Makkah News and Updates

Pakistan Govt. announces Hajj Policy 2015
Applications to be received from April 27

April 24, 2015

ISLAMABAD: The government announced the Hajj Policy 2015 on Friday, under which 143,368 Pakistanis will perform the upcoming Hajj this year.

Announcing the Hajj policy at a news conference in Islamabad today, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government and private Hajj group organisers will operate on a 50-50 quota.

The minister said that banks will accept applications from Monday, April 27 till May 8.

Balloting will be conducted this year to select the successful applicants as against last year's policy of first come first served basis.

The policy also states that applications can be submitted with the specified branches of 10 different banks.

It goes on to say that anyone who has performed Hajj during the last five years will not be eligible to perform pilgrimage this year except for those people who will be going as ‘Mehram’ or the ones performing ‘Hajj-e-Badal’.

Yousaf said the government has reduced the Hajj package for the North region that includes Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Rs. 7262, from Rs. 2,72,231 to Rs. 2,64,971. The package for South Region that includes areas of Sindh and Balochistan has been cut by Rs. 6260 from Rs. 2,62,231 to Rs. 2,55,971.

The Hujjaj who opt to perform their Qurbani through government scheme will have to pay additional Rs. 14,210.


Under the government scheme, the Hujjaj will be provided food in Mecca, Madina and Mina as per the practice of last year.

Yousaf further said the airfare has been reduced to Rs. 98,700 from Rs. 107,700 for the North Zone while the airfare for South Zone has been cut to Rs. 89,700 from Rs. 97,700 rupees. He made it clear that there will be no free Hajj this year as per the past tradition.

Machine readable passports, computerised national identity cards and medical certificates have been made mandatory for the Hujjaj.

Yousaf went on to say that under the government scheme, 50 percent intending pilgrims will be airlifted directly to Madina and 50 percent to Jeddah.

He said no new Hajj group organisers will be given quota this year.

The minister said elaborate arrangements will be made to facilitate the Hujjaj in Saudi Arabia. In this connection, a medical mission of 450 people will be sent to the holy land.

He said transport facility will be provided to the Hujjaj round the clock, and they will be accommodated at one place as different categories of accommodation have been abolished.

Yousaf also said that the Hajj operation monitoring system has been strengthened. The complaints of the Hujjaj will be listened to and addressed through call centers, emails and special monitoring teams.

He said the Hujjaj will be provided with five liters of Zam Zam at Pakistani airports on their return from the pilgrimage.

http://www.geo.tv/article-182565-Gov...-from-April-27

İstanbul’s Sancaklar Mosque up
for best design by London Design Museum

Mosque inspired by "Cave of Hira" nominated for
London design museum's annual show


The world's first underground mosque, the Sancaklar Mosque, which won best religious building at the 2013 World Architecture Festival,
has been nominated for the 2015’s Designs of the Year exhibition by London Design Museum.

30 March 2015

The world’s first underground mosque, located on the outskirts of Istanbul, has been nominated for 2015′s Designs of the Year exhibition by London Design Museum.

Sancaklar Mosque had won the ‘best religious building’ at the World Architecture Festival 2013 for its unconventional architecture and modest designing, in part inspired by the Cave of Hira in Makkah, where Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is believed to have first interacted with the Angel Gabriel.

Nominees for 2015′s Designs of the Year were announced by the Museum authorities in six categories, representing design talent from around the world in architecture, digital, fashion, product, transport and graphics.

The Emre Arolat-desinged mosque has been nominated alongside Frank Gehry’s Foundation Louis Vuitton building, Fabrizio Barozzi and Alberto Veiga’s Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin, Poland and MVRDV’s Market Hall in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The list however, also includes those who are still struggling to make a name in the industry.

Being the world’s first underground mosque, the Sancaklar was built seven meters below the ground and with a non-traditional minaret. It is a combination of modern architecture, Islamic and Ottoman designs.

The construction of the mosque began in May 2011 and can accommodate up to 650 worshipers at one time with a prayer space of 1,200 square meters.

“Inspired by the fact that a mosque does not have a predefined form and that anywhere clean may be a prayer room, this project focused on the ‘essence’ of a religious space, distancing itself from discussions based on form,” reads the website of the designer.

“A simple cave like space, becomes a dramatic and awe inspiring place to pray and be alone with God.”

The mosque complex, in addition to ablution halls, restrooms and the Imam’s house, also include a hall for women which provides them a chance to pray just in the same row as the men. They are placed at an elevated and separated part of the hall.

