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#3391 [Permalink] Posted on 10th December 2013 16:58
 
Islamic heritage sites identified for preservation


Mount Uhud
10 December 2013

MADINAH – The projects for the preservation of historical and Islamic sites will be outlined soon now that all significant sites in Makkah and Madinah have been identified, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

He said that Islamic history should be told in the right way and should not be left for others to project it in their way.

“We have immense Islamic heritage. We should present it to the world accurately. We’re working with the Makkah and Madinah development commissions to preserve these sites,” Prince Sultan said.

Some of the sites are Mount Thor, Mount Al-Noor, Mount Uhud, and the Badr Battle site.

The SCTA committee in charge of developing these locations consists of senior Muslim scholars who are consulted on various issues related to the development process.

Three agreements have been signed with three universities to train students who will be responsible for educating the general public about the historical sites and their major significance.

Prince Sultan said the SCTA also preserves non-Islamic archeological sites because they are important for telling the real story of how Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula. The scholars have already visited these sites and emphasized their significance for Islamic history.

Last month Prince Sultan announced that Umrah pilgrims from 65 countries can benefit from the ambitious ‘Extended Umrah Tourism Program, which will be a joint package of the ministries of Haj, foreign and interior.

The integrated system to link Umrah and tourist visas will benefit millions of pilgrims who come to the Kingdom for Umrah every year.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131210189119
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#3392 [Permalink] Posted on 10th December 2013 20:38
 
75,000 will circumambulate Kaaba
 
after mataf expansion


ACCOMMODATING MORE WORSHIPPERS: Structures of the first Saudi expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah
have been demolished as part of the ongoing project to expand the circumambulation area (mataf) around the Kaaba

10 December 2013

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques has begun the work of expansion of the mataf around the Kaaba, said Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the chief of the Presidency. The execution of the second stage of this project was begun by demolishing the old structure around the Kaaba.

Al-Sudais said that the area of the plaza will be expanded by an additional 25,000 square meters after the demolition. The completion of the second stage will increase the volume of the mataf to accommodate up to 75,000 worshippers circumambulating the Kaaba per hour.

He said that expansion work on the Al-Fath Gate and the area around it was also under construction. The open plazas to the north of this gate shall extend to Suaimaniya. The expansion will facilitate the movement of thousands of pilgrims who will be able to enter the Haram from the northern gates.

Al-Sudais said that another circular path was being built circumventing the open plaza of the Kaaba for disabled people. The circular path will be connected to the area for Sa’i and the disabled will be provided with motorized wheelchairs to perform the rituals with ease.

The second stage of the project is expected to be completed before Ramadan. Pilgrims will be able to perform the ‘tawaf’ both in the basement surrounding the Kaaba, the first floor and on the terrace. All the upper floors will be connected with escalators.

The growing number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims has made it necessary to create more room to accommodate them in the holy sites.

The expansion projects are in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah who is taking a keen interest in the multimillion riyal expansion projects in Makkah and Madinah.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/490401



Cleaning the Kiswa
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#3393 [Permalink] Posted on 10th December 2013 20:39
 
Mataf expansion progress - Phase 2

9 December 2013



10 December 2013



A month ago ...

11 November 2013




Demolition works







 
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#3394 [Permalink] Posted on 10th December 2013 20:40

 

Holy Mosque expansion progress

9 December 2013



New minaret

10 December 2013




Rendering of Umbrellas for Haram expansion







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#3395 [Permalink] Posted on 11th December 2013 21:06
Today - 11 Dec 2013

Temporary mataf ( Lower floor )









Mezzanine Floor ! you can see it ( inside 1st floor ! )










Demolition Updates




























































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#3396 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:24
 
''Segway'' make his way in Makkah

Activation of individual vehicles "segway"

تفعيل العربات الفردية " segway "


دشن معالي الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الشيخ الدكتور عبدالرحمن بن عبدالعزيز السديس العربة الكهربائية الفردية " segway " وذلك بحضور مدير إدارة سقيا زمزم بالمسجد الحرام المهندس ماهر بن منسي الزهراني وبحضور المشرف الإداري الأستاذ / نايف بن مشهور المطرفي والبالغ عددها 3 عربات .

