Makkah News and Updates

Thursday, 02 October 2014

MAKKAH — The 15th edition of the annual Makkah Conference has asked the Muslim World League (MWL) to organize an international gathering to discuss ways and means of fighting terrorism as soon as possible.

Concluding on Tuesday, the three-day conference also asked to immunize Muslim children against extremist ideologies and to bring them up according to the correct Islamic culture.

Secretary General of the MWL Abdullah Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Turki read out the recommendations which called for formulating suitable strategies to confront Islamophobia.

More than 500 scholars from the Kingdom and various other Islamic countries attended the annual event which was held under the theme: "Islamic Culture: Originality and Contemporaneity".

The conference asked all Islamic countries to adopt a cultural project to spread moderation and to fight sectarianism and fanaticism.

The recommendations said, “Muslim youth should be brought up according to the correct Islamic culture, protected against falling prey to terrorism, sectarianism or extremist ideas and made to adopt moderation.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah opened the conference on Sunday. A speech was read out on his behalf by Makkah Emir Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah.

He said it was the duty of the Ummah to abide by and protect Islamic culture at a time misconceptions and violence have created an atmosphere of confusion and chaos.

The conference asked for deepening the awareness of Muslims about the need to adhere firmly to the teachings of Islam in all walks of life.

It said Muslims should obey Allah in all their behaviors, be always proud that they are Muslims and preserve their Islamic identity.

The participants called for the formulation of a unified syllabus for Islamic culture and asked all universities in the Muslim world to make it part of their curriculum after translating it into various live languages.

They also called for developing the Islamic discourse to be able to protect the identity of the Ummah and safeguard it from the influence of other foreign cultures.

The participants said Islamic culture in its entirety means the Islamic creed, rules, ethics, ideals, traditions, skills and behavior. They said the Islamic culture is the driving force for building civilizations and attaining creativity and excellence in all the human activities.

The participants were unanimous that the current weakness of the Muslim Ummah is a far cry from its glorious history especially that it has made remarkable civilization achievements in the past and had positively influenced other civilizations. They reiterated that Islam is innocent from the culture of terrorism, extremism and violence, which have prevailed as a result of detachment from the correct religion.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141002220030 Thursday, 02 October 2014

MAKKAH — Pilgrims have expressed annoyance at the cleanliness of their accommodation, which they claim is deteriorating by the day, Makkah daily reported.

Abdulsamad Abdulaziz, a Haji (pilgrim on Haj), said the biggest problem pilgrims are facing is that of cleanliness, adding that conditions deteriorated after the first few days.

“Garbage is piling up in the hallways, cleaning workers are not available, cleaning materials are slowly depleting and when we complain to the management we do not receive any response,” he said.

Ismael Yousef, another pilgrim, said his biggest complaints are delays in the maintenance of electrical equipment and bathrooms and he only receives empty promises from accommodation managers when the air conditioning needs maintenance.

“Bathrooms require the most maintenance, and there should be maintenance teams that are available 24 hours a day to repair any faults in them,” he said.

Faris Ahmad, a pilgrim, said the first few days are the best because everything is clean and functioning properly, but as days pass the level of service deteriorates, causing resentment among Hajis.

Abdulwali Sanorda, a Haji, said reception employees handle all the complaints from pilgrims and they simply make promises that are not kept. He believed many of them were not qualified to be receptionists. “Many times we ask the receptionist about certain things, but he answers that he is only a receptionist and not the manager,” he said.

He believes that receptionists should be authorized to act in such situations and provide the promised services to pilgrims.

Haj guide (mutawif) Nabil Ghazzawi said he conducts two preliminary inspection rounds of pilgrims’ accommodation before they arrive.

He said: “Supervisors conduct daily inspection rounds and in case any maintenance is needed the owner of the building is notified to repair the damage.

“Our rental contract with the building owner includes 15 percent of the rental cost set aside to handle such maintenance problems if the owner does not attend to them.”

Spokesman for the Ministry of Haj Hatim Qadi said the ministry is keen on the comfort of the pilgrims and there are monitoring committees that inspect accommodations before and after Hajis arrive. “In case any violation is monitored, the concerned body is notified to deal with the problem,” he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141002220067

Thursday, 02 October 2014 - 08 Thul-Hijjah 1435

MAKKAH — A helicopter trip over the Holy Sites has shown that Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah are ready to receive pilgrims. All military and civil sectors in the sites appeared to be working at full swing while officers and employees have taken their positions to serve the influx of pilgrims who will ascend to Mina, which is about five kilometers away from Makkah, today (Thursday).

They will spend the night there before proceeding to Arafat the next day where they will stand in the Arafat Plain from morning until sunset. Then they will proceed to Muzdalifah.

Meanwhile, East Arafat Hospital medical director Dr. Bandar Qadeer said a specialized team would run a mobile laboratory using state-of-the-art technology to discover any potential coronavirus case among pilgrims in Arafat. Dr. Qadeer said the hospital has isolation rooms that have been set up in a record time and will receive any case and handle it efficiently and properly.

Arafat Nimrah General Hospital medical director Dr. Talat Zayed said the Ministry of Health has provided four kidney dialysis machines for the hospital. The 90-bed hospital’s doctors have been put on alert to serve the pilgrims.

The ministry has urged pilgrims to eat fruits, vegetables, and boiled food because they are good and do not irritate the stomach. It asked pilgrims to stay clean all the time and avoid Tawaf and Sai in hot temperature and always use umbrellas to protect them against the sun.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141002220066

 

Thursday 2 October 2014

The Ministry of Health has launched a smartphone application that provides Haj pilgrims access to important health-related information and resources.

Anees Sindi, deputy commander of the ministry's command and control center, said that the recent cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola have made "travelers nervous."

