Makkah News and Updates

Thursday 11 September 2014

More than 100,000 Burmese nationals living in Makkah’s Al-Nakasa district will be forced to vacate the area to make way for a mass redevelopment initiative.

Authorities intend to demolish more than 1,200 buildings and properties, which had been built without acquiring a license from Makkah’s municipality.
Earth-moving equipment has already been deployed at the site to remove the buildings as part of a massive project to redevelop random areas in the region at large.

Several residents in the district, located in a mountainous area, choose a random spot to live and then build their own makeshift homes using red bricks and other basic construction material without permission from government agencies concerened.

“This district is a Burmese stronghold,” Abu Talal, a Burmese resident who has lived in Makkah for over 20 years, told Arab News. “The Saudi government did not take action against these illegal buildings for a long time, but has since come up with new plans to redevelop the entire region,” he said.

The red buildings can be seen dotting the mountainous landscapes they juxtapose.
“This district is a high-crime area and an illegal expat stronghold,” he said.

Makkah’s development projects will cost an estimated SR300 billion in coming years, with a third of this money allocated to public transportation and to the King Abdullah Project, which is devoted to upgrading the city.

Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar said that the government would also build 260 new residential districts in the city over the next 20 years.

Al-Bar said the city is currently working on implementing projects worth an estimated SR6 billion, including the fourth circular road, underpasses and overpasses, pavements, a lighting system, gardens, sports centers and other services for citizens and visitors.

Makkah is the Kingdom’s most attractive site for such projects. However, investment conditions need to be enhanced to help boost this sector, said several experts.

The mayor admitted that there have been delays in implementing the projects, but that authorities were looking into ways to resolve these issues.
The Al-Nakasa district is renowned for its poor-quality living conditions. Garbage can be seen piling up all over the area, while the area also has no sewage network.

The district’s low-income residents have, nevertheless, adapted to living in such squalid conditions.

Makkah’s municipality, meanwhile, had accused several citizens of using land without government permission, putting them in clear violation of regulations since they have no proof of ownership of these pieces of land.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/628496

Thursday, 11 September 2014

MAKKAH – Civil Defense teams at Jabal Kaaba district in Makkah used heavy machinery to clear the debris of a 15-meter-high and approximately 100-meter-long concrete wall which collapsed early Wednesday, killing six construction workers and injuring five others.

Lt. Col. Saleh Al-Olayani, spokesman of Makkah Civil Defense, said the wall made of concrete blocks was used as a support for the extension of the first Ring Road project, which is being constructed as part of the King Abdullah Grand Mosque Expansion Project. The Holy City is teeming with pilgrims.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140911217845 Thursday 11 September 20

Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah has called for an investigation after six construction workers were killed on Wednesday morning when a retaining wall at the Jabal Kaaba project in the city collapsed.

The governor also set up a technical committee to determine the reason for the accident, said Maj. Gen. Jameel Al-Arbaeen, director general of Civil Defense Department in the Makkah region.

Civil Defense rescuers and other workers used heavy equipment to dig up the bodies of the victims from the under sand and heavy concrete blocks that formed the 12-meter-high wall. The wall had a length of 50 meters.

The victims were reportedly Indian and Pakistani nationals working for a leading construction company that actively engaged in various development projects in Makkah.

“We had dug out five bodies in the morning and another body later in the evening,” said Col. Saleh Al-Olayani, Makkah Civil Defense spokesman.

“Five other workers sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transferred to a local hospital for treatment.”

“The construction site where the accident occurred is far away and barricaded from pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” he said.

The temporary wall had been built as a preventive and supportive measure for the ongoing construction of a ring road amid massive expansion projects in the city.

Saudi officials have neither confirmed nor denied the nationality of the workers.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/628106

Thursday 11 September 2014

Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman visited the Haramain Railway headquarters in Madinah on Wednesday and praised officials and contractors for the significant progress of the multibillion-riyal project.

Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry and other officials joined the prince at the railway headquarters in the city and for his tour of various work sites.

Al-Seraisry gave a detailed description of the progress achieved in the implementation of the various phases of the project that links the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and passes through Jeddah and Rabigh.

The prince was briefed on the construction of the station building in Madinah over an area of 172,000 square meters where the utilities and services will be of international standard. The station will house arrival, departure and VIP lounges, a mosque with a capacity for 700 worshippers, Civil Defense center, a helipad, six platforms for trains, a waiting area and car parks with a capacity for 1,000 vehicles.

The station, which has a pedestrian passage to King Abdulaziz Road, is also being linked to the public bus transport system.

The prince walked around the units of the project and discussed different aspects of the facilities with the minister and project engineers. At the end of his tour, he praised the efforts of the minister and work teams and said he hoped the the remaining phases would be completed on schedule, in line with the aspirations of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

The transport minister told journalists that 80 percent of the project had been completed and that railway lines had been laid in some places.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/628481

Thursday, 11 September 2014 16 Dhul-Qedah 1435

MAKKAH – More than 15,000 personnel have been mobilized to start implementing the Haj plan of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques from Thursday.

Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, said the plan which will be in force until October 24 (Dhul Hijjah 30), will be based on some pivotal aspects of guidance, education and service, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Holy Mosque expansion

Al-Sudais said the pilgrims will benefit from the expanded structure of the Grand Mosque. These included the entire ground and first floors of the annex building, and the first and second mezzanine floors. A total area of 167,784 square meters in the annex building and 118,790 square meters of courtyards around the structure will be opened for pilgrims.

Mataf expansion

He said that pilgrims will also benefit from the first phase of the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) expansion in Safa-Fath gate area and first phase of the basement, ground, first, and second floors and terrace of the Fath-Umrah gate area.

A total of 7,000 pilgrims per hour can use the two levels of the temporary circular bridge designed for the elderly and the disabled.

More areas of the mosque have been air-conditioned and these include first floor of the first Saudi expansion from Safa staircase to the middle of King Fahd expansion building.

Toilets, ablution areas and drinking water spouts

According to Al-Sudais, more than 10,000 toilets and thousands of ablution areas and drinking water spouts have been set up in the courtyards of the mosque.

The presidency made elaborate arrangements to enlighten pilgrims on the rituals of Haj as well as to clarify their doubts. Hundreds of preachers will be available to serve the pilgrims and hundreds of thousands of booklets and brochures in major languages will be distributed among the pilgrims.

As part of the arrangements made, more than 10,000 new prayer rugs were spread at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah besides replacing old Zamzam containers with 13,000 new ones and setting up of 26 closed circuit TVs to enlighten and guide the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Muhammad Bin Naif approved the plan of Civil Defense to meet emergency situations and possible dangers during Haj as well as to ensure safety and security of pilgrims. More than 450 Civil Defense centers in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites will take part in implementing the plan and they have been supplied with highly advanced equipment and devices, according to Maj. Gen. Suleiman Al-Amr, director general of the Civil Defense.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140911217840

Friday 12 September 2014

The Ministry of Health has launched a multimedia awareness campaign to inform Haj pilgrims of the preventive measures that should be taken during their stay in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Health Ministry spokesman Khalid Al-Mirghalani told Arab News that this year the ministry is harnessing all media channels to reach the millions of pilgrims coming from countries around the world to convey the health messages.

“In addition to the media channels, the ministry will distribute more than a million brochures in several languages spelling out guidelines to prevent the spread of infection among pilgrims and advising them of the precautionary measures to be taken against health problems,” Al-Mirghalani said, pointing out that the booklets are available in Arabic, English, French, Urdu and Bahasa Indonesia languages. “They will be distributed among the pilgrims, who speak the respective languages,” he said.

He added that the leaflets will tell the pilgrims of the health guidelines to be followed during their stay in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
In addition to these brochures, the ministry will also distribute leaflets containing visual messages of what the pilgrims should and should not do during their stay in the holy cities.

“We will also use the print and electronic media to convey the health messages to the pilgrims,” he said, adding that large bill boards will be displayed at strategic points in the holy sites to convey the health messages of the ministry. “We have made arrangements to convey these messages to the pilgrims with the help of a variety of visual aids,” he said.

Pilgrims have been asked not to keep their cooked food for more than two hours to prevent food poisoning.

They have also been requested to wash the fruits and green leaves before consumption. “Meat and vegetables should not be washed together in preparation for cooking,” he said.

The official said people should be careful when they mingle in mass gatherings. “It is advisable to wear masks in crowded places and change them frequently,” he said, adding that they should also pay special attention to personal hygiene and wash hands frequently. “Covering the mouth and nose while sneezing would help prevent the spread of disease,” he cautioned.

Pilgrims have been advised to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water or a disinfectant, especially after coughing or sneezing, to maintain personal hygiene and prevent infection. They are also asked to use napkins to cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

The Health Ministry has also issued a general advisory about maintaining personal hygiene, cooking and serving food hygienically in order to prevent diarrhea and vomiting, food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid and cholera. In addition, hands should be washed before and after eating.

Covering the face with a towel while sleeping in congested rooms also helps prevent respiratory infections.

Diagnosed cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, migraine, epilepsy, skin diseases, psychiatric illnesses and gastric ulcer should be properly controlled with appropriate treatment.

Prior to the commencement of the Haj season, the Foreign Ministry, on the advice of the Ministry of Health , sent out circulars to all Saudi embassies abroad detailing the quarantine requirements in the respective countries for the issue of the pilgrim visas.

Vaccinations for meningitis are mandatory for all pilgrims while those coming from endemic countries infected with various diseases, have to be vaccinated too.

The Kingdom has banned pilgrims from the three Ebola-affected countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/628976

Wednesday 15 Dhul Qa'dah, 10 September 2014

MAKKAH: The kiswa, the black covering of the Kaaba, was folded up by about three meters on Wednesday evening to protect it from possible damage during the peak days of Haj when pilgrims cram into the holy precincts to perform tawaf (circumambulation ritual).

