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#3541 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:39

1,300 cameras installed around

Prophet’s Mosque

6 January 2014

Commander of the Prophet’s Mosque security force Brig. Gen. Naif bin Mohammad Al-Jahni has said the security set up in the Mosque was a deterrent to anyone who thinks of breaching security, with surveillance cameras scanning everything in a radius of seven km.

Al-Jahni said the Mosque’s security was active round the clock and its cameras record everything around it. Security forces have thwarted theft attempts, and they operate under a comprehensive system. The Haia helps the security in educating people against wrong beliefs.

Stating that the security operations room in the Prophet’s Mosque was one of the biggest in the Middle East, he said it has more than 1,300 surveillance cameras that work under all weather conditions. Cameras cover the Mosque, its extensions, the roof and Al-Baqe’ cemetery.

He said the operations room records the number of worshippers who enter the Mosque, and follows up on their entry and exit. The room also keeps track of the injured or sick being shifted to medical centers in coordination with relevant authorities.

Al-Jahni said the core strength of the Prophet’s Mosque security is the establishment of a training center, which will impart quality training to both men and women. Certificates will be issued to trainees who can reap benefits from them in their careers. The training will also focus on psychological and social issues.

“The first stage of the training targets employees in the Prophet’s Mosque security, while the second stage will target employees in the General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The third stage targets the central area, which is very important because its employees are the ones responsible for receiving guests of the Prophet’s Mosque,” he said.

The program envisages training of 2,000 individuals — from officers and members of the Mosque’s security forces to the General Presidency branch in the Prophet’s Mosque. The number of women who will be imparted training is expected to be 500.

“An area to house lost people will be established in the Prophet’s Mosque, following an agreement with the Madinah governor. These quarters will be established in cooperation with the ‘Haj and Mu’tamer’s Gift,’ and will include a nursery and sleeping quarters until security locates their families,” he added.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/504296

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#3542 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:40

Over 315,000 Umrah pilgrims

have arrived since Dec. 5

7 January 2014

More than 315,000 Umrah pilgrims have arrived at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah since Dec. 5, an official said recently.

“More than 315,000 Umrah pilgrims from various foreign countries landed at the airport since the start of the Umrah season on Dec. 5 until Jan. 5,” said Nabil Haddad, director of the Haj and Umrah administration at the airport.

Haddad said the Ministry of Haj has implemented an advanced electronic system for the first time to track the progress of pilgrims, from the time they buy an Umrah package until their arrival at an entry point in the Kingdom.

The system at each entry point sends messages to all agencies and departments responsible for receiving and arranging accommodation, transport and an itinerary for pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah. This also allows the ministry and companies to prepare early for the departure of pilgrims.

He said Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar had ordered all departments to provide pilgrims the best services. He said the new system guaranteed solutions to most problems faced by pilgrims during their stay in the Kingdom.

He said the electronic system links the Haj Ministry, facilitating companies, Umrah service providers and the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

He said officials have been told to deal courteously with pilgrims, give them gifts, and help people with disabilities and the elderly with their luggage.

Haddad said officials provide pilgrims with identity wristbands and stickers on their passports with important information about them.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/504921

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#3543 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:41

Madinah Capital of Islamic Culture 2013

Madinah to host conference

of OIC culture ministers

7 January 2014

The 8th Conference of the Ministers of Culture in OIC countries will be held in Madinah between Jan. 21-24 under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Culture and Information Minister Abdulaziz Khoja said on Monday.

He thanked King Abdullah for his support to the conference, adding that his ministry would exert every effort to make it a big success.

He said that the conference entitled “For the promotion of cultural rights in the Muslim world in the service of dialogue and peace” comes at the conclusion of events marking the selection of Madinah as the Capital of Islamic Culture for the year 2013. The conference will name the capital of Islamic culture for the year 2014.

Khoja said that the conference would discuss, among other topics, the initiative of King Abdullah for dialogue between followers of different faiths and cultures; achievements and future prospects and the results achieved after its adoption in the 7th conference.

The Ministry of Culture and Information has harnessed all its potentials and its efforts for the success of the conference in line with directives issued by King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, he said.

