance of the electricity network during this period, boosting the electricity system so as to achieve the highest levels of credibility through operation of the generation units with highest possible productivity, boosting the electricity network in Makkah through the operation and expansion of 110/380 kilovolt transformer plants, boosting and operating new subsidiary transformer plants and expanding the existing plants.

Meanwhile, Makkah Municipality has allotted a number of technical field teams to check the readiness of the tunnels network existing in Makkah and the holy sites. They will also ensure the safety of all their elements and contents during the Haj season. Deputy Mayor of Makkah for Construction and Projects in Makkah Municipality Engineer Khaled Muhammad Al-Haij said the field teams supervise 58 tunnels. Of these, 12 are pedestrian tunnels with a length of 35 km. They have 32 control stations, 48,000 sodium and fluorescent lighting units, 451 jet ventilation fans, 36 standby electricity generators and 38 high pressure water pumps to extinguish fires.

The Traffic Command in Arafat has completed preparations to receive pilgrims through an integrated plan for the ascent and Nafrah. Commander of Arafat Traffic Department Col. Khaled Al-Dhubaib said the ascent plan in the holy site started at 7.00 AM on the 1st of Dhul Hijja and will end at 3.00 PM on Arafat Day.

The General Syndicate of Cars and pilgrims transport companies have provided the biggest wireless network having 2,550 devices (manual, on trolleys and stations) so as to cover the expressways to reach Jeddah, the holy cities and the holy sites.

Secretary General of the syndicate Marwan Zubaidi said the number of trips carried out by the 19 pilgrims transport companies until Saturday afternoon reached 38,000 trips by which 1,275,000 pilgrims were transported.

The Ministry of Health started Saturday carrying out its operation plan for the hospitals and health centers in Mina. They are Mina Emergency, Mina Bridge, Mina Al-Wadi and New Mina Al-Sharea hospital. The outpatient clinics, emergency rooms and different hospitalization departments have been prepared to receive pilgrim patients during the Tarwiyah days, Eid Al-Adha and Tashreeq days. The ministry focused in its operation plan on providing curative services.

The Commander of Civil Defense in Arafat holy site Brig. Gen. Abdulrahman Hassan Al-Zahrani warned pilgrims against attempts to climb the Mount of Mercy (Jabal Al-Rahma) during the standing in Arafat, as there is a likelihood of rocks toppling on them or overcrowding in the areas surrounding the mount. This might lead to injuries due to jostling in steep areas. Al-Zahrani said a big number of Civil Defense personnel have been deployed in the vicinity of the Mount of Mercy.

The Secretary General of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Society Dr. Abdullah Al-Fahd said the scouts center for Youth Welfare will provides services to pilgrims.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183630 14 October 2013

MAKKAH — The desire to gain reward from Allah has prompted a number of affluent ladies to abandon their luxurious life and go out to serve the guests of God, local daily Al-Madinah reported Sunday.

These ladies had left their mansions and changed their fancy dresses for uniforms and are out on the streets to guide lost children. Sixteen of these women are doing this job to guide lost children in the holy sites.

Maha Fitaihi, the Labor Minister's wife, is the head of the Haj female guides and chairwoman of the center to guide lost children in Mina and Arafat. She said the "class obsession" has made it impossible for a number of Saudi women to go out and do charity work.

She said she was happy about her first experience during this year's Haj season. "We are not looking for publicity. All the women members belong to affluent families or they themselves are businesswomen who love voluntary work to serve society," she said.

Maha expected the number of voluntary women to increase during the coming Haj seasons through the joining of new members and said they are only waiting for reward from Allah for this service they provide to the guests of God.

She called for establishing special nurseries at the center and said the project is mainly targeting domestic pilgrims who often bring their children with them for Haj.

She said special locations are set up at the holy sites where lost children will be assembled prior to handing them over to their parents.

Ilham Al-Ghathlan said she had no problem giving up her luxury life to serve the pilgrims and help them get back tto their guardians.

Al-Anoud Al-Houti, another female volunteer, said she feels happy and exulted when she sees the smile on the faces of the parents when they find their children.