This is not the only mosque or religious complex that Arolat has designed. In 2013, he designed the 4000 meter square Mau religious complex for the Mardin Artuklu University which would bring together the worship places of three religions (Islam, Christianity and Yazidi).

http://arts-entertainment.bgnnews.co...um-haberi/4715

Completion of 95% of the project
to raise the capacity of the Mataf

30 months of continuous work in a race against time

إنجاز 95 % من مشروع رفع الطاقة الاستعابية للمطاف
30 شهرا من العمل المتواصل في سباق مع الزمن

27 April 2015

أكمل مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين لرفع الطاقة الاستعابية لصحن المطاف 30 شهرا من العمل المتواصل على مدار الساعة توجت بإنجاز ما نسبته 95% من هذا المشروع العملاق، الذي أمر به الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز يرحمه الله.

ويجري العمل وفق الخطة الموضوعة للانتهاء من أعمال المرحلة الثالثة من المشروع قبل نهاية العام الحالي.

«عكاظ» وقفت أمس على أعمال المشروع الذي قطع شوطا كبيرا ودخل مرحلة متقدمة، حيث بدأت أعمال المرحلة الثالثة بعد نهاية حج العام الماضي بتركيب أسوار العزل المؤقتة والخاصة بمنطقة المشروع في أعمال الإزالة والإنشاء مع الإبقاء على جزء من أسوار المرحلتين الثانية والأولى حتى الانتهاء من أعمال التشطيب النهائية التي تستمر إلى نهاية شهر شعبان المقبل، وبنهاية هذا العام (1436هـ) تكون كافة الأسوار المؤقتة قد أزيلت بالكامل مع المطاف المعلق المؤقت، فيما تتكامل أعمال التوسعة ليصبح عدد الطائفين في الحرم المكي الشريف بدون المطاف المؤقت 105 آلاف طائف في الساعة.

وكانت الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي قد أعلنت في غرة محرم من عام 1434هـ عن انطلاقة هذا المشروع العملاق وبدأت الشركة المنفذة في إغلاق أول مربع بالمبنى التاريخي للبدء في أعمال التوسعة، وتم فصل التيار الكهربائي عنه تمهيدا للبدء في إزالة الأدوات الكهربائية من مصابيح ونجف ومراوح وسماعات تحت إشراف مباشر من المهندسين الكهربائيين، تبعت ذلك أعمال الهدم وإزالة الأعمدة الخرسانة داخل المربع.

وفي منتصف شهر ربيع الآخر من عام 1434هـ بدأت الشركة المنفذة للمشروع في تسليح أول صف أعمدة مع القواعد في الجزء الشمالي من المرحلة الأولى، فضلا عن إزالة منارتي باب الفتح، مع استمرار أعمال الهدم والإزالة في الجزء المتبقي من جهة الصفا على مستوى الدور الأرضي من الجهة الشرقية للمسجد الحرام، وتسليح القاعدة في الجزء الشرقي من المطاف.

وتم في السابع من جمادى الأولى عام 1434هـ صب أول قاعدة للمشروع بمساحة 700م2، وكمية خرسانة تصل إلى 2295م3.

وفي هذا الوقت قررت إدارة المشاريع والدراسات في الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الشريف ربط جسر المطاف المعلق بمسار سعي للمعوقين في ميزاني الدور الأرضي، وتخصيص الدور الأول لطواف المعوقين، كما قررت استمرار العمل بجسر المطاف المعلق طيلة مدة تنفيذ المشروع.

وشهد يوم السبت الثامن عشر من رمضان الانطلاقة الفعلية للمطاف المعلق، وتولى الدكتور عبدالرحمن السديس بنفسه دفع أول عربة لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة والعجزة على المطاف المعلق.

وأوضح مدير إدارة المشاريع المهندس سلطان بن عاطي القرشي بالرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي أن مشروع رفع الطاقة الاستعابية لصحن المطاف يتكون من ثلاث مراحل مقسمة على ثلاثة أعوام، هي المرحلة الأولى (من الصفا إلى باب الفتح)، المرحلة الثانية (من باب الفتح إلى باب العمرة)، والمرحلة الثالثة (من مشاية توسعة الملك فهد إلى الصفا).

