Makkah News and Updates

 

Women-only immigration counters at Jeddah airport


Jeddah's King Abdulaziz Airport introduces female-only customs counters

 

Makkah: SR10bn paid to property owners

Friday 23 May 2014

Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport will be equipped with new air conditioning units to cool travelers during the scorching summer months.

Authorities have stepped up efforts to provide additional cooling facilities, in addition to upgrading existing air conditioners at the airport.

“We have installed 12 temporary heavy-duty air conditioning units at the southern terminal,” Turki Al-Diyab, a senior official at the airport, told Arab News on Wednesday. “These units will cover most parts of the airport building and passenger waiting areas.”

A one-megawatt capacity generator has also been deployed as back-up in case of power failure, he said.

“The airport management decided to upgrade facilities ahead of the scorching summer months to accommodate the huge influx of pilgrims and passengers traveling to and from Jeddah.”

Installation will begin from Saturday and will continue for a month.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/575446

Friday, 23 May 2014

WITH the ongoing expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque, many historical sites and artifacts in Madinah have either been destroyed or face demolition. The disregard shown for the city’s history has proven to be polarizing with opponents saying the expansion plans include an inconsiderate removal of historical artifacts from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) while proponents say the artifacts may lead to ‘bid’ah’ (innovation in religious matters) and therefore should be destroyed anyway, Al-Riyadh daily reported.

Aisha Khaja, an expert in Islamic and Prophetic artifacts in Madinah, said many residents of Madinah view the destruction as an attack on their history and culture, but the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) supports their desire to preserve these artifacts.

“Some people view these artifacts as a reason for potential bid’ah and therefore they believe they must be erased from existence. Thankfully, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities wants to preserve these artifacts,” she said.

While emphasizing the need to preserve the city’s history, Khaja recalled a recent trip to a historical castle that was in a state of disrepair. “I was part of a tour organized by the Madinah Research and Studies Center to the castle of Hisham Ibn Abdulmalik, the 10th Umayyad caliph. I was surprised to see the castle in such a dilapidated condition because I knew the owner and how diligent he was in keeping the spirit of the castle alive. I later learned that the owner had passed away and his sons inherited the land and sold it to an investor who is all set to demolish the site regardless of its immense historical significance,” she added.

Local historian Tinaidib Alfaidi said the city’s artifacts witnessed a period of dilapidation after the Ministry of Education passed the responsibility of maintaining them over to the SCTA.

“In the ensuing three years, many of these artifacts were destroyed due to the absence of security around them. With no regulations or laws in place to protect historic places, many businessmen bought them and demolished the structures to build projects such as hotels and shopping centers,” he said. Alfaidi said since many Qur’anic surahs were revealed in Madinah, historical artifacts are not only for remembrance, but are an extended means of interpreting Qur’anic verses. “For example, physically seeing Mount Uhud facilitates our understanding of what went on in the battle of Uhud and why the Prophet ordered archers on the mountain to remain there,” he said.

Alfaidi said he understands fears that artifacts may one day become objects of worship by people he called “weak believers.” However, he said the solution is not to demolish history but to regulate and preserve it in a way monitored and overseen by the SCTA.

“Preserving history should not only be the responsibility of the SCTA but of every citizen. What is left of these artifacts is scarce and precious. Therefore, any form of attention and care must be appreciated,” he added.

Jamal Bint Abdullah Alsaadi, the leader of Ruwaq group of female writers from Madinah, said although countless artifacts have already been lost, the new expansion plans for the Prophet’s Mosque mean many more would be destroyed if something was not done urgently.

“What is lost cannot be retrieved but at least we can still preserve the location of the artifacts instead of losing them to investors who wish to build residential towers and other commercial attractions. These historic sites can attract tourists and funding for their maintenance and preservation,” she said while also dismissing the argument that the artifacts will result in bid’ah.

“By destroying these artifacts and sites, we are losing our roots and our history as Muslims. Awareness regarding the issue must be raised nationally and internationally. All of the concerned institutions must play a proactive role in informing people of their lost history. International Islamic associations must also take a similarly proactive role in the matter. Brochures regarding these artifacts can be given to all pilgrims before they arrive in Makkah. This will make them respect the sites and appreciate their presence,” she said.

Mohammad Alamin Alkhutari, general manager of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance in Madinah, said the artifacts in the city can be divided into two categories: Prophetic artifacts (objects relating to incidents involving the Prophet and his Companions) and artifacts retelling the history of the city and its location. Alkhutari said visiting Prophetic sites is not a religious requirement, something that must be clarified to all tourists and pilgrims.

