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#1606 [Permalink] Posted on 1st December 2012 02:45

Old Makkah
 

 

Holy Mosque - First Saudi Expansion







 

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#1607 [Permalink] Posted on 1st December 2012 02:49
Change the lock of the Kaaba
 
 
for the first time in 60 years
 


تغيير قفل الكعبة المشرفة لأول مرة منذ 60 عاماً
الأمير خالد الفيصل يشرف على تركيب آخر من الذهب على نفقة العاهل السعودي

الجمعة 16 محرم 1434هـ - 30 نوفمبر 2012م

لأول مرة ومنذ قرابة 60 عاماً تم تغيير قفل الكعبة المشرفة، بعدما قام أمس الأمير خالد الفيصل، أمير مكة المكرمة، بتغيير القفل الداخلي على نفقة العاهل السعودي بقفل مصنوع من الذهب الخالص.

وتم ذلك أثناء مراسم غسل الكعبة المشرفة، التي تتم مرتين سنوياً، وقد شارك في هذه المراسم الأمير وعدد كبير من الأمراء والرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام الشيخ عبدالرحمن السديس وعدد من أعضاء السلك الدبلوماسي الإسلامي المعتمدين لدى المملكة.

وقال الدكتور يوسف الوابل، وكيل الرئيس العام المساعد لشؤون الخدمات, "الغسل يتم مرتين في العام، المرة الأولى في 15 محرم، والثانية في غرة شعبان، مضيفاً أنه تم تحديد غسل الكعبة في هذه الأوقات، نظرا لعدم وجود ازدحام في الحرم بحيث يكون الوقت مهيأ للغسل".

وكما هو معروف أن مفتاح القفل الجديد سلم لكبير عائلة السدنة وهم أسرة آل الشيبي من أسر مكة الشهيرة، والتي عرفت بأنها تحمل شرفاً عظيما اختصّها الله - عزّ وجلّ - به منذ أكثر من 1400 عام إلى أن تقوم الساعة، وتوعّد كل مَن حاول حرمانهم منه بأن يكون من الظالمين.

والقصة في التاريخ معروفة ومروية عندما قال الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم لجدهم عثمان بن طلحة: "خذوها يا بني طلحة بأمانة الله – سبحانه - واعملوا فيها بالمعروف خالدة تالدة لا ينزعها منكم إلا ظالم".

وأفاد عبدالقادر الشيبي عميد الأسرة حالياً: "أحتفظ بالمفتاح في كيس خاص تتم صناعته يدوياً في مصنع كسوة الكعبة المشرّفة، وهو في مكانٍ آمن ولم يسبق أن فقدناه, إلا أن كتب التاريخ تشير إلى أن أحد الأشخاص حاول سرقته في أحد العصور الإسلامية ولكن تم العثور عليه".
تاريخ القفل والمفتاح

وتبرز أهم المراجع التاريخية التي رجعت لها "العربية.نت" عن ذلك إلى أن خلفاء وسلاطين العصر العباسي والعصر المملوكي والعصر العثماني كانوا يرسلون هذه الأقفال والمفاتيح لاستخدامها في غلق وفتح باب الكعبة، وذلك أثناء ترميم الكعبة أو في بعض المناسبات الأخرى.

وأصبحت الأقفال تصنع من الحديد ويكتب عليها بالذهب والفضة بطريقة التكفيت ثم تفنن الصانعون باستخدام الزخارف الكتابية بخطوط عربية في غاية الجمال, خصوصا مع التزام السلاطين والحكام باستمرار الأقفال.

وآخر قفل ومفتاح في العصر العثماني لباب الكعبة المشرفة, هو قفل ومفتاح أمر بصنعهما السلطان عبدالحميد خان في سنة 1309هـ، وقد بقي هذا القفل والمفتاح على باب الكعبة إلى العهد السعودي، إلى أن تم استبدال الباب بأمر الملك خالد بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود رحمه الله، وذلك في سنة 1398هـ.

وكذلك تم استبدال الفقل والمفتاح تبعاً للباب, وهو الذي كان موجودا قبل استبداله أمس.

ولقد تمت صناعة القفل الجديد بنفس مواصفات القفل القديم، والذي يعود إلى عهد السلطان عبدالحميد سنة 1309هـ، وذلك بما يناسب التصميم الخاص بالباب الجديد, ومع زيادة ضمانة الإغلاق دون الحاجة إلى صيانة.

يذكر أن الكثير من النماذج تباع في أماكن متفرقة من العالم، وسبق وبيع مفتاح للكعبة المشرفة يعود إلى القرن الثاني عشر بـ9.2 مليون جنيه إسترليني (18.1 مليون دولار) مسجلا بذلك رقما قياسيا جديدا لعمل فني إسلامي يباع في مزاد.

والمفتاح منقوش عليه عبارة تقول إن هذا ما تم عمله لبيت الله الحرام خلال حكم الإمام ابن الإمام المقتدي أبي جعفر المستنصر أبي العباس عام 573 هجرية.