He appreciated the efforts exerted by Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the Supreme Committee, for festivities marking the selection of Madinah as the Capital of Islamic Culture for the year 2013 and for the success of events and activities throughout the year.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/504936

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#3544 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:44

Window screens and Door

of the new Haram expansion

Design and Rendering by SL- Rasch

The Making-of

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#3545 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:48

Opening of the Roof of Masjid al Haram

with prayer carpets, Zamzam water and Qurans

_______________________

فتح سطح المسجد الحرام للزوار والمعتمرين

7 January 2014 - 6 Rabi Al-Awaal 1435 H

بناء على توجيهات معالي الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي تم فتح سطح المسجد الحرام لمرتادي الحرم نظراً لتوافد جموع كبيرة من الزوار والمعتمرين مع بدء موسم العمرة من غرة شهر صفر المنصرم من هذا العام, وقد تم فرشه بالسجاد الفاخر وتوفير ماء زمزم وتوزيع المصاحف على أرجائه, و تأمين السلالم من قبل وحدة الأمن والسلامة بالمسجد الحرام .

http://www.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm?do=c...0&categoryid=2

Google translation: Based on the directives of His Excellency President General for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has been opened the roof of the Grand Mosque of attendees campus because of the influx of crowds large of visitors and pilgrims with the start of the Umrah season of the lunar month of zero last of this year, has been sprinkled with fine carpets and provide Zamzam water and the distribution of the Koran on the entire hotel , and secure the stairs by the Security and Safety Unit Holy Mosque.

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#3546 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:51

Mataf expansion progress - Phase 2

January 2014

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#3547 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:53

Shoura members oppose foreigners

owning properties in holy cities

A new housing project in Madinah is shown this recent file photo.

8 January 2014

The Committee of Economic Affairs and Energy at the Shoura Council faced vehement opposition from several members when the council announced its recommendations to allow foreign investors to own properties within Makkah and Madinah’s borders.

A member of the Shoura Council said that the committee has long since prevented foreigners from buying properties within the vicinity of the Two Holy Mosques, according to local media sources.

Members of the council claim that preventing foreign investment will maintain the religious identity of the two cities.

According to Saudi Arabia’s foreign investment regulations, an expatriate licensed to engage in business activity is entitled to own a property either for residency purposes or for pursuing business objectives. Foreigners can also buy homes to accommodate employees. Expatriates, however, are not allowed to own properties in Makkah and Madinah.

Abdullah Al-Ahmari, head of the real estate appraisal committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said in a previous interview that registering an expatriate’s property under the name of a Saudi national is a clear violation of regulations in the country that could result in the confiscation of the property and a fine for all involved.

However, expatriates with high incomes mostly buy real estate out of Saudi Arabia, particularly in their home countries, because they do not know if they will continue living in the Kingdom. Their deals to buy properties abroad are estimated at more than SR8 billion, mostly in Egypt, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Salem Radwan, manager of a real estate company in Jeddah, said members of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia own many homes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Many Sudanese nationals in the Kingdom own apartments in Cairo, he added.

Talal Samarqandi, head of the JCCI’s engineering office committee and former real estate committee member, said a foreigner wanting to own a property in Saudi Arabia had to meet stipulations such as having a good financial record and approval from the Ministry of Interior.

He added: “There are a lot of foreigners who were born and raised here. This segment is particularly interested in owning the place they live in instead of continuing that can become a burden on their monthly incomes.”

Chairman of JCCI’s real estate committee Muhammad Al-Amir said foreigners in Saudi Arabia can own properties only if the profession listed on their residence permit is foreign investor. Priority for owning properties is given to Saudis, he added.

Some real estate experts said there is a long way to go before expatriates will be allowed to buy properties given the supply and demand in the market.
Al-Amir said supply was not meeting the growth in population in the Kingdom. Once supply and demand are balanced locally, he added, the circumstances would be adequate for issuing laws regulating expatriates’ ownership of properties.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/505656

Makkah 2014
5 January 2014

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#3548 [Permalink] Posted on 9th January 2014 01:54

120 flights canceled after

Madinah crash-landing

A file photo of the Saudi plane that crashlanded in Madinah
on Sunday after the pilot detected a malfunctioning rear wheel.

8 January 2014

Civil Aviation authorities cancelled 120 domestic and international flights to and from Prince Mohammed Airport in Madinah following the crash-landing of a leased Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) aircraft on Sunday.

Many passengers had rerouted their flights to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to avoid waiting 24 hours at Madinah airport to get connections to their destinations, informed sources said.

A senior official at Saudia, who requested anonymity, said the airline had asked the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) many times to build a new runway at the airport to avoid the suspension of flights during emergency situations.

“Global aviation standards insist that an international airport should have more than one runway to use during emergencies,” the official said, adding that GACA had not responded positively to the airline’s request.

Madinah has received huge numbers of daily flights after the government upgraded the airport into an international facility, the official said.

Atef Tasji, public relations manager at the airport, confirmed that about 120 domestic and international flights were canceled after GACA decided to suspend flights to the airport following the incident. Informed sources said flights resumed after 36 hours on Monday evening.