صرح سعادة مدير عام مصنع كسوة الكعبة المشرفة الدكتور محمد بن عبد الله باجودة أنه جرياً على العادة السنوية وحسب الخطة المعتمدة لموسم الحج لهذا العام1435هـ تم رفع الجزء السفلي من كسوة الكعبة المشرفة بمقدار (3) ثلاثة أمتار تقريباً ويتم تغطية الجزء المرفوع بإزار من القماش القطني الأبيض بعرض مترين تقريباً من الجهات الأربع.

وأوضح سعادته أن هذا الإجراء من باب الاحتراز، ومنع العابثين بالكسوة، حيث يشهد المطاف أعداداً كبيرة من الحجاج تحرص على لمس ثوب الكعبة، وعلى الرغم مما في ذلك من بعض الاعتقادات غير الصحيحة، إلا أن كسوة الكعبة تتعرض جرّاء ذلك لبعض الضرر، كما يُقدم بعض الحجاج على قطع بعض أجزاء من ثوب الكعبة، ومنهم من يتبرك بالكسوة ويعتقد فيها ما يعتقد، ولأجل ذلك تم رفع كسوة الكعبة المشرفة إلى مسافة أكثر من مترين، ووضع قطع من القماش البيضاء وبمحيط 47 متراً.

وأضاف الدكتور محمد باجودة أن الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي ممثلة بمصنع كسوة الكعبة المشرفة وبإشراف وتوجيه من معالي الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الشيخ الدكتور عبدالرحمن بن عبدالعزيز السديس ومتابعة من معالي نائب الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام الدكتور محمد بن ناصر الخزيم تولى كسوة الكعبة المشرفة عناية واهتماماً بالغين على مدار العام وذلك امتداداً لاهتمام ورعاية خادم الحرمين الشريفين حفظه الله بالحرمين الشريفين ومرافقهما عامة وبالكعبة المشرفة تعظيماً خاصاً .

وقد أوضح سعادته أن هذا الإجراء المعمول به سنوياً خلال المواسم التي يبلغ الطواف فيها ذروته الهدف منه المحافظة على كسوة الكعبة المشرفة من التمزيق بسبب تعلق الطائفين بها أو من يريد العبث بجزء من الثوب هذا وسوف يعاد الوضع إلى طبيعته بعد انتهاء الموسم إن شاء الله .

http://www.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm?do=c...7&categoryid=2
Google translation:

HE general manager of a factory covering of the Kaaba Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Pajudh it as usual annual and according to the approved plan for the pilgrimage season this year 1435H was lifted the bottom of the covering of the Kaaba by (3) about three meters and is covered raised part Bazaar of cheesecloth White almost two meters wide on all four sides.

He explained that this action of the door guard, and prevent abusers paneling, where the witness of the day large numbers of pilgrims eager to touch the dress of the Kaaba, and despite what the some of the beliefs is correct, but the covering of the Kaaba is exposed due to some damage, it also offers some pilgrims to cut some parts of the dress of the Kaaba, and some of them seek blessing paneling and believed to be what he believes, but it was lifted for covering of the Kaaba to a distance of more than two meters, and put pieces of white cloth and 47 meters in circumference.

He said Dr Mohammed Pajudh that the General Presidency for the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque actress plant covering of the Kaaba and under the supervision and guidance of His Excellency President General Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais and follow-up of His Excellency Vice President Public Affairs of the Grand Mosque, Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Khuzayem took livery Kaaba adult care and attention throughout the year and that an extension of the care and attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Two Holy Mosques and their facilities in general and the Kaaba special veneration.

The He explained that this procedure in place annually during the seasons with a circumnavigation which peaked aim is to maintain the covering of the Kaaba because of ripping attached Taivin or who wants to tamper with this part of the dress and the situation will be back to normal after the end of the season, God willing.

 

General statistics
of the Haj season 1435/2014




Until 15 Dhu-AlQadah 1435 - 10 September 2014

Arrival - Number of International Pilgrims:

335,944
______________________________________
More than 1.3 million foreign pilgrims
are expected to perform Haj this year

Statistics from Ministry of Hajj

    

Saturday, 13 September 2014

Makkah holds great significance for Muslims worldwide with both pilgrims and visitors to the holy city eager to see Islamic artifacts and historical landmarks after performing their religious rites.

Historian Fawaz Al-Dahas said most visitors are knowledgeable about the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life and his journeys but when they come to the holy capital they wish to witness Islamic history with their own eyes.

In light of all of this, it is the Kingdom’s duty to preserve these historical artifacts in order to maintain the authenticity of Makkah as the cradle of Islam. As people of the land, Saudis must be aware of the history behind these artifacts, including their correct historical names.