وذكرت وكالة "رويترز" أن هناك 58 مفتاحا مسجلا للكعبة كلها معروضة في متاحف، منها 54 في متحف "توبكابي" في اسطنبول واثنان في مجموعة نهاد السعيد وواحد في متحف اللوفر بباريس وواحد في متحف الفن الإسلامي بالقاهرة.
آل الشيبي والتشريف السماوي

إن مهام السدانة هي مهام شريفة ولدى أسرة الشيبي حملة المفتاح تنظيمات وترتيبات بين أفراد هذه الأسرة، حيث تعطى السدانة للأكبر سناً وله حق التوكيل والتفويض عند الظروف المختلفة.

من جهته يقول عبدالقادر الشيبي كبير سدنة الكعبة المشرّفة، إن الإعداد لغسل الكعبة يتم قبل شهر على الأقل من الموعد المحدّد لهذا الإجراء المتعارف عليه، فيما تتم كسوة قبلة المسلمين بثوب جديد في التاسع من ذي الحجة سنوياً.

وعن بعض التفاصيل: "الكسوة الداخلية للكعبة تأخذ حالياً اللون الأخضر، وتسمى "الكسوة الخضراء"، بعد أن كان لونها أحمر حتى بداية عهد الملك فيصل بن عبدالعزيز، يرحمه الله، الذي تغيّر في عهده لون الكسوة الداخلية إلى اللون الأخضر حتى الآن".

ويصف الشيبي الكعبة من الداخل: بأنها "عبارة عن أرض على شكل مربع من الرخام وكذلك جدارها، والنصف الأعلى من الجدار مُغطى بثوب حرير أخضر, وتحتوي على ثلاثة أعمدة حمراء بوسطها، ومعلق بها بعض الهدايا المقدمة من الخلفاء والسلاطين سابقاً، ثم بعد ذلك الكسوة الخضراء التي تغطي باقي الجدران والسقف كذلك, ويعلق على جدرانها الداخلية ما يقارب 15 فانوساً قديماً، وبداخل الكعبة يشعر الإنسان براحة كبيرة, ومعظم الذين يدخلونها يسجدون ويبكون فوراً من شدة الخشوع ونخرجهم منها بصعوبة شديدة".

وحول المواقف يؤكد أنهم يواجهون الكثير من الإحراجات، نظراً لكثرة الزوّار والراغبين في دخول الكعبة, والطريقة المعتادة هي أن تقوم إمارة مكة المكرّمة بالترتيب مع كبير السدنة لعمل تصاريح للدخول.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/20...30/252656.html

 

New Pure Gold Lock for the Kaaba
 
Shaibi Received the Key

 
30-11-2012

During the washing of the Kaaba yesterday, the inside lock was changed at the expense of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz. HRH Prince Khaled Al Faysal Bin Abdul-Aziz, Prince of Mecca, placed the new pure gold lock on the inside door of the Kaaba in the presence of the Senior Servant of the Masjid Al-Haram, Sheikh Abdul Qader Al-Shebi who received the key to the lock. Prince Khaled represented the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in washing the Kaaba.

Upon his arrival, President General of the Affairs of the Masjid Al-Haram and the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, and Vice President-General of the Masjid Al-Haram Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Khazim.

HH and his entourage washed the Kaaba from the inside with Zamzam water mixed with rose water, and wiped the walls with pieces of wet cloth, and then toured the Ancient House, and performed the two rak'ahs circumambulation.

HH the Prince of Mecca was assisted in washing the Kaaba by HRH Prince Sultan bin Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz, General President of the Masjid Al-Haram and the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, Vice President General for the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Khazim, Mayor of the Holy Mecca, Dr.Osama Al-Bar, Secretary of the Emirate of Mecca region, Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Khudairi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj Hatem Qadi and a number of ministers and members of the Islamic diplomatic corps. The servants of the Masjid were also present along with heads of government department and a number of citizens. After finishing the washing, the Prince of Mecca received a commemorative gift from the General President of Masjid Al-Haram and the Mosque of the Prophet on this occasion.

In a statement on the occasion, Senior Servant of the Masjid said: “The inside lock was changed, and the new lock resemble the lock on the outer door at the expense of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz. After the new lock was installed the Senior Servant received the Key.”

The Sheikh also noted that the lock hasn’t been changed in a long time; over 60 years.

http://www.m3com.com.sa/en/news/loca...ceived-the-key
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#1608 [Permalink] Posted on 1st December 2012 02:51
Campaign to find overstayers
 
 
in Makkah launched



Friday 30 November 2012

The Saudi General Directorate of Passports announced the launch of a comprehensive campaign all over the country to look for overstaying pilgrims, who have no intention in returning home.

According to Col. Badr Almalik, directorate spokesman, the number of overstaying pilgrims has recently decreased to a large extent.
Col. Aidh Allogmani also urged citizens and residents to cooperate with directorate officials in reporting the presence of illegal immigrants.

The highest percentage of overstaying pilgrims are Yemini and from countries in Africa, followed by Asians, especially Indonesians and Bangladeshis.

Officials have called for the increased monitoring of the Saudi-Yemeni border, which stretches along more than 1,600 km.

The presence of illegal immigrants is considered an increasing threat in residential areas. Mohammed Alsharif, a resident of Alhusainiya, said that hundreds of illegal immigrants roam around the streets of his district, and families are starting to feel unsafe. Alsharif added that his car was wrecked, and he filed a complaint against an unknown individual.

