Makkah News and Updates

 

Makkawi women set
for Haram visit on Arafat Day

Riyadh, Dhu-AlHijjah 1, 1435, corresponding to September 25, 2014, SPA

Emanating from his keenness to create the appropriate atmosphere for pilgrims, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued his directives to benefit from ready sites of the building expansion and exterior northern, western, southern and eastern squares of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Project for Expansion of the Grand Holy Mosque.

The King has also directed to provide the necessary services for the comfort of pilgrims including places for ablution, stairs, elevators, air-conditioning, lighting, sound, television surveillance and fire control systems, as well as the operation of the First Ring Road in Makkah partly and on a temporary basis after the completion of 67% of the work of the project.

The King's directive also included benefiting from ready sites in the yard, the ground floor and the first floor, and the roof of the first and second phases of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Project to raise the capacity of Mataf (Circumambulation Site).

This comes as an extension of the King's keenness and efforts in the service of Islam and Muslims, facilitation to pilgrims and creation of the appropriate atmosphere for them.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1277710

Friday, 26 September 2014 - 02 Thul-Hijjah 1435

MAKKAH – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has directed that the pilgrims would be allowed to take advantage of the completed portion of the annex building of the Grand Mosque and four plazas around the mosque and service facilities. Around 67 percent of the King Abdullah Expansion Project has already been completed. As per the directives of the King, a part of the first ring road will also be opened temporarily for the pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said the pilgrims will benefit from the entire ground and first floors of the annex building, and the first and second mezzanine floors. A total area of 167,784 sq. meters in the annex building and 118,790 sq. meters of courtyards around the structure are opened for pilgrims. More than 10,000 toilets and thousands of ablution areas and drinking water spouts have been set up in the annex building and courtyards of the mosque. More areas of the mosque have been air-conditioned and these included first floor of the first expansion from Safa staircase to the middle of King Fahd expansion building.

Mataf expansion

As per the King’s directive, pilgrims will benefit from the first phase of expansion of mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba). These included basement, ground, first and second floors and terrace of the Fath-Umrah gate area, mataf for the pilgrims with special needs, in addition to the escalators, sound, lighting, camera, fire extinguishing and air-conditioning systems. The mataf expansion is being implemented in three phases over a period of three years. The expansion, which started on Nov. 15, 2012, will triple the capacity of mataf from the existing 48,000 to 150,000 pilgrims per hour when it is expected to be completed before the Haj of 2015. A total of 7,000 pilgrims per hour are benefiting from the two levels of the temporary circular bridge built for the elderly and disabled pilgrims.

Tipped as the ‘Project of the Century’, the SR 80 billion expansion project consists of three parts: construction of annex building; expansion and development of courtyards around the mosque, including walkways, tunnels and toilets; and development of service facilities for air-conditioning, electricity and drinking water. The total area of the existing mosque is 356,000 sq. meters accommodating 770,000 worshipers while the new expansion covering an area of 456,000 sq. meters will accommodate an additional 1.2 million faithful. Courtyards of the mosque’s new expansion can hold more than 250,000 worshipers.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140926219465

Makkah, Dhu Al-Qa'dah 28, 1435, Sep 23, 2014, SPA

The President General for Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais signed a contract for manufacturing and supplying carpets to the Prophet's Mosque worth more than SR 14 million.

Following the signing, Dr. Al-Sudais delivered a speech in which he commended the great attention and care accorded to the Prophet's Mosque by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the reign of the founder late King Abdulaziz Al Saud until the prosperous and auspicious era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who paid great attention to the Two Holy Mosques and their giant expansions as well as major development projects.

The carpets amount to 120,812,90 meters.

SPA

Saudi Gazette: MAKKAH — A total of 120,812 meters of new luxurious carpet will be bought to furnish the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, chief of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, has signed an agreement with manufacturer Al-Abdullatif Company for Industrial Investments to supply the carpet.

Speaking after the agreement signing ceremony, Al-Sudais said the purchase formed part of continuous care the government has accorded to Islam's two most sacred sites.

"The Saudi government has always taken good care of the Two Holy Mosques since the time of King Abdulaziz, the founder, until the reign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah," Al-Sudais said.

Meanwhile, Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar Tuesday opened a new food factory that will produce various food items during the Haj season.

“The municipality is keen to provide the guests of God with the best of services particularly in food and catering sectors," he said.

The mayor also said the municipality will extend all support to the food factories, catering companies and investors to implement their projects according to the highest health standards.

The municipality’s Director of Environmental Health Mohammed Hashim Al-Fawtawi said licenses were issued to a number of national companies specialized in sustenance, catering and foodstuffs to provide all kinds of food to the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, a total of 46 health centers will be established in Arafat to provide health services to the pilgrims.

According to Dr. Iyad Muazin, director of health centers at the department of health in Makkah, about 850 doctors, pharmacists, nurses and technicians will be available at these centers.

He said six health centers will be established at various points along pedestrian roads from Makkah to Mina to extend care to the pilgrims walking the distance.

