Makkah News and Updates

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

RIYADH — Razor-sharp competition has developed among the domestic Haj campaigns in the capital, reported Makkah daily.

These companies are reportedly using the photos of Muslim scholars who performed Haj with them last year as well as the dishes they provide as part of their promotional campaigns.

The domestic Haj companies are extensively using social media to attract the largest possible number of local pilgrims.

The companies have set their charges based on the proximity of their tents in Mina to the Jamarat area where pilgrims throw pebbles at the three pillars symbolizing Satan. Some of them have fixed their charges according to the five-star buffet service they extend to their clients.

An anonymous employee of a domestic Haj campaign said though his company is classified among the low category H companies, its charges are as high as those in the A category.

He said the price per person is SR13,500, though his company’s tents in Mina are 2,400 meters away from the Jamarat area and more than 350 meters away from the station of the Mashaer metro service that can take pilgrims directly to the stoning area.

He said: “This is mainly due to the excellent food we provide to our customers. “We have an open buffet that continues for 24 hours. “We also serve tea, coffee and soft drinks around-the-clock.” Other domestic Haj companies will ask their pilgrims to catch up with them in Makkah.

They will not provide them with transport but will issue them with special permits so they can use their own cars when traveling to the holy city. He said though these companies do not provide either air or land transportation, they have not reduced their charges.

The employee, who did not want to be named, said the H class campaigns are attracting more customers because their charges are affordable ranging between SR7,000 and SR9,000 for each pilgrim.

The A class campaigns are promising pilgrims complete comfort. They claim that they will provide their customers with excellent food and easy transport between the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. They also said they have special golf cars for women and old pilgrims to use.

These companies provide their pilgrims with air transport and their prices often range between SR16,000 and SR20,000.

A number of local pilgrims complained about the high prices of the domestic Haj campaigns.

They recalled that a famous local Haj campaign used to charge SR10,000 per person three years ago and is now demanding about SR20,000.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140917218422 Thursday, 18 September 2014

JEDDAH — The Passports Department (Jawazat) has deported five pilgrims for violating the Kingdom’s residency regulations, Makkah daily reported. Three of them had fake travel documents, one was sick and was deported previously because of her health conditions, and the fifth did not have a Haj visa.

Spokesman of the Passports Department, Lt. Col. Ahmad Allihedan, did not reveal the nationality of the pilgrims, but confirmed that four of them disembarked at King Abdulaziz International Airport while the fifth landed at Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah.

He noted that so far, Jawazat has completed entry procedures for 493,675 pilgrims, of whom, 488,594 came by air, 5,043 by sea, and 38 by land.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Haj attributed the reason behind the delay of the arrival of 19,000 Yemeni pilgrims due to technical problems in Yemen, as authorities there failed to send the required information electronically.

Dr. Amin Fatani, director of the Ministry of Haj’s branch in Makkah, said countries with advanced technology did not face any visa related problems and sent their visa applications on time. “The ministry issues visas electronically to all applicants around the world,” Dr. Fatani said.

Mohammad Majeeni, deputy chairman of the board of directors of the Arab Countries’ Pilgrims Establishment, said they did not know the real reason behind this delay.

A source inside the Yemeni Consulate in Jeddah confirmed that the problem is being fixed and visas will be issued through the Ministry of Haj.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140918218565 Thursday, 18 September 2014

RIYADH/MAKKAH – Acting Health Minister Adel Fakieh on Wednesday all pilgrims a clean bill of health maintaining that no epidemic or quarantine cases have been found among them till now.

He said the ministry has taken all possible preventive measures to protect the pilgrims against infectious diseases.

Fakieh also confirmed the readiness of the ministry’s facilities to provide preventive, curative and ambulatory services to the pilgrims during this year’s Haj season through a system of hospitals and primary health care centers scattered in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.

He said in line with directives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the Ministry of Health has mobilized its human, technical and medical potentials to provide services that suit the pilgrims. This is through a strategic plan that takes into account the circumstances in the pilgrims’ respective countries.