Aseel Abdul Jawad, a university student, said she will encourage her female colleagues to join this noble voluntary service.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183625
11 October 2013

JEDDAH – The women’s wing of India Fraternity Forum organized recently a training camp for its women Haj volunteers.

Dr. Suda Babu inaugurated the camp held at Al-Noor Medical Center here. Addressing the volunteers, Dr. Suda lauded the commendable humanitarian work and sense of dedication on the part of women Fraternity India volunteers during Haj. Vasantha, senior nurse of the center, enlightened the volunteers on how to tackle with the practical difficulties that they might face while fulfilling their mission.

Forum President Asma Iqbal presided over the function in which Bushra Suleiman spoke and Naseera Najeeb recited verses from the Holy Qur’an.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131011183320

14 October 2013

MADINAH — “Allahu Akbar (God is great) … I can see,” a Sudanese female pilgrim started yelling inside the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. When the congregate surrounded her she told them amidst tears of joy that she has suddenly regained her eyesight which she had lost more than seven years ago.

Fatima Al-Mahi, who is in her late 60s, said she became blind about seven years ago and added that numerous operations had all failed to in helping her regain her eyesight. She did not say how she became blind but was extremely thankful to Allah for making her see again.

"I made sincere supplications inside the Prophet's Mosque asking Allah to bless me with my eyesight. In a miraculous moment of providence I started to see light. I turned left and right and could see the mosque very clearly. I went delirious with happiness when I saw my son who was accompanying me," she said.

Fatima said she saw her face for the first time in more than seven years. "I also saw my son who started crying with joy. I saw the other Sudanese pilgrims in our group. I was able to move alone without any help," she said.

She said that although she lived in complete darkness, she never lost hope that Allah would give her back her eyesight. She said she never stopped praying to Allah to give her back her eyesight.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183629 14 October 2013

MADINAH — Visitors from within the Kingdom have started trickling into Madinah to spend Eid Al-Adha holidays in the vicinity of the Prophet’s Mosque. The Central Area surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque has seen a gradual influx of domestic visitors with hotels operating at near full capacity.

As a result of the increase in visitors, crowding is expected at historic mosques and ancient sites until Arafat Day when many prefer to spend fasting. Meanwhile, the seashore in Yanbu, Al-Rayis Center and Al-Baidaa terrestrial recreation park in Madinah are expected to be crowded due to the moderate weather

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183614 14 0ctober 2013

The health of Indian pilgrims is top priority for the consulate-general and the Embassy of India, Indian Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad told a press conference in Makkah on Saturday.

He said that Saudi authorities are keen on the health of the Hajis and spare no effort in seeing that they perform their rituals in health and safety.
Azad, who is heading the Indian Haj Goodwill delegation, which comprises Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao, said that they met the oldest Indian Haji this year. Ismail from Haryana is 107 years old, as also a woman Haji, named Havabibi Shaikh from Gujarat who is 102 years old.

Because her son has died, her grandson accompanied Havabibi Shaikh. “The grandson mustered the courage and took all the formalities upon himself.”
Ismail’s only son is dead, and his son-in-law is accompanying him. “That shows how close-knit the Indian society is. Old people are not left on their own. They are cared for by their immediate or near relatives,” added Azad.
The delegation visited the holy sites to interact with the Hajis and look into the difficulties that they are undergoing, and solve these.

“There is adequate space,” said Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai. “The tents are properly laid out and there are 34 new moallims who are trying their best to give better service,” he added.

Azad said that health wise there are no complaints. The number of toilets — one for 12 people — would be increased to one for six people.
He said that they visited Umm Al-Qura area where they met Hajis from Kashmir, Gujarat, and visited the 50-bed hospital at Jarwal. In Azizia they visited the 30-bed hospital and talked to Hajis from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala.

Kidwai made a presentation on the Haj arrangements and raised the issue about the limit on the total number of luggage that the Hajis can take home. They carry lot of dates, which increases their baggage allowance. The matter will have to be taken up with the airlines, so that these could be provided at disembarkation points just as the airlines provide Zamzam.