Wadi Ibrahim (Ibrahim’s Valley)

Wadi Ibrahim lies at the base of Makkah. It is stated in the Holy Qur’an that Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) entrusted his family in a dry valley, which is Ibrahim’s Valley today. The valley extends from the northern tip of Makkah to the southern-most tip. The naming of the valley differs depending on the direction of the destination. If the direction is toward Al-Shara’i then people call it King Faisal Road but if the direction is toward Al-Muabadah, then people call it Masjid Al-Haram (Holy Mosque) Road. Despite the different names, it is in fact one road and should be called IbrahimValley Road.

Al-Shara’i

Al-Shara’i is a district expanding from Al-Lihyaniyah beyond the the sanctified Haram area. The name of the district varies based on historical events related to the location. Some call it Hunain in reflection of the famous Islamic battle with the same name. Hunain is a luscious land abundant with water and it gained great significance during the Abbasid period as the Lake of Zubaidah, the wife of Caliph Haroon Al-Rasheed. The lake with a string of wells and reservoirs was used to provide water to pilgrims. Therefore, it is more appropriate to call the area Hunain rather than Al-Shara’i, as the former is supported by historical evidence.

Jabal Al-Nour (Al-Nour Mountain)

Jabal Al-Nour is the mountain on which Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) descended from the heavens and recited the Qur’an to the Prophet (pbuh). The historical name of the mountain is the Cave of Hira and it was where Muhammad (pbuh) would go to meditate before his Prophethood. It has then been colloquially named Jabal Al-Nour to represent the event of the Qur’an being recited to the Prophet as a moment of enlightenment. However, to be geographically and historically correct, the mountain should be called Cave of Hira.

Athakhir Apex

Originally, it was named Athakhir plateau but people later called it Athakhir Apex. Historically, it was the plateau through which the Prophet (pbuh) entered Makkah when he conquered the city. The correct term is Athakhir Plateau.

Al-Hujoun

It was the plateau through which Muslim troops under the companion Al-Zubair Bin Al-Awam entered Makkah during the conquest. It is historically known as Kida’ Plateau and it is its rightful name as opposed to Al-Hujoun.

Al-Tandbawi

This area is located in the renowned valley of Al-Laqeet and named as such after a tree of the same name prevalent in the area. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Subai said Al-Tandbawi is a foreign word coined by African immigrants who later on settled in the area and regarded it as their home.

Al-Nakasah

In this area, there was a dune named Al-Makasah (tariff) and it was the only entrance to Makkah from the north. The then princes of Makkah used to charge merchants as they entered the city. This is why the area was named Al-Makasah dune, which later became Al-Nakasah.

Makkah is in constant change

According to Makkah expert Khudran Al-Thubaity, the city has undergone constant changes and development throughout history. This is strongly reflected in many aspects of the city, especially the architectural aspect. Makkah underwent many transformations from the Umayyad Caliphate to the Abbasid Caliphate and to modern times. With these transformations, the names of a few landmarks also changed. “If we wish to rectify the naming of these historical landmarks, then we must back track through history to make sure that we have the correct names. Moreover, names cannot be randomly assigned to areas and must be studied and reviewed by a specialized committee,” he said.

Osama Zaitouni, Makkah Municipality spokesman, said a specialized committee called the Naming and Numbering Committee has been formed and it consists of historians and other experts.The head of the committee is the city’s Mayor Osama Al Bar. The committee receives requests from the general public and works on sustaining the history in development.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140913218032

Saturday 13 September 2014

The Ministry of Haj launched a new service on Friday, enabling pilgrims booked under the low-cost Haj program to cancel their reservations electronically whenever they want.

The supervisors of the program can also cancel the violators of the conditions announced by the ministry on its website.

Hussein bin Nasser Al-Sharif, undersecretary at the Haj Ministry, said that the pilgrim who wants to cancel his booking has to visit the website, where cancellations can be done quickly and in an efficient way and new reservations made.

He added that the numbers approved by the ministry for the program in its first phase will be 6,000 pilgrims from among the citizens and residents.

Al-Sharif said that the registration of the second additional group will begin Sunday morning. The preparation of the second group of the program is estimated to be another 6,000 citizens and residents who meet the conditions, according to Al-Sharif.

He considered the second phase an additional opportunity for other citizens and residents who wish to perform Haj.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/629401 Saturday 13 September 2014

Jeddah has received the first flights of pilgrims from Egypt and Malaysia. The maiden flight from Malaysia that brought 450 pilgrims was received at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport by Malaysian consul general Mohammed Khalid A. Abdul Razak and Haj consul Redhuan Sabaruddin along with other officials on Wednesday.

The consul general announced that the Kingdom can expect to receive 22,320 pilgrims from his country this year through 64 flights. He added that Tabung, the Haj authority, and welfare fund are working tirelessly to provide the pilgrims with optimum services.

Egyptian pilgrims, who form the largest bloc among Arab countries, have also started to arrive in the Kingdom since Thursday.

Egyptian diplomat Mohammed Mustafa said that there will be a total of 62,000 Egyptian pilgrims performing Haj this year. He also said that a total number of 245 flights of EgyptAir and Saudia will be transporting pilgrims into the Kingdom until September 27.

“All the Egyptian pilgrims will be provided with Zamzam water on their return,” Mustafa added.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/629391 Friday 12 September 2014

Local pilgrims who are caught traveling to Makkah without a permit during Haj will be fingerprinted and sent back to their local cities pending strict punitive action, announced a high-ranking official.

“Expats without a permit may be deported for violating the rules and Saudis will be fined,” Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al-Asouli, Makkah police chief, told Arab News.

This is the first year this rule will take effect, he said.
Around 15,000 pilgrims were caught and barred entry into Makkah last year.

“Haj inspection campaigns have been intensified to protect the rights of pilgrims with permits,” said Al-Asouli. “Regional police forces are determined to ensure that legal pilgrims are able to perform a hassle-free pilgrimage.”

He told Arab News that police forces would make every effort to stop illegals from entering into the holy city during the busy season.

“We are deploying more forces around the holy sites in Makkah during Haj to conduct random checks,” he said.

“Jeddah used to be a hub for smuggling in illegal pilgrims to Makkah during Haj, but the scene has dramatically changed since last year thanks to the work of security forces.” Al-Asouli also said that the roads leading to Makkah from Madinah, Taif and Jeddah would be under close supervision.

“Security forces have deployed state-of-the-art technology to detect infiltrators,” he said. “Police in Makkah have not arrested anyone on a Haj-related offense as yet.”

The police chief also said that security teams are also able to detect and arrest criminals in record time.

“Our forces successfully solved a SR1.7 million robbery case that had taken place on Hail street,” he said. “Police arrested five suspects, who confessed to their crime.”

“Crimes in Jeddah are largely money-related,” he said. “We advise residents not to carry huge amounts of cash around and to use banking facilities instead.”

“The police are working to streamline suspects who deposit large amounts of cash into their bank accounts. These include both individuals and business organizations.”

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/628971

Sunday 14 September 2014

Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar said his ministry will reduce occupancy rates of camps at the holy sites from 85 percent to 75 percent with the aim to reduce the cost of the annual pilgrimage.

Hajar revealed that the ministry is considering the re-evaluation of Haj companies and allowing them to reduce the number of their branches. This, according to the ministry, will suit the pilgrims they will serve.

Meanwhile, Hatem Qadi, ministry’s spokesman, confirmed that the low cost Haj procedures have been completed with 20,500 bookings, before the end of the 48-hour extension.

He said the low cost Haj accommodates around 41,000 pilgrims and the duties are shared between the ministry and Haj establishments.

The ministry also defined the prices of camps on a priority basis starting from SR5,000 for the most favored locations to as low as SR2,500.

Qadi said the ministry has allocated 53 camps to low cost Haj services distributed among 116 establishments. Pilgrims applying for the low cost Haj have to fulfill certain conditions, including not having performed Haj during the past five years; be over 15 years old; and women should be accompanied by a guardian. In addition, there should be a limit of 10 applicants on a single visit to the electronic portal.

The guide to the electronic Haj system clearly states that Haj permits will only be issued to those registered in the system. Secondly, all permits should be printed to verify their accuracy by relevant authorities. All the trips should be documented and passengers should be registered to verify the accuracy of the journey and passenger permits at checkpoints.

An applicant cannot cancel an issued permit. If he wishes to do so, he will have to address relevant authorities. Buses and cars will only be allowed entry if they have a permit which will be linked automatically with the system. Passengers will also be required to present their identification documents (the national ID for citizens, and the residency visa for expatriates).

Meanwhile, the General Cars Syndicate (GCS) said it will import 120,000 vehicles, which conform to international specifications to transport domestic pilgrims.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/629846

 

Saturday 13 September 2014

The city of Makkah has hired 5,000 workers to clean the holy sites during this year's Haj, an official told Arab News on Thursday.

Abdulsalam Mashat, deputy mayor of the holy city, said the municipality has also placed 1,000 containers of various sizes at the holy sites.

Mashat said the municipalities in Makkah had set up 10 sub-branches and processed all their needs including labor and equipment related to hygiene, environmental health and monitoring of commercial markets and food stores.

He said the Makkah municipality would start operating 24 hours a day from Sept. 21. Officials would be working to issue seasonal permits for booths, monitor violations and check the work of contractors.

He said the municipalities of Ajyad and Gaza sub-branches would be sending out field committees to watch street peddlers and eliminate any illegal operations.

Mashat said the municipality had been working since the start of the month of Dul Qaada to ensure that all areas of the city are operating properly including bathrooms and spraying of insecticide in targeted areas. These operations would continue after Haj.

He said the holy sites were divided into 27 service areas equipped with field teams, workers and equipment. The city is geared up for the Haj, he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/629421

 

Saturday, 13 September 2014

JEDDAH — Four fake Haj groups have been shut down in different regions of the Kingdom, according to Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al-Sooli, commander of Haj Forces. Extensive monitoring campaigns to detect fake companies were launched all over the country, he said. Maj.

Gen. Al-Sooli added that any individual who tries to perform Haj without obtaining the necessary permit will be penalized. Expatriates caught without permits will be fingerprinted, jailed and deported.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140913217959

Saturday, 13 September 2014

With the arrival of nearly half of the pilgrims in the holy cities, Indian Haj Mission’s operation is gathering steam. Like a well-oiled machine, the Consul General B.S. Mubarak and his team are exerting great efforts to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. They are making optimum utilization of the all available high tech devices to facilitate a smooth and hassle-free Haj operation.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Mubarak said that the new state-of-the-art navigation system introduced to help the pilgrims to find their way to their places of accommodation is working perfectly well. “As many as 5,500 pilgrims downloaded the application for Android and around 1,000 for iPhone and this has helped to bring down the number of lost pilgrims substantially,” he said. The Indian Haj Mission is the first foreign mission in the Kingdom to come up with the innovative Global Positioning System (GPS) application called “Indian Haj Accommodation Locator”.

Several pilgrims have been enthusiastic to download the app on their mobile phone immediately after their arrival in the Kingdom so that they can easily reach the holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah from their accommodation. “Some pilgrims managed to reclaim their lost baggage thanks to the locator. There are scores of volunteers who assist the Indian Haj Mission officials in helping elderly pilgrims to locate their accommodation by using this application,” he said. A user-friendly menu will guide the web surfer to the pilgrims’ accommodation in Makkah, Mina and Madinah by simply entering the pilgrim’s cover number or passport number. If any pilgrim is not carrying ID, even his metal bracelet identification tags on wrists will be connected to the mobile phone devices of Haj Mission officials and volunteers will help them locate the accommodation.

Mubarak, who served earlier as India’s Haj consul for four years from 2008, said that the Mission was able to streamline the delivery of food for pilgrims at their lodgings in Madinah after some early problems. There were some complaints from pilgrims about the poor quality of food served by some catering companies. There were also complaints about defective distribution of food as each batch of catering workers took food to four or five buildings at a time. This caused delay in getting food on time and some other problems, in the extreme hot weather being experienced in Madinah. “We were closely attentive to this matter from the very first day itself and learned a lot of things. Permission for food supply was taken away from two catering companies for allegedly providing below quality food and now things are being stabilized,” he said, adding that pilgrims, who are staying in around 70 buildings, are by and large happy with the meals served to them.

A total of 136,020 Indian pilgrims are performing Haj this year. They include 100,020 under India’s Central Haj Committee and 36,000 who come through private tour operators. Among the pilgrims under the Haj Committee, 48, 986 have arrived in the Kingdom by Wednesday, according to Deputy Consul General and Consul (Haj) Sheikh Md Noor Rahman. Of these, 21,918 are in Makkah and 27,068 in Madinah. Out of the total 360 flights from 21 embarkation points, 175 landed at Jeddah and Madinah airports. Flights from Srinagar, Kashmir, to Madinah scheduled for Sept. 5-12 have been postponed due to floods. Rahman said that a total of 521 Indian staffers came on deputation to serve the pilgrims. They included 126 doctors and 146 paramedics. The overall health condition of pilgrims is satisfactory. Six pilgrims, including two private pilgrims, died, he added.

Volunteers gear up to swing into action

Several Indian expatriate organizations have started elaborate preparations by mobilizing their manpower to extend the best possible voluntary services for Haj pilgrims. Last year, Saudi Gazette saw thousands of volunteers in action to render help to pilgrims at the holy sites of Mina and Arafat during the first four days of Haj. The presence of a large number of women and children volunteers was especially noticeable. These volunteers belonged to different Indian social, cultural and religious forums, such as the Jeddah Haj Welfare Forum, India Fraternity Forum (IFF), the Indian Pilgrim Welfare Forum (IPWF), Haj Cells of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC), Risala Study Circle and the Indian Dawa Center (IDC). As many as 250 students from the International Indian School-Jeddah have also joined them. Pilgrims from all over the world were the beneficiaries of their selfless, untiring and dedicated service.

Haj Welfare Forum: The Jeddah Haj Welfare Forum, which is an umbrella organization of around 21 social and cultural organizations, decided to send 500 volunteers to the holy sites. This year, we have extended our services to Jeddah Haj terminal also, says Abbas Chemban, chairman of the forum. “All the arrangements are in place and the volunteers are being trained to serve the pilgrims in the best possible manner.” The forum opened its information office at Al-Noor Medical Center, Sharafiyyah. The forum has plans to distribute 25,000 free packets of food in Mina, besides rendering various types of services, including helping lost pilgrims to find their accommodation. Haj Welfare Forum branch committees in Makkah and Madinah are offering services to pilgrims who started flocking into the holy cities from all over the world.

India Fraternity Forum: As in the previous years, India Fraternity Forum (IFF) is fielding the largest number of Haj volunteers for the coming Haj also. IFF volunteers have already started serving pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, said Kabeer Kondotty, media coordinator of IFF. Women’s Fraternity Forum (WFF) and Students Fraternity Forum (SFF) will also join in this noble work. IFF fielded a total of 1,200 volunteers, including 32 women and 24 students for the Haj of 2013. A 24-hour help desk has been created. The Mina location map, designed by IFF last year, was used extensively by the Indian Haj Mission and the Haj missions of the neighboring countries.

KMCC Haj Cell: The Haj Cell of Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC) is mobilizing around 1,000 volunteers. Ahmed Palayatt, President of KMCC Jeddah Central Committee and General Convener of the Haj Cell, told Saudi Gazette that KMCC volunteers from all parts of the Kingdom will arrive in Makkah to serve the pilgrims. “We fielded about 100 volunteers in Makkah to help pilgrims during their travel from Aziziyah accommodation to the Haram. Our volunteers are there at Jeddah Haj terminal from Sept. 7,” he said. Last year, the cell distributed rice soup for nearly 100,000 pilgrims during the last four days of Haj, in addition to rendering all other services. It used 40 wheelchairs and two ambulances for the purpose, Palayatt said.

Risala Study Circle The Saudi National Committee of Risala Study Circle (RSC) is geared up to train volunteers. RSC’s Haj Volunteer Core has been in the forefront to serve the pilgrims for the last six years, said Khaleel Rahman, media wing convener of RSC. “There will be 600 volunteers from various parts of the Kingdom for the coming Haj. Our volunteers are now serving pilgrims at the Haram in Makkah and Madinah,” he said adding that RSC has a strong medical wing to help sick pilgrims get best medical care and treatment on time.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140913217961 Sunday 14 September 2014

Tamil Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), a voluntary social services organization of South Indians, in collaboration with King Fahd Hospital, Dammam, organized a blood donation camp for Haj pilgrims in Akrabiya, Alkhobar, on Friday.

Ahmed Imthias, TMMK, member said: “Haj pilgrims will be the main beneficiaries of the blood donation camp organized in collaboration with King Fahd hospital of the Dammam University.”

The camp was sixth in the series of the campaign for blood donation, he added.

He said that a huge number of donors participated enthusiastically in the noble act of donating blood to save human lives during the once in a lifetime pilgrimage.

“The day-long camp attracted 180 people who donated 120 units of blood to the King Fahd hospital,” he added.

When asked if the group plans to continue the blood donation campaign in other parts of the Kingdom, Imthias said: “We joined King Fahd Hospital mainly to stock up for the needy patients during the Haj this year, but we wish to continue in the larger interest of the public as blood is urgently needed on many occasions.”

Commenting on the process, he observed that donors have to fulfill certain criteria before they can donate blood like sharing their medical history.
He further said that the collected blood is tested for different types of diseases as a precautionary measure and then stored in the blood bank for future use.

He said that the TMMK has received acknowledgements from governments and various NGOs in India and Gulf countries for their involvement in humanitarian activities and working for the downtrodden communities.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/629866

Saturday 13 September 2014

The Ministry of Health will launch a phone-in service on Sunday focusing on prevention of viral and infectious diseases.

The service, ‘Saha Ziyufur Ar Rahman’ (Health for the guests of Allah) will be formally launched in the presence of senior health officials of the ministry at its call center in the capital.

An official from the Ministry of Health said the service will be available on the toll free number 8002494444 which will greet the caller who will subsequently be directed to the medical officer concerned. The service in Arabic is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Interested parties can also contact the call center via Twittersaudimoh or www.moh.gov.sa for clarifications on health matters pertaining to Haj.

“We have a team of experts who will give instant replies to callers seeking medical advice during their pilgrimage to the holy cities,” the official said, adding that the medical team comprises consultants, cardiologists, medical specialists, pharmacists and dentists.

The program is handled by a group of Saudi women who work in the ministry and its city hospitals here.

He recalled that the ‘Hello Ramadan’ program during the holy month of fasting was a big hit and he hoped that this service would also attract a large number of pilgrims wishing to avail themselves of the ministry’s services.

“We assure all callers strict confidentiality of the information provided during their telephone inquiries,” he said, adding that men suffering from chronic ailments such as diabetes and hypertension are free to ask questions about their medicinal dosage and ways to store their insulin during the pilgrimage, while women could inquire about vaccines and matters concerning their menstrual cycle and ways to cope with it during the pilgrimage.

The official said the project mainly targets local pilgrims with families. “We have a special team of women consultants of whom the women callers can ask their questions freely.”

Dr. Mona Awad, consultant and gynecologist will advise on the first day pregnant mothers who will be performing Haj this year. Dr. Khalid Al-Nimeir, cardiologist, will take over on the second day. He will have as his focus, heart patients whom he will advise on precautionary measures to be taken during the pilgrimage.

On Tuesday, nutritionist Maha Al-Assaf will provide information on a healthy, well-balanced diet which can prevent food poisoning, constipation and indigestion.