Fakieh said the Kingdom is honored every year to serve pilgrims through cooperation and coordination between different state agencies to ensure that the pilgrims perform their rituals in a safe and healthy atmosphere and return to their countries hale and hearty.

Meanwhile, about 38,000 pilgrims have arrived in Makkah from Arab countries. They arrived by air and land from 19 Arab countries, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Establishment for Mutawwifs of Arab countries Faisal Muhammad Nouh said.

Nouh said there are 116 groups for field services that serve pilgrims of the Arab countries, whose number will reach 300,000 this year.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140918218598

Thursday, 18 September 2014

JEDDAH — The aerial team of the General Security has already started implementing its plan for this year's Haj season.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Bin Eid Al-Harbe, commander of the team, said the plan envisages deployment of 18 helicopters to be stationed in Makkah and Madinah. These copters will make reconnaissance flights to monitor traffic movement and spot illegal pilgrims, he said.

"As many as 450 technical and administrative officers and privates will be involved in the execution of the plan," he added.

Al-Harbe said the helicopters will follow up the movement of pilgrims between Makkah and Madinah before and after the Haj.

"The helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art tools for surveillance and close monitoring of security and traffic conditions," he said.

He said the helicopters are also manned with medical cadres to perform medical evacuations at times of emergency.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has set up a mobile medical team consisting of 106 doctors, nurses and technicians to monitor the health of the pilgrims.

Dr. Abdul Hafeez Turkistani, assistant director of Makkah Health Affairs, said the preventive team will visit the pilgrims at their accommodations to make sure that they are medically safe and not carrying any contagious diseases.

He recalled that the Kingdom had asked all countries to make sure that their pilgrims are vaccinated against infectious diseases at least 10 days before they start their Haj journey.

On the other hand, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saeed, advisor to the health minister, said the ministry had agreed with the Nigerian authorities to check the pilgrims for Ebola virus before they are allowed to board the plane.

He said even though 76,000 Nigerian pilgrims are coming from Ebola-free areas, they will be thoroughly checked for the deadly virus upon arrival in the Kingdom.

Dr. Hassan Al-Bishri, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Kingdom, said Ebola does not pose any serious threat to the pilgrims because it exists mainly in three West African countries from where people have been barred from performing Haj.

"The virus does not spread by air, food or transport, but by excretions," he said.

Deputy Health Minister for Planning and Development, Dr. Mohammed Khushaim, said the number of quarantine rooms in the holy sites have been increased to treat all infectious diseases.

He said there are four hospitals in Mina and Arafat consisting of 5,000 beds, including 500-bed intensive care units.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140918218556 Wednesday 17 September 2014

More than 30,000 pilgrims have visited Jeddah’s historic district since the beginning of August, said Awad Al-Maliki, mayor of the city’s historical area.
He said pilgrims usually visit the area and popular Balad markets to shop and buy souvenirs for their relatives.

Popular tourist attractions include the historic Nassif House, the Al-Alawi historic market, Nassif Park, Qabel Street, Al-Nada Market, Al-Shafi’i Mosque, and the Jeddah Gate, he said. Visitors often buy souvenir bags containing prayer rugs, the Holy Qur’an, and rosary beads.

Saeed Saleh and Ahmed Hassan, salesmen at a rug shop, said business in the area was typically brisk during this period. They said item prices in the district are fairly steady, but may be slightly higher due to the intensity of demand.

Hamid Al-Adani, salesman at a women’s fabric shop in Qabel Street market, said pilgrims visiting Jeddah usually spend their time visiting tourist attractions and buying various gifts from the popular historic Jeddah markets.

He urged store owners in the district to welcome the visiting pilgrims and to unify prices of items in order to provide them with the best services during their stay in the Kingdom.

http://www.arabnews.com/travel/news/631371

Thursday 18 September 2014

Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the Madinah Haj Committee, opened the Bunyan 7 Exhibition entitled "Partnership in Haj Operations" south of the Prophet's Mosque on Wednesday, to highlight the quality services available for pilgrims this year.

