Makkah News and Updates

Base of temporary Mataf

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MADINAH – Former Dutch Islamophobe and a former leading member of far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ party Arnoud Van Doorn visited the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to pray and say sorry for becoming part of a blasphemous film.

Doorn was among the Freedom Party leaders who produced the blasphemous film, Fitna. Last month he reverted to Islam after an extensive study about the religion and the Prophet (peace be upon him).

He said that the worldwide outrage against the film made him study about the Prophet (pbuh) and that eventually led to his conversion.

He headed for Makkah to perform Umrah after meeting the two imams of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Ali Al-Hudaifi and Sheikh Salah Al-Badar, who enlightened him on how to lead the life of a good Muslim and confront challenges facing Islam in the West.

A member of the Dutch parliament and The Hague City Council, Doorn announced his decision to accept Islam on his Twitter profile. He also posted a tweet in Arabic declaring that “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet.”

At first, other users took the news as a joke. After all, an active supporter of a notorious Dutch hater of Islam, Wilders, he repeatedly approved Islamophobic statements and public actions, and personally participated in them.

But Doorn, who now serves as a regional adviser at the City Hall in The Hague, personally confirmed his decision to practice Islam in an official letter to the city mayor.

Most recently, the politician filed a formal application to the mayor of the city to allow him to perform prayers obligatory for Muslims during his working hours.

“I can understand people are skeptic, especially that it is unexpected for many of them,” Doorn told Al-Jazeera English satellite channel.

“This is a very big decision, which I have not taken lightly.”

“In my own close circle people have known that I have been actively researching the Qur’an, Hadith, Sunnah and other writings for almost a year now,” he said.

“In addition, I have had numerous conversations with Muslims about the religion.”

Driven by his party’s anti-Islam discourse, Doorn decided to dig in for the truth about the religion himself.

“I have heard so many negative stories about Islam, but I am not a person who follows opinions of others without doing my own research,” he said. “Therefore, I have actually started to deepen my knowledge of Islam out of curiosity.”

The 46-year-old has continued on The Hague Council as an independent candidate since splitting from Wilders’s party. Doorn’s decision to embrace Islam has won mixed reactions in the Netherlands.

“According to some people I am a traitor, but according to most others I have actually made a very good decision,” he told Al-Jazeera.

“The reactions are generally positive and I also received quite some support via twitter.

“It feels good that people who do not know me personally have understanding of my situation and support me in my choice.”

Asked if he now regretted joining the Freedom Party, he replied: “I have learned that every experience in life has a purpose. However, with the knowledge I have today, I would have undoubtedly made a different choice.”

For the Dutch politician, finding Islam was finally guiding him to the true path in his life. “I have made mistakes in life as many others. From these mistakes I have learned a lot,” Doorn said.

“And by my conversion to Islam I have the feeling that I finally found my path. I realize that this is a new start and that I still have much to learn as well.”

23 April 2013 - 13 Jumada Al-Akhir 1434 H

MADINAH – Former Dutch Islamophobe Arnoud Van Doorn unveiled plans to produce an international film on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islam.

In an exclusive interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Doorn, who reverted to Islam last month, said that he will devote his life fully to spread the true message of Islam and the Prophet of Mercy through promoting the film across the world.

“I will spare no efforts to protect the rights of Muslims in all European countries as well as to serve Islam and its followers throughout the world. I will try my best to repair the damage that I caused to Islam and its Prophet (peace be upon him) through the film ‘Fitna’,” he said.

Doorn, a former leading member of far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ party, visited Saturday the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to pray and say sorry for becoming part of the blasphemous film. Doorn was among the Freedom Party leaders who produced the film, Fitna.

After visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, he arrived in Makkah Sunday and performed Umrah. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, and other presidency officials received him.

In the interview, Doorn said that he regrets being a part of such an offensive film. “However, now it is a closed chapter and absolutely I don’t want to recall about it. The film that sparked widespread reactions was a totally wrong step on our part as it contains a lot of misleading and incorrect information that are nothing to with this noble divine religion and its Prophet (pbuh),” he said, adding that he wants to do some remedial work so as to minimize the damage caused by ‘Fitna.’