Dr. Nasreen El-Sherbini, consultant for infectious diseases and viruses, will answer questions related to the prevention of viral infections on Wednesday while Dr. Ahmad Al-Abdullah, consultant of orthodontics and facial bones, will field questions on Thursday.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/629406 Sunday 14 September 2014

Police have intensified checks on all roads and routes leading to Makkah in a bid to stop illegal pilgrims from infiltrating the city.

People without Haj permits often take rocky routes from Taif to Makkah, hoping to avoid security checkpoints by traveling through mountainous regions.

They make prior agreements with brokers who have experience in smuggling people in and who know which roads are far away from checkpoints.

Many people have aborted plans to perform Haj this year, saying they can't find brokers.

“I was planning to perform Haj this year, but no longer dare since security authorities are on alert and brokers have disappeared,” one Egyptian resident told Arab News. “I always go without a permit because I don’t have enough money to pay an agency to perform the pilgrimage.”

Police managed to foil several infiltration attempts last year.

An estimated 1.4 million performed Haj without a permit in 2012, compared with only 484,000 in 2013, a 65 percent decline. In the past, unauthorized pilgrims were able to avoid checkpoints on roads leading to Makkah by using dirt roads..

“Last year’s success will help Saudi authorities intensify campaigns and put an end to this phenomenon once and for all,” Ali Abdul Khaleq, a Haj expert, told Arab News.

A high-ranking official recently announced that local pilgrims who are caught traveling to Makkah without a permit during Haj will be fingerprinted and sent back to their respective cities pending strict punitive action.

“Expats without a permit may be deported for violating the rules and Saudis will be fined,” Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Al-Asouli, Makkah police chief, told Arab News.
This is the first year this rule will take effect, he said.

Around 15,000 pilgrims were caught and barred entry into Makkah last year.
“Haj inspection campaigns have been intensified to protect the rights of pilgrims with permits,” said Al-Asouli.

“Regional police forces are determined to ensure that legal pilgrims are able to perform a hassle-free pilgrimage.” he added.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/629871

Monday, 15 September 2014 - 20 Dhul-Qedah 1435

RIYADH — The General Directorate for Passports said in a statement today that 414,542 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where 411,193 arrived by air, 3,334 by sea and 15 by land.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140915218186

First Batch of Tunisian Pilgrims

Tunis, Dhu Al-Qa'dah 19, 1435, Sep 14, 2014, SPA

Saudi Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia Khalid bin Musaed Al-Anqari has taken part in a farewell ceremony of the first batch of Tunisian pilgrims heading to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform this year's Hajj rituals.

The farewell ceremony was held in Tunis-Carthage International Airport here yesterday evening in the presence of a number of Tunisian ministers, senior officials and the pilgrims' relatives.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Ambassador Al-Anqari stated that the Saudi Embassy in Tunisia has completed the visas of Tunisian pilgrims at fast pace based on an organization process, embodying the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince to those in charge of Hajj affairs to do their best in their efforts for the service of pilgrims.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1272539 Monday 15 September 2014

The Interior Ministry issued a statement on Sunday about the rehabilitation of 120 drug addicts and announced that they will perform Haj this year with the support of the Interior Ministry.

Prince Mohammed bin Naif, interior minister and head of the National Committee for Combating Drugs, said that the ministry will host almost 120 drug addicts for Haj this year. The participants have successfully completed the rehabilitation programs of the National Committee for Combating Drugs, Directorate General for Drug Control and Hospitals in the Kingdom.

Abad Alallah bin Mohammed Al-Sharif, secretary-general of the National Committee for Combating Drugs, said the committee is intensifying efforts to help young people fight drug addiction and return to normalcy.

“These efforts have enabled us to cure almost 120 people nationwide who will perform the Haj this year to mark a fresh new start in life with the blessings of Allah,” Al-Sharif said. He added that the rehabilitated individuals would perform the pilgrimage to strengthen their faith and to resolve never to become addicts again. He stressed that this directive comes as part of social responsibility and is in line with the tasks of the secretariat of the National Committee for Combating Drugs with regard to rehabilitation programs.

Sharif said that the committee’s vision is to help young people as part of its national and religious duty. “These young addicts are sick people who should be treated and helped to reintegrate into society as constructive members of the community,” he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/630456 Monday 15 September 2014

Pilgrims can borrow money from the government and banks to perform Haj, said Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mutlaq, a member of the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars.

“Debt that will be paid back in monthly installments through salary deductions does not hinder pilgrims from performing Haj,” he said. “Only debt owed to other people must be paid back before embarking on the spiritual journey.”

The Ministry of Haj, meanwhile, made available another 6,000 spots on the low-cost Haj program on Sunday. The ministry introduced a new service that will enable applicants to electronically cancel their reservations via the ministry portal.

Deputy Haj Minister Hussein Al-Sharif urged pilgrims who will no longer be going on Haj to cancel their reservations so that the slots become available for others.

The new deadline for making reservations with the program will be on the first day of Dhul-Hijjah.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/630526