President of Taiba University Adnan Al-Mazroue and other top officials were also present. The exhibition includes more than 40 government, private, charity and voluntary agencies.

After cutting a ribbon to open the event, the prince toured several pavilions and was briefed on the various direct and indirect services offered to pilgrims. Historical, cultural and heritage aspects of the pilgrimage were also showcased.

The prince listened to the efforts being undertaken at the exhibition to inform citizens and workers providing Haj services about the quality goals set by the government.

"The exhibition aims to shed light on the huge efforts of the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to serve the guests of God and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque. In addition, it places emphasis on partnerships between government departments and private agencies to achieve very high levels of services to pilgrims. The exhibition also provides direct and instant services to pilgrims and visitors at the exhibition, and seeks to strengthen the cultural aspects of the pilgrimage," said Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Haj and Umrah Services at Taiba University Abdullah Damfo.

The exhibition would disseminate information on service quality to the general public through booklets, CDs and publications.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/631866

الثلاثاء 16/09/2014
إطلاق تطبيق «مصحف المدينة النبوية» على نظام ويندوز «8,1»

أطلق مجمع الملك فهد لطباعة المصحف الشريف بالمدينة المنورة تطبيق " مصحف المدينة النبوية " على نظام ( ويندوز 8.1 ) الذي يعمل على الأجهزة اللوحية ، والمحمولة ، والمكتبية ؛ وذلك وَفْق ما تمَّ في هذا الشأن بين مركز البحوث الرقمية لخدمة القرآن الكريم وعلومه في المجمع ، وبين قسم المنصَّات والمطورين في شركة ميكروسوفت العربية .

وأوضح الأمين العام لمجمع الملك فهد لطباعة المصحف الشريف بالمدينة المنورة الدكتور محمد سالم بن شديد العوفي أن واجهة التطبيق في المتجر تحتوي على توصيف مختصـر ومركز عن أهم خصائصه ووظائفه باللغتين : العربية والإنجليزية ، وتمَّ تصميم أيقونة خاصة للتطبيق مستوحاة من مقدمة القرآن الكريم والزخرفة المحيطة بصفحاته ، تَظْهر على واجهة التطبيق في متجر ( ويندوز ) ، وفي جهاز المستخدم عند تنزيله للتطبيق .

وكشف الدكتور العوفي أن التطبيق يشمل نص " مصحف المدينة النبوية " كاملاً برواية حفص عن عاصم ، ويَعرِض نصَّ " مصحف المدينة النبوية " وَفْق حجم المصحف العادي ، وترويسة برقم الجزء ، واسم السورة ، ورقم الصفحة ، وظهور علامات الأجزاء ، والأحزاب ، والأرباع ، والسجدات ، والسكتات بشكل تصميمها في المصحف تظهر وتختفي عند تقليب صفحات المصحف .

وأشار إلى أن التطبيق يدعم اثنتي عشـرة لغة ، هي : العربية ، والإنجليزية ، والإندونيسية ، والأردية ، والفارسية ، والتركية ، والإسبانية ، والفرنسية ، والألمانية ، والإيطالية ، والسواحيلية ، والهوساوية . ويحتوي على خاصية البحث السـريع عن الكلمة القرآنية ، وعلى خاصية الإشارة المرجعية ، التي تمكن القارئ من تحديد آخر ما وصل إلى قراءته من القرآن ، وعلى خاصية القراءة الليلة " الشاشة السوداء "، وعلى مشاركة صفحات المصحف عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي ، وعلى خاصية التذكير بقراءة سورة من سور القرآن في الوقت الذي يحدده المستخدم ، وعلى خاصية "Life Tile"، المَعْنية بالتعرُّف على لغة جهاز المستخدم ، واختيار واجهة التطبيق بنفس اللغة ، وعلى خاصية متابعة الورد اليومي ، والشهري للتلاوة ، بحيث يتم عرض إحصاء لعدد الصفحات التي قرأها القارئ وإجمالي وقت القراءة وآخر سورة قرأها ، وآخر وقت تمت فيه التلاوة ، ويشمل التطبيق فهرساً بأسماء سور القرآن الكريم بكل اللغات الداعمة له ، مع فهرس لأوائل أجزاء القرآن الكريم ، و يتضمن التطبيق خدمة ( الانتقال إلى ) ، التي تشمل الانتقال إلى الصفحة ، والسورة ، والجزء ، ولوحة تحكم بالإعدادات التي يحتاج إلى تفعيلها أو تعطيلها من قبل المستخدم .