Twenty-nine passengers were injured when SV2841 flight carrying 315 passengers and 16 crew members crash-landed in Madinah, on route from the Iranian city of Mashhad. Only three injured people are still in hospital. One of them is a woman who is in intensive care, while the other two are stable.

Meanwhile, Saudia provided a free limousine service to many passengers to catch their onward flights from Jeddah airport. Yasser Farook, an Egyptian, said: “I had booked a flight from Madinah to Cairo on Sunday.

A Saudia official told me I could either wait at the airport or catch another flight from Jeddah airport to Cairo. He then arranged a limousine for me to Jeddah. It was really wonderful.”

http://www.arabnews.com/news/505666

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#3549 [Permalink] Posted on 11th January 2014 15:33

KAU students develop solutions for pilgrims

9 January 2014

Engineering students of King Abdulaziz University presented a number of impressive projects including a solar-powered car, an anti-theft belt bag, a movable ablution-water recycling system and a solar-powered wheelchair during an exhibition at the Faculty of Engineering on Tuesday.

Other attractive projects on display were a smart bag, an electric bracelet, a cooling bag for medication while traveling and a solar-powered cooking backpack for pilgrims.

The students explained various aspects and benefits of their projects during the show. Abdul Raheem Kinsara, dean of the faculty, visited the exhibition and commended the students for their innovative projects.

“Our students presented 20 unique projects which impressed visitors including officials from the Haj Ministry and Makkah governorate,” said Irfan Ahmed, a faculty member.

Other projects on display at the exhibition were a waste disposal system, a new mechanism for dust suction, a solar umbrella, a portable air conditioner, an electronic warning device, a conveyor belt, an electronic forearm device and a waste disposal robot.

“This year’s projects focused on Haj and our students came up with innovative solutions for the benefit of pilgrims and ensure their safety,” said Fouad Abu Laban, a senior faculty member. “They have done their projects exceptionally well,” he added.

Students who successfully completed and displayed their projects were given certificates of recognition.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/506261

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#3550 [Permalink] Posted on 11th January 2014 15:37

Cashing in on Umrah: Airfare increased 150%

9 January 2014

Airfares from India to Jeddah have increased by as much as 150 percent ahead of the birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him) on Jan. 14.
According to travel agents in India, Saudi diplomatic missions are issuing Umrah visas in the Hijri month of Rabi Al-Awwal for the first time. This explains the surge in Umrah visa applications at around the time of the “mawlid nabawi” (Arabic for Prophet’s birthday).

Many pilgrims, agents say, are taking advantage of the coinciding date and heading for Madinah before embarking on Umrah.

Visa applications are being approved at a much faster pace by the Haj Ministry thanks to the newly introduced electronic services, which also explains the influx of applications. Flights from most Indian cities to Jeddah are already overbooked, said airline officials.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is said to have never celebrated his birthday, but many citizens from the South Asian subcontinent still engage in this cultural practice.

Flights from Jeddah to Madinah are booked until the end of the month since huge numbers of pilgrims who cannot make it to Madinah in time for the anniversary intend to spend the rest of the Hijri month in the city.

Prices on almost all major international airlines have gone up as a result of this surge in demand.

A ticket from Hyderabad to Jeddah that typically cost Rs 21,000 (SR1,270) before is now exceeding Rs 50,000 (SR3,000).

Waiting lists are closed and even business class tickets have been sold out until the end of the month.

“We have at least 2,000 pilgrims flying to Jeddah at any given time. We now see pilgrims frantically trying to get to the Kingdom in time for the Prophet’s birthday,” said Mohammed Shoaib and Mohammed Adeeb of Link Travels in Hyderabad, who have been in the airline business for the last 20 years.

They told Arab News over the phone that pilgrims usually apply for the pilgrimage during Ramadan, but that a huge number have since opted for this season since it was made available by Saudi authorities.

“Travel agencies have requested Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air India to charter additional flights to cope with this influx, which is expected to continue until the month of March,” Shoaib said.

“Saudi Arabian Airlines has agreed to consider the request for additional flights, but fares will reach $1,050, which is equivalent to Rs 66,000,” he said.
A similar situation prevails in Calicut, Chennai and Mumbai.

Travel operators and pilgrims are complaining that ticket costs are amounting to more than the Umrah package itself, which includes boarding and lodging in both Makkah and Madinah.

Expatriates who bought a one-way ticket home for their annual vacation are facing a tough time getting back to the Kingdom.