Muazin said each center consists of four to six outpatient clinics in addition to two observation rooms and two injection rooms.

Mina Al-Jisr Hospital will also start working in the next few days to provide health care to the pilgrims. The hospital's director, Dr. Nadir Hamza Mutair, said 400 doctors, pharmacists, nurses and technicians will be working in the 150-bed hospital.

The Health Ministry on Tuesday carried out a drill in the Haj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) to check its readiness to deal promptly with any suspected case of Ebola.

All government departments involved in Haj services at KAIA participated in the drill, which began with the mock report of an Ebola case on board a plane arriving from an African country and ended with the patient being taken for treatment and quarantined at King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140925219277

Friday, 26 September 2014 - 02 Thul-Hijjah 1435 H

FROM war-ravaged Iraq and Syria to Ebola-hit Nigeria and dozens of other nations, pilgrims are converging on Makkah for the annual Haj, the world’s largest Muslim gathering.

In a couple of days, about three million believers will congregate in the holy sites in and around Makkah to obey the commands of Almighty Allah.

“This is like a beautiful dream. I will never forget these moments,” Iraqi pilgrim Kazim Ibrahim, 69, said after reaching the holy city of Makkah.

While Ibrahim and other pilgrims are united by a common religious bond, this year’s Haj comes with Muslim nations drawn together by widespread revulsion toward the self-declared Islamic State militants.

Saudi Arabia and four other Arab states have joined Washington in launching air strikes in Syria against the militants, who have declared a “caliphate” straddling Iraq and Syria and committed brutal atrocities.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has branded IS “evil” and said the militants have distorted the image of Islam and Muslims.

Saudi Arabia is waging a different kind of battle to protect pilgrims from two deadly viruses, Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The deadliest Ebola epidemic on record has infected more than 6,200 people in west Africa and killed nearly half of them.

The Kingdom is hardest hit by MERS, which last weekend claimed the life of a 27-year-old Saudi man in Taif, about 80 km east of Makkah. This brought to 317 the number of MERS deaths in Saudi Arabia since it first appeared in September 2012.

With such a large group of people concentrated in a limited area for a short time, “the Haj season constitutes a factor increasing the likelihood of outbreaks or epidemics of infectious diseases,” acting Health Minister Adel Fakieh said in a statement.

The ministry has created a “command and control center” to direct its Haj health operation.

The center assigned eight emergency consultant doctors to stand by for treatment of newly landed pilgrims’ heart attacks and other critical illnesses, said Fouad Hussain Sindi, the medical director at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

In another first, the command center ordered 15 “isolation rooms” established at the airport, Sindi said.

Fewer than 30 people, including some with severe respiratory symptoms and Nigerian pilgrims with fever, were sent to isolation as a precaution and then released, Sindi told AFP in a telephone interview.

There have been no suspected cases of Ebola or MERS among pilgrims, he said.

Saudi Arabia has not allowed pilgrims to come from three West African nations hardest-hit by Ebola — Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Sindi heads a team of 640 doctors, technicians and other medical staff at the airport. Among their tools are thermal cameras that detect high body temperatures.

The ministry advised elderly people and those with heart, kidney and other chronic diseases not to make the pilgrimage.

“But they come... The Kingdom gives them instructions but unfortunately in some countries they are not following the instructions.”

The biggest challenge is posed by pilgrims who do not wash hands or take other preventative health measures as advised, Sindi said. “We are worried” about the spread of infection, Sindi said.

In recent years, the pilgrimage has almost been incident-free thanks to multi-billion-dollar safety projects by the authorities.

Saudi media said 85,000 security and civil defense officers will be on duty for the Haj, which lasts five days.

It is among the five pillars of Islam and all capable Muslims must perform the Haj at least once, the high point of their religious life.

After landing in Jeddah many grateful pilgrims prostrate themselves in a gesture of thanks to God, while some of the women ululate to express joy that their dream has been realized.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140926219422
Friday, 26 September 2014 - 02 Thul-Hijjah 1435 H

HAJ, the pilgrimage to Makkah coincides with autumn this year. Just as each season of the year brings its special seasonal fruits, veggies, and other changes in our lives, there are certain days of the year, which bring about changes in our spiritual lives. As coffee shops everywhere are serving the fragrant, frothy pumpkin spice lattes for autumn, we can also taste the sweetness of performing pilgrimage this autumn and other acts of worship if we are not going for the Haj journey.

There are seasonal rituals, acts of worship prescribed for certain days each year on the lunar calendar. During these specific times of the year, we can seize the opportunity to fortify our connection with our Lord and renew our energy and devotion.

The pilgrim who goes on the Haj journey is fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam, and also experiences an immense sense of personal satisfaction and reaps many rewards, good deeds, and honor.

This is the season when sins are forgiven. A pilgrim who does not soil his/her Haj with bad conduct such as gossiping, losing control of anger, and impatience will be granted forgiveness of all of his/her past sins.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “He who came to this House (the Kaaba) to perform Haj without saying or committing indecencies, will return (after the pilgrimage) free from sin as on the day his mother gave birth to him”

Performing the Haj correctly gives us a clean slate; a new page in the book, a fresh start.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “An accepted Haj has no less a reward than Paradise.”