وأفاد أن التطبيق يتضمن عرض صفحة المصحف بشكل طولي أو عرضي ، وأطلق رسمياً بموافقة معالي وزير الشؤون الإسلامية والأوقاف والدعوة والإرشاد المشـرف العام على المجمع ، وهو متاح للمستخدمين على منصة تطبيقات شركة ميكروسوفت العالمية ( متجر ويندوز ) . رابط تحميل التطبيق: http://goo.gl/NLXL30 .

http://www.al-madina.com/node/557557?live

Google translation:the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran in Medina launched application of the "Mushaf of al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah" on the system (Windows 8.1), which works on tablet devices, and laptops, and desktops;, according to what has been in this regard between the research center for digital service of the Holy Quran and its Sciences at the complex, and between Department of platforms and developers in Microsoft's Arabic.

The Secretary-General of the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran in Medina Dr Mohammed Salem bin severe Awfi that the application interface in the store containing Brief description and center on the main characteristics and functions in both Arabic and English, has been designed Icon special application inspired by the introduction Koran and decoration surrounding Besvhath, appears on the front of the application in the store (Windows), and in the user's computer when the download of the application.

He revealed Dr Oufi that the application includes the text "Mushaf of al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah" fully Hafs from Asim, and displays the text "Koran city of the Prophet," according to the size of the Koran normal, and fader part number, and the name of the sura, and the page number, and the emergence of signs of the parts, and parties, and quarters, and prostrations, the strokes are designed in the Koran appear and disappear when you turn the pages of the Koran.

He pointed out that the application supports a dozen languages​​, namely: Arabic, English, Indonesian, Urdu, Farsi, Turkish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swahili, and Hausa. And contains a property quick search for the word Quranic, and on the property of the bookmark, which enable the reader to identify the last thing arrived to read from the Koran, and the property reading night "black screen", and on the post pages of Mus via social networking sites, and the property recall reading Surat of the Quran at a time determined by the user, and the property "Life Tile", concerned to identify the language of the user's device, and the selection and application interface in the same language, and on the property of the follow-up roses daily, and monthly recitation, so that the display count of the number of pages read by the reader and the total reading time The last Sura read, and the last time was the recitation, and includes application index the names of the Holy Quran in all languages ​​that support it, with the index for the early parts of the Koran, and includes application service (moving to), which includes the transition to the page, and Sura, and part of, and control panel settings that need to be activated or disabled by the user.

He reported that the application includes a page displays the Koran in portrait or landscape, and was officially launched with the consent of the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, general supervisor of the complex, which is available to users on the platform applications, Microsoft Corporation Global (shop windows). Link to download the application: http://goo.gl/NLXL30.

Description

It contains the complete Quranic text according to the Reading of Hafs "an Asim, and displays the text of the 'Mushaf al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah' in portrait or landscape form. It has the property to identify the language of the user's computer, and to select the interface in the same language.

It also has a fast search feature, bookmark, night reading, and sharing the pages of the Quran through social networking sites, and reminders to read a particular Surah, and to follow-up the daily and the monthly wird of recitation, which is supported in twelve languages.

Languages

English, Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Turkish, Indonesian, Kiswahili, Persian/Farsi, Urdu

 

 

Friday 19 September 2014

80 percent of the Pakistani pilgrims have been housed in hotels located in the central area of Madinah, which is in close proximity to the Prophet’s Mosque, while 20 percent were accommodated on the periphery of the area, said Muhammed Saif Anwar, official at the Pakistani Haj Mission.

He said that 143,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom for the annual Haj and that others will continue to arrive until the 25th of the Islamic month of Dul Qaada.

“Four companies have been contracted to provide full services to Pakistani pilgrims, including SR18 daily for meals and free medical services,” he said.

“The Pakistan House 2, which is a temporary clinic equipped with 15 beds, receives patients on a daily basis and emergencies are transferred to government health centers such as the Ansar and King Fahd Hospital,” he said, adding that the center receives 700 pilgrims daily.

Anwar added that the mission has hired 100 seasonal employees during the Haj season to guide the Pakistani pilgrims. The mission has also provided a 24-hour toll free phone (800 1166622) to receive the complaints of the pilgrims.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/632311 Friday 19 September 2014

Qassim police apprehended five fake Haj companies for operating without a license and taking large sums of money from prospective local pilgrims.

Company owners were formally charged with violating Haj regulations.

“We nabbed these men after constant monitoring by intelligence teams at different locations,” said Capt. Badr Al-Suhaibani, Qassim police media spokesman.

He explained that the men, all in their 30s and 40s, operated undercover in houses, private apartments and unauthorized offices.

He added that the men had in their possession several publications, bonds, travel tickets and, in some cases, cash amounting to more than SR8,000.

“They have been referred to the Buraidah Police station for eventual referral to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution for further legal action,” Al-Suhaibani said.

He stressed that the Qassim police has warned members of the public against falling victim to fraudsters who exploit the Haj season by promoting fake campaigns, which can drag pilgrims into endless nightmares or have them miss the Haj altogether.

He stressed the importance of applying for the pilgrimage through the Haj ministry’s portal, which has a list of licensed companies offering Haj services.

Qassim police confirmed in a statement that security agencies are continuing to monitor the owners of illegal campaigns and ensured that strict penalties await them.

The police also called on citizens and residents to cooperate and report companies operating without a license. Pilgrims were also urged to obtain Haj permits for entry to Makkah and the holy sites.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/632291

 

Middle East biggest hotel opens

Sultan, Mishal lead Anjum Hotel inauguration in Makkah


 

Saturday 20 September 2014

Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over the increasing number of pilgrims arriving with chronic or serious health problems. Such pilgrims are posing a health hazard for others and also putting pressure on the health facilities in the holy cities.

“Haj is mandatory for Muslims if they are physically and financially able,” said Abdallah Al-Asiri, the deputy minister for preventive health. “However, many pilgrims are ignoring the stipulation, which is a matter of concern.”

Speaking to Arab News, he said many Muslims in different parts of the world strongly believe that death during Haj or in holy cities would give them a place in heaven. This belief is making them hide their health problems as they arrive with determination to undertake the pilgrimage.

“Unfortunately, many pilgrims believe that their sickness could result in their death during the pilgrimage, which can give them a place in heaven,” he said.
“This is sheer nonsense and nothing else, and Islam doesn’t allow anyone to get intentionally involved into a dangerous situation,” he said.

“The misconception that death in holy cities is heavenly is one of the reasons that aged and chronic patients are coming for Haj in increasing numbers,” the minister said. He urged scholars in different countries to promote Islamic teachings, which clearly specify physical ability as a condition for performing Haj.

Al-Asiri said that hospitals in Mina, Arafat, as well as in Makkah and Madinah are treating patients with utmost care. “Most of them suffering from chronic illnesses,” he said.

He said the Health Ministry has intensified its surveillance of pilgrims for Ebola and MERS.

“Our preventive health system is the best in the world,” he said. “We have made elaborate arrangements for isolating suspected cases.”

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/632851 Saturday 20 September 2014

Security and government agencies responsible for pilgrims’ welfare during Haj are fully equipped to tackle any disaster including a helicopter ambulance and doctors linked with different hospitals to transfer the sick pilgrims immediately, the director of Al Noor Specialist Hospital, Mohammed bin Omar Bafaraj, told Arab News.