ويأتي ذلك من منطلق توجه الرئاسة إلى توفير التقنية لتقديم أرقي الخدمات للزوار والعمار وتفعيل الجولات الميدانية للعاملين ، وسعي إدارة سقيا زمزم في تطوير خدماتها واستخدام التقنية الحديثة.

http://www.makkah-now.com/news.php?action=show&id=15286

Google translation:

Inaugurated by His Excellency President General for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais electric vehicle individual "segway" in the presence of Director of watering Zamzam Holy Mosque engineer Maher bin forgotten Zahrani and the presence of administrative supervisor Professor / Nayef bin famous Mautrofi and braved the 3 vehicles .

This comes out of the presidency draws to provide technology to provide the best services for visitors and Amar and activation of field trips for employees , and the pursuit of management watering Zamzam in the development of services and the use of modern technology .

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#3397 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:25
 
Terrorist who plotted
 
to kill Grand Mufti gets 16-year jail

11 December 2013

RIYADH – The Special Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced a terrorist, convicted of plotting to assassinate Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, to 16 years in jail. The court also ruled a similar period of travel ban and 40 lashes to the culprit.

The judge found the defendant guilty of 13 charges. They included embracing the takfeeri (labeling others as infidels) ideology, joining Al-Qaeda, recruiting militants to assassinate the Grand Mufti and a number of prominent scholars, leaders and officials of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, recruiting militants to storm into the Bureau of Investigation’s jails to release detainees, plotting to carry out blasts at the oil installations, and taking part in battle in Iraq. The judge issued directives to facilitate continuing psychiatric treatment for him.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131211189248
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#3398 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:27
 
Conference for dialogue and defence
 
for the Prophet opens in Riyadh

 

Riyadh, Safar 7, 1435, Dec 10, 2013, SPA

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the International Conference for Dialogue and Defence for Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) opened at Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh today. The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Shiekh, General Mufti of the Kingdom, who is also Chairman of the Senior Ulema Commission and Religious Research Department and Ifta, and Rector of the Imam university Dr. Sulaiman bin Abdullah Abal-Khail, who is also Chairman of the conference's Steering Committee.

In a key address, Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Simaih, Dean King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies, said the conference focuses on nationalizing the concept of dialogue and activating it through introducing the great personality of the prophet (pbuh) to the non-Muslim world and cite evidences of his genuine justice and fairness.

He said more than 250 moderate figures from all over the world are attending the event. As many as 120 papers will be presented over 14 sessions, he said, adding that an exhibition accompanying the conference will be casting light on the efforts to the university and other parties on disseminating the culture of dialogue and defense for the prophet (pbuh).

Also addressing the gathering, were Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Al-Shiekh, who called for using dialogue to defend the prophet (pbuh).

For his part, Dr. Abal-Khail underscored the importance of the conference in reflecting the true picture of the prophet (pbuh).

http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1177357




Al-Sudais honors Dutch revert


RARE HONOR: Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the imam of Haram, presents
his cloak (mishlah) to Muslim convert Arnoud van Doorn, a prominent Dutch
politician who was associated with the production of blasphemous film
“Fitna.” The heart-warming event took place at the opening of a conference
on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Riyadh on Tuesday.

11 December 2013

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques, on Tuesday honored Arnoud van Doorn, a prominent Dutch politician who embraced Islam, by conferring on him his cloak. Van Doorn was a leading member of the rightist Freedom Party of Geert Wilders who produced “Fitna” film abusing the Prophet (peace be upon him).

The heart-warming event took place at the opening of a conference on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. The conference’s participants, including academics and religious scholars, applauded Sudais’ gesture.

“This again reflects the greatness and truthfulness of Islam as a divine religion,” said Fuad Kawther, an engineer interested in dawa activities. He also pointed out that some of the staunch enemies of the Prophet used to stand near by his house during the night to listen to his recitation from the Holy Qur’an.