وبين أن العمل يجري حاليا في أعمال الإنشاء للمرحلة الثالثة والأخيرة من المشروع، وتم الوصول إلى مستوى الدور الأول من ناحية مشاية توسعة الملك فهد، وإلى ما قبل منطقة باب الملك عبدالعزيز، فيما تم من ناحية الصفا إلى ما قبل منطقة باب الملك عبدالعزيز الوصول إلى مستوى الدور الأرضي مع استمرار إنشاء أعمدة الدور الأول، وبالنسبة لمنطقة باب الملك عبدالعزيز يجري استكمال أعمال إنشاء القواعد الخرسانية، بعد أن تم الانتهاء من أعمال الأساسات لكافة المشروع، وفي دور الصحن تم الانتهاء من الأعمدة، والأسقف للدور الأرضي.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20...0427767752.htm

Google translation:

Complete the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques project to raise the absorptive capacity of the Mataf 30 months of continuous work around the clock culminated in the completion of 95% of this giant project, which was ordered by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, God bless his soul.

Work is under way to plan for the completion of work of the third phase of the project before the end of this year.

«Okaz» stood yesterday on the project, which went a long way and entered an advanced stage, where the work of the third phase began after the end of last year's pilgrimage to install temporary special insulating the walls of the project area in the clearance work and construction, while maintaining the part of the walls of second phases and the first until the completion of the works The final finishing that will last to the end of next month of Shaaban, and by the end of this year (1436 AH) are all temporary fences wil have been removed completely with temporary Mataf, with integrated expansion work to become the number worshippers in the Haram al-Sharif without temporary Mataf 105 thousand visitation per hour.

The General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has announced the surprise Muharram of the year 1434 AH at the start of this giant project began executing company in the closure of the first square of the building's historic to start expansion works, were separated power supply with him in preparation to start removing the electrical tools of lamps and chandeliers and fans and headphones under the direct supervision of Electrical Engineers, followed demolition and removal of the concrete columns inside the box.

In the middle of another month of spring of 1434 his company executing the project began in the arming of the first row of columns with bases in the northern part of the first phase, as well as the removal of lighthouses door opening, with the continuing acts of demolition and removal in the remaining part of the point of Safa at the level of the ground floor of the East of the Grand Mosque, and arming the al-Qaeda in the eastern part of the Mataf.

It was on the seventh of May 1434 in its casting the first base of the project area of ​​700 m2, and the amount of concrete up to 2295 m3.

At this time, projects and studies in the General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque management decided to link the bridge eventually suspended the course of the pursuit for the disabled in the budget the ground floor, and the allocation of the first round of the Tour de disabled, also decided to continue the work bridge temporary Mataf for the duration of the project.

Saturday saw the eighteenth of Ramadan, the actual launch of the commentator took shape, and took Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais pay himself first wagon for people with special needs and the elderly on the temporary Mataf.

The Director of Project Management Engineer Sultan bin atthe Qurashi General Presidency for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque that the draft raise energy absorptive to dish up consists of three stages, divided into three years, is the first stage (from Safa to the door opening), the second phase (of the door opening to Umrah door), and the third stage (of Treadmill King Fahd expansion to Safa).

And that work is underway on the construction the third and final phase of the project work, was to reach the level of the first round of hand Treadmill King Fahd expansion, and to pre-King Abdulaziz gate area, as has been in terms of Safa to before the King Abdulaziz gate area to reach the level the ground floor with the continuation of the establishment of the first round columns, and for area King Abdulaziz door being completed construction of concrete work rules, following the completion of piling work for all project, and in the role of the dish was finished columns, and ceilings ground floor.

 Mataf expansion updates
 

Twin minarets and bridge construction

All by @meccamoon
 

Insta Video:
https://instagram.com/p/105vPypqwD/
Bab Umrah Minarets can be seen in this video

A bridge to Bab Umrah













via Ibadahinlife

The Cabinet reshuffle announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Wednesday has now started the process of passing the reins of the country’s government to the next generation, particularly the grandsons of the Kingdom’s founder.

King Salman relieved Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier, of his position, at his request, and replaced him with Prince Mohammed bin Naif, who will retain the Interior Ministry portfolio and the chairmanship of the Council of Political and Security Affairs. This makes him the first grandson of the late King Abdulaziz to be named crown prince.

The royal decree also named another grandson, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the deputy crown prince and second deputy premier. He will retain the Defense Ministry portfolio and chairmanship of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

In the royal decree, King Salman said that he had received a letter from Prince Muqrin outlining his desire to relinquish his position as crown prince. Praising Prince Muqrin, the king said he had agreed to the request.

The king said the appointment of the deputy crown prince was taken in terms of the procedures established by the late King Abdullah, which prioritizes the state’s interests “above all other considerations.”

He said Prince Mohammed bin Salman has shown everyone through his work that he has “great” abilities.

The decree stated that Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been able to perform his duties in an “optimal manner” and in accordance with Islamic law on transition of power. After taking charge on Wednesday, the new deputy crown prince met with the President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki and had discussions on the two countries’ bilateral relations.

The Kingdom also appointed a new foreign minister after almost 40 years. Approving the request from Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the longest-serving foreign minister in the world, King Salman relieved him of his responsibilities on health grounds, and appointed Adel Al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, as the new minister.

However, Prince Saud will continue as a minister of state, Cabinet member, adviser and special envoy to the king, and supervisor of foreign affairs. The new Cabinet will also have a fulltime Health Minister Khalid Al-Falih, the head of Saudi Aramco. In addition, Mohammed Al-Jasser, minister of economy and planning, has been relieved of his position and appointed an adviser at the royal court at the rank of a minister.

Labor Minister Adel Fakeih has been appointed as the new minister of economy and planning to replace Al-Jasser, while Mufrej Al-Haqbani is now the new minister of labor. In addition, Khalid Al-Essa, deputy chief of the royal court, has been relieved of his post and appointed as minister of state and a member of the Council of Political and Security Affairs.

Abdulrahman Al-Hazza, president of the Radio and Television Commission, has been relieved of his post and replaced by Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Jasser, who will retain his position as deputy minister of culture and information.

Other important appointments include Sheikh Khalid Al-Yousef as chairman of the Board of Grievances at the rank of a minister, and Hamad Al-Suwailem as chief of the royal court at the rank of a minister.

Nasser Al-Shahrani has been appointed as deputy president of the Human Rights Commission; Amro bin Ibrahim Rajab as deputy chief of the Cabinet’s Bureau of Experts; and Mansour Al-Mansour as assistant general president of Youth Welfare.

Also, Saleh Al-Jasser has been appointed as adviser at the royal court. The king relieved other officials of their posts including Norah bint Abdullah Al-Fayez, deputy minister of education for girls, Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, deputy minister of education for boys, Mansour Al-Hawasi, deputy minister of health for health affairs and Mohammed Khashim, deputy minister of health for planning and development.

The king also announced that all military and security personnel in “appreciation of their extraordinary services” would be getting a one-month salary bonus.

http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/739466

Thursday 30 April 2015

Several Saudi citizens have welcomed the new appointments to the Cabinet announced by the royal court on Wednesday.

“I am happy about the new appointees announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman,” said Mohsin Shaikh Al-Hassan, a well-known Islamic scholar, author and television show host.

The new men are relatively young, achievers and have shown their leadership capabilities, he said, in reference to Prince Mohammed bin Naif, 56, replacing Prince Muqrin as the crown prince, Adel Al-Jubeir, 53, taking over the foreign minister’s position from Prince Saud Al-Faisal, and Mohammed bin Salman, 35, who is now the deputy crown prince.

Al-Hassan said Al-Jubeir is young and qualified. He graduated summa cum laude in political science and economics from the University of Texas in 1982, and earned a master’s degree from Georgetown University in 1984.

Abdulaziz M. Aldosari, director of scholarships at the dispatch department of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, also welcomed the new appointments.

“I am happy that young officials have been appointed to different positions in the government. This means that verve and vigor are being infused into the Saudi leadership,” he said.

Aldosari, who is a paraplegic, said he was happy that the king appointed Prince Mohammed bin Naif and Prince Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince and deputy crown prince; and Khalid Al-Falih, head of Saudi Aramco, as health minister.

Ibrahim Al-Ogaily, a journalist working for a news agency, said the king had done a good thing by appointing young people to top government positions. “The appointment of a young and bright career man at the foreign ministry is laudable. Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir is bright and energetic,” he said.

Prince Mohammed bin Naif, the former deputy crown prince, attended Federal Bureau of Investigation courses from 1985 to 1988 and trained at Scotland Yard’s anti-terrorism units from 1992 to 1994. He has successfully run the Ministry of Interior’s counterterrorism program. He was appointed assistant interior minister in 1999.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a graduate of King Saud University with a bachelor’s degree in law. He entered public service as special adviser to his father King Salman when the latter was still the governor of Riyadh.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/739806

‘Are you Shia?’

ISLAMABAD: April 30, 2015

Pakistani pilgrims wishing to perform Hajj this year will have to declare whether they are Shia on their Hajj application forms if they have any hopes of making the sacred pilgrimage.

Confirming that the conditions had been forward by Saudi Arabia, government officials responsible for making Hajj arrangements said, “Saudi Arabia will not entertain any Hajj application from aspirants that fail to specify whether the applicant is a Shia or a Sunni.”

Taking Saudi requirement seriously, the government has added a question on page eight of the Hajj application form with the question “Are you Shia.”


The Ministry of Religious Affairs Spokesperson Muhammad Farooq said, “Aspirants are supposed to fill it with: ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.”

Riyadh has made it mandatory for all Hajj pilgrims to declare their sect as it fears that sectarian tensions could rise in the kingdom owing to the conflict in Yemen.

“Saudis do not want a repeat of the 1987 demonstrations during the Hajj pilgrimage, which led to the deaths of over 400 people in Makkah,” a senior official of Pakistan Hajj mission observed.

Religious affairs ministry officials, who are facilitating applicants (under government scheme) for getting visa, said the Saudi authorities also slightly amended the new Hajj visa form requirements. Though officials insisted that there was no such written instruction from Saudi authorities. But they said that the decision to insert the question was taken at a high level.

On the other hand, the religious affairs ministry spokesperson claimed that the question had been added on the request of representatives of Shia community in the country in order to prevent exploitation of the ‘mehram’ rule by Sunni women for performing hajj. Shia women, unlike their Sunni counterparts, can perform Hajj without a ‘mehram’. There have been reports that Sunni women have in the past exploited this provision.

Commenting on the new condition put forward by the Saudi Arabia, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Tahir Ashrafi said that he supports the Saudi move, adding that every country has the right to set new terms and condition to ensure better security.

“It’s not a new move. Pilgrims should abide by Saudi laws and declare their sect. Pilgrims are treated equally regardless of their sect,” he stated.

Amin Shaheedi, a representative of the Shia community in the Council for Islamic Ideology, said that, “We have no problem with this new addition. If Saudis are satisfied with this new move, Shia community is ready to abide by newly amended laws.”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/878644/n...s-are-you-shia

Clarification regarding a news item by Express Tribune Pakistan titled

' New Hajj application asks:'Are you Shia?'

It is noted with regret that facts are being distorted the malafide intentions for creating secterian unrest among the Pakistani Muslims in the wake of ongoing war between Saudi Arabi and Houthi Tribes of Yamen. This deliberate attempt to mislead the public is highly condemened.

Fact of the matter is that the question 'Are you Shia?' is not a new addition in the Hajj Application Forms of Pakistan. It has always been there in the Hajj Application Forms and has nothing to do with secterian differences or ongoing political turmoil in the Middle East.

The background for including this question was to assess demands of pilgrims and to make specific arrangements for pilgrims belonging to different schools of thought among Muslims for facilitating performance of Hajj Rituals. The Hajj Rituals of Shia Muslims are slightly different than thouse of Sunni Muslims and need special arrangements. The question had been included in the Hajj Application form for knowing requirements of Shia Muslima and making arrangements for them according to the sect they follow. Some of the difference in the rituals are as follow.

(1) Shia Muslims wear Ahram at Hudabia or Shamsia, after landing at Jeddah Air Port, while the Sunni Muslims do not cross Meeqat of Yalamlam without wearing Ahram.
(2) Shia Muslims travel in a roofless vhicle after wearing Ahram. They refrain from travelling in vehicles with roof.
(3) Shia Muslims start their Hajj rituals on the 9th of Zulhajj and go straight to the Arafat Plain on the 9th of Zulhajj while Sunni Muslims spend the day of 8th Zulhajj in Mina before going to Arafat on the 9th of Zulhajj.

Shia and Sunni Muslims live with peace a harmony as next door neighbours. They respect and regard one aonother's religious sentiments. The propoganda of discrimination is misleading. Hajj application forms of 2011 and 2014 are attached where the same question is already there.

Hajj Season 2004


Haram sheriff. Makkah ( 2004 ) by brooklynyte4ever, on Flickr


Haram sheriff. Makkah ( 2004 ) by brooklynyte4ever, on Flickr

Mataf expansion updates

30 April 2015





via @MasjidSalafiMA


New Porticos







30 April 2015 - via Sait Kavgaci





28 April 2015 - via Sait Kavgaci



25 April 2015 - via @eczahm

 

via @1a._____


via @nk1202


via @omar_hashem_
new arches on Safa Marwa side

 

via @mohannad2007


via @nk1202


via @faqihuddinalfarisi

 

via @benklaib


via @ariffbilla





via @eyubensar

 

via @hareth_al_nahdi
 

Pix from March 2015





Exact place of Gate and Minarets




via مشروع الملك عبدالله بن عبد العزيز لرفع الطاقه الاستيعابيه للمطاف‎
 

via almiskeenah.com


via @allawi030


via @karoomalbassam



via @atef_muhammad



via @atef_muhammad


via @adnan05566
 

via @atonkal
Camera of Quran Al-Kareem channel placed back on Ottoman porticos



via ibadahinlife.files.wordpress.com
that'll differentiate Mukabbariyah I in porticos


via ibadahinlife.files.wordpress.com


such perfection


via ibadahinlife.files.wordpress.com

 

via @rza44


via almiskeenah.com
 

via almiskeenah.com
From Mataf to King Abdullah Expansion through this corridor



via محمد افضال انجم
Bab Umrah Minaret
 

@Roukaya @meccamoon:

via almiskeenah.com



via almiskeenah.com
  Haram's courtyard

Holy Mosque expansion updates


via @alikidal




via @alghazie_h


via @captain_zob3




via Ch Jawad


via almiskeenah



via @dody_fody


via @riridevan


via @omar_hashem_





via @momi420


 

via @momi420


via Ibadahinlife


via محمد افضال انجم

https://instagram.com/p/10VH4VCNjW/ (Video)

via Rıdvan Keser



via @konservatif



 

via @jaber3isiry



via @adelkooheji
balcony for sideway minarets



via almiskeenah
From Mataf to King Abdullah Expansion





via almiskeenah

KAIA to fly high with new revamp

Sunday 3 May 2015

The 30-year-old King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA) is undergoing a massive overhaul that would further entrench its leading status in the region and the world.

The first phase saw two main contracts signed on November 13, 2010, to expand the facility as the main gateway to Jeddah and the Two Holy Mosques. Jeddah, of course, is an economic powerhouse and one of the most important cities in the Middle East.

The KAIA is currently enjoying substantial growth in air traffic. It is already the Kingdom’s busiest airport, serving approximately 41 percent of all passengers.

The parameters for the expansion project include catering for an expected rise in air traffic, supporting economic developments in Makkah and other regions, accommodating the new generation of jumbo aircraft such as the A380 and becoming a regional travel hub.

The government also plans to ensure that there are opportunities for private sector companies, and the provision of services for travelers that would rank with leading airports around the globe.

The project consists of three phases, but most of the basic infrastructure construction will take place over the first phase, with the capacity increased to handle 30 million passengers. After completion of the second phase, it will be able to handle 50 million passengers, and 80 million following the third phase.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has said that the project is going well and nearly 70 percent complete. The entire project is expected to be ready by the middle of 2016. This would be followed immediately by a commissioning phase, or operational testing, to ensure that the airport’s systems are functioning optimally.

There are about 110 companies active on the KAIA project, incorporating around 26,000 engineers and workers, with approximately 2,600 pieces of equipment and machinery.

The significant progress on the expansion has been achieved because of the close cooperation between the Ministry of Transport, Makkah emirate and companies currently involved in building bridges, roads and the Haramain High-Speed Railway.

The construction at the airport has taken place with minimal obstruction of facilities and services for millions of passengers, particularly during holidays and other peak times.

For example, the project’s contractors have not used any of the roads leading to the terminals. And to avoid affecting the movement of traffic around the airport, 30 central concrete mixers have been set up inside the project site.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: The KAIA revamp project is nearly 70 percent complete.
The entire project is expected to be complete by the middle of 2016.

Most of the new airport systems and facilities have either been completed or are in the final stages. For instance, the testing of the baggage handling system, which is computerized and delivers luggage from check-in counters to aircraft in just 9 minutes without human intervention, has already commenced.

The system is one of the world’s most advanced and will comprise 31-km-long conveyor belts, 62 self check-in machines, 46 control units, 230 standard check-in counters, 11 bulky baggage processing counters, 16 baggage claim belts, and 16 transit baggage processing counters.

The first phase facilities include a terminals complex over 720,000 square meters, allowing all airlines to operate under one roof; 46 gates for international and domestic flights; and 94 air bridges for serving aircraft of different sizes.

There will be five lounges for first class and business class passengers — two for departing international flights and two for departing domestic flights — while the fifth is for other passengers proceeding on international and domestic flights.

There will be a 136-meter-high control tower, one of the tallest in the world, and a 27,987-square-meter area inside the terminal complex for commercial investