Makkah News and Updates

to meet demand of elderly pilgrims


TOO FEW: These golf carts are meant to facilitate the transportation
of elderly and ailing pilgrims inside the Haram courtyard.

Sunday 15 June 2014

Elderly and ailing pilgrims are experiencing difficulty in commuting in the sprawling courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Makkah due to lack of electric carts meant to help them.

The transport facility for elderly pilgrims is provided by the authorities from north and eastern parts of mosque up to King Abdul Aziz Gate (Bab Abdul Aziz). It is available around the clock. However, few pilgrims are able to utilize the service.

The battery-operated golf carts are driven by staff of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs. The service was launched last year to help pilgrims with special needs to move from one place to another.

This year there is huge rush of Umrah pilgrims. Many of them suffer from some ailment or the other and experience difficulty in reaching the Grand Mosque. Due to the ongoing expansion activity many entrances are closed and pilgrims have to make detours, taxing the elderly. Elderly pilgrims find it difficult to walk from Ajyad Tunnel to King Abdul Aziz Gate.

“After entering the Haram courtyard from the Ajyad area, it took me more than half an hour to reach King Fahd Gate,” said Yousufunnisa, an Indian woman pilgrim, who has arthritis.

“I wish I could use any mode of transportation to reach any gate that leads me into the Grand Mosque,” said Umm Radwan, an elderly Egyptian woman, who in in the Kingdom for Umrah.

Ahmed Al-Mansuri, spokesperson for the presidency, denied lack of golf carts. He said five carts are being operated by the presidency for elderly people to facilitate their movement in the north, eastern and central parts of the Haram courtyard.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/586811

''Be aware at Harmain Shareef''

Picture of the Kaaba under each green carpet

in Masjid al Haram


video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnMkRfOvnjo

 

Monday 16 June 2014

The Haramain speed train project, which is in the final stages, will change the dynamics of pilgrim transportation between the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, said Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the progress of work on the project at Rusaifa, he emphasized the government’s continuing efforts to improve services being rendered to pilgrims coming for Haj and Umrah.

“The Haramain Railway will play a big role in facilitating transportation of pilgrims, helping them reach the holy places quickly. It will also contribute to reducing traffic congestion in the holy cities,” the governor said.

Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry briefed Prince Mishaal on the railway describing it as one of the largest development projects in the Kingdom.
The Transport Ministry and Saudi Railway Organization have completed 70 percent of civilian works at the Rusaifa Station.

“The high speed train system will provide safe and quick transportation for the millions of pilgrims traveling between Makkah and Madinah,” said the minister. The 450-km railway passes by Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.

The train system will carry more than 20 million passengers every year including pilgrims. It will have five stations and the main station in Makkah will have separate lounges for arrivals and departures, a mosque that can hold 600 worshippers, a helipad and 10 platforms for trains, a lounge for VIP passengers and parking for 500 cars.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/587511

late evening prayers in Makkah


A number of screens have been erected in the central area around the Grand Mosque as well as
other parts of the holy city for residents and visitors to watch the taraweeh prayers wherever they are.

Monday, 16 June 2014

MAKKAH — Municipal authorities in Makkah have erected eight giant TV screens in various parts of the holy city to show the taraweeh (late evening) prayers during the entire month of Ramadan.

A number of screens were also erected in the central area around the Grand Mosque. Through these large screens residents and visitors of Makkah will be able to watch the taraweeh prayers wherever they are, a source said.

The taraweeh is special voluntary prayers held post-Isha on Ramadan nights and during which long portions of the Qur'an are recited.

The source said the municipality would also establish signboards at the entrances to Makkah and traffic lights to warn pilgrims and visitors against congestion and possible suffocation as a result of the huge crowds in the Grand Mosque.

He said the signboards would explain to pilgrims the steps and safety measures they should take to avoid the hazards that may result from the crowds of people in the Grand Mosque and the surrounding areas.

Through an automated mechanism the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and the Grand Mosque police force will inform the Civil Defense of any overcrowding. In turn, the Civil Defense will warn people against going to the Grand Mosque and will ask them to perform their prayers in other mosques nearest to them in the holy city, he said.

The official said the measure aimed to avoid stampedes in the Grand Mosque.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140616208614

General statistics

of the Umrah season 1435/2014



Until 17 Shaban 1435 - 15 June 2014

Total Number of the Mutamirs:

5,229,380
______________________________________
Number expected for the whole Umrah season
6,000,000

* Mutamir/s: is/are the one who come into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
to perform Umrah rituals and visit the Prophet's Holy Mosque.

Madinah Haramain station ''Mosque''





Mosque progress - March 2014



Mosque foundation stone: June 2013




Full screen: http://www.vega-muh.com.tr/en/wp-con...ain-medine.jpg

Old Pilgrimage
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Pilgrims' progress to Mecca - 1937

Pictures from National Geographic - November 1937