He said that during the visit they found women cooking in rooms that they stay in. “We don’t want women to waste time on cooking because they have come to perform Haj and pray,” he said, adding that in future there might be a common kitchen in their accommodation.

Azad said that the two basic purposes of the delegation were to visit different places, meet Hajis, see the accommodation, the arrangements, interact with the consul general and all those who are making arrangements, besides meeting the Saudi Haj minister, and to attend the reception by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. “More than that it is to oversee the arrangements. Having led delegations over nearly three decades, I have seen that when I came for the first time, the smaller delegation had much more time for inspection visits,” he said.

Later on with each passing year, the number of members grew and the time of the consulate meant in making arrangements for the Hajis was wasted in making and overseeing arrangements for the delegation, who were themselves supposed to assess the consulate in making the arrangements. So the leader was also wasting all the time on the accommodation — every member wanting different type of accommodation, cars and all that. Ultimately the Supreme Court of India noticed this and it decided last year that the number of the delegation should be reduced to two — one minister and one ambassador.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467724

14 October 2013

MINA — The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, represented by the Central Administration for the Development Projects in the Holy Sites, has provided 226 electric cars in the Jamarat area for disabled and elderly pilgrims to use while carrying out their pilgrimage rites. The cars will help those with physical impediments move around smoothly.

Director of Operations and Maintenance Wajdi Bin Hassan Tula told the Saudi Gazette the cars will serve more than 70,000 special needs pilgrims. He said three special passages have been made for the cars to utilize during the three days of Tashreeq (Dhul Hijja 10,11 and 12).

Tula said 70 cars will use Passage No. 1 which goes to the second floor of the Jamarat from its southern borders while 30 cars will use Passage No. 2 going from the northern plazas to the second floor of the Jamarat and 126 cars will go from the Jamarat to the train station in Mina.

He said there will be 226 drivers working 12-hour shifts to drive the cars in addition to 50 field supervisors, maintenance workers and technicians to deal with any problems.

Tula said special arrangements had been made for the operation of the cars during peak hours extending from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183627 14 October 2013

Nearly two million Haj pilgrims have arrived in Mina and their presence in such a large number is bound to increase heat and humidity and put a strain on them.

These tips will help pilgrims during hot weather:

• Sun protection for eyes and skin will limit exposure to its harmful UV rays. Try to always use an umbrella whenever you are outdoors.

• Always apply sunscreen to a clean, dry skin 20 to 30 minutes before heading out into the sun and reapply every two hours. Make sure you use appropriate sun cream for your skin type. Use a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more.

• Drinking plenty of cool water and fruit juices, even before you feel thirsty, will help you stay hydrated and cool. Drinks and cold foods, like ice cream, will cool your body faster when you are overheated, but they only provide a temporary effect.

• Limit hot, heavy meals and hot, caffeinated drinks, especially during the hottest parts of the day as they add heat to your body.

• Hot weather can suppress the appetite, but don’t skip meals. Salads are a good choice on a warm day. Add some radishes, baby carrots or olives to your salad and maybe some chicken strips and boiled eggs to have a complete meal.

• Do not forget your medication, especially when you have blood pressure issues, heart problems or diabetes. Make sure to ventilate your room or tent, by opening the windows occasionally at night to freshen up the place.
• Limit your exposure to the sun during mid-day hours, always stay in the shade and walk slowly.

• Keep the back of your neck and head cool with a wet cloth. Spray water on your skin whenever possible.

Note that some of the most common health issues are heat-related illnesses. Dehydration, heat syncope or heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke if left untreated. Take care of yourself and companions if any of these symptoms have developed: high temperature, headache, exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, rapid breathing, confusion, dehydration or lack of concentration.

If you feel overcome by heat, take the following steps:

• Rest in a shady cool place
• Try to elevate your feet
• Lie down if possible
• Cool down the body, get hydrated preferably with cool water
• Run cool water on wrists and feet or dip feet in cold water
• Perform wudu with cool water, it will make you cooler.
• Put a cool, wet cloth on your skin. Apply on head, neck, chest, underarms and groin.
• Seek medical help if you do not feel better after 30 minutes.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467720

14 October 2013

The Kiswa, or that garb of the Holy Kabaa, was replaced Monday by officials of the The General Presidency for the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque.