“The Ministry of Health is committed to reassuring those traveling to and within the Kingdom, by providing fact-based information about infectious diseases. We encourage all those traveling to perform Haj this year to make use of the application.”

The ministry said that the application is available for download on Google Play for pilgrims with android smartphones once they search for “MOH Haj App.”

The application includes daily health alerts, the location of health care facilities in Makkah and Madinah, contact details, tips on managing basic health ailments and a mechanism to make emergency calls for medical assistance.

The application also includes a live Twitter feed that will focus on providing real-time health-related advisories by the Health Ministry.

Additional information outlines symptoms of common ailments, tips on what to do if one exhibits such symptoms and when to seek medical assistance. The application also provides guidance on what to do if a fellow pilgrim contracts an infectious disease.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/638671

Thursday 2 October 2014

No cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported among pilgrims in Makkah, said Acting Health Minister Adel Fakeih after inspecting hospitals and other health facilities in the city on Wednesday.

“All the hospitals in Makkah and other holy sites have been provided with advanced medical facilities and are manned by highly qualified doctors and medical personnel,” the minister said.

“Our health preparations for Haj are at the highest level,” Fakeih said, adding that highly complicated cases would be transferred to the hi-tech King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, which has clinics for rare specialties.

“No cases of infectious diseases, including MERS, have been reported among pilgrims in Makkah and the health condition of pilgrims is satisfactory,” the minister said.

He said the ministry was closely monitoring the appearance of new MERS cases in some parts of the country, including Taif and Hanakiya, and has taken steps to prevent the disease from spreading.

Fakeih said all hospitals and health centers in Makkah are fully prepared to deal with any emergency situations during the Haj season. “We have also kept the health facilities in Mina and Arafat ready for Haj,” he added.

He opened a mobile unit for cleaning dangerous material at East Arafat Hospital and said the ministry wanted to establish similar units at hospitals in different parts of the Kingdom.

The minister later inspected the cardiac center at King Abdullah Medical City. The center has carried out 420 cardiac operations during the past two weeks, of which 164 were on pilgrims.

“We have done 35 open heart surgeries during the past few weeks, including 16 on pilgrims,” said Dr. Yaseen Malawi, CEO of the medical city.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has made arrangements to transport sick pilgrims, who have been admitted to hospitals in Madinah, to Makkah and holy sites to complete their Haj rituals.

A caravan of ambulances left Wednesday to Makkah, said Dr. Abdullah Al-Taifi, health director in Madinah, adding that doctors and nurses have accompanied the sick pilgrims to take care of them.

He said the ministry arranged 37 ambulances for the operation. “We are providing this service to pilgrims with the support of the Haj Ministry, the Guides Organization and the highway police,” he said, while praising Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman’s support for the program.

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/638706

 

Thursday 2 October 2014

MAKKAH: As a child, Osama Al-Bar would walk from his home past Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba, to the market of spice and fabric merchants where his father owned a store. At that time, Makkah was so small, pilgrims could sit near the Kaaba and look out at the serene desert mountains where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once walked.

Now the market and the homes are gone. Monumental luxury hotel towers surround the Grand Mosque where the Kaaba is located. Steep rocky hills overlooking the mosque have been leveled and are now covered with cranes building more towers in row after row.

"My father and all the people who lived in Makkah wouldn't recognize it," said Al-Bar, who is now the city's mayor.

As Muslims from around the world stream into Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage this week, they come to a city undergoing the biggest transformation in its history.

Decades ago, this was a low-built city of centuries-old neighborhoods. Over the years, it saw piecemeal renewal projects. But in the mid-2000s, the Kingdom launched its most ambitious overhaul ever with a series of mega-projects that, though incomplete, have already reshaped Makkah. Old neighborhoods have been erased for hotel towers and malls built right up to the edge of the Grand Mosque. Next to the Kaaba soars the world's third tallest skyscraper, topped by a gigantic clock, which is splashed with colored lights at night.
The urban renewal is necessary, Saudi officials say, to accommodate Haj pilgrims whose numbers are expected to swell from around 3 million currently to nearly 7 million by 2040.

The $60-billion Grand Mosque expansion will almost double the area for pilgrims to pray at the Kaaba. Around half the cost went to buying about 5,800 homes that had to be razed for the expansion, said Al-Bar, the mayor. Domes and pillars dating back to rule by the Ottoman Empire are being pulled down to put up modern facilities.

Another mega project is Jabal Omar, a hill on the mosque's west side. The hill — a landmark in the city — was leveled and in its place, construction of around 40 towers is under way, mostly for luxury hotels providing some 11,000 rooms. The first of the Jabal Omar hotels, a Hilton Suites and the Anjum Hotel, just opened in the past few months.

On the mosque's south side stands the 1,972-foot (600-meter) clock-tower skyscraper, part of a completed seven-tower complex that was built after tearing down an Ottoman fort on the site.

Also under way is the Jabal Sharashif project, in which a slum that largely houses Burmese and African migrants is to be torn down to build a new neighborhood for Saudis, along with hotels. A four-line metro system is planned for the city along with a high-speed rail line to the port city of Jeddah, where the area's airport is located, and to Madinah.

The Grand Mosque's expansion is being headed by the Saudi Binladin Group, which also built the clock tower. The Binladin family runs major building projects around the country.

Speaking at a public forum in Jeddah in May, Nawaf Binladin, whose father is chairman of the conglomerate, said people are constantly asking if all this construction is needed.

"This can be answered in one moment in this image," he said, flashing a picture of tens of thousands of worshippers praying in the street because there was not enough room inside the Grand Mosque.

Essam Kalthoum, managing director of the government-owned Bawabat Makkah Company, which is involved in a number of projects around the city, said the main goal is to increase space for pilgrims.

Kalthoum showed a gift from a Turkish foundation he had just received: a photo of Makkah from the late 1800s.