“Three staunch enemies — Abu Jahl, Abu Sufiyan and Uqbat — agreed among themselves not to visit the Prophet’s house to secretly listen to the verses from the Qur’an, but broke that deal and visited the house again and again because they could not resist the divine word and also because they were fascinated by the literary beauty of the Qur’an,” Kawther told Arab News.

The embracing of Islam by Van Doorn and many other Westerners shows that it is the true and final religion, Kawther said. “Islam will spread all over the world despite the smear campaign against the religion and its Prophet.”
He also referred to the American guard at Guantanamo Bay prison, Terry Holdbrooks, Jr., 29, who accepted Islam after months of midnight conversations with Muslim detainees.

People go to extreme lengths in attacking Islam without trying to understand the divine teachings. “Before embracing Islam, Van Doorn was abusing the Prophet and Muslims, although they had not done him any harm. Allah guided him to the right path and he became a Muslim,” he said.

Kawther commended Sheikh Sudais for his noble gesture. “This shows the magnanimity and tolerance of Islam. Gifting someone’s cloak to show his love and admiration toward the recipient is a nice Saudi tradition,” he said and hoped it would encourage more people to study about Islam and Muslims.

In an interview with Arab News in April this year, Van Doorn acknowledged that his views on Islam were formed 10 to 15 years ago based solely on negative stereotypes and prejudices spread by the media. He expressed sorrow and regret for distributing Fitna, although he had no part in the film’s production. He intends to make a film about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to present a true picture of Islam.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/490946

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#3399 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:28
 
Masjid al Haram under expansion


8 December 2013




14 October 2013

 
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#3400 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:29
 
Comprehensive plan set for Umrah visitors
 
11 December 2013

The Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has executed a comprehensive plan to provide the best services to Umrah visitors for the entire Umrah season which ends on Aug. 6 2016.

The Chief of the Presidency Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais said that 4,155 workers including technical labor, clerics, men and women will be working around the clock for this season performing various services for Umrah visitors. He explained that the foremost service is providing guidance on Umrah rites. More than a hundred clerics will give sermons at different places around the Holy Mosque giving guide lines on Umrah and enlightening the visitors on the correct way to practice Islam. The presidency will continue to distribute pamphlets published in Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Bengali, English and Persian. Sudais said there will be over a million pamphlets containing the message of monotheism and how to perform Umrah. Other subjects include expiation in case of any shortcomings in Umrah rites.

He also said that the clerics have been provided with a telephone network of about 150 phones which the visitors can use to call on matters related to Islam.

There are 10,000 manually operated wheel chairs available free of cost for the old and the infirm. Motorized wheel chairs can be obtained from the first floor of the Al-Safa gate for a fee of SR50.

The Holy Mosque now has 25,000 thermoses containing zamzam water. The presidency’s laboratory ensures that there is no contamination of the water before it is supplied to the worshippers. About 1,000 workers will distribute the thermoses while the disposable plastic glasses will be used once only. Zamzam water can be had from all floors of the Holy Mosques and even from the open plazas.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/490856


 
 
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#3401 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:31
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#3402 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:33
 
Mataf expansion progress - Phase 2

Demolition works - 12 December 2013







Holy Mosque expansion progress

13 December 2013



 
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#3403 [Permalink] Posted on 14th December 2013 18:36

 

Masjid al Haram 2020

this is not the final design for 2020 .. but it give a good ideal what it will be like


 

 

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#3404 [Permalink] Posted on 15th December 2013 01:54
 
Forum suggests ways
 
to preserve national heritage


Participants of the Third National Architectural Heritage Forum in Madinah
visit the heritage site in Madain Saleh on Dec. 12, 2013.
14 December 2013

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) organized the Third National Architectural Heritage Forum which concluded its work on architectural heritage. The program was hosted by Taiba University.

The forum issued a number of recommendations, which were announced by Khalid Taher, secretary of Madinah and chairman of the executive committee of the forum.