Mohammed Saleem, an employee at a construction company in Jeddah, traveled to India on a one-way ticket and is now struggling to find a seat to Jeddah on any airlines.

Mohammed Zaki who is working in medical equipment agency in Jeddah also having similar experience and running behind travel agencies to a seat in Jeddah sector.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/506281

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#3551 [Permalink] Posted on 11th January 2014 15:38

Alpha1Estates: Makkah-Madinah

Real Estate Index near doubles in 2013

January 4, 2014 / 3 Rabi'ul Awwal 1435

Global real estate advisory firm Alpha1Estates International said on January 4, 2014, and in the new Islamic year of 1435, that its real estate index for Makkah and Madinah nearly doubled in 2013, reflecting the current boom in the Holy Cities for developers and their investors.

The Ihsan al- Haramain Index, the first index to solely track Saudi-listed companies involved in real estate development in Makkah and Madinah, shows the double-digit growth in stock prices real estate developers in the Holy Cities.

'The Ihsan al- Haramain Index jumped by 47 percent this year, near doubling its 26 percent performance in 2012, slightly out-performing by 4 percent the TASI average of all stocks of the Tadawul (Saudi Stock Exchange) Real Estate Development Index,' said Mr Malik al-Alawi, Chairman of Alpha1Estates International.

'Makkah real estate stocks jumped by 48 percent, similar to Madinah at 46 percent - but there was both a Makkah-focused and a Madinah focused real estate stock this year which saw a jump of nearly 60 percent, giving a clear message about the sector.' Despite current gains, Alpha1Estates has proposed five critical pieces of legislation that focus on globalising the sector to non-Saudi Muslims, which will lead to greater investments, prosperity and quality of life in the Holy Cities.

Real estate investment in Makkah and Madinah accounts for 40% of total real estate investments in the Kingdom, standing at over $120 billion over the next decade.

Alpha1Estates International launched in 2006 to become the world's first company to market Saudi Arabian property globally and also the first company to market property in both Makkah and Madinah. In subsequent years, it has launched the world's first bespoke real estate consultancy programme and joint-investment fund focused on the Holy Cities.

On 17 April 2013, in the Holy City of Madinah, Mr Malik, Chairman of Alpha1Estates, addressed a group of international political and business leaders on the topic of corporate governance at the 7th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIFE) Roundtable, held under the patronage of HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman, Governor of Madinah, organised with the Madinah Institute of Leadership and Entrepreneurship (MILE) and supported by Knowledge Economic City (KEC).

From 25-26 November 2013, the management of Alpha1Estates attended the Global Islamic Economy Summit 2013 in Dubai, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

On 5 December, and in his first ever interview as the Chairman of Alpha1Corp, parent company for Alpha1Estates, Mr Malik gave an interview to Xinhua, China's official state news agency, about politics, economics and society in the modern Middle East.

The political leadership of both Emirates of Makkah and Madinah changed this year. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HRH King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, in January 2013 appointed HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman as the Governor of Madinah, succeeding HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Majid. The management of Alpha1Estates met with HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Majid at the Governor's Place in Madinah in June 2008. In December 2013, HRH King Abdullah appointed HRH Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah as the Governor of Makkah, succeeding HRH Prince Khaled Al-Faisal who became Saudi Arabia's new Education Minister. The management of Alpha1Estates worked with the Office of HRH Prince Khaled Al-Faisal from 2010-2012 for the Jeddah Economic Forum.

Both the Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah are currently undergoing expansion, with the surrounding infrastructure also being developed. The need for hotels in both Holy Cities is critical. Madinah, designated as the Islamic Cultural Capital 2013, requires 500 new hotels over the next five years to fulfill the expected 1 million visitors per month expected upon the completion of the expansion work.

Madinah has nine x 5-Star hotels, 11 x 4-Star hotels and 44 x 3-Star hotels out of 60 hotels. Makkah, in contrast, has 13 x 5-Star hotels, eight x 4-Star, 62 x 3-Star and 64 x 2-Star hotels out of 147 hotels.

Land prices in the Holy Cities are the most expensive in the world, ranging from between 500,000-1.5 million Saudi Riyals (USD $133,000 to $400,000) in 2012 in Makkah to possibly hit 2 million Saudi Riyals (USD $533,240) in 2013, whilst in Madinah's central area, The price of a square meter in the Central Area has reached 270,000 Saudi Riyals (USD $72,000).

In 2013, over 11 million Muslim pilgrims from 140 countries visited the Holy Cities annually for Hajj and Umrah, contributing over 60 billion Saudi riyals ($16 billion), the second-most lucrative source of the Kingdom's revenue after oil.

Expatriates form 40 percent of the Makkah's population, and the Holy City currently accounts for 11 percent of the Kingdom's GDP.

http://www.zawya.com/story/Alpha1Est...0140104092718/

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#3552 [Permalink] Posted on 11th January 2014 15:42

Mataf Expansion Progress - Phase 2

08-01-2014

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#3553 [Permalink] Posted on 11th January 2014 15:46

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#3554 [Permalink] Posted on 11th January 2014 15:48

Caves across Saudi Arabia

Clockwise from left: Cave of Thawr, Al-Gara Cave, Cave of Hira

10 January 2014

There are dozens of caves across Saudi Arabia that draw a large number of tourists and visitors. These caves are rare, natural sights that turned out to be major tourist destinations. According to officials of the Saudi Geological Survey, the total number of discovered caves, which have unique features, reached more than 130. Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) is striving to make these caves major attractions for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Some of these caves have a cool and pleasant climate, to be enjoyed even in extreme summer weather, other are of historical and religious significance. These caves contain several fossil discoveries and a wide variety of rock formations. Some of them look like underground openings full of cool air. There are caves on mountaintops and mountain slopes, in addition to desert caves. There are several caves formed of sedimentary rocks located in Al-Ahsa in the Eastern Province, according to a report in Al-Riyadh Arabic daily.

Cave of Hira

Hira is the most important among these caves, mainly because of its religious significance. The cave is about 3.2 km from Makkah, situated at a height of 270 meters on top of Jabal Al-Nour (Mountain of Light). This is a small cave about 3.5 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, where the first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).The Prophet used to go to the cave to meditate. On the 17th of Ramadan in 611, the Prophet received his first divine revelation through the Archangel Gabriel. The entrance to the Cave of Hira also faces the Holy Kaaba and the minarets of the Grand Mosque can be seen when looking out the entrance way.

Abu Qatoor Cave

The arch-shaped cave is situated south west of Hota Sudair city. The cave is called Abu Qatoor because of the water drops falling from its ceiling throughout the year even during the summer. There is a circular basin made of stones in one side of the cave where a water pool was formed by the falling water drops.

Al-Gara Cave

Al Gara Mountain and Cave is considered to be one of the most important tourist and natural landmarks in Al-Ahsa. Spreading over an area of 1,400 hectors, Al Gara consists of sedimentary rocks, where the sedimentary layers can be seen with the naked eye. It is also famous for its caves and alleys between the rocks, and therefore, has become one of the most famous natural sites in the Arabian Gulf region. The caves of the mountain are known to be cool in the summer and warm in winter. Some of these caves have steps similar to that of the ancient Roman theaters.

In the past, local residents named these caves after those who discovered them or in accordance with their types and nature. One of them is named Al-Gairan Cave, where old people in the past used to hold Qur’an memorization circles. Al-Naqa is a group of caves with pleasant cool weather in summer and warm in winter, while the temperatures at Al-Muadama Cave reach up to 20 degrees Celsius in summer. Al-Mayhoub, Abu Saleh, Aziz, Mahdi and Dahabi are other major caves. Caves in Al-Gara draw a huge number of tourists from various parts of the Eastern Province and other regions of the Kingdom as well as from neighboring GCC states.

Al-Habka Cave: The cave in Al-Habka village, situated 160 km west of Rafha region, is one of the major tourist attractions in the Northern Border Region. The roof of the cave is formed of crystal-shaped shining stones. There are short passages in the end of the cave in addition to inscriptions that date back to ancient times.

Cave of Thawr

The Cave of Thawr is 4 km south of the Grand Mosque, where the Prophet and his closest companion Abu Bakr took refuge while they were on their way to Madinah during Hijrah (migration). When Quraish came to look for them, Abu Bakr worriedly told the Prophet that they were only two people, but the Prophet assured him that Allah was their third. When the Quraish tribe reached the cave, they thought that nobody could go to a cave with a spider web spread across the mouth and birds nesting near it. Both caves have become major attractions for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, as well as for visitors to the holy city. Efforts are underway to introduce a cable car system to transport people to the historic caves of Hira and Thawr. There is a plan to introduce 12 cable car lines linking the mountain valleys with the caves with the aim of facilitating safe trips.

Ibn Shaalan Cave

This a major tourist attraction in Rawdat Sudair, 15 km from Wadi Sudair. Morat Cave is situated 8 km south west of Morat region, one of the archaeological sites in the Kingdom. The ceiling and walls of cave are sandy with inscriptions. Another important cave that draws hundreds of visitors is Areedh Al-Saer.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140110192069