"This is painful," he said. "For those of us who witnessed some of this (past), it brings back memories."

But he pointed to the Kaaba in the photograph. "Because of this place," he said, the old markets and buildings had to go.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/638651

Thursday 2 October 2014

More than two million pilgrims have begun marching to Mina on the first leg of their journey of a lifetime.

The government’s agencies have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims from Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Taif and Dammam into the tent city. The pilgrims will spend the day and night in prayers and then head to the plains of Arafat on Friday morning. The standing at Arafat is the high point of Haj.

In Mina on Wednesday, thousands of young men employed by Haj operators and pilgrim establishments were preparing to receive pilgrims. Traffic police, Civil Defense personnel, Haj Ministry officials, doctors, nurses, paramedics and media personnel were already in the tent city ahead of the pilgrims.

Makkah was bustling with spiritual activity on Wednesday evening. Male pilgrims will don the ihram, two pieces of white seamless cloth that is mandatory before undertaking the journey on Thursday. The ihram for women is different.

“We are excited and happy and also a little nervous,” said Maulana Minhaj Akram, 69, a pilgrim from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

He was accompanied by his wheelchair-bound wife, Syeda Majida. “Haj is not easy,” he said via phone from Makkah. “It is physically demanding, but spiritually exhilarating.”

He said they were told by their organizers that they should be ready on Wednesday night. “Our bus is supposed to arrive immediately after Fajr on Thursday,” he said. “We will then head to Mina where we have been allotted a place in one of the many tents.”

Lateef Mohammad Jagirdar from Jaipur, Rajasthan, and his wife Shabana Begum were very happy to be here for Haj.

“We can’t describe our feelings. We have been in the queue for three years. More than 360,000 had applied for Haj this year in India and only 136,000 were lucky to come here. We are among the lucky ones.”

Jagirdar said his relatives and acquaintances have asked them for prayers. “We have a long list of requests. We will beseech Allah from Mina and the plains of Arafat to answer our prayers,” he said. “We have come all the way from such a distant land to seek forgiveness and Allah’s mercy.”

“It is the love for our Prophet (peace be upon him) and our beautiful religion that has brought us to the holy land,” said Jagirdar.

The weather was pleasant on Wednesday and is expected to be moderate on Thursday. A visit by Arab News photographer to the Jamrat Bridge and nearby area was full of pleasant feelings. “Excellent arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth Haj,” said Abdullah Bazuhair from Mina.

In Jeddah, Riyadh and other cities, men and women were seen heading in cars and buses to Makkah to perform Haj. They were chanting “Labbaik Allahuma Labbaik” (O God, here we are answering your call). Onlookers were encouraging and smiling at the pilgrims and asking them to pray for world peace.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry’s public security department has stopped 145,354 pilgrims from entering Makkah because they did not have Haj permits.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the department said that its officers also barred 51,112 cars without entry permits. “The department also arrested the operators of 40 fake Haj service companies and launched investigations against them.”

In a related development, Hail police arrested 482 violators of Haj, labor and residency regulations. The operation was carried out by Hail Police Chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Almaei, said Col. Saad Al-Horaish, assistant spokesman of the department. Legal action would take place against the violators, he said.

The interior and Haj ministries have launched a campaign to counter bogus Haj companies offering services for domestic pilgrims. The Interior Ministry said such operators were exploiting ignorant pilgrims, whom they abandon at the holy sites without accommodation and other services.

The ministry said it would severely punish such operators. The perpetrators would have to pay compensation to their victims. If they are expatriates, they would also be deported.

In an unfortunate development, five pilgrims died and eight others were injured when their vehicle was involved in an accident on the Al-Leith-Makkah Road on Tuesday night.

The Saudi Red Crescent took the bodies and the injured to King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Jeddah. Some of the injured sustained deep wounds.

All the pilgrims, including two women, were reportedly not carrying Haj permits. The accident took place while the driver was taking them through a desert road to evade the police. An online publication identified the injured as Sudanese and Eritrean nationals.

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/638691 Jeddah, Dhu-AlHijjah 7, 1435, Oct 1, 2014, SPA

Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Makkah Region and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, has order the relevant authorities starting implementation of the approved field plans for facilitation of the pilgrims' movement from Makkah to Mina for spending Tarwiyah day (8th Dhu-AlHijjah) tomorrow.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Prince Mishaal stressed necessity of integration of services and capabilities prepared by the various authorities for the affairs of Hajj and pilgrims in the implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and the Deputy Crown Prince for providing all services and capabilities for the pilgrims in order to perform Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1280093

Thursday, 02 October 2014 - 08 Thul-Hijjah 1435

MAKKAH — Marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Haj on Thursday, around two million pilgrims headed through packed streets of Makkah and surrounding cities including Jeddah and Taif to the enormous Tent City of Mina, located 7 km north east of the Grand Mosque.

In a dense sea of humanity, men in seamless white clothes and women in robes and headscarves were heard chanting the talbiyah “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (O God, here I am answering your call)…”

After performing Isha (night) prayers at the Grand Mosque on Wednesday, they started streaming into the Mina valley. Most pilgrims embarked their life-time journey on board buses arranged by their respective tawafa organizations while some others preferred moving on foot. By midnight the Tent City, decked out to receive the Guests of Allah, was teeming with pilgrims, who were seen exchanging pleasantries after settling down in their respective locations.

The Tent City is reverberating with the talbiyah of pilgrims who make final preparations for their standing (wuqoof) on the plains of Arafat on Friday, marking the climax of Haj. Almost all the Haj missions have readied a meticulously designed and flawless operation plan for the movement of pilgrims to Arafat after spending Thursday in the Tent City. The pilgrims, following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), will spend the day, called Tarwiyah Day, engaged in supplications for expiation of their sins and taking rest in their 45,000 fire-proof tents and other places of accommodation.

Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam and occurs in the month of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. On the first official day of the Haj on Thursday (Dhul Hijjah 8), pilgrims converge in Mina. They pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghreb, and Isha shortening their four-unit prayers so as to make them two units each, without combining them. According to the Sunnah (Traditions of the Prophet — pbuh), the pilgrims spend the night of the Tarwiyah Day in Mina. After performing dawn (Fajr) prayer on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims wait for sunrise and then move toward Arafat chanting the talbiyah and takbeer (glorifying Allah). In Arafat, they offer Dhuhr and Asr combined at the time of Dhuhr, making each one two units. Standing (wuqoof) at Arafat on Dhul Hijjah 9 is the most important ritual of Haj.

Makkah Emir and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah said the first phase of the Haj operation plan has been a resounding success. “There were only positive signs of a peaceful and hassle-free Haj for which all the concerned authorities have completed their preparations and arrangements to render the pilgrims with the best ever services possible,” he said.

The Directorate General of Passports said it has completed entry procedures for 1,386,905 pilgrims as on Tuesday. The number of pilgrims who came by air reached 1,313,926 while those came by land and sea stood at 58,984 and 13,995 respectively. The Saudi government has put in place elaborate security and safety measures to ensure a peaceful and hassle-free Haj for pilgrims from more than 160 nations.

A total of 145,354 people with no Haj permits have so far been stopped from entering the Holy Sites, according to the latest statistics released by the Public Security Agency on Wednesday. Also, 51,112 vehicles have not been given permission to enter the Holy Sites while 85 vehicles were impounded due to various traffic violations, the report said.

The checkpoints around Makkah have been equipped with state-of-the-art technology to register the names of violators and send their information to the authorities so they are prosecuted.

Around 40 fake Haj service offices have been raided and penal measures are being taken against them.

The Directorate of Passports’ administrative committees has issued 67 verdicts against 52 citizens and 15 expatriate workers for violating Haj regulations. The total fines imposed on them exceeded SR3 million.

Acting Health Minister Dr. Adel Fakieh said no infectious or epidemic diseases have been registered among pilgrims so far and all indications show that the overall health condition of pilgrims is fine. Dr. Fakieh instructed all officials in the health sector to provide pilgrims with all medical services they need and provide hospitals with sufficient amounts of medical supplies.

The ministry has provided medical teams for pilgrims to prevent the potential spread of any epidemic disease. It has also ensured that all hospitals and health centers in Makkah and the Holy Sites are up and running and ready to receive any emergency case during Haj. The pilgrims who remain hospitalized in Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah will be transported to the Holy Sites by buses and ambulances.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141002220058

Pilgrims move to Mina holy site

Mina, Dhu-AlHijjah 08, 1435, October 02, 2014, SPA

Pilgrims flocked to Mina holy site, on Thursday, called as "The Watering Day" to stay one night there on their way to stand in Arafat holy mount on Dhu-AlHijjah 09.

They will go back to Mina holy site from Arafat after sunset on Dhu-AlHijjah 09 after spending one night in Muzdalifah, to stay in it for Tashreeq Days (10-11-12- 13), and throwing three Jamarat (pebbles).

Mina holy site is located on an area of 16.8 square kilo meters, between Makkah and Muzdalifah, just seven kilometers north-east of the Holy Grand Mosque.

Pilgrims are moving amid great facilities and services provided by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to enable them to perform their Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1280297

Guests of King Abdullah to Hajj safely arrive in Mina, officials say

Mina, Dhu-AlHijjah 08, 1435, October 02, 2014, SPA

As many as 2400 guests from more than 70 countries who were invited by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to perform Hajj this year at his own expense, have safely arrived in Mina on the eve of Hajj climax which falls on Friday.

Since their arrival in Makkah over the last few days, the guests, among whom more than 1000 are relatives of Palestinian martyrs who were killed during struggles with Israel, were received by representatives of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, said Abdullah bin Midlej Al-Midleg, Executive Director of the King's program to invite some guests to perform Hajj.

For their part, the female and male pilgrims who benefited from the program, expressed their thanks and appreciation to the king, the Saudi government and people for their generosity.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1280428

Hajj security plans successful, official spokesman announces

For his part, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj Hatem Gadhi said all pilgrims have safely arrived in Makkah by the seventh day of Zul-Hijja corresponding to October 2, 2014.

He said the Ministry of Hajj, which is the authority concerned of making the camps ready for pilgrims, has already fulfilled its job after having equipped all tents and camps with the necessary facilities, including water, electricity, accommodation, refrigeration, air-conditioning and gas pipes.

Col. Sami Al-Shuwairekh, the Commander of Illumination and Information, said his department's job is facilitate the movement of pilgrims from place to place in addition to security, humanitarian and guiding services and to drawing a free zone between pedestrians and passengers to confirm the flow of traffic and service to Mina.

He added that his department also works to prevent illegal pilgrims from entering the sacred places. So far, 1420 were caught violating Hajj regulations in addition to 61,558 vehicles checked trying to enter the sacred area without obtaining Hajj permission.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1280493

 

 

Thursday 2 October 2014

MAKKAH: Close to 1.4 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Makkah for the annual Haj, which all physically and financially able Muslims are required to perform once in their life.

The rituals of the Haj are as follows:

• Ihram: a state in which pilgrims wear special outfits, two-piece white seamless garments for men and any loose dress for women, who must completely cover themselves except for their hands and faces.

Niqab (a face covering that only reveals the eyes) is prohibited.

Sex is forbidden during Ihram and pilgrims must refrain from quarrelling, covering the head (for men), cutting hair, clipping nails, wearing socks or shoes, except for sandals exposing the instep.

“I am answering your call, God,” every pilgrim chants.