The participants also issued a message of gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman and Second Deputy Premier Prince Muqrin for their continued support and guidance for preserving national heritage.

The recommendations of the forum were:

•Adopt the policies included in the speech of Khalid Taher and work on the initiatives;
•Expedite the creation of a system for all museums, monuments and architectural heritage sites;
•Develop the organizational structure of the Architectural Heritage Department in the Kingdom to ensure the integration of the work of the SCTA, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the private sector, as well as civil society institutions;
•Plan for the development and rehabilitation of the archaeological sites under the auspices of the minister of municipal and rural affairs and chairman of the SCTA;
•Continue work to achieve sustainable development through cooperation between the SCTA and the secretariats of the municipalities through strategic planning;
•Maintain the rehabilitation of the historic mosques while preserving the historical character of each mosque;
•Enhance cooperation with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for the preparation of a guidebook on historical and modern mosques;
•Establish heritage hotels and other economic projects, such as restaurants, cafes, museums, and other activities, for the purpose of tourism development;
•Issue laws, regulations and incentives to support investment in the urban heritage sites;
•Establish specialized companies in the field of restoration, operation, maintenance and management of urban heritage sites;
•Enhance cooperation between the Engineers Corps and the SCTA for the preparation of standards for the consulting offices and contracting institutions in the field of architectural heritage;
•Create a website to share research and studies, as well as the exchange of ideas and follow up on the participants’ activities; and
•Hold a number of workshops, lectures and seminars throughout the year to discuss the rehabilitation projects and the preservation of architectural heritage sites, as well as discuss the investment opportunities as a joint effort between the SCTA, universities, chambers of commerce and secretariats.

Regarding future forums, the participants recommended Asir as the venue for the 4th Forum to coincide with the announcement of Asir as a tourist destination throughout the year. Forum meetings, as a separate event, should be held in each region annually for a period of three days, they added. The participants also recommended the adoption of the slogan, “From Extinction to Prosperity” as a permanent slogan for the forum, and requested the National Heritage Center to prepare a comprehensive annual report in collaboration with the partners that includes all the recommendations and initiatives.

Abdullah Al-Naem, general supervisor of the Center for National Architectural Heritage, announced that Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the SCTA, called for the establishment of an architectural heritage observatory body in the Center of Architectural Heritage to follow up on the development work carried out by the public and private sectors in the field of architectural heritage.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/492456
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#3405 [Permalink] Posted on 15th December 2013 01:55
 
Makkah governor says workers must
 
excel in public service


Pilgrims at Jamarat bridge - Hajj 2013
11 December 2013

The government is determined to ensure all government employees provide quality public services for citizens, expatriates and pilgrims, said Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal here recently.

“In this age of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, we do not accept anything but excellence, high quality and perfection,” Prince Khaled said while inaugurating a forum on excellence in e-governance organized by the Makkah Municipality’s public administration department for information technology. Local and international experts participated in the forum.

“The launch of the forum is a new step on the road to service excellence. With the completion of the Grand Mosque expansion, the King Abdullah Urban Construction Project, the mass transportation project, and the development of the holy sites, Makkah will become a smart city,” the prince said.

He said there was a need to offer better services for the growing number of Umrah pilgrims. “Residents of Makkah and Jeddah should be prepared and trained to serve pilgrims as guides of excellent quality from the time they arrive until they depart,” he said.

The prince said the Ministry of Haj has been moving in the right direction by offering training programs for firms dealing with Haj and Umrah pilgrims. “If the ministry continues in this direction, we will have a high level of services for pilgrims,” he said.

He said the Haj ministry has been using the most advanced technology in its bid to upgrade its services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also introduced digitized services for pilgrims.

The prince also launched a website with geographical information on Makkah and a health services smart card system for government workers.

Ibrahim Abdullah, deputy mayor for information technology at the municipality and secretary of the supervising committee of the forum, said the forum seeks to provide state-of-the-art solutions for government’s e-services projects.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/490926
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