Security agencies report that illegal immigrants are involved in various violations against Saudi laws such as, alcohol and drug dealing, prostitution, theft, smuggling and violent robbery.

Almalik said the General Directorate of Passports is not responsible for border controls as they have no jurisdiction or authority in stopping illegal immigrants entering the Kingdom from Yemen or any country. They only handle matters within Saudi territory.

According to Almalik, GDP deals with illegal immigrants and expats who fail to renew their iqama (residency permit). He added that an extensive patrolling plan was under way to monitor the presence of illegal immigrants.

Mahmoud Kisnawi, an academic researcher in Um Al-Qura University, said that overstaying usually increases after the completion of Umrah in Ramadan and the Haj season. Therefore, committees from the Ministry of Haj, governorates, the directorate of passport controls, the deportation department and the police all work together to resolve this issue. “A study demonstrates how illegal immigrants are dangerous to society economically, socially and in terms of security. Thus the research team hopes that Saudi officials and society will avail themselves of the recommendations, which aim to solve this chronic issue,” said Kisnawi.

http://www.arabnews.com/campaign-fin...akkah-launched
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#1609 [Permalink] Posted on 1st December 2012 02:52
Holy Qur’an Memorization International
 
sees more than 40,000 Qur’an students

Saturday 1 December 2012

More than 40,000 people memorized the Holy Qur’an under the supervision of the the Holy Qur’an Memorization International (HQMI) across the world since its founding.

An annual report of the HQMI said the organization offered support to a number of Qur’an institutes and colleges in various parts of the world.
It has also been organizing regional, international and local memorization contests in Asia, Africa and Europe, Secretary Gen. of HQMI Abdullah Al-Basfar said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency.

“The HQMI organized 15 programs to train and qualify people for recitation of the holy book in the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. Summer programs produced 4,771 Qur’an memorizers this year. The courses are conducted by specialized experts in the Arabic language and Qur’an Sciences,” Al-Basfar said while submitting the organizations performance report for 2012.

He added that the organization also held graduation ceremonies for those who completed Qur’an memorization and recitation programs in their own respective countries with the presence of high officials and representatives of the organizations with the aim of encouraging those who learn the holy book and spread a spirit of honorable competition among them, he said.

HQMI granted 902 scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate Qur’anic studies, 631 students of Islamic law and 249 students of various Islamic sciences. As part of a scheme to provide breakfast to poor students in Ramadan, it also gave away new clothes to 5,300 students on the occasion of Eid, in addition to supplying them with SR1,217,000 worth of sacrificial meat during the course of the year. It also sent 694 imams to mosques in 34 countries to lead taraweeh prayers during the month of Ramadan.

The organization also sent 116,220 copies of the Holy Qur’an to various institutions in a number of countries for the benefit of teachers and students. It also organized events to honor participants in the programs and other activities conducted by it besides signing memorandums of understanding with a number of organizations, the report said.

The report also outlined its other activities including media efforts, research works, publications apart from opening a website, holding exhibitions and presenting television programs.

The HQMI is an international charitable organization with legal personality affiliated with the Muslim World League. The Jeddah-based organization, which was founded in the year 2000, devotes its efforts to serve the glorious Qur’an and all related disciplines in the world.

http://www.arabnews.com/holy-qur%E2%...80%99-students
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#1610 [Permalink] Posted on 2nd December 2012 20:39
On the last Friday of the pilgrimage season ..
Tranquility in the Sacred Mosque


Remove and adjustments in the second round
and proposed locations for the transfer of Haram security force

في آخر جمعة من موسم الحج.. طمأنينة في المسجد الحرام
إزالة وتعديلات في الدور الثاني ومواقع مقترحة لنقل قوة أمن الحرم


السبت 17/01/1434 هـ
01 ديسمبر 2012 م

في الوقت الذي ما تزال فيه أعمال توسعة صحن المطاف تجري في عدة مواقع داخل المسجد الحرام والتي شملت مؤخرا أعمال هدم في الدور الثاني في المسجد الحرام أوضح لـ»عكاظ» قائد قوات أمن الحرم العميد يحيى مساعد الزهراني: أن كافة تلك الأعمال لم تؤثر مطلقا على روحانية المصلين والمعتمرين بالرغم من الكثافة التي شهدها المسجد الحرام أمس في صلاة الجمعة الأخيرة من موسم حج.

يذكر أن هناك عمالة فنية متخصصة باشرت في أعمال هدم وإزالة في عدة نواحي من المسجد الحرام أبرزها الدور الثاني حيث تجري العمالة عمليات رفع للبلاط الموجود في حين لم يؤثر ذلك على حركة المصلين والمعتمرين في المسجد الحرام من خلال احترافية العاملين في الحرم الذين يسهمون من خلال خطط موضوعة في عدم تأثر المصلين بالأعمال القائمة.