The cloth is normally changed on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, or the day of Arafat.

Pilgrim are required to be at the plain of Arafat Monday for the climax of the Haj allowing authorities to work with ease in the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The Director General of Kaabah Kiswah Factory in Makkah, Dr Mohammed Abdullah Pajudeh, said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that more than 240 workers and employees are working in the factory, noting that the cost of making Kiswah amounts annually to more than SR 22 million.

He pointed out that 700 kilograms of silk and 120 kilograms of silver and gold wires are used in making Kaabah Kiswah.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467739

14 October 2013

MAKKAH: About 1.5 million pilgrims flocked to Mount Arafat on Monday for the second phase of the annual Haj, seeking an end to conflicts affecting the Muslim world as they performed Dhur and Asr prayers at Namirah Mosque.

In a sermon at the mosque, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, called on Muslims to avoid divisions, chaos and sectarianism, saying, there is “no salvation or happiness for the Muslim nation without adhering to the teachings of the religion.”

“Your nation is a trust with you. You must safeguard its security, stability and resources," he said.

“You should know that you are targeted by your enemy... who wants to spread chaos among you ... It’s time to confront this,” he added, in an apparent reference to the fighting going on in Syria and the violence affecting other Muslim countries in the Arab world.

Early in the day, the pilgrims headed toward Mount Arafat from nearby Mina Valley where most of them spent the night following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who performed the rituals 14 centuries ago.

They had moved to Mina on Sunday from the holy city of Makkah, home to the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest place of worship, which houses the cube-shaped Kaaba toward which all Muslims pray five times daily.

The number of pilgrims this year is about half of last year's Haj because the Saudi government slashed Haj quotas for foreign pilgrims pending completion of the multi-billion-dollar expansion work at the Grand Mosque. Once completed, the Grand Mosque would be able to accommodate around 2.2 million worshippers, double its current capacity.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, head of the central Haj committee, earlier said 1.38 million pilgrims had arrived from outside of the kingdom while ony 117,000 Haj permits were issued for domestic pilgrims.

He said security officers had turned back 70,000 locals and expatriates who tried to enter the Haj sites without the required permits and had arrested 38,000 others for violating Haj rules, including transporting illegal pilgrims to the holy city.

More than 138,000 vehicles used for transporting illegal pilgrims had also been impounded pending and charges are to be filed against the owners, Prince Khaled said.

Stoning of the devil

The pilgrims are to pray at Arafat until sunset, when they are due to set off for Muzdalifah for a ritual today symbolizing the stoning of the devil.

“I will pray the whole day for God to improve the situation for Muslims worldwide and an end to disputes and bloodshed in Arab countries,” 61-year-old Algerian pensioner Saeed Dherari said.

“I hope that God will grace all Muslims with security and stability,” said 75-year-old Ahmad Khader, who hails from the southern Syrian province of Daraa.

“The regime is tyrannical and I pray for God to help the oppressed people,” he said, referring to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s embattled government.

Egyptian Ahmad Ali, who is performing Haj for the first time, prayed for peace after hundreds were killed in recent months in fighting between security forces and Islamist supporters of ousted president Muhammad Mursi.

“I pray for Egypt to enjoy security and stability and for the people to reach understanding and reconciliation,” Ali told AFP.

The Haj, which officially ends on Friday, is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467734

 

SPA launches Hajj site

14 October 2013

MAKKAH — A study called "Haj is Arafat" has been completed by a committee of 12 concerned government and private bodies has prepared the study, which was submitted to higher authorities for their review and approval.

The deputy Makkah governor and head of the Haj preparation and executive committee, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Khedairi, said that this project will lead to more organization of local pilgrims.

The dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj research, Abdulaziz Surooji, said that the study was conducted over an 18-months period.