The pilgrim has the highest honor, because pilgrims have been described in Islamic traditions as the guests of Allah. A guest always relishes in the generosity of the host, and Allah is the most generous of givers.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The people performing Haj or Umrah are the guests of Allah. If they ask Him something He answers them and if they ask Him for forgiveness, He forgives them.”

The rewards gained are not limited to rewards that one will enjoy in the Afterlife. Performing Haj brings contentment to your heart and gives a new perspective on life. The Haj is an eye-opener that shows what is important in life so that the little, trivial things do not bother you as much anymore.

A 10th grade pilgrim said about his Haj last year, “It is a journey more than anything else about forgiveness and helping you to focus on your spiritual well-being. Anybody can change, no matter who you are. For me, going on Haj was indescribable. I think going on Haj should help you become a better person. The sighting of the Kaaba was overwhelming. I was awestruck by its magnificence. Its beauty cannot be described in words; one has to experience its presence.”

Now if you are not able to be among the guests of Allah this year, there are still plenty acts of worship you can do to make sure that you too take advantage of this season’s spiritual rejuvenation. Just increase the level of your worship in general, like adding voluntary prayers to your normal routine of the 5 daily obligatory prayers.

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days throughout the entire year, while the best nights are the nights of Ramadan. Muslims who are not performing Haj are encouraged to fast during these ten days, from before sunrise to sunset.

Highly recommended during Dhul Hijjah, is feeding the poor, and to slaughter an animal and give in charity from its meat to those in need. Be scrupulous about your prayers; and pray in the mosque as many times as possible.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever prays fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays two units of (voluntary) prayer, has a complete reward of Haj and Umrah.”

Try to attend lectures this season that strengthen your resolve to be a better Muslim.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who competed his Haj.”

You can perform Haj in your heart, by repeating all day long, “Allah is Great, All praise is to Allah.”

Whether you are on your plane to Makkah or are already in Mina, or will only witness the Haj from your TV screen in your apartment in New York City or in Cairo, you can still chant the talbiyah:

“Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, at Your service, You have no partner, here I am at Your service. For You alone is all praise and all grace, and for You alone is the sovereignty. You have no partner.”

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140926219408

Friday 26 September 2014

The Makkah traffic police department has seized 32 small and large buses that failed to comply with safety regulations, as part of a campaign to prevent unsafe buses from transporting Haj pilgrims this year.

Capt. Ali Al-Zahrani, spokesman of the department in Makkah, said the campaign would continue to remove such vehicles from the city's roads.

“We seized these vehicles for not having road licenses (istimara) and not in good condition for use,” Al-Zahrani said, adding that the bus drivers had also violated regulations.

“We’ll not show any leniency towards violators of road safety regulations,” the spokesman said.

The traffic department in Makkah has been beefed up with the deployment of 1,200 additional officers.

Meanwhile, the Saudi government has said it would enforce a ban on non-Saudi buses transporting passengers and goods to the Kingdom or through its territories for Haj if they are over 10 years old.

Brig. Ghaith Hassan Al-Zaabi, director general of the Traffic Coordination Directorate (TCD) at the Ministry of Interior, said that the regulations and instructions regarding the transportation of passengers by bus to the Kingdom stipulate that a bus’ lifespan should not exceed 10 years from the date of manufacture.

The move was made to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers and road users. Al-Zaabi called on bus owners to observe the new regulations to avoid punitive action.

Al-Zaabi said the TCD has advised the traffic and patrol departments in the United Arab Emirates to inform bus owners and drivers of the decision. The TCD also advised the licensing department not to issue travel certificates to buses that intend passing through the Kingdom.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/635921 Friday 26 September 2014

At least six bogus Haj operators were arrested in Jubail and Riyadh recently. Jubail police arrested two Asian expatriates for running bogus Haj operations and taking money from unsuspecting people wanting to perform the pilgrimage this year.

Col. Ziad Al-Ruqaiti, media spokesman for the province's police department, said that officers arrested Asian expatriates working in an unlicensed office, after receiving a tip-off. The belongings and equipment of the accused were seized and the case referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution. Al-Ruqaiti said police would continue to crack down on bogus operators. He said people should be careful about signing contracts and giving money to companies offering Haj and Umrah services. These operators offer unrealistically low-cost Haj packages to attract customers.

In the capital, four bogus Haj operators were booked for operating fake companies and their offices closed down. According to the police, two offices were based in central Riyadh while the other two were located in the western part of the capital. The workers and owners of the "Haj offices" were taken into custody for further investigations. Several Asian pilgrims have been duped by such agents in previous years resulting in their not being able to perform the annual pilgrimage.

Last week, Riyadh police urged pilgrims to deal only with registered companies to avoid losing their money.