“The Prophet clearly mentioned that there are only three places on earth worth travelling to: the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The ministry fears that people will start visiting Makkah and Madinah not only to visit the sites I previously mentioned but to worship at other historical sites. During the pilgrimage season, many foreigners with distorted beliefs come from different countries. The ministry does not give any emphasis or attention to these artifacts and historical sites as a precautionary measure against such tendencies,” he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140523206075
After the humiliating defeat in the Battle of Badr a year earlier, the Quraysh of Makkah made preparations to muster a great army to fight the Muslims again and take revenge. They assembled an army of 3000 soldiers with 300 camels, 200 horses and 700 coats of mail. Wives and daughters of slained chiefs in Badr accompanied the army to see with their own eyes the spectacle of the killers being killed. Hind, the daughter of Utbah was the leader of the womens section and her husband Abu Sufyan was the commander-in-chief of the Makkan army. Both were not Muslims at the time but bitter enemies of Islam. The left and right flanks were commanded by Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl and Khalid bin Waleed respectively. Amr ibn al-As was named the commander of cavalry and his task was to co-ordinate attack between the cavalry wings. (All three subsequently became Muslims and become great generals of Islam).

The Prophet left Madinah for the valley of Mount Uhud with a Muslim army of only 700 and drew up his troops for battle. Zubair bin al-Awwam (r.a.) was the commander of the right wing and Mundhir bin Amr (r.a.) was given the left wing of the army. Hamza (r.a.), the uncle of the Prophet was made the advance guard, Mus’ab bin Umair (r.a.) was chosen as the standard-bearer of Islam and Abu Dujanah (r.a.) was fortunate enough to receive the Prophet’s sword (which was known as Zulfikar).

Before the battle, the Prophet had put 50 archers under Abdullah bin Jubair (r.a.) at a mountainside and ordered them strictly to stay there until further orders, whatever may be the condition. They were to obstruct the enemy if they attacked the Muslims from the rear.

The two armies set upon each other and a fierce battle ensued. The Muslim soldiers concentrated their attack on the eleven standard bearers of the pagans until they were all wiped out. As the enemy standards sank to the ground, the Muslim soldiers hurled themselves against the enemy. Abu Dujanah (r.a.) and Hamza (r.a.), fought with great fearlessness, and their heroic feats on the battlefield were to become legendary in Muslim military history.

Tragically, Hamza (r.a.), the Lion of Allah, was martyred in the same battle he had dominated. He was killed by the javelin of Wahshi bin Harb, an Abyssinian slave, who with that successful throw earned his freedom from his master, Jubayr bin Mutim.

Despite the loss of Hamza (r.a.), the Muslims managed to overcome the unbelievers who, faced with yet another defeat, began to flee. The pagan women also scattered as some of the Muslim soldiers gave chase.

It was at this point of perceived victory that events began unravelling. The archers who had been entrusted with the safety of their brothers in faith disobeyed the Prophet’s clear orders and deserted their stations, thinking that the battle was over. Forty of the rearguards descended the mountain and left the Muslims vulnerable to a counter attack by the enemy.

Khalid bin Waleed saw the sudden vacuum created by the disappearance of the rearguard and his cavalrymen attacked the Muslims from behind, killing many in the process. When the Muslims saw themselves surrounded, they were overtaken by panic and disorder and failed to map out a cohesive plan.

The enemy fought their way close to the Prophet who was hit with a rock and fell on his side. One of his lower right teeth was broken, his lower lip was cut, and his helmet was damaged. As an enemy soldier thrust his sword at the Prophet , he caught his bone below the eye, and two rings from the Prophet’s helmet pierced his face. The blood ran down his face and he wiped it away, saying, “How can a people prosper who have stained their Prophet’s face with blood while he summoned them to their Lord!”

Mus’ab bin Umair (r.a.), was targeted by the enemy as he was the Muslims standard-bearer and he was killed. Since Mus’ab (r.a.) resembled the Prophet to a great extent, his killer, Abdullah bin Qam’a, thought he had slain the Prophet and jubilantly shouted out that he had killed Muhammad.

Rumours of the death of the Prophet filtered through the Muslims, plummeting their morale. Grief stricken and lost, some of them simply abandoned the field, while others were infused with resolve and rallied saying, “Come, let us die for what the Prophet gave his life.”

The crisis receded only when Ka’b bin Malik (r.a.) caught a glimpse of the Prophet , making his way to join the besieged Muslims. K’ab recognised the Prophet’s eyes although his face was covered with the helmet. He cried loudly, “O Muslims, rejoice! Here is the Prophet”.

Ka’b’s words galvanised the remaining Muslims, and they streamed to the Prophet’s side. Within a short time thirty Companions assembled around him. The Prophet decided against further combat, wisely choosing to retreat. He made his way through the rows and successfully led his troops towards the mountain pass.

By retreating, the Prophet managed to save his army from further losses; losses that had come about from simple disobedience of his orders. Disobedience had changed the Muslim victory into catastrophe, but with Allah’s help the Muslims were pulled back from the edge of disaster.

http://www.eaalimtravel.com/historic...of-battle.aspx

23 May 2014

In 2010, Bodet compagny has achieved one of its greatest orders in realizing the time distribution system of the Holy Haram of Makkah (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). The company won the contract to 1.5 million euros with the Grand Mosque in Mecca to realise 40 clocks.

On July 23rd 2010, 40 gold platted clocks have been shipped from the factory based in Trementines (France).

The analogue clocks are equipped with a LED display to indicate the time and name of the next prayers in English and Arabic languages .

The time base and the NTP server are synchronized by GPS in order to adjust the prayer time with the sunrise according to Islam.