Doorn said he decided, in cooperation with the Toronto-based CDA, to produce an international film aimed at removing misgivings about Islam and its Prophet (pbuh).

“I will use all my experience in producing an alternative film, which will speak about the true image of Islam and all aspects of the personality of the Prophet (pbuh) as well as his great qualities.”

Doorn repented for his involvement in the blasphemous film. “It was unfortunate that I did not make any efforts to know what really Islam is and who is the Prophet (pbuh) before blindly believing in the misinformation campaign being unleashed by the anti-Islamic forces. When I came to realize that it was not Islam, I decided to study about the religion and that led to my conversion,” he said. “Now, I am really enjoying the beauty of Islam and am extremely delighted in Allah’s great blessing to guide me onto His path. It is an explicable experience for me,” he said adding that his former colleagues in the Freedom Party are angry at his acceptance of Islam, which is still a bête noire for them. “The party stands against Islam and its spreading in Europe. Some of them now consider me as a traitor.”

Doorn has a message to those who oppose his reversion to Islam. “Let me tell them that this is my personal decision and I see a new life in Islam that I don’t want any way to give it up. I happened to see on social networking sites several comments, expressing feelings of antagonism and hatred toward me,” he said adding that all these sprang out of ignorance, contempt and animosity against Islam and the Muslims.

He also thanked all those who supported him and commended him for beginning a new life as a Muslim.

Referring to his visit to the holy land, Doorn said: “Had anybody mentioned me about visiting the land of the two holy mosques earlier, I would have called him a lunatic.

“But what happened now is realization of a dream and it is still unbelievable for me that I am now in the holy city that hosted the Prophet (pbuh).” He continued saying: “I couldn’t control my feelings when I stood in front of the grave of the Prophet (pbuh) as well as in Rawdah Sharif, near the pulpit used by the Prophet (pbuh). When I prayed at Rawdah Sharaif, my eyes were full of tears as I had the feeling that I am in a part of the Paradise.”

Doorn said that he amazed to see the intensity of love and affection the Muslims have to their Prophet (pbuh). “I also realized the intensity of hatred that some Westerners have against Islam and the Prophet (pbuh) and that was based apparently on their ignorance and prejudice.

“Therefore, I decided to make endeavors to repair the damage caused by the offensive film, which was produced with an ulterior motive of creating sedition in between Muslims and non-Muslims,” he said adding that he took a pledge in front of the grave of the Prophet (pbuh) that he would strive to spread his true message and his great qualities that are instrumental in promoting peace and harmonious relations among the people worldwide.

While thanking CDA for introducing Islam to him, Doorn unveiled his plans to associate with its Dawa wing, which is comprised of several well-known Islamic preachers and scholars.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130423162591

By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Published: 12:20 April 23, 2013
Gulf News

Manama: Saudi Arabia has launched a campaign to ensure that all mosque imams (prayer leaders) and muezzins (callers to prayers)in the Makkah area are Saudi nationals.

“We will be very strict about the issue and we will adopt a zero-tolerance policy,” Shaikh Abdullah Al Nasser, the head of the Islamic and Endowment Ministry office in Makkah, said. “The campaign will be extensive and will cover all the mosques to make sure there are no exceptions,” he said in remarks published by Saudi news site Sabq on Tuesday.

The official attributed the campaign to “the ministry’s determination to address all mistakes made by imams, sermon givers and muezzins”. The field inspectors have the prerogative to make decisions and to apply the law on violators, he said.

Shaikh Abdullah did not elaborate on the nature of the mistakes that foreigners were making. However, he called on all imams and preachers to comply with the guidance of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) whenever they addressed and advised worshippers and to steer away from any issue that might cause confusion or hatred among Muslims.

“We have pledged to impose the maximum penalty against any imam or preacher who uses his lectures or sermons to delve into lineages or other sects,” he said, referring to issues that have often divided Muslims along sectarian lines. “The ministry will not hesitate to take stringent action against anyone who violates its instructions or regulations.”