The government has said it would severely punish agents operating without Haj licenses. “Such agents, if caught, will be subject to the maximum punishment,” police said.

According to the Ministry of Haj, it is obligatory for domestic pilgrims to contract with licensed companies. In addition, pilgrims should have a valid identity card and obtain a vaccination certificate for cerebrospinal meningitis and other required vaccinations.

Pilgrims can identify the companies and establishments licensed to serve domestic pilgrims by visiting the Haj ministry’s portal, or dialing the toll free number 8002444480, or looking up the directory issued by the ministry, which includes their offices at holy sites.

Women can only perform Haj with a "mahram" — a male companion that they are related to. However, exceptions are allowed under certain circumstances, but evidence for this must be provided to the authorities responsible for issuing Haj permits.

The ministry stipulates that a person can only perform Haj once every five years. However, a man may be allowed to circumvent this rule if he acts as a mahram for a relative.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/635886

Friday, 26 September 2014

Ever wanted to visit the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Makkah or the homes of his companions in Madinah? Well now you can. Introducing Ziyara (visit) GPS- that will guide you through the most important journey of your life. During Haj and Umrah, millions of Muslims visit Saudi Arabia, most can only afford it once in their life and come seeking Islamic history to complete their spiritual journey. Each location in Ziyara GPS tells a different story and a different time in Islamic history. Not only does it open a world of unknown opportunities but it is also a fantastic way to educate our children and upcoming generations about Islamic history. Ziyara GPS has been tested globally and is available on both Apple’s iTunes store and Android’s Google Play store. Ziyara GPS is a 100% philanthropic initiative created to spread knowledge about the heritage and history, ancient and modern, of Islam.

‘Whom ever magnifies the Signs of Allah, then it is indeed from the piety of the hearts’ (Surah 22: The Hajj, Verse, 32).

Rana Ismail, Project Manager, Ziyara GPS spoke to Saudi Gazette about the app.

Hajis can use the app to visit significant historical venues in Makkah and Madinah.

“Each and every site in Ziyara GPS has a unique and important story. The Grand Mosque in Makkah and The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah are naturally the most visited sites, but we actually go inside these sites in amazing detail with photos inside the Ka’aba itself as well as inside the Sacred Chamber of the Prophet’s Grave near the Rawdah. Those using the App are now also able to see how close they are to some amazing sites such as the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the Makkah al-Mukarramah library or the houses of the companions in Madinah. That’s the beauty of Ziyara GPS - it makes you aware of your spiritual and religious heritage, makes you feel part of it and raises your conviction in Islam, inshallah, in a beautiful way.”

Ismail is currently the Project Manager for Ziyara GPS, working for UK-based company, Alpha1Travel International “who had a vision to launch an App which would be of the greatest benefit to Muslims globally and also be free”.

She said the idea resonated with her personally and professionally. “As an Alumnus from the American University of Cairo (AUC) my business marketing background has been very valuable in helping to launch Ziyara GPS, ensuring that it was positioned in the right way as per its religious and spiritual content, simultaneously ensuring that it was of high quality.”

She described her favorite route to take. “It is the very beginning of the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. We could start with the graves of the two parents of Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, where his mother, Syeda Amina, is buried in Abwa near Makkah and his father, Syed Abdullah, previously buried in Dar al-Nabigah in Madinah, is now buried in Jannat al-Baqi cemetery in Madinah. One could then go to the actual birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, which is on the location of Makkah al-Mukarramah library, a short distance from Safa and Marwa. The next location to visit could be Bani Sa’ad, where Prophet Muhammad was raised as a baby by his wet-nurse Syeda Halima al-Sa’adiya, whose grave is also there.”

Children especially should be encouraged to visit these sites as they, as innocent children, will identify with the story of the child who became Allah’s Final Messenger. Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt, the oldest and most prestigious university of Sunni Islam, has authenticated all of these sites.

Discussing the extensive use of technology as a tool to inform and educate ourselves, Ismail said Ziyara GPS is an important part of that journey. Ismail believes it is important for App developers to remind users to use their mobile phones responsibly when visiting the Holy Sites, “which we try to do in our descriptions and by the lack of sound and beeps in current features”.

She said Ziyara GPS has been specifically created to promote how Islam is practiced in the Holy Cities and globally in the fifteenth Islamic century and 21st Century AD. It aims to encourage Muslims to visit all the Holy Sites of Islam and enhance their own spirituality and knowledge by celebrating the heritage of their religion. We also expect there to be a revival of the renovation, preservation and rebuilding of these sites as demand to visit them increases. In addition, as Ziyara GPS can be downloaded anywhere globally and by any user, it also acts as a means of spreading an accurate and authentic expression of Islam around the world.

The app developers expect that with the increasing numbers of Muslims actually visiting these sites using books, maps and Apps like Ziyara GPS, the Kingdom’s Supreme Commission of Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), led by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud, will be allocated greater authority and increased budgets by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to build the soft and hard infrastructure needed to accommodate the greater number of visits to these sites, which are being documented at a daily basis.

Imagine a pilgrim standing in front of the Ka’aba today, who wonders what the inside of the Ka’aba looks like. They can now open Ziyara GPS and see nearly 30 photos of the Ka’aba itself as well as a video.

“In the Holy Qur’an, Allah The Almighty instructs Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): ‘Say: “Travel through the Earth …”’ (Surah 29: The Spider, Verse 20). Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) also did Ziyara from Makkah during the al-‘Isra wal-Mi’raj (‘The Night Journey and Ascension’), visiting Madinah, Madyan, Mount Sinai, Bethlehem and Jerusalem before he ascended to the Heavens. Even Islam’s calendar starts from a milestone journey, the Hijra (Emigration) from Makkah to Madinah. So, Muslims who are able to travel are adhering to this religious counsel. We believe that religious knowledge in the Islamic world is also governed by supply and demand, where the middle path is most desired, and the demand for Islamic knowledge about the religious sites in the Holy Cities has far outstripped the supply of authentic and accurate sources of information for too long. In the year 2000, a typical visitor to Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery would have had to rely primarily on other visitors, especially the Turks, as to which grave belonged to which person, as they were often carrying guides adapted from Ottoman works about the locations of graves in the Holy Cemetery. Today, books such as ‘The History of Al-Baqi’ are being published in Saudi Arabia itself, registered with the Kingdom’s official repository at the King Fahd National Library, have the same information and can now be found in a number of languages in the bookshops of Madinah. Ziyara GPS is another development in the journey to provide pilgrims with a guide to the Holy Cities, with the difference that far more people globally can now access this information, through a smartphone or tablet device in their hands.”

The app developers have released Ziyara GPS in English, which helps with more accurate results and search. “We hope to translate the App into Arabic and Urdu, the other official languages of Makkah and Madinah, followed by a host of global languages. For the App, we are pursuing accreditation by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Sunni Islam’s oldest and most prestigious seat of learning, with the view that its perspective can be regarded as the most authentic and accurate on a global basis. As technology improves, we hope that it will be possible to accommodate more languages on the App.”

How to use Ziyara GPS

On the home page, the province in or near which they are located to categorizes all Islamic sites. Makkah and Madinah are currently the two main sections listed with navigations tabs for easy accessibility. Under each section, are various categories such as in Makkah, it would be the ‘The Grand Mosque of Makkah’, which then has sub-categories such as ‘Inside the Ka’aba’.

At the base of the App, are six main navigation tabs: “Home,” “Favorites,” “Makkah,” “Madinah,” “Map,” and “Updates” allowing users to access those instantly and there is also a search option to look up a specific site in mind.

Once a site is selected, the user can read a brief description about its history, view different photos of the site and even get directions if they would like to visit it, an estimate of how long it would take to reach there as well as the distance. Users are also able to mark the sites they would like to visit as favorites, which will store them in the “Favorites” tab and make it easily accessible.

There is also the “Map” navigation tab that enables users to view sites by their location, which would be useful if a user wants to filter out nearby sites to visit those are close to their current location. Finally, there is the “Updates” tab that enables users to check that they are up to date with Ziyara GPS’s new additions.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudiarabia

Friday 26 September 2014

In this life people are usually aware of two kinds of journeys; those made to earn a livelihood and those undertaken for pleasure and sightseeing. The Haj however is unique from these journeys, since it is made solely for the purpose of pleasing Allah, the Exalted. For over 1400 years, Muslim from around the world, men and women had been traveling to the Holy city of Makkah.

Haj is a trip of lifetime; it is only required once from a Muslim and it is only the first one that counts as the fulfillment of the obligation.

All other performances of Haj are voluntary and cannot replace the compulsory Haj. Therefore, it is imperative that it is performed sincerely and correctly for the first time.

Though Haj can be quiet a journey, a little preparation and planning will, Insha’Allah make your journey much easier. This planning should not be limited to the logistics, but should also include spiritual, financial, physical and mental preparations. Following are a few points to help you preparing in your Haj:

1. Purify your creed (Aqeedah) from all aspects of Shirk, major or minor. No deed is accepted to Allah however noble it is, without such purification: “If you associate (with Allah), your deeds will be ruined and verily you will be among the losers.” (Qur’an, 39: 65)

2. Devote your Haj purely and sincerely for Allah. This is a spiritual preparation; the acceptance and reward of your Haj largely depends on your intention and piety.

3. Acquire thorough knowledge about the rites of Haj and Umrah from start to finish, because knowledge differentiates right from wrong. Haj education can be sought through various means, reading books which explain in detail the subject, computer programs which precisely demonstrate the rituals of Haj using the multimedia format, attending regular Haj classes offered by Islamic centers, etc.

4. Use Halal means to support your journey. “Allah is pure and He does not accept but pure only.” (Saheeh Muslim) Take everything what you will require (do not depend on others or ask them to fulfill your needs). Make sure you have enough money to suffice yourself during the journey and secure the needs of your family members whom you may leave behind. Nowadays, people try their best to take along all things of comfort for Haj. They take all kinds of precautions but the best precaution is piety, fear of Allah and righteousness. Allah says: “Take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” (2:197)

5. At the end of this verse, Allah orders us to be righteous and fear Him, this is for two major reasons, one because the Haji need piety before going to Haj. He should remind himself to fear Allah because he will face many difficulties and hardships, which he should accept and endure, in order to please His Lord. The second reason is that Haj itself is a means to achieve Taqwa, the Haji increases in faith by obeying Allah and his Messenger (peace be upon him) all throughout his Haj.

6. The intense exertion coupled with harsh desert climate of Makkah can take serious toll on your body. Therefore, be sure to carry along vaccines and drugs. Avoid all unnecessary hardships and take adequate precautions to avoid problems.

7. The journey of Haj involves a great deal of physical activities and thus you must be fully prepared to face this physical challenge. The experts recommend that people who intend to perform Haj must initiate a walking routine one or two months prior to the journey. This will increase physical stamina and help the Haji to keep up with the long walks and long standings. Indeed, Haj involves a lot of labor and struggle but the reward for this great act is also great in amount.

8. Also from the preparations of Haj is the mental preparations. Know that the Haji (pilgrim) is bound to experience intense heat, pushing, standing in long lines, uncomfortable lodging, etc. due to the large crowd of people trying to accommodate in a particularly small area.

9. Relieve yourself from any injustice, which you may have inflicted upon others. Fulfill any obligation, which you owe to other before the journey. Prepare a Waseeyah (Will) before you depart and make peace with those with whom you have a dispute, pay your debts, and advise your family not to be extravagant, Allah says: “… and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance…” (7: 31)

10. Accompany the knowledgeable and righteous Muslims and stay away from the innovators. Keep away from all prohibited acts, men should not shave their beard for the Haj and it is prohibited for them to wear gold.

11. Safeguard your tongue from all vain talk, backbiting, arguing and complaining. This is against the morals of Islam in general and especially against the rules of Haj. Such talks and actions will make one’s Haj incomplete and reduce the reward. Haj is a long journey and one is likely to behave immorally, therefore on guard and control yourself from any misconduct: “So during Haj there should not be obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling.” (Qur’an, 2:197) Remember, Shaytaan is at his best to cause mischief!

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/635716

Friday, 26 September 2014 - 2 Dhul-Hijjah 1435

MAKKAH – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has directed that the pilgrims would be allowed to take advantage of the completed portion of the annex building of the Grand Mosque and four plazas around the mosque and service facilities. Around 67 percent of the King Abdullah Expansion Project has already been completed. As per the directives of the King, a part of the first ring road will also be opened temporarily for the pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said the pilgrims will benefit from the entire ground and first floors of the annex building, and the first and second mezzanine floors. A total area of 167,784 sq. meters in the annex building and 118,790 sq. meters of courtyards around the structure are opened for pilgrims. More than 10,000 toilets and thousands of ablution areas and drinking water spouts have been set up in the annex building and courtyards of the mosque. More areas of the mosque have been air-conditioned and these included first floor of the first expansion from Safa staircase to the middle of King Fahd expansion building.

Mataf expansion

As per the King’s directive, pilgrims will benefit from the first phase of expansion of mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba). These included basement, ground, first and second floors and terrace of the Fath-Umrah gate area, mataf for the pilgrims with special needs, in addition to the escalators, sound, lighting, camera, fire extinguishing and air-conditioning systems. The mataf expansion is being implemented in three phases over a period of three years. The expansion, which started on Nov. 15, 2012, will triple the capacity of mataf from the existing 48,000 to 150,000 pilgrims per hour when it is expected to be completed before the Haj of 2015. A total of 7,000 pilgrims per hour are benefiting from the two levels of the temporary circular bridge built for the elderly and disabled pilgrims.

Tipped as the ‘Project of the Century’, the SR 80 billion expansion project consists of three parts: construction of annex building; expansion and development of courtyards around the mosque, including walkways, tunnels and toilets; and development of service facilities for air-conditioning, electricity and drinking water. The total area of the existing mosque is 356,000 sq. meters accommodating 770,000 worshipers while the new expansion covering an area of 456,000 sq. meters will accommodate an additional 1.2 million faithful. Courtyards of the mosque’s new expansion can hold more than 250,000 worshipers.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140926219465

 

General statistics
of the Haj season 1435/2014




Until 29 Dhu-AlQadah 1435 - 24 September 2014

Arrival - Number of International Pilgrims:

1,054,741
______________________________________
More than 1.3 million foreign pilgrims
are expected to perform Haj this year

Statistics from Ministry of Hajj

 


Arafat Day: Friday 3rd Oct
Eid Al-Adha: Saturday 4th Oct

Thursday, September 25, 2014

The Ministry of Hajj announced the participation of more than 200 researchers, including scholars and jurisprudents from inside and outside the Kingdom, in its 39th Grand Hajj Conference. The Conference will be entitled “Glorifying the Rites of Hajj” and will start on the 4th of Dhul-Hijjah. It aims to implant the respect and glorification of all the rites and sites of Hajj in the heart of the Muslims and to keep these rites away from seditions, personal purposes, and sectarian struggles.

The Secretary General of the Grand Hajj Conference, Counselor Dr. Hisham `Abdullah Al-`Abbas, outlined the main themes of the Conference, which are: the glorification of the rites during the phases of Hajj (its concept, aspects, and reasons), the outcomes and benefits of glorifying the rites of Hajj, the etiquette of glorifying the rites of Hajj, and the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in glorifying and attending to these rites. He indicated that the Conference is keen to raise the people’s awareness of the importance of respecting the regulations of Hajj, and clarified that the glorification of the rites and sites of Hajj entails adherence to these regulations.

He said: “This version of the Conference will focus on spreading and establishing the principle of respecting and not belittling the rights, sanctities, and sacred places, and also on linking the performance of the rites of Hajj and the respect and glorification of its Sacred Sites to balanced, disciplined, and civilized behavior. The Conference will also focus on outlining the efforts which have been exerted by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz (may Allah safeguard him), to glorify and attend to the Sacred Sites.

Dr. Hisham stated that among the rites of Hajj are the performance of Ihram (the ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah), the utterance of Talbiyah (devotional expressions chanted at certain times during Hajj and `Umrah), the performance of Tawaf, and the abstention from hunting game in the Al-Haram and cutting its trees. The Scared Sites which will be visited during Hajj are the honorable Ka’bah, Maqam Ibrahim (The Station of Ibrahim), Al-Hajar Al-Aswad (The Black Stone in the corner of the Ka`bah), Hijr Isma`il (the short semi-circular wall adjacent to the Ka`bah and considered part of it), Al-Safa, Al-Marwa, `Arafat, Al-Muzdalifah, and Mina. This is in addition to making supplications, offering a Hady (sacrificial animal offered by pilgrims), throwing the pebbles, and other rites. He indicated that among the basics of the glorification of these rites is that the pilgrims should avoid anything that violates this glorification and abstain from that which threatens safety and security in the Two Holy Mosques and at the Sacred Site, or the safety of the pilgrims. This is because this is one of the basic Shar`i prerequisites of all the rites of Hajj.

Dr. Hisham considered the violation of this aspect as a form of inclining to evil deeds in the Haram. Allah (Glorified be He) said: “…and whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practice polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), We shall cause him to taste a painful torment.” Furthermore, he explained the great benefits which will be gained by the Muslims in general and the pilgrims in particular from the glorification of the rites of Hajj, especially the purification and revival of the hearts as well as the preservation and furtherance of the piety of the body. This is in addition to them drawing closer to Allah (Glorified be He) and reaching the state of benevolence which results in them worshiping Allah as if they see Him. Therefore, there was a dire need to select this topic to be the title of the Conference this year.

He said: “This topic has been selected to be a wide scope for academic research, as a group of prominent scholars, researchers, and experts from all the corners of the Islamic world will study and discuss the role of the rulers, scholars, propagators of Islam, preachers, and the Muslims in general in outlining the jurisprudence of glorifying the rites of Hajj and learning that which is contradictory to this glorification. This is in order to spread the benefits of this glorification among the scholars, researchers, guests of Allah, well-educated people, and seekers of knowledge.”

http://haj.gov.sa/en-US/SitePages/Ne...px?newsid=1804

Saturday 27 September 2014

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has advised pilgrims to avoid politicizing the Haj.

Speaking during his Friday sermon at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, he said the main aim of the Haj should be remembering Allah while performing the rituals.

He said pilgrims must be wary of their Haj being dominated by “evil and wrong thoughts, deviant ideologies or abhorrent sectarianism.”

He said pilgrims must abide by the regulations that have been put in place by the Saudi government for the safety and comfort of all those on the holy journey.

The mufti said pilgrims should not undermine efforts to ensure the Haj is conducted safely and peacefully. “Strive to be close to Allah with the words and deeds that He loves, because you are in a great and blessed land ...”

He said Allah has warned in the Qur’an that there would be a “most grievous penalty” for those whose purpose is “profanity or wrongdoing,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

More than 2 million pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year.

They will assemble in Mina, 12 km outside Makkah, on Thursday Oct. 2 at the start of the pilgrimage in preparation for their journey to Arafat the next day. About one million foreign pilgrims have already arrived for Haj.

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/636376

 

Saturday 27 September 2014

It appears that Saudi and expatriate Haj pilgrims have slightly different needs, with citizens mostly seeking to know about services offered, while the latter are concerned about prices.

Khaled Al-Mughrabi, a worker at a local Haj company, said there was a large turnout this year for low-cost Haj packages from Arab and Asian expatriates, including Pakistanis and Indians.

Two low-cost Haj packages were offered this year, one starting from SR2,500 and the other from SR7,000.

He said cheaper packages were oversubscribed and pilgrims had to be turned away. There were still a few spots left for the more expensive package, Al-Mughrabi said.

Hassan Asiri, who makes reservations for a local Haj firm, told Arab News that expatriates first ask about price and the possibility of getting a discounted rate.

In contrast, Saudi nationals are more concerned about services, including information on where camps are located and the proximity to the jamaraat, where the ritual stoning of the devil takes place.

“They also ask about transportation and the quality of vehicles, including whether they have air conditioning that suits the desert climate,” Asiri said.

Abdul Hamid Othman, a Haj company supervisor, said that many of those who registered for the low-cost package had changed their minds because of the lack of services.

“This is a result of people not having sufficient information about these packages in the first place,” he said.

Majid Al-Idris, a Moroccan barber, said that his Haj company charged him a lot more money for the same package his friend had bought.

He said the company representatives had told him that prices had gone up because there were only a few places left, and that more services were offered.

He warned that many companies were overcharging pilgrims.
They often offer cooked meals, but then only produce dry, packaged food, he said.

Abdul Aziz Al-Nabhani, an official at a Haj company, said that many pilgrims had insufficient information this year on the low-cost packages offered.

The Haj Ministry had expanded the low-cost program this year to absorb the pilgrims who were sleeping on the streets of Makkah.

The ministry had opened the program for 15,000 pilgrims through registered Haj companies in two phases.

The first phase included 8,000 pilgrims and the second 7,000.

Al-Nabhani said that many who came to book their places at offices nationwide had not known that they were able to do so on the ministry’s website.

He called on the government to provide more publicity to the program next year.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/636396

Saturday 27 September 2014

The Passport Department has established two centers to deal with the processing of punitive charges against Haj violators without any further delay, announced Maj. Gen. Ayad Loqman Al-Harbi, commander of Haj forces in the Passport Department.

Addressing a press conference on Friday evening here, Al-Harbi said the Passport Department has established a center each in Taif and Shamaisy to deal firmly with the Haj violators, including smugglers of illegal pilgrims.
“All violators caught by security forces are being referred to these two centers where punitive actions are processed. These two centers are working 24x7 to avoid any scope of delay.”

The commander said Saudi citizens and others charged with smuggling pilgrims are being fined SR10,000 per pilgrim and will be referred to courts for further punishment.

He added that expatriates caught in violation will be deported and barred for returning to the Kingdom for at least 10 years.

Al-Harbi said that the electronic system is being effectively used by the Passport Department to curb and prevent any infiltration in Makkah as part of the drive by the Ministry of Interior.

He said that 1,169,977 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom until Friday afternoon, the majority of them at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Jeddah Islamic Port.

Al-Harbi explained that 1,102,069 pilgrims arrived by air, 54,300 by road and 13,608 by sea as on Friday.

He said 232 pilgrims, including citizens and expatriates from GCC countries, were arrested by the Passport Department for having forged Haj permits.
So far, he added, 21 smugglers caught inside the Kingdom were penalized up to SR 860,000 by passport authorities.

He urged all expatriates and Saudi citizens to comply with regulations and perform a violation-free Haj.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/636366

27,000 people sans permit turned back

TAIF — The total number of Haj and Umrah regulation violators has reached 27,000 persons as of Thursday, according to the National Center of General Statistics. All of them tried to enter Makkah and the ritual sites through the Eastern entry points.

Among the violators were a Saudi, a Gulf citizen and an Arab expatriate. Some of the expatriates who violated the regulations were legal residents holding residency permits while others did not. Many tried to enter Makkah via remote areas but they were spotted and arrested.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140927219478

Saturday 27 September 2014

Specially trained security force officers were put through their paces in Makkah here recently for the Haj season with drills including using live ammunition, hand-to-hand combat and freeing hostages.

Director of the Ministry of Interior's public security department, Maj. Gen. Othman Al-Mihrij, who led the exercises, said he was happy with the preparation, and praised the ministry for its careful Haj planning.

Al-Mihrij said the officers were ready to face any challenges and that 70,000 personnel had been deployed across Makkah and the holy sites.

He said officers had been ordered to crack down on those trying to disturb pilgrims. He said the security forces act as "shields of the nation" and were ready to sacrifice themselves to protect Islam's holiest sites.

Maj. Gen. Khalid bin Qarrar led the final drills including shooting at targets from various angles, driving in vehicles, picking up weapons from the ground and using them, disarming assailants and releasing hostages. Officers also participated in a parade, which included a flyover of special security plane fleets.

Meanwhile, the government has ordered all ministries to cooperate with the Civil Defense to tackle emergencies during Haj.

Col. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director of the Civil Defense's Emergency Operations Center in Makkah, said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency on Friday that all government ministries and agencies would be placed on alert from Sept. 27. They would have to provide quick support services in the event of emergencies.

This includes the ministries of Defense, National Guard, Interior, Municipal and Rural Affairs, Health, Haj, Finance, Education, Commerce and Industry, Water and Electricity, Culture and Information, Economy and Telecommunications. The departments and agencies include public security, Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/636346