• Once in Makkah, pilgrims perform Tawaf, or circumambulation, seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba, a black masonry cubic shape in the middle of the Haram, or sacred site, in whose direction Muslims pray wherever they are in the world.

The Kaaba was first built as a “sacred house” in Makkah by Adam, the father of the human race, according to the Islamic faith. The Qur’an says Abraham (or Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael rebuilt the Kaaba.

Each circle starts and ends at the Black Stone, also known as the cornerstone, at the southern corner of the Kaaba. Pilgrims should point their palms to the stone saying: “Allahu akbar” (God is the greatest).

• Walking back and forth between the two stone spots of Safa and Marwah seven times, an act known as Sa’i. The distance between them is just under 400 meters (437 yards). Pilgrims are emulating Hagar, the second wife of Ibrahim according to Islam, who was desperately seeking water for her infant Ishmael.

The preceding rituals are considered the Umra, or lesser pilgrimage, made ahead of the Haj’s main rites.

• The main rites of the Haj start on the 8th of Dhul Hijja and end on the 13th (this year October 2-7). Pilgrims head to Mina, around five kilometers (three miles) east of the holy mosque, on the first day of Haj known as Tarwiah (watering) Day. Pilgrims traditionally watered their animals and stocked water for their trip to Mount Arafat, about 10 kilometers southeast of Mina.

• Arafat Day, on the 9th of Dhul Hijja, (October 3) is the climax of the Haj season as all pilgrims gather on the hill known as Mount Arafat and its surrounding plain. Pilgrims stay at Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace bu upon him) is believed to have delivered his final Haj sermon, until the evening. They spend the day reciting from the Qur’an and praying.

• After sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijja, pilgrims leave for Muzdalifah, half-way between Arafat and Mina, where they stay at least until midnight. They gather pebbles to perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil.”

• After dawn prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, or the Eid Al-Adha feast, pilgrims head back to Mina. The first of three stoning rites, known as Jamarat Al-Aqabah, begins after sunrise. Traditionally, seven pebbles are thrown at a post representing the devil. Since 2004, it has been replaced by walls to accommodate the rising numbers of pilgrims.

The ritual is an emulation of Abraham’s stoning of the devil at the three spots where he is said to have appeared trying to dissuade the biblical patriarch from obeying God’s order to sacrifice Ishmael.

• After the first stoning, pilgrims offer sacrifices by slaughtering a sheep and the meat is distributed to needy Muslims. This rite also emulates the actions of Abraham. He prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael on the order of God, who provided a lamb in the boy’s place at the last moment.
Pilgrims no longer carry out this rite themselves. They instead pay agencies which distribute meat to needy Muslims around the world.

• Men then shave their heads or trim their hair while women cut a fingertip-length of their hair. Afer that they can end their Ihram and change back to their usual clothing.

Sex remains prohibited.

Pilgrims then return to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, perform Tawaf Al-Efadha, circumambulating seven times around the Kaaba, then perform Sa’i, moving seven times between Safa and Marwah.

With that, pilgrims end their Ihram.

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/638856 Friday, 03 October 2014

MINA – The Ministry of Haj has warned pilgrims against the dangers of being exposed to sun especially during midday and in a crowd, saying that it could lead to heatstroke. It also urged pilgrims to use umbrellas and masks as part of precautionary measures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to the forecast of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Makkah recorded temperatures of 37 degree Celsius while Arafat registered 34 and Mina and Muzdalifah 33. The sky was cloudy in Mina and Muzdalifah, and partially cloudy in Makkah on Thursday.

The ministry called on the pilgrims to have full awareness about the address or contact number of their service providing firm and location of tents. The Ministry of Health has mobilized a total of 22,800 staffers and 182 ambulances to serve the pilgrims.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141003220157

Friday, 03 October 2014 - 09 Thul-Hijjah 1435

HOLY SITES — 1,600 young men and women will participate in monitoring the movement and safety of pilgrims in the train stations alongside of 3,600 special security officers and 121 officers. They will ensure that pilgrims get on and off the train safely and that they have valid train tickets.

This year Al-Mashair Train aims to transport 360,000 pilgrims to and fro Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat, and Al-Jamrat Bridge. Abdulrahman Al-Shawan, director of Al-Mashair Train Project, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, said any pilgrim who has bought the wristband, which costs SR50 for all trips, will be allowed to get on the train, noting that the first train trip for pilgrims took place Wednesday. The train will transport pilgrims from Mina to Arafat on the Dul Hijjah 8th after midnight.

“We have designed plans to carry pilgrims in the Holy Sites and Al-Jamrat Bridge and to ensure each trip does exceed the allowed number of passengers. The plans put contingency measures to deal with any potential emergency case,” Al-Shawan said.

The young men and women will also participate in preventing any potential rush of pilgrims inside or outside the stations, especially during peak times. They will be using advanced electronic devices to control and organize the crowds of pilgrims and double-check the validity of tickets.

Only local pilgrims as well as pilgrims from Southeast Asia, GCC countries and Turkey are allowed to use the trains. There are strict measures to prevent pilgrims who do not hold tickets from riding the trains or even entering one of the 60 gates of the nine stations all over the Holy Sites. One of the stations will is to be used strictly by the elderly and the physically challenged.

Each gate has electronic sensors that can read the type of ticket and decide if it is the right one.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141003220158

 

Friday, 03 October 2014 - 09 Thul-Hijjah 1435

MAKKAH — About two million pilgrims from all corners of the globe are on Friday set to converge on Mount Arafat, about 15 km east of Makkah, at the climax of this year’s annual pilgrimage of Haj. Chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (O God, here I am answering Your call)…,” the white sea of humanity will surge toward the vast plains of Arafat at the outbreak of dawn on Friday, after spending a night of meditation and introspection in the Tent City of Mina Thursday.