في حين لم يتضح بعد الموقع الذي تم تحديده لقيادة قوات أمن الحرم لنقل القوات من الموقع الحالي في الطابق الثاني باب الصفا لموقع بديل لدخول الموقع ضمن عمليات التوسعة وأبان قائد قوات أمن الحرم لـ»عكاظ» حتى الآن لم يتم تحديد الموقع البديل للقوات بحكم دخول الموقع الحالي ضمن التوسعة حيث قد يكون النقل الآن أو خلال عام أو عامين وجميع الأمور لم تتضح حتى الآن ملفتا إلى أنه تم تحديد عدة مواقع مقترحة في الحرم يتم النقل إليها فورا إذا تم التوجيه بذلك.

وأكد العميد يحيى مساعد الزهراني: أن أعمال التوسعة للمطاف ستكون على ثلاث مراحل وأعدت الخطط لذلك حيث إن العمل الأمني سيكون للحفاظ على راحة وطمأنينة زوار وقاصدي المسجد الحرام، ووضعنا عدة خطط لتتناسق مع عمليات الإزالة ولا تؤثر على المصلين.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20...1201551987.htm

Google translation:

Saturday, 17/01/1434 AH - December 01, 2012

While still a work expansion dish up taking place in several locations inside the Grand Mosque, which included recent demolitions in the second round at the Grand Mosque explained for »Okaz» commander security campus Brigadier Yahya Assistant Zahrani: that all those actions did not affect at all on the spiritual worshipers and pilgrims despite the density witnessed by the Grand Mosque yesterday at the last Friday prayers of the pilgrimage season.

It is noteworthy that there is labor specialized technical embarked in the work of the demolition and removal of several aspects of the Grand Mosque notably the second round where there is employment lifting operations of the tiles in the when that did not affect the movement of worshipers and pilgrims in the Holy Mosque through professional staff on campus who contribute through plans placed in the non-affected worshipers to existing works.

While not yet clear site that was selected to lead the security forces campus to move troops from the current location on the second floor door Safa to an alternate location to enter the site within expansions and Aban commander security campus for »Okaz» so far did not specify the alternative site for the forces by virtue Login Current expansion within where transport may be now or in a year or two and all the things it was not clear until now is remarkable that were identified several proposed locations on campus are transport them immediately if the directive to do so.

And Brigadier Yahya Assistant Zahrani: that the work of expansion of the destination for would be in three phases and prepared plans for that as the security work will be to maintain the comfort and tranquility visitors and Kasdi Sacred Mosque, and put several plans to consistent with removals do not affect the worshipers.

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#1611 [Permalink] Posted on 2nd December 2012 20:41
Start the expansion work of the day at the Grand Mosque ..
Sudais confirms: We will maintain the old campus


بدء أعمال توسعة المطاف في المسجد الحرام.. والسديس يؤكد: سنحافظ على الحرم القديم


صورة التقطتها عدسة الشرق أمس للحرم المكي في يوم انطلاق توسعة المطاف (تصوير: هادي العصيمي)

مكة المكرمة – بدر محفوظ، الزبير الأنصاري

بدأت أمس الأحد أعمال توسعة المطاف في الحرم المكي الشريف، ورصدت «الشرق» شروع الشركة المنفذة في وضع الأساسيات من حديد الصلب والقواطع الإسمنتية على امتداد المنطقة الفاصلة بين المطاف والمسعى، وإدخال المعدات الخاصة لبدء عمليات الإزالة وتسوية صحن المطاف بالحرم القديم. وأوضح الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الدكتور عبدالرحمن السديس لـ»الشرق» أن المشروع سيجري تنفيذه على ثلاث مراحل، موزعة على ثلاث سنوات، لافتاً إلى أنه بعد نهاية المرحلة الأولى فإن المطاف سيستوعب 150 ألف طائف في الساعة.
وقال إن الإزالة ستقتصر على التوسعة الأولى دون الحرم العثماني باستثناء البوابات والمنارات، وستقتصر الإزالة في صحن الطواف على التوسعة السعودية الأولى باستثناء البوابات الرئيسية والمنارات، مع المحافظة على الحرم القديم، ولكن سيتم تخفيض منسوبه ليحاذي منسوب صحن الطواف، وربطه بدور القبو. وأوضح أن ذلك سيؤمن ارتباطاً فعالاً ومباشراً بين الساحات الخارجية وصحن الطواف دون تداخل في الحركة مع مستخدمي الدور الأرضي، وتستثنى من واجهة الحرم القديم الواجهة الشرقية، وهي واجهة خرسانية جرى إعادة إنشائها أكثر من مرة في السنوات العشر الأخيرة لتوسعة الممر المحاذي للمسعى، الذي يشكل عنق الزجاجة في المطاف في أروقة الدور الأول والسطح، وتمت كسوتها بحجر الشميسي القديم، وسيتم تدعيم وتقوية الحرم القديم بطرق هندسية غير مسبوقة للإبقاء على كافة عناصره أثناء أعمال تخفيض المنسوب.
محاور المشروع:

ينطلق المشروع من خلال توسعة المطاف الحالي المجاور للبدروم، وامتداده بعمق 27 مترا داخل البدروم، إلى جانب رفع منسوب أرضية الدور الأرضي، وربط المطاف (منسوب البدروم) في الدور الأرضي عن طريق منحدرات وعناصر اتصال رأسي، وتوفير الخدمات اللازمة للطائفين.
يركز المشروع على إدخال المصلين إلى منسوب المطاف، من خلال عدة محاور عن طريق سلالم (عادية، ومتحركة)، مع رفع منسوب أرضية الدور الأرضي بمقدار متر للحفاظ على العلاقة البصرية بين الطائفين والكعبة المشرفة.
يعتمد المشروع على إعادة تشكيل الرواق العثماني بمفرداته وعناصره المعمارية من أقواس، وقباب وأعمدة دون إزالته بالكامل، مع ربط منسوب الدور الأرضي بمنسوب الطواف عن طريق منحدرات وعناصر اتصال رأسي، مع استحداث الدخول والخروج من خلال عناصر الاتصال الرأسي القائمة من نفق السيارات إلى الجسور الموصلة مباشرة بالدور الأول.
استحداث مسطح للطواف بمنسوب ميزانين الدور الأول، وربطها بمنحدرات وعناصر اتصال رأسي لتسهيل حركة الدخول والخروج للطائفين لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة.
توفير مسطحات جديدة للمصليات، تتيح رؤية الكعبة بشكل أفضل للمصلين، ومرتادي الحرم، نظراً لقلة الأعمدة وتمحورها حول نقطة المركز المتمثلة في وسط الكعبة، الأمر الذي سيساعد في انسيابية الحركة في تلك الفراغات لتستوعب أعداد الطائفين في أوقات الذروة بشكل مرن.
يستمر المشروع لثلاثة أعوام، يمثل فيها صحن الطواف عنق الزجاجة، وأكثر الأوقات التي ستستنزف ساعات العمل كونه دائماً ما يعج بالمصلين والطائفين.

اقرأ أيضاً:

كبار العلماء يختارون توسعة المسجد النبوي من الجهة الشمالية




جانب من الجزء المغلق أمس داخل ساحة الحرم (تصوير: هادي العصيمي)


http://www.alsharq.net.sa/2012/11/26/597477

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#1612 [Permalink] Posted on 2nd December 2012 20:43
International Quran Memorization and Recitation Contest

Quran contest begins in Makkah today



Quran contest website: www.alquran.gov.sa



Sunday 2 December 2012

One hundred and sixty-four contestants from 53 countries, Islamic centers and organizations are taking part in an international Qur’an memorization and recitation contest that opens at the Grand Mosque in Makkah today.

Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman for providing facilities for the successful organization of the competition.

“A large number of young Muslim men are now interested in taking part in this annual competition that plays an important role in spreading the message of the Qur’an,” the minister said. He thanked the government for its continuous support for the efforts aimed at spreading the message of Qur’an.

The contest, which is named after King Abdul Aziz, encourages young men in the Islamic world to learn and memorize the Qur’an, recite it in the proper way and study the meaning and interpretation of its verses.

“It is attracting more and more contestants each year,” Al-Asheikh said. Participants in the contest will be able to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Winners will be given fabulous cash prizes.”

He urged Muslims to study the Qur’an and practice its teachings in their lives. “It contains divine guidance and rules.” He advised Qur’an learners to be moderate in their approach and try to spread its message in a conducive manner.

“This is one of the oldest Qur’an contests in the Kingdom that has lasted 34 years,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, members of the jury said the contest was instrumental in producing a large number of youths who show great interest in learning the Qur’an and its teachings.

“This annual event will encourage young Muslims to compete with one another in learning the word of God. This is a great noble work,” said Ibrahim Al-Dossary of King Abdullah Chair for the Qur’an at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh.

Mehmet Akif Koc of Ankara University also praised the competition. “For nearly half a century, this contest has been encouraging the youth to learn and memorize the Qur’an. It will bring these youths closer to Islam,” he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/qur%E2%80%99...s-makkah-today
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#1613 [Permalink] Posted on 2nd December 2012 20:43
Remaining foreign Haj pilgrims
 
 
leave Madinah

Sunday 2 December 2012

The remaining foreign Haj pilgrims left from the holy city of Madinah late Thursday.

The pilgrims, who are hailing from Andhra Pradesh state in India and numbered about 400 have left with Saudi Arabian Airlines SV 5426 to Hyderabad from Madinah’s Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport. This was the last batch of foreign Haj pilgrims flight the holy city. Another earlier flight on Thursday left for Kozhikode in Kerala.

With departure of Indian flights all foreign pilgrims have left from Madinah, where most of them stayed after Haj. According to airport officials, a total of 1,300 trips were operated by various 29 global destinations by different carriers.

http://www.arabnews.com/remaining-fo...-leave-madinah
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#1614 [Permalink] Posted on 2nd December 2012 20:46
With Haj season over,
 
 
hotel prices in Makkah drop 60%
 

 
2 December 2012 - 18 Muharram 1434 H

MAKKAH — The period between mid-November and the end of December is generally considered the best time to perform Umrah as hotel prices are the cheapest all year.

Affordable hotel room rates, which according to some estimates, decrease by up to 60 percent, and fewer crowds in turn mean citizens and local residents often wait for this time of year to visit the holy city and perform Umrah.