He said that the medical evacuation program is being successfully implemented through workshops and training of the workers to handle emergencies with the participation of the Civil Defense, Metropolitan Police of Makkah, traffic management and security patrols and Red Crescent Authority in the holy city.

He said the preparations had achieved many positive results for the safety programs developed at the hospital, the continuous training programs to deal with disasters and crises and updates on the ongoing plans and programs according to the latest local and global applications with training and effective coordination between the relevant government agencies.

Brig. Gen. Sami Aljdani, director of Civil Defense, called on the staff to be responsible and prepared to handle any situation. He expressed his happiness at the Makkah health officials’ development of the safety programs in the city’s different hospitals.

“Such developments are part of the Civil Defense’s plans where coordination with all departments aims to raise the level of safety awareness and team spirit,” Aljdani said.

He noted that workshops, training programs and awareness campaigns will help to overcome any shortcomings monitored during these activities and the problems resolved. Professor Bandar bin Abdullah Barahim, branch manager of the Red Crescent, said that though the Red Crescent is on the alert throughout the year to deal with emergencies of various kinds, these training workshops will enable Red Crescent workers to educate and train others. “The training workshops will help to raise the workers’ capabilities and equip them with the skills needed to deal with any emergency situation,” he said.
He pointed out that such workshops are particularly helpful for workers of small hospitals during Haj.

Jamil bin Hamza Ikram, assistant director of support services and chairman of the Committee on Safety and Disaster, Noor Specialist Hospital said: “The main objectives are to promote a culture of safety and increase the abilities of workers to deal with disasters or any emergency.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/632836

Saturday 20 September 2014

Madinah Mayor Khaled Taher said that the municipality’s preparations for this year's Haj have been completed as scheduled. The municipality’s action plan aims at offering pilgrims and visitors optimum services which will last until Nov. 8.

The round-the-clock services include cleaning the areas which are frequented by pilgrims and the inspection of markets. “Some 4,876 qualified and trained workers will discharge their duties with the help of 1,344 pieces of purpose-built equipment,” the mayor added.

He noted that the municipal staff is also prepared to supervise services related to health and hygiene, general cleanliness, markets and abattoirs. “There will also be monitoring committees to deal with hawkers and see that they abide by the regulations particularly in the central zone and other pilgrim areas including the Quba Masjid, Qiblatain Masjid and Miqat where more than 500 stalls are operating with valid licenses,” Khaled Taher said, adding that violators would be dealt with severely and that special care was being taken to keep the passageways between the stalls free for pedestrians.

He noted that the municipality had also cooperated with the pilgrims’ accommodation committee with 20 trained workers. “The municipality has asphalted the roads and built pavements on the streets leading to pilgrims’ service centers and bus stations on the Hijra Road,” he underscored.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/632826 Saturday 20 September 2014

Some 1,000 pilgrims from Mozambique will arrive in Jeddah for this year’s Haj in three separate groups, according to Mozambican Ambassador Cesar Gouveia.

“I’ll be traveling to Jeddah to welcome the pilgrims headed by Valijei on Tuesday. Their number is up from 800 last year,” Gouveia, who’s also the Mozambican permanent representative in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said.

The envoy said that most of these pilgrims have performed Haj before. He assumed his post in the Kingdom on May 6 last year with the establishment of the Mozambican Embassy in the Saudi capital.

“The pilgrims expressed their gratitude to the Saudi leadership for the smooth procedures at the airport, the transportation, accommodation, food catering and medical facilities,” the envoy said.

He said that Mozambique has a quota for 1,000 pilgrims only because there are few Muslims in his country but his government is planning to talk to Saudi authorities about raising the quota as the number of Mozambican pilgrims is expected to increase in the coming years.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/632831

Sunday 21 September 2014

More than 24,000 illegal pilgrims bound for Makkah have been stopped at security checkpoints in Taif and sent back over the past few days.