Standing at Mount Arafat (wuqoof) is an accomplishment of a pilgrim’s life mission and fulfillment of his dream of performing Haj. All the men, in a seamless two-piece white garment, symbolizing a state of purity and emphasizing their unity regardless of social status or nationality, will spend the day in prayer and supplication, marking the high point of the five-day Haj.

Women also generally wear white, exposing only their faces and hands.

The movement of pilgrims into Mina was orderly and smooth, thanks to the elaborate arrangements made by the authorities.

“The plans for the transportation of pilgrims to Mina have been completed successfully, praise be to God,” said Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior.

Authorities have mobilized all their human and material resources to make the pilgrimage hassle-free and a great success. An integrated security team of more than 100,000 personnel drawn from all branches of the Ministry of Interior have been deployed across the Holy Sites to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims. Pilgrims faced little difficulty getting into Mina where hundreds of security forces are manning bridges, roads and underpasses.

Saudi Gazette saw the smooth flow of pilgrims into Mina and there were no untoward incidents reported from any corners of the vast valley. Many in the sea of white-clad believers were so moved by the occasion that tears streamed down their faces as they set out from Makkah for Mina, retracing the noble tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

“It is a beautiful feeling,” said Aziza Yousfy, 60, from Algeria, before setting out for Mina from Makkah. Seeing nearby Mina Valley and Mount Arafat “has always been a dream for me”, she said. Sayed Tajamul Haq, 64, an Indian pilgrim walking with his wife, voiced hope that “God will accept our prayers for forgiveness and mercy”, during an experience he described with a smile as “fantastic.”

The Tent City reverberated with the talbiyah of pilgrims who made final preparations for their standing on Arafat. Almost all the Haj missions have readied a meticulously designed and flawless operation plan for the movement of pilgrims to Arafat. The pilgrims prayed Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers at their tents in Mina. They shortened Dhuhr, Asr and Isha prayers to two rakaats (units), following the tradition of the Prophet (pbuh).

The pilgrims will spend Friday in Arafat praying and asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness. The ritual of standing at Arafat will begin after Dhuhr. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Asheikh will deliver the Arafat sermon at Nimra Mosque and will lead the shortened and combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers.

The pilgrims will spend the time in Arafat with prayers for acceptance of their pilgrimage and recitation of Qur’anic verses until sunset.

After sunset, the pilgrims will march toward Muzdalifah Valley and spend the night there in prayers after performing combined Maghreb and Isha prayers.

Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, said a total of 1,389,053 foreign pilgrims belonging to 163 nationalities are performing Haj this year.

In a cable sent to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Thursday, Prince Muhammad said the arrival of pilgrims through all entry points have been completed smoothly and perfectly.

Men make up 55 percent (757,981) of pilgrims while there are 631,072 women pilgrims. There is 0.6 percent (8,545) increase in the number of pilgrims than last year.

Several leaders and heads of state are performing Haj this year. They included presidents — Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia, Abdulla Yameen of the Maldives and Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari.

Makah Emir and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee, Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah, has directed all concerned agencies and departments to mobilize their resources in extending the best ever services to pilgrims.

Col. Sami Al-Showairikh, commander of the media and awareness division at Public Security, said that at least 188,558 people with no Haj permits have so far been stopped from entering the Holy Sites.

A total of 1,420 drivers of vehicles have been arrested for transportation of illegal pilgrims.

Also, 61,368 vehicles have been seized.

Punitive measures against 14,688 drivers who attempted to enter the Holy Sites without a permit will be taken.

Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar said the mayoralty has mobilized 23,050 personnel, including 14,000 street cleaners, to serve the pilgrims and keep Makkah and the Holy Sites neat and tidy.

Ali Al-Ghamdi, an official of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, said that 22,000 toilets were readied for pilgrims in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority teams have offered emergency medical aid to 674 pilgrims, of which 285 were taken to hospitals.

While Ebola has hit Africa, most MERS cases worldwide have been in Saudi Arabia itself.

Pilgrims from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three nations hardest-hit by Ebola which has killed more than 3,000 people in West Africa this year, have not been allowed in for the Haj.

The Health Ministry on Wednesday announced the country’s latest MERS victim, a 43-year-old Saudi who died in Taif, east of Makkah.

But “no infectious cases have been recorded among the pilgrims, including coronavirus (MERS),” said Acting Health Minister Adel Fakieh in a statement carried by SPA.

He added that “the health situation of the pilgrims is reassuring.”

Not a single case of Ebola has so far been detected and the ministry is taking all measures to ensure the safety and health of the pilgrims, said Manal Mansour, the head of Health Ministry’s department for prevention of infectious diseases.

“The most important precaution that (the Kingdom) has taken was to restrict visas from the affected areas,” she said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141003220150
A large number of pilgrims climb Jabal Al-Rahma in Arafat to pray standing on the mount, following in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is the most famous place in Arafat after the Namira Mosque.

Located between the seventh and eighth roads east of Arafat, Jabal Al-Rahma is 300 meters long and seven meters high. Some pilgrims wrongly believe that their Haj would not be complete without standing on this mount. During his farewell sermon, the Prophet said: “I stood here and all other places in Arafat are valid for the stand in prayer ritual” during the peak of the pilgrimage.

Human rights

Bandar Al-Aiban, president of the Human Rights Commission, has called on Muslims to get inspired from the message of Haj as well as from the last sermon of the Prophet (pbuh) that contained important principles for the protection of human rights. “What was mentioned in the last sermon represents the first comprehensive document for human rights,” Al-Aiban said. “We have to follow the Prophet’s instructions in that speech including protection of women, respect for blood and honor and fulfillment of trust.”