Residents of Makkah also welcome the relative quiet the city experiences this time of year and visit the Haram in large numbers. Residents say they prefer to be present in the Haram when there is less crowding in the mosque as Haj pilgrims have departed the country and Umrah pilgrims have not begun to arrive. Residents typically stay away from the Grand Mosque at other times in order to give foreign pilgrims an opportunity to perform their rituals in comfort.

Waleed Abu Sab’ah, Chairman of the Hotels Committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said with the exception of major ones, most hotels in Makkah are experiencing low occupancy rates these days.

Abu Sab’ah estimated the drop in Makkah hotel charges at over 60 percent. He attributed this to the low season when there is a drop in the number of foreign Umrah pilgrims in Makkah.

“Many hotels wait for the low season to arrive before they start routine maintenance work. The preparation to receive Haj and Umrah pilgrims all year will begin now,” he said.

Meanwhile, work for the expansion of the mataf (circumambulation area around the Ka’aba) has started with construction crew removing the tiles and other accessories, such as lighting and fans, from the upper level of the mosque.

Yahya Al-Zahrani, head of the Holy Mosque security forces, said the ongoing work has not affected the flow of worshippers and Umrah performers to the mosque. The expansion of the mataf will take place in three phases.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121202144673
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#1615 [Permalink] Posted on 2nd December 2012 20:48
 



A stunning documentary that brings alive the world's biggest clock

Synopsis:

On August 19, 2011/1432H during the last days of the holy month of Ramadan, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, inaugurated a masterpiece of engineering ingenuity in the Holy City of Makkah: the biggest clock in the world directly next to the Holy Ka`ba. It contributes to the worldwide scientific community as a member of the Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) and serves Muslims all over the world with the Makkah Time.

Bensalem Bouabdallah's stunning documentary The Makkah Clock explores the engineering breakthrough behind the development, fabrication and installation of the largest clock ever built. Each of the 4 clock faces is 43 meters in size. One of the clock drives weighs over 21 tons. The Makkah Clock Tower is 607 meters high and currently the second tallest building in the world.

Shot over the course of 4 years in 10 countries across Europe, in the Middle East and the United States, it tells the astonishing story from the initial idea to the inauguration of one of the most innovative construction projects of the 21st century.

Along with its partners, the German SL-Rasch Institute for Scientific Architecture faced some unusually big challenges: the high-rise building was already under construction when it was decided that the central tower should be crowned with an impressive Islamic-designed clock that should be visible from over 7 kilometers. The original 450-meter-high building, however, was not designed to support a 150-meter-tall addition. Undeterred by this, the specialist engineers and lightweight experts of SL-Rasch came up with a unique and groundbreaking solution.

The documentary The Makkah Clock reveals the Holy Site in Makkah in a way that has never been seen before and not least proves the eternal unity of science and Islam.

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#1616 [Permalink] Posted on 3rd December 2012 05:31
164 vie for prizes
 
in Qur'an competition


Judges hear recitation from the Holy Qu’ran by a candidate during the competition in Makkah on Sunday.

Monday 3 December 2012

The King Abdul Aziz International Qur’an Recitation and Memorization Competition began at the Grand Mosque here yesterday with 164 contestants from 53 countries and organizations vying to win the top prizes.

In a statement on the occasion, Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh expressed his happiness over the presence of a large number of contestants who have come from different parts of the Islamic world.

“This shows how much the Muslim countries and communities care about learning and memorizing the Holy Qur’an,” he said. Many countries and communities conduct local contests to send their outstanding candidates to the Makkah competition.

“A large number of young Muslim men are now interested in taking part in this annual competition that plays an important role in spreading the message of the Qur’an,” the minister said. He thanked the government for its continuous support for the efforts aimed at spreading the message of the Qur’an.

The contest, which is named after King Abdul Aziz, encourages young men in the Islamic world to learn and memorize the Qur’an, recite it in the proper way and study the meaning and interpretation of its verses.

Ibrahim Al-Dossary, head of the jury, urged the contestants to uphold the values of the Qur’an and Islam and read the holy book with piety and meditation. Yesterday the judges heard recitation from 38 contestants in the competition’s five categories.

http://www.arabnews.com/164-vie-priz...an-competition

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#1617 [Permalink] Posted on 3rd December 2012 05:32
Smugglers of illegal pilgrims fined

Monday 3 December 2012

An administrative court has slapped a fine of SR 280,000 on a smuggler of illegal pilgrims to Makkah during the past Haj season. The punishment also included jail time and the confiscation of his vehicle. In a similar incident, the court also fined another smuggler SR 110,000.

The administrative committee of the Passport Department looked into the violations committed by 80 smugglers during Haj season, Al-Madinah daily reported yesterday.

There are two types of pilgrim smuggling during the Haj season. The more serious violation is helping illegal residents into the country to travel to Makkah or the holy sites. The other violation entails transporting pilgrims without the mandatory Haj permit.

The amount of the fine varies depending on the seriousness of the violation and the number of illegal pilgrims the accused transports to the holy city. The minimum fine for smuggling a single illegal pilgrim is SR10,000. If the smuggler repeats this crime again the fine is doubled.