Shaikh Abdullah added that the ministry encouraged teachers to become more actively involved in leading prayers. “We welcome all teachers and want them to continue leading prayers and giving lectures because they are trustworthy people who possess solid knowledge and have excellent rapport with everyone. They are always ready to assume responsibilities in a dependable way,” he said.

The city of Makkah in western Saudi Arabia holds a special significance for all Muslims and more than three million people congregate there yearly to perform Haj, the fifth pillar of Islam. The city is the spiritual epicentre of Islam and the location of the Kaaba, the first Islamic house of worship, built by Abraham and his son Esmail, and to which Muslims must orient themselves when they perform their five daily prayers.

Inscription on Grand Mosque clarified
 

Wednesday 24 April 2013

The General Presidency of Two Holy Mosques clarified on Tuesday that the pictures circulating online and on social media websites regarding some of the inscriptions that have been implemented at the Grand Mosque expansion site are of a "decorative plant."

In a statement published on its website, the General Presidency said a photograph taken from specific angle or distance might make the pattern appear otherwise. The pattern in question has been changed to avoid any further confusion.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/449144
 

Starting the implementation of a bridge in Tawaf area

البدء في تنفيذ جسر العربات في صحن الطواف


with 2 levels?

11-06-1434 07:54
مكة الآن - فايز المحمدي

علمت صحيفة مكة الآن من مصادرها الخاصة أنه تم بدء العمل في الجسر المعلق في صحن الطواف وذلك لتيسير الطواف على ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة وكبار السن وهو مخصص فقط للعربات وذلك من أجل عدم إعاقة حركة الطائفين ومزاحمة المصلين داخل الصحن .

هذا ومن المتوقع أن ينتهي المشروع خلال الأشهر القادمة ليستفاد منه في موسم رمضان .
ويأتي هذا المشروع انطلاقا من توجيهات خادم الحرمين وحرصا من الرئاسة العامة لشؤون الحرمين التي تسعى جاهدة في خدمة المعتمرين والزوار والمصلين تسهيل أمور العبادة لهم ومقاصدهم ليتمكنوا من أداء نسكهم بكل يسر وسهوله حيث تم تصميمه بهذا الحجم من أجل استيعاب أكبر عدد من العربات خلال الفترة القادمة التي سيشهدها الحرم المكي الشريف.

http://www.makkah-now.com/news.php?action=show&id=8332

Google translation: 06/11/1434

Mecca Newspaper - Learned today from its own sources that the work on the suspension bridge in Mataf has started. The project aims to facilitate the circumambulation of those with special needs and the elderly. It is intended only for wheelchairs in order not to hinder the movement and crowding of other worshipers inside Mataf.

This project is expected to be completed in the coming months to be utilized by the Ramadan season.

The project is prompted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and supervised by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. The latter struggles in providing services for pilgrims and visitors to facilitate them in performing their rituals. The bridge was designed in this size in order to accommodate the large number of wheelchairs in the coming religious seasons.

Alhumdulillah, We have a personal contact back in Makkah. He is one of the construction workers providing upto date information and photos.

Lunar Eclipse in Saudi Arabia

25 - 26 April 2013

Lunar eclipse will visible in Saudi Arabia cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam, Taif.

Here is the time of the partial eclipse witch begins in the night April 25 and ends in the early morning on 26 April 2013.

-Prenumbral eclipse begins at 21:04 PM
-Partial eclipse begins at 22:54 PM
-Mid eclipse / Greatest eclipse at 23:07 PM
-Partial eclipse ends at 23:21 PM
-Prenumbral eclipse ends at 1:11 on 26 April

Salah al Khusoof

If indeed it occurs, Salaah & Khutbah of Khusoof will be by Sheikh Maahir al Mu'ayqali and Sheikh Ali Hudhaifiyy in Masjid Haram & Masjid Nabawi respectively in sha Allah. May Allah protect us all.