“This year, checkpoints have been set up early to stop illegal pilgrims from making it into the holy city,” said Brig. Mohammed Al-Waleedi, Taif police chief.
Police have intensified security checks on the roads and routes leading to Makkah amid heightened laws and extensive expansion works.

People without Haj permits often take rocky routes from Taif to Makkah, hoping to avoid security checkpoints by traveling through mountainous regions.

These pilgrims, many of whom cannot afford to pay for Haj through a licensed establishment, make prior agreements with brokers who have experience in smuggling people in and who know which roads are far away from checkpoints.

Many people have, nevertheless, aborted plans to perform Haj this year, saying they have been unable to find brokers, who have reportedly given up on the precarious business in light of the new developments.

Meanwhile, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah has called upon Muslims to uphold the sanctity of Haj and not use the annual event for raising political slogans or holding political demonstrations.

“There is no place for shouting party slogans or holding sectarian meetings or making political recruitment and mobilization (during the Haj season),” said Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais.

“The faithful who have come from different parts of the world are seeking peace and tranquility in the backdrop of crises and challenges facing the Ummah,” Al-Sudais told worshippers in a sermon.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/633326 Sunday, 21 September 2014

RIYADH/DAMMAM — King Fahd Medical City (KFMC) teamed up again with Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ) — Riyadh province in a major blood donation campaign. The event took place at KFMC Blood bank in Riyadh on Friday, where almost 150 liters of blood was collected from around 327 donors.

A large number of expatriates mostly from Tamil-speaking community from India pledged to donate on a regular basis.

“The objective of the drive is to help pilgrims in case of emergency. Already a call has gone out for people to donate blood that could help save the lives of many people in need, in an emergency," said Cholapuram Haja, Secretary of TNTJ Riyadh.

"This is 32nd such blood drive of this nature for TNTJ — Riyadh province," said Haja. “The noble act of donating blood will not only give a new lease of life to many, it also heightens our sense of social responsibility by serving the humanitarian and social needs of our local communities. We are not only conducting camps, but also donating blood for emergency cases,” he added.

The Dammam wing of TNTJ too successfully organized a mega blood donation campaign on Friday. Four major hospitals from Eastern Province coordinated the event namely: Al-Khobar King Fahd Hospital, Dammam Central Hospital, Jubail General Hospital and Qatif Central Hospital.

More than 600 volunteers participated in the blood donation campaign and donated 210 liters (439 units) of blood. We arranged this big event and donated blood for Haj pilgrims.

Explaining the purpose of such a campaign, Noorul Ameen, spokesperson of this campaign for TNTJ, Riyadh, said that a good number of Haj pilgrims who suddenly fall ill or meet with accidents require blood and this contribution will go a long way in helping such section of the pilgrims. Arrangements will be made with the hospitals to dispatch the collection to be sent to blood banks in Makkah.

We are guided by Qur’anic teaching that says “… And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the life of all mankind! ...” (Al-Qur’an 5:32)
We got a overwhelming response from our community members as well as people from Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, he added.

Donors of more than 375, included Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Syrians, Yemenis and Saudis in this drive in Riyadh. A standard health screening procedure was done prior to blood being donated. Each donor underwent tests for blood pressure, sugar and hemoglobin count before the donation. The checks also included communicable diseases.

Majority of the donors said that they are indebted to TNTJ and KFMC and their service would help the guests of Allah. At the end of the campaign, hospital authorities informed that these type of camps created a awareness among Saudis and expatriates.

In Dammam, Mansoor Al-Rashidi — Director of Regional LAB — Eastern Province took care of this campaign from the blood bank side and thanked the TNTJ organizers for organizing such a kind and noble work on regular basis.
TNTJ, Dammam, chief Umar Farooq said, so far the TNTJ organization has conducted 37 campaigns in Khobar, Dammam, Qatif and Jubail hospitals.
Further, TNTJ continues to be the No. 1 organization for conducting these blood donations campaigns in the last 8 years. In recognition for their work, hospital authorities have awarded more than 15 awards to TNTJ.