“The expatriates administration started receiving arrested pilgrims who did not carry residence permits as well as the drivers who carried them to the holy city, since the beginning of the Haj season,” Brig. Hussain Al-Harithy, director of the expatriates administration at the Passport Department in Jeddah, said.

The administrative committee interrogated and released a smuggler on bail, on the condition that he should be present for his trial at a later date, he said.

Head of the administrative committee Col. Ali Al-Shahrani said security officers at various checkpoints on the roads leading to Makkah, checked all vehicles carrying pilgrims.

If the pilgrims did not carry the mandatory Haj permit, the driver was detained and the pilgrims were sent back to the place from where they started their journey. If the pilgrims did not have valid residence documents they were also detained, he said.

“If the smuggled pilgrims are without valid residence permits, the driver is fined between SR 10,000 and SR 100,000 for each illegal foreigner he transports,” Lt. Col. Abdul Rahman Al-Qarni said, adding that the driver may receive six months jail time as well.

“If the pilgrims are legal residents or Saudis without the Haj permit, the fine does not exceed SR 10,000,” he said. The vehicle used for transporting the illegal pilgrims is also seized, he said.

According to reports, close to 1.4 million people performed Haj this year without permit. Authorities announced that tough measures will be taken against illegal pilgrims and those who transport them to Makkah.

http://www.arabnews.com/smugglers-il...pilgrims-fined
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#1618 [Permalink] Posted on 3rd December 2012 05:33
Saudi Arabia bans smoking
 
in all tourist locations

Dec 02, 2012

Saudi Arabia’s General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities has imposed a ban on smoking at all tourism facilities.

The ban includes hotels, furnished apartments, travel agencies and all closed areas where tourism activities are organised, local media have reported.

Staff working in the tourism sector have been warned to abide by the new regulations amid pledges that stringent action would be taken against violators.

The Commission on Saturday said that the ban was based on the interior ministry circular about eliminating smoking in all closed public areas in the kingdom. These include all government buildings, public establishments, cafés, restaurants, shopping malls and enclosed crowded areas.

Saudi Arabia, a world leading cigarette market, has been pushing aggressively for restrictions on smoking in public.

Last month, municipal authorities in the Saudi Red Sea resort of Jeddah shut down 242 restaurants and cafes for serving shisha.

“They were closed for 24 hours as a first measure against them for breaking the law,” Basheer Abu Najm, the head of licensing and commercial monitoring in Jeddah, said. “A second violation would result in shutting down the facility for three days while the third would mean closing it for 15 days.”

Violators could eventually have their licences revoked, he said.

The restaurants and cafes were also asked to pay a 600 riyals (Dh587) fine for not complying with the ban. The shishas were confiscated.

Abu Najm said that the drive against public smoking would continue and that more raids would be conducted against the facilities that served shishas to their customers despite the ban.

“Our aim is not shutting down restaurants and cafes, but to ban smoking in public places. Punitive measures and fines are imposed according to the regulations set out by the interior ministry. Those who have any form of complaint should contact the competent authorities,”

Jeddah, like all other cities in Saudi Arabia, has warned restaurants and cafes in residential areas that they would face stringent action if they failed to comply with the law.

According to official figures, Saudi Arabia is home to six million smokers, including around 800,000 teenagers, mainly intermediate and high school students, and 600,000 women.

However, expatriates also account for a significant proportion of cigarette consumption in Saudi Arabia despite the increase in campaigns about health concerns, the adoption of several legislative restrictions and views on the effects of passive smoking.

A top Saudi football team in August imposed heavy financial penalties on a group of players caught smoking shisha in a coffee shop in Abu Dhabi, where the squad was taking part in a friendly tournament.

A Saudi judge in summer ruled that women who suffered as a result of their husbands’ smoking were allowed to file for divorce.

In October, Saudi judges set a new trend in the country by using cigarette smoking as a factor in child custody cases.

“A parent could now lose the custody case if he or she is proven to be a smoker,” a legal official said.

“Under the emerging trend, the smoking factor is now being treated like the drinking factor and can decide the outcome of the custody case,” he said.

The court would favour non-smoking parents and would factor smoking into custody cases to protect the child from the negative impact of passive smoking.

http://www.eturbonews.com/32541/saud...rist-locations
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#1619 [Permalink] Posted on 3rd December 2012 05:34
Women set up volunteer
 
 
Civil Defense team


Members of the Civil Defense women volunteers explain safety measures
and use of fire extinguishers at a health care facility.
Monday 3 December 2012

Twenty-eight women of different ages and qualifications in Madinah have formed the first women Civil Defense volunteer team to educate women about safety measures.

A local newspaper reported that the team members, who now only educate women about safety, said they aspired to actually participate and back up Civil Defense men in rescue and evacuation operations when accidents — physical breakdowns, explosions or fires — occur at facilities exclusively used by women such as schools and universities.

Manal Salem, head of the Rabee bint Muawath Volunteer Group, said members hold diplomas, bachelor's degrees and even Ph.Ds. “The group started four years ago with 12 volunteer girls who participated in Red Crescent operations. Members have been trained and have the sufficient knowledge of first aid services, which they had provided to pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet Mosque,” she said.

