Makkah News and Updates

7.5m iftar packets offered

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Philanthropists will distribute more than 7.5 million packets of iftar meals among worshippers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout Ramadan.

“Everyday they supply 250,000 iftar meals, of which 80,000 meals are distributed in the northern courtyard and 70,000 in the southern courtyard,” said an official in charge of distributing the meals.

“We also distribute 90,000 to 120,000 meals in Azza and Shamiya courtyards,” the official said, adding that a large number of young Saudis participate in the massive operation.

The Charitable Warehouse in Makkah said it has set out a plan to distribute 90,000 iftar meals inside the mosque and 120,000 meals among worshippers sitting in the courtyards. “We are taking help of 120 workers,” said Abdullah Al-Nafie, director of the charity.

He added that the workers are trained for 20 hours with the support of the Dawa Center in Makkah.

Mohammed Ali, a volunteer, said he was happy to distribute iftar meals among the pilgrims and other worshippers at the Grand Mosque.

“I come to the Haram with other friends after Asr to participate in this noble program. We are doing this only to get the reward from the Almighty.”

Abdul Wahid Al-Qurashi, another volunteer said: “I have been participating in this program for the last many years. Iftar meals are distributed among worshippers sitting inside and outside the mosque. It’s a big operation and needs the support of many volunteers.”

http://www.arabnews.com/news/594706

  Ramadan at Holy Mosque

30 June 2014 - 2 Ramadan 1435

 



 

A beacon of Ramadan hospitality


Makkah Clock Royal Tower

Tuesday, 01 July 2014

MAKKAH – Following in the great Makkah tradition of receiving visitors to the holy city, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel, gears up to provide the highest levels of service to guests and pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan.

The visitor finds the hotel just a few meters from the Haram and the holy Ka'abah.

The unique meld of modern architecture and Islamic heritage of the hotel creates an ambience that makes each guest feel special and welcome. As the guest relaxes into the hospitality, he cannot be but moved by the breathtaking panoramic views of the Haram and Ka'abah that augment his spiritual experience and encourage peaceful reflection.

"We strive to meet our guest’s needs and requirements in order to ensure an unparalleled atmosphere of faith and reflection,” said Abulaziz Eid, the hotel manager of the Makkah Clock Royal Tower. “This in addition to the highest levels of service for which Fairmont hotels are renowned and it makes us confident that guests will live an unforgettable Ramadan experience near the holy sites."

Makkah Clock Royal Tower features nine restaurants with a comprehensive range of menus, including Oriental, Asian and European reflecting the international character of the visitors to the holy city.

The hotel pays special attention to the health of its guests and provides healthy food in all its restaurants, offering carefully planned menus to accommodate different dietary requirements.

Guests wishing for privacy can choose an in-room dining experience like no other in Ramadan. Having met the Chef and selected their individual menu, guests may host Iftars and Suhoors in their suites or in special lounges adjacent to the Royal Suites.

The care and attention to guests, whether individuals or families, began even before the journey to the holy city. Spoilt for choice with several levels of accommodation in the recently launched "Fairmont Residences", the most trying decision was to choose a one, two or three-bedroom luxury accommodation with direct views of the Haram and Ka’abah.

Each residence is comprehensively equipped with everything needed for the comfort of residents, especially those wishing to stay for long periods. Facilities include a private kitchen and elegant dining and seating areas in each residence. A dedicated lounge and reception desk are designated for the exclusive use of Fairmont Residences guests to ensure a discreet and efficient check-in and check-out procedure.

VIP guests will have the opportunity to experience "Fairmont Royal Suites" on the hotel top floors, which provide a different level of luxury and set new standards for the hospitality industry in Makkah. With superlative furnishing and thoughtful design, these suites add to the spiritual experience with direct panoramic views of the Holy Haram and Ka'abah.

The Royal Suites incorporate special facilities that enable guests to extend their hospitality to host large groups of friends and family for Ramadan banquets. More than 60 guests, catered to by a team of the finest chefs and staff, may be entertained in the most luxurious of surroundings.

Fairmont Gold includes Gold rooms and suites, private check-in and check-out area, complimentary access to executive meeting rooms, access to Fairmont Gold Lounge, and a range of complimentary services such as evening refreshments throughout the sacred month of Ramadan.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140701210128

Masjid al Haram in Ramadan

1 July 2014






29 June 2014 - Prayer from Mataf expansion - Phase 2



30 June 2014



full screen: https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...75495933_o.jpg




28 June 2014










30 June 2014

Grand Mosque’s annex opened for worshippers

Thursday, 03 July 2014 - 5 Ramadan 1435 H

RIYADH – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah ordered taking advantage of the expansion project of the Grand Mosque, including the ground, first and second floors, the first and second mezzanine of the building as well as the northern, southern, western and eastern courtyards of the project and its affiliates.

The new expanded structure and courtyards constructed as part of the King Abdullah Grand Mosque Expansion Project has the capacity to accommodate more than 625,000 worshippers out of the mosque’s targeted additional capacity of 1.2 million faithful, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The King ordered opening of new toilets and ablution areas constructed as part of the project. With this, the total number of toilets and ablution areas at the mosque and courtyards reached 9,750.

The King’s orders also include provision of cold potable water inside the expanded building and its courtyards, and operation of 177 escalators and 22 lifts to facilitate the movement of worshippers. There are also escalators to take people to toilets in the lower floor of the basement plaza.

King Abdullah also directed the opening of the first and second phases of the project for upgrading the capacity of mataf (circumambulation area around the Kaaba), in addition to the existing area constructed as part of the first Saudi expansion, which can accommodate 20,000 pilgrims per hour. The first and second phases of the expanded ground floor and first floor in addition to the existing area under first Saudi expansion can accommodate 5,000 and 15,000 people per hour respectively. The terrace of the first phase will be used only for performing prayers during Ramadan. The King also issued directives for the operation of some roads to facilitate movement of pilgrims in the central Haram area.

This included partial and temporary operation of the first ring road, starting from Ajyad Street toward Al-Qashashiyah tunnels passing through new Shaab Amer tunnels and intersecting with Masjidul Haram Road in Gazza and then passing through Al-Falaq tunnels and Jabal Al-Kaaba flyover and ending with Umm Al-Qura Road. The ring road is connected with the service roads of Umm Al-Qura and Jabal Al-Kaaba streets, and temporarily connected with Gazza and Masjidul Haram streets so as to ease traffic in central area. The King’s directive shows his keenness and efforts to serve Islam and Muslims by enabling pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque to perform their rituals in ease and comfort.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140703210375

Space for 625,000 more created at Grand Mosque

Thursday 3 July 2014

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has instructed Grand Mosque authorities to open the newly expanded annex buildings of the Grand Mosque for the use of worshippers during Ramadan.

A source at the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques said the king’s directive would provide extra prayer space for more than 625,000 worshippers inside the mosque and its courtyards. The royal gesture would help reduce congestion among worshippers inside and outside the mosque, he added.

The king has also ordered that pilgrims be allowed to make use of the expanded “mataf” (circumambulation area around the House of God) on the ground floor, as well as on the first floor, to accommodate 40,000 pilgrims per hour.

Nearly two million worshippers, including foreign pilgrims, attend taraweeh prayers at the mosque and a large number of them stand on roads leading to the mosque. School vacation in the Arab world has increased crowding in the holy city.

Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Qahtani, director of communications, said that more than 1,250 cameras have been set up inside and outside the mosque to monitor the movement of pilgrims and worshippers and ensure their safety. “We monitor pilgrims through 270 TV screens and if we find anything wrong, we inform field officers to take corrective action.”

Yousuf Al-Wabil, vice chairman of the committee of religious consultants, said the presidency would not allow people to hoard space at the Grand Mosque for other people.

“This is a wrongful practice and we want to change this system by spreading awareness and preventing people from practicing it.”

http://www.arabnews.com/news/595901


 

Mataf expansion updates

2 July 2014