Sacrificial meat

The Kingdom’s Sacrificial Meat Utilization Project, which is managed by the Islamic Development Bank, enables pilgrims to perform their sacrifices easily during Haj and make use of the meat of sacrificial animals. Since its inception in 1983, the project has utilized and distributed meat of more than 17 million livestock among the poor in Saudi Arabia and 27 other countries. IDB is offering Adhahi coupons this year for SR490 ($131 or 98 euros), which could be purchased from Saudi Post offices, Al-Rajhi Bank branches, Al-Amoudi Foreign Exchange, the Association of Charity Gift for Pilgrims, and the Way for Retail Techniques Company.

Violators fined

The Passport Department has imposed fines worth SR6.6 million on violators during this Haj season. It also detained them for a total of 900 days and impounded 31 vehicles, an official statement said Thursday. On Wednesday alone it took punitive action against 40 Saudis and four expatriates for not carrying Haj permits. “The administrative panel will continue its meetings to make spot decisions on violators of Haj regulations,” it added.

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/639191

Saturday, 04 October 2014 - 10 Thul-Hijjah 1435

MAKKAH — The Holy Kaaba was adorned with a new cover (Kiswa) on Friday. In an annual custom, the new black cloth was placed on top of the Kaaba, at the center of the Grand Mosque, as about two million pilgrims converged on the nearby vast plains of Arafat in the climax of Haj.

Officials from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques took off the old Kiswa and installed the new one, which is made of pure silk and gold threads. It costs more than SR20 million and is considered one of the most exquisite works of Islamic art.

The Kiswa is 14 meters (42 feet) high, to match the height of the Kaaba, and 47 meters (141 feet) wide, enough to cover the four sides of Islam’s holiest site, which are not identical in dimension.

Its upper half is decorated with a 95-centimeter (three-foot) wide strip featuring verses from the Holy Qur’an, inscribed in gold plated silver thread, which weighs 120 kilograms (264 pounds). The Kiswa is made of five pieces. The fifth piece is the curtain of its door.

Nearly 650 kilograms (1,400 pounds) of natural silk was required to make the Kiswa. The silk is imported, but the Kiswa is designed and tailored by more than 200 Saudi employees at a special factory set up by the Kingdom.

In the past, the Kiswa used to be sent by different Muslim countries. Every year, pieces of the old Kiswa are presented as gifts to Muslim countries and senior Muslim personalities.

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said recently that the cover is completely manufactured in Saudi Arabia after it had previously been manufactured and transferred from Egypt or other countries.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141004220241

 

Friday 3 October 2014

Saudi authorities are planning to introduce a barcode system for Mina tents to help stranded pilgrims identify their tents with the assistance of Google maps.

“A technology has been already developed for this purpose,” said Mohammed Al-Ruwaished, head of the information technology committee at the Youth Welfare Presidency’s scout camp.

He said Tawafa organizations for pilgrims from different countries would be asked to use the technology for issuing barcodes. “Every pilgrim will be given wrist straps containing his personal barcode and if any pilgrim loses his way, scouts will be able to guide them using this barcode easily,” he said.

Al-Ruwaished said new roads and gateways in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa are being added to Google maps to help pilgrims make printouts of these maps from anywhere in the world.

In a related development, Eissa Rawwas, deputy Haj minister for Umrah affairs, said the application of the electronic Haj gateway system would be made mandatory from next year. The system will be linked with Haj visas. “We have applied the first phase of the system this year,” he said, adding that the next phase would start on Rabiul Awwal 1, 1436 (Dec. 23). He said the ministry has deployed 1,500 employees to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims from their tents to Jamrat for the stoning ritual. Rawwas said the ministry would ask all Tawafa organizations to keep 50 percent of their pilgrims in Mina on 13 Dhul Hijjah in the coming years to avoid overcrowding at the “mataf,” or circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba in Makkah. “Last year, we noticed that only 300,000 pilgrims remained in Mina for the third day of stoning at the Jamrat,” he said.

As this year’s Arafat Day falls on Friday, a large number of pilgrims are expected to join the annual pilgrimage. Hatim Qadi, Haj ministry spokesman, said his ministry was not afraid of the large turnout of pilgrims on Friday because arrangements have been completed to host the guests of God.

“The government has taken measures to prevent the entry of illegal pilgrims who do not carry valid Haj permits,” he said, adding that stiff punishment would be imposed on such violators. “People should think several times before violating the country’s rules and regulations,” he added.

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/639211 Saturday 4 October 2014

Transport logistics has been one of the major challenges for the Saudi government during Haj, but the multibillion-riyal Mashair train has made the process much easier.

The train started operating in the early hours of Friday carrying 360,000 pilgrims to Arafat from Mina and back again. The train transported local, South and East Asian, and Gulf Cooperation Council pilgrims to Arafat. There the pilgrims prayed Dhuhr and Asr at Nimrah Mosque. The train will continue to operate until 10 a.m. Sunday.

Abdul Rahman Shahwan, spokesman for the train operator, said everything went according to plan. He said government officials worked closely with Haj operators to ensure that pilgrims arrived at the stations on time and traveled safely.

He said many volunteers provided assistance to ensure the process went smoothly. Pilgrims were issued tickets in advance to save time. Government officials were deployed at the stations to ensure that pilgrims had valid tickets, ease congestion, and help the sick and elderly.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/639611 Saturday 4 October 2014

A total of 260,000 Arabs from various countries are performing Haj this year, according to a local organizing official.

Mohammad bin Ibrahim, management supervisor at the holy sites, and a member of the National Tawafa Arab Establishment, said that the Arab Haj camps in Arafat and Mina have been set up over 2 million square meters.
He said 114 field service groups were providing services to Arab pilgrims. The space in Arafat was over 1.4 million square meters, and in Mina 375,314 square meters.

Meanwhile, bin Ibrahim said that the establishment has produced special guidelines that mutawiffeen, or guides, have to follow at the holy sites, especially when communicating with pilgrims. He said field service teams would only be approved based on contracts.