Members also participate in the World Civil Defense Day by explaining safety measures to women and organizing women in participating in the event. “The variety of members’ qualifications and specialties and the fact they speak English has eased tasks for them.” She said members are currently learning sign language to include those with special needs in their programs.

Before they were supervised by the Civil Defense, the team had several courses, but after they approached the department, the latter gave them specialized and intensive courses in security and safety, evacuation and use of fire extinguishers.

full article: http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...l-defense-team
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#1620 [Permalink] Posted on 5th December 2012 06:17
Afghanistan's Competitive Pilgrims

After the spiritual experience of visiting Mecca, returning pilgrims
are expected to host festivities for friends and relatives.
 

 
4 Dec 2012

In Afghanistan, as in other Muslim countries, pilgrims returning from the annual Hajj are greeted with open arms – but here they are expected to reciprocate with lavish entertainment that some view as inappropriate.

In recent weeks, Afghans have been arriving home after joining the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which this year took place in October.

Performing the Hajj is one of five central duties for Muslims who are able and can afford to go. About 30,000 Afghans make the trip in the course of a year, and for many the expense makes it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On their return, the pilgrims or “hajjis” are met by friends and relatives, but custom dictates that they spend the next few weeks receiving guests, hosting feasts and handing out gifts.

Some people regret that instead of marking an act of piety, the celebrations have become a form of ostentation.

Hajji Mohammad Yaqub, 60, says that since returning to his home in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, he has spent 6,000 US dollars on entertaining.

"I had to do it,” he said. “I would have spent the money whether I liked it or not, because it’s a matter of your cousins and the village. People would laugh at you if you didn’t bring them presents, arrange free lunches, and play host to people for a month. It’s tradition.

Yaqub acknowledged that the costs of putting on a good show mounted up.

“The cost of the Hajj plus the gifts, lunches, and hospitality can add up to 12,000 or 13,000 dollars, and it’s very hard for poor people like us to earn that amount of money,” he said. “But what else can we do? We have to find it."

Zainaba, a pupil at Bibi Hawa High School in the provincial centre Jalalabad, recalled what happened when a hajji returned to her neighbourhood.

“Dishes of food were cooked in the alley for several days, and people would come for lunch. It created problems for all the neighbours – women and children weren’t able to get through,” she said. “Going on the Hajj is an obligation, but people have turned tradition into an obligation that they place on themselves."

Families try to outdo one another when they go to meet the returning pilgrims, with as large a convoy of highly-decorated cars as they can get hold of.

Lal Mir, a resident of Nangarhar’s Batikot district, has lined up eight cars to welcome his father back, twice as many as were there for his cousin last year.

As he decked out his Toyota Corolla with plastic flowers, he said the convoy was a matter of pride.

"It’s a great source of happiness,” he explained. “This is what people earn money for. This is what people work for, so that they can walk tall among cousins and friends."

On their way back with the hajji, the cars often race each other, and accidents are not uncommon.

Shawali, a student of law and political science at Jalalabad’s Ariana University, recalled a trip he took in one of these convoys.

“There were seven or eight cars, and they kept overtaking each other along the way. Suddenly there was a car in front of us – our driver tried to swerve but he had an accident and the car crashed. My head and leg were injured. There were five passengers in our car and all of us were as good as dead," he said.

There are other risks too, given Afghanistan’s dangerous security environment. On November 29, a roadside bomb killed ten civilians, including a woman and five children, in Uruzgan province. The party was travelling to visit recently-returned Hajjis.

The head of the Shariah law faculty at Nangarhar University, Sayed Ahmad Fatemi said the competitive show of wealth was contrary to the spirit of Islam.

"In the next world, people will be asked about how they earned their money and how they spent it. Man is not free to make and spend money [at will] – people should spend neither so little nor so much that it harms themselves and society,” he said.

Nabi Basirat, who lectures in law and political science at Nangarhar university, said it was certainly permissible to bring back gifts for friends, but other customs like the feasts and convoys of decorated cars were not in keeping with Islam, as well as being bad for Afghan society given the state of the economy.

Abdul Qayum Mashwani, a member of Afghanistan’s Academy of Sciences, interviewed while attending a lunch laid on by a hajji, said, “These negative traditions place an economic burden on people, and prevent them from performing the central obligation [Hajj]. I know many people who have failed to perform the Hajj because of these customs."

Mashwani said that if he went on the Hajj himself, he would not say anything, and would just tell friends he was going on a trip.

Nangarhar resident Fatema agreed that the post-Hajj festivities were not grounded in religion.

“A friend of mine returned from Hajj a few days ago, but I haven’t been to see her yet – it would take up her time and be a bother for me,” she said.

People who are in a position to get the money together for the Hajj journey are often put off by the thought of the costs they would have to bear afterwards.

Moalem Mohammad Ghani, a shopkeeper in Mehtarlam, a town in Laghman province just north of Nangarhar, is among them.

"I can afford to carry out the Hajj obligation, but I can’t afford the other things that people have made into obligations, like bringing back gifts, prayer cloths and clothing, and hosting lunches,” he said. “More money is spent on these things than on the Hajj itself. And if you don’t do them, people will speak ill of you."

http://iwpr.net/report-news/afghanis...itive-pilgrims
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