TNTJ continues to be No. 1 organization in Blood Donation Camp in Tamil Nadu as well as in GCC countries. In India too, Tamil Nadu government has awarded a number of awards praising TNTJ’s noble work.

TNTJ also regularly performs educational, charity, humanitarian, and social services to serve people. These events help in improving harmony while creating awareness about Islam.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140921218817

Sunday, 21 September 2014

MADINAH — A total of 1,400 Haj flights have landed at Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah as of Wednesday at the rate of 70 flights a day, the airport’s director Abdul Fattah Bin Mohammed Atta announced.

He said more than 250,000 pilgrims arrived on these flights and added that Sept. 28 would be the last date to receive Haj flights.

The director said coordination was made with the Haj Ministry to provide the arriving pilgrims with buses to transport them to their destinations in the city.

He said coordination was also made with airlines offices to schedule their flights.

“Enough cadres have been provided at all the service points to ensure the guests of God with quick services,” he added.

Atta said about 7,000 employees are working in the airport to implement the Haj plan, in which about eight government departments and 35 airway companies are participating.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140921218816 Sunday 21 September 2014

The Philippine Consulate in Jeddah has announced that 100 more pilgrims are expected to arrive on Sunday (today) for this year’s Haj, Consul General Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr. told Arab News on Saturday.

He said that 36 pilgrims have arrived in Jeddah on Saturday. They are now in Makkah, staying at the Meridien Tower.

“At present, 6,336 Filipino pilgrims have already arrived and they are now in Makkah. We expect 400 more Filipinos to complete the Philippine quota of 6,700 pilgrims,” said Ausan. He said that the remaining pilgrims will be arriving daily until Sept. 24.

Vice Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague said the pilgrims are headed by the secretary of National Commission on Muslim Filipino (NCMF), Yasmin Busran Lao, but she will come with the last group on Wednesday.

“So far, everything is going smoothly. The pilgrims are not encountering any problems and satisfied with the preparations undertaken by the Saudi Ministry of Haj for this year’s pilgrimage,” he said. A team for Haj assistance, headed by NCMF’s regional director Malo Mananggiri, had arrived earlier, he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/633151

Monday 22 September 2014

For many foreign pilgrims, performing Umrah with family, especially with elderly parents, was an unforgettable experience.

Many have said that they gain a lot of mental satisfaction by helping their parents perform the religious rituals, not to mention the spiritual gratification.

“Going on this spiritual journey with my parents gave me immense satisfaction that I cannot express in words,” Abdul Razak Sharif, a Malaysian pilgrim, told Arab News.

He said Umrah plays a big role in bringing people closer to God, thus gaining spiritual enhancement. “I would like to advise my Muslim brethren who are financially and physically capable of performing Umrah to do so as early as possible to feel this ultimate satisfaction,” he added.

Many expatriate workers in the Kingdom enjoy this satisfaction as they bring their fathers and mothers for Haj or Umrah and provide them with all the necessary help. Parents also get the satisfaction of doing their religious duties without much difficulty.

Malaysian Haj and Umrah pilgrims are the most organized of foreign pilgrims since they receive proper training and get a comprehensive of Makkah and Madinah, including expansion works and possible infectious diseases, before coming to the Kingdom, Sharif said. “This training makes our pilgrims mentally prepared.”

Sharif commended the Saudi government for its efforts to keep the two holy mosques and its surroundings neat and clean to protect the health of pilgrims. He urged pilgrims to take precautions to protect themselves from infectious diseases like MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

He urged foreign pilgrims to come for Haj and Umrah when they are healthy to perform their religious duties with peace of mind and concentration.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is doing a great job for improving the quality of services for pilgrims,” Sharif said referring to the projects he ordered for expansion of the two holy mosques including the mataf or the circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba.

He praised the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques for arranging the translation of the sermons in different languages. “We appreciate the translation in Bahasa and consider it an honor for the Malaysians,” he said, adding that it would help pilgrims understand the sermons that are given in Arabic.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/633696