Under the hands of the dial, a digital banner announces the name and exact time of the five prayers of the day. According to the Quran, they depend on the sunrise. "The clocks are connected to a 'server prayers'. Designed by Kerjean Armel who is proud to present. "To calculate the time of each prayer the clocks receives the signal from satellite sensors. Then it sends the information on clocks. "

Two thin layers of copper and brass cover the plates in brass of the case. They are then dipped in an electrolytic bath. The precious yellow metal of 24 karat come and then be deposited. There are only 0.5 micron thick gold.

The price of each clock is 20 000 to 40 000 € depending on the model.

Since 1868, Bodet compagny installs and repairs their clocks. But for the Grand Mosque, where only Muslims can enter, they had to train Saudis.

http://www.bodet.com/actualites/98-b...rat-en-or.html
http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actu...54477_actu.Htm

 

 

Saturday, 24 May 2014

JEDDAH — Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar said his ministry has not received any requests to decrease the number of pilgrims from any country due to the deadly coronavirus responsible for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The statement came following a meeting at the Interaction Center for Haj and Umrah pilgrims at the Ministry of Haj on Thursday. He said the Kingdom’s government has laid down the priorities to serve pilgrims so they can perform their rituals with ease and in a spiritual atmosphere.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140524206208

24 May 2014

Wednesday the 28th of May, the Sun will indicate the Qibla.

Muslims pray in direction of the Kaaba located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This direction is called the qibla. On Wednesday May 28th, the sun will be right above the Kaaba.

Muslims praying at the Grand Mosque in Makkah will be able to see the sun straight above them, a rare phenomenon that helps worshippers worldwide to set the exact direction of the Holy city.

The phenomenon is the first this year and will take place exactly at 12:18 noon Saudi time (13:18 UAE time or 09:18 GMT).

This vertical solar phenomenon will happen for the first time this year and Makkah will be straight under the sun. This means all structures and bodies in the Grand Mosque will have no shadow at that time, it will be a zero shadow.

This phenomenon would help Muslims around the world in knowing the exact direction of Makkah, including those in Europe, Africa, Russia, China and East Asia, where the best time to define Qibla direction will be around sunset by looking at the sun.

In North and South Americas, the direction can be best known at sunset on that day.

Muslims and other people can set that direction by placing a stick or any other object vertically on the ground at that time…its shadow will point accurately towards Makkah…this applies to distant areas not in areas close to Makkah like Jeddah.

 

Monday, 26 May 2014

MAKKAH – The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has confiscated 2,000 kilograms of rotten date paste that was going to be distributed in Makkah.

The ministry’s inspectors also found and destroyed 1,000 Zamzam bottles that were stored under direct sunlight in a rest house located at Al-Hussainiya neighborhood in Makkah.
All expatriate workers inside the house were arrested.

The raid came after a tipoff from a member of the public.

Preliminary investigations showed the persons who were running the place wanted to make profit in view of the huge influx of Umrah pilgrims in Makkah.

The ministry said it will continue to carry out raids and surprise inspections to all food businesses and warehouses and impose severe penalties on violators and anyone who takes public health lightly.

It urged the general public to report violations at 800 124 1616.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140526206397

Tuesday 27 May 2014

Astronomers say that the sun will align with the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Wednesday, May 28, at noon.

The disc of the sun will be positioned immediately over the Sacred House, said the Jeddah Astronomical Society on Sunday in statement. On Wednesday, the sun will rise at 5:38 a.m. from the northeast horizon and continues moving until it comes directly overhead on the Kaaba at 12:18 p.m. The Kaaba will lose its shadow for a brief time.

Astronomers said the celestial phenomenon called “zero shadow” occurs twice every year in the Grand Mosque because of its location between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer.

Aside from May 28, the event also happens every July 16th of each year.

Due to the tilt of the Earth's axis, the sun travels at 23.5 degrees north and south of the celestial equator. The sun falls directly overhead on places lying over the equator during equinox and moves northwards towards the tropic of cancer and then again progresses southward.

The society has advised the public to avoid looking directly at the sun with the bare eye even for a very brief period of time.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/577106

Monday 26 May 2014

An exclusive hotel will finally be opened Tuesday for pilgrims who miss their flights at the Haj terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA).

“A hotel has been established for pilgrims by the Civil Aviation Authority as per directives issued by Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah,” said Abdul Hamid Aba Al-Ari, director-general of KAIA.

“The hotel consists of 117 rooms and suites that can accommodate 450 guests and also has six royal suites and six executive VIP suites,” he said.

Aba Al-Ari said that the hotel has a spacious restaurant with international cuisine and a wider lobby area that can accommodate another 500 people.
The hotel will also cater to cabin crew staff.

“The hotel is being built and operated by the Saudi Binalden group through state-of-the-art technology and skilled professionals,” he said.

The Saudi Binladen Group recently reached an agreement with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to modernize the Haj terminal and to facilitate a wide range of services to pilgrims through the Build, Transfer and Operate (BTO) module for 20 years.

The modernization and refurbishment project involved complete revision of the layout of the terminal.

The terminal has been reconstructed to meet the needs not only of traffic passing through the terminal during the Haj period, but also during the Umrah seasons.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/576991