The project calls for Makkah residents who will perform Haj, to leave Makkah at 8 a.m. on Arafat day. Special parking areas will be provided to them at Al-Awali and Batha'a Quraish.

They will be transported by special buses to Arafat, after the regular pilgrims have descended from Arafat to Muzdalifah.

They would remain in Arafat for a few hours, after which they will be transported to Muzdalifah to spend the night. Later on, they will be transported back to their cars, so they may return to their homes. He added that the committee has recommended very low fees for this Haj journey.

In addition, such pilgrims should agree that they will not sleep in Mina streets, while they will be allowed to use the Mashair train according to certain conditions.

He concluded that if the program is approved, it will be initially tried on 5,000 pilgrims.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183628 14 October 2013

JEDDAH – Elaf Group has launched a special bouquet of offerings and services for pilgrims this Haj season as part of its plans to promote the Haj services industry. The offerings include price discounts on early booking in one of Elaf’s 11 hotels in Makkah Al Mukrama and Madina Al-Munawara.

Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, President of Elaf Group, said: “Elaf Group and other Haj and Umrah service providers have played a great role in providing high-quality services to pilgrims and Umrah performers, not to forget the Saudi Ministry of Haj’s efforts to keep an eye on their performance. The fruitful cooperation with the industry and the government entities has been instrumental to the success of Umrah season, and we look forward to achieving similar success throughout the upcoming Haj season.”

Bin Mahfouz further added that the Group has spared no efforts to promote this year’s Haj season through the launch of exciting offerings to pilgrims, in line with government directives and the objectives of the Ministry of Haj and other relevant entities.

Government agencies have laid down a well-defined scheme to shuttle pilgrims from their accommodations to Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro, while maintaining strict controls on operations and traffic to avoid congestion, which was the case in previous years. A specialized workshop was also launched in cooperation with relevant government entities and bodies to discuss transportation of pilgrims through Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183599 14 october 2013

MINA — The Ministry of Health has set up special tents in the holy sites for initial handling of any cases of exposure by pilgrims to chemical pollution.

“It is a precautionary measure that we have taken to face any unexpected incidents,” said Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah following a field inspection visit on the readiness of the MOH Center of Emergency and Field Medicine in Al-Muaisim in Mina.

The minister assured that no cases of Mers-CoV infection that still causes fear among pilgrims, or any communicable disease was detected among pilgrims.

“We are more hopeful, with the will of Allah, to have this year a Haj season that is safe, successful and free of serious sicknesses that threatens the life of pilgrims, “ he told reporters.

The minister said the Ministry of Health’s preparedness is on a high scale to save the lives of the pilgrims, and based on its long proven track record and expertise in mass gathering medicine and epidemic surveillance of pilgrims coming from all over the world it is geared in cooperation with World Health Organization.

After inspection of the emergency and field medicine fleet, Al-Rabeeah expressed his satisfaction at the readiness of the fleet and the state-of-art equipment used in each vehicle, the fleet and the expertise, in addition to the system developed to track the movement of each vehicle.

The ministry is also using a host of methods to handle sunstroke cases among pilgrims. “Besides the ambulances that are equipped to deal with these kind of cases, there are emergency departments and intensive care units at the hospitals that have been provided with advanced equipment,” hesaid.

Dr. Tarik Arnos, an official in the ministry said field fleet of ambulances has been increased to 135 by adding 50 new small size advanced ambulances that can easily get into crowded areas, to its 85 existing large ambulances.

He mentioned that the fleet is run by a control center that uses GPS for better and accurate reach to the patients location in the very crowded Haj areas carrying patients to appropriate healthcare facility in record time.

He also mentioned that the ministry this year has mobilized medical teams at 18 stop points on the train route in the holy sites in Arafat and Mina, in cooperation with the Red Crescent and the Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs.

8 open heart and 110 catheterization made

Meanwhile, eight open heart operations were conducted on pilgrims since the beginning of this season up till 6th day of Dhul Hijja. Also, around 110 catheterization procedures were made to pilgrims during the same period. Al-Rabeeah revealed this during the tour of East Arafat Hospital, Namera Hospital, Mount Arafat Hospital, and Mina Al Wadi Hospital.

He directed all healthcare personnel in these facilities to do their best to serve the Guests of Allah and provide them with the highest level of healthcare.

He said the healthcare facilities are all provide with dialyses equipment and have conducted over 300 dialysis sessions to pilgrims. The Minister said that 25 hospitals and 141 primary healthcare centers were put under the disposal of pilgrims at Haj zones in Makkah, Madinah, and other holy sites.

Sudanese pilgrim, Abdulgafour Othman, 55, said that prior to his coming to the Kingdom for Haj he felt a mild pain in his chest but he decided to continue his Haj trip. After performing Umrah upon his arrival, the pain increased and he suffered difficulties in breathing. He was moved to a nearby hospital where physicians decided to transfer him to King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC) for blockage in some heart arteries.

At the KAMC, a cardiologist confirmed the blockage of two arteries, so an operation was conducted to him using state-of-the-art equipment. Now he is in good condition.

An Indonesian pilgrim, Surando, 50, arrived to the Kingdom two weeks ago. Following his arrival he felt a pain in his chest and after being diagnosed at KAMC of a blockage in his heart arteries an open heart surgery was conducted. He is to be discharged soon.

Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, 29, too encountered sudden pain in his chest and after checking up at Yanbu Hospital, a blockage in some heart arteries was discovered. He was transferred to KAMC where a blockage in two arteries and a damaged valve was found. Accordingly an operation to remove the blockage and to fix the damage was conducted and he is in good condition waiting for additional operations after Haj.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131014183645 14 October 2013

The campaign against undocumented pilgrims entered its second phase on Sunday with the authorities placing high-tech fingerprinting machines inside white-colored vans.

The clearly-marked vehicles, widely referred to as mobile fingerprinting units, have been parked at strategic locations inside the tent city.

“We will conduct random checks on pilgrims without permits,” said an official manning one of the units. “Now that they are here, we will not stop them from continuing the rituals.”

Officials will only require undocumented pilgrims to register their fingerprints. “We have been told to be nice to them and to respect their feelings,” he said. “However, since the law has to take its course, action will be taken against them once the pilgrimage is over.”

The government, through a Cabinet decision, has announced that it will deport those who are found at the holy sites without legal permits. Expatriates found guilty of violating the rules will not be allowed to re-enter the Kingdom for 10 years after deportation. Saudis violating the pilgrimage rules are to be fined heavily and jailed.

Despite the strict measures, many pilgrims without permits made their way into Mina on Sunday. Each one had a different story as to how they entered the tent city.

“I paid SR600 to a private Saudi limousine driver near the SAPTCO bus stop in Jeddah to bring me into Mina,” said Ashraf, an Indian expatriate. “He asked me if I had the permit, and I said no. He said he would charge me SR700. I negotiated with him and brought it down to SR600. When I got into his car, there were already four pilgrims inside, two Pakistanis, one Bangladeshi and a Yemeni. Like me, they did not have permits and all of them agreed to pay the driver SR600 each.”

The regular share-a-cab fare from Jeddah to Makkah is SR10 or SR20 maximum.

Half way through the 85-km journey, Ashraf said the driver advised them to get off before the main Shumaisi checkpoint on the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. “This is the only way to avoid being arrested,” he said. “We got off and started walking with our belongings until we reached a certain distance beyond the checkpoint. There, the driver was waiting for us.”

When told about the harsh punishment that awaits him if he were to be caught, Ashraf, who refused to give his second name, said: “I had taken a vow to come here for Haj this year. I spent all my money getting my iqama (work permit) transferred two months ago. There was no way I could have afforded the high amount to procure a legal Haj permit. It is exorbitant.”

Ashraf said he would go nowhere near the mobile fingerprinting units. “I will try my best to keep away from those vehicles,” he said.

Ashraf was not alone. There are hundreds like him who made it into the tent city. If he were to be caught by one of those security officials manning the mobile fingerprinting units, then it will be a different story.

Meanwhile, he busied himself in reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an. “We are now in the protection of Allah,” he said, with a smile.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/467731