He said contractors must have valid commercial licenses. The establishment has set up a database of regular contractors. It also plans to blacklist those who do not meet contractual agreements, particularly regarding safety directives from the Civil Defense.

He said the government allocated camps early this year to ensure guides could prepare properly for pilgrims. Fifty-percent of Arab pilgrims' camps in Arafat have inflammable and insulated European tents.

Bin Ibrahim said 300 experienced Saudi engineers, technicians and administrators have been assigned to provide services to the guests of God.

He said the administration of the holy sites have been divided into five sections. The establishment had allocated space in Mina and Arafat based on the number of pilgrims performing the Haj this year. This was undertaken by offices in both holy sites and in coordination with the government.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/639581 Saturday, 04 October 2014

HOLY SITES — Over 150 Saudi barbers are ready to trim and shave pilgrims’ heads in Mina Saturday on Eid Al-Adha holiday.

The barbers have graduated from Industrial Secondary Institutes in Al-Ahsa, Jazan, and Makkah. They are part of the cooperation program implemented by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation for the 11th consecutive year in conjunction with Makkah Municipality.

Ahmad Abdulwahab, who is charge of technical and vocational training, said the barbers are located west of Al-Jamarat Bridge.

Makkah Municipality has already started distributing pamphlets educating pilgrims about safe shaving and trimming ways.

The municipality has set up 400 barber shops to the north of Al-Jamarat Bridge, 400 west of the bridge, 110 at Sadqi Area, 110 at Al-Bay’a Area and 80 near the Al-Moaisim Slaughterhouse.

Muhammad Al-Fawtawi, director of environmental health, said the municipality has hired 1,600 health college students to work alongside 1,250 health inspectors in Makkah and the Holy Sites to pay regular visits to barbershops and ensure they follow all pertinent requirements.

The inspectors also focus on educating barbers who violate health codes by using unwrapped razor blades. All violators will be fined and penalized. The municipality has provided each barber with a health certificate that proves he is free from infectious diseases.

Technicians from the Ministry of Health took blood samples from the barbers a few days before Haj to ensure that they had not contracted any infectious disease.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141004220243

Friday, 03 October 2014 - 9 Thul-Hijjah 1435

JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Asheikh will deliver sermon on Friday prior to the standing (wuqoof) at Arafat, the most important ritual of Haj. He is delivering the Arafat sermon for the 34th year in a row. Asheikh, who lost his vision at the age of 17, sees this unique honor as a great blessing from Almighty Allah as a result of his mother’s supplication. When Asheikh lost his vision, his mother consoled him not to disappoint, saying that the infinite mercy of God may shower on him. “May Allah bless you through giving an opportunity to address the Islamic world,” she prayed. Her words produced an electrifying impact on him and encouraged him to devote fully to acquire more and more knowledge and disseminate it to a large section of the people. The supplication of mother became a reality after two decades when he started delivering Arafat sermon.

In an Arafat sermon, Asheikh said: “I am standing on this site where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stood and addressed his companions during his farewell Haj. Following the Prophetic tradition, I am undertaking a great responsibility of getting the Arafat sermon heard not only by around three million pilgrims but also to nearly 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world.”

It was from this spot, where now Nimrah Mosque is situated, more than 100,000 companions of the Prophet (pbuh) embraced the basic tenets of Islam from his farewell sermon and set out across the four corners of the world preaching and spreading the sublime message of the divine religion.

The Prophet (pbuh) preached about the oneness of Allah and talked about piety being the only barometer of one’s closeness to Allah during the sermon.

Reenacting this tradition, Asheikh, 73, started delivering Arafat sermon from the Hijri year of 1402. He continued delivering the sermon even during the period of the former grand mufti and world renowned scholar Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Baz.

Asheikh was appointed as the grand mufti and head of the Board of Senior Ulema and the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta in June 1999 after the death of Bin Baz on May 13 the same year.

Born as a member of the Kingdom’s leading religious family of Al Asheikh in Makkah in 1941, Asheikh memorized the Holy Qur’an at the age of 11. Asheikh’s father died while he was 8. He had optical problems while he was a child but this did not stand in the way of his passion to acquire knowledge. Asheikh lost his vision totally while he was a graduate student at the Scientific Propagation Institute, Riyadh.

After graduation at the age of 19, he joined the Shariah college under Riyadh’s Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University and obtained a degree in Arabic language and Shariah sciences. Later, he served as a teacher both at the Riyadh institute and Shariah college. For nearly quarter of a century, he has been serving as the imam and khateeb of Riyadh’s Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Mosque.

It takes more than two months for Asheikh to draft the Arafat sermon. He starts preparations immediately after the holy month of Ramadan. At the outset, he visualizes the content of the speech after going thoroughly through the farewell sermon of the Prophet (pbuh) and pondering over the major contemporary challenges facing the Islamic Ummah and the ideal solutions for them.

He also holds discussions with other eminent scholars. In Dhul Qada, he finalizes the ideas and dictates them to his aide. In the days before Haj, he memorizes the speech and recollects them repeatedly. Asheikh enjoys a spiritual mood until after finishing the speech. He rarely sleeps the previous night of Arafat sermon and does not take much food before delivering the sermon. He engages mostly in prayers and supplications as well as in recollection of the memorized speech.

In recent years, a major thrust in his sermons has been focusing on Islam’s moderation and tolerance as well as Islam’s unequivocal position against extremism and terrorism.

The Islamic world’s core issue of Palestine has been another major highlight. He also came up with Islamic solutions for the global economic crisis, besides warning against the dangers involved in misusing the satellite channels and Internet especially by the younger generation. Asheikh cites several Qur’anic verses and Traditions (Ahadith) of the Prophet (pbuh) to substantiate the ideas he shares with pilgrims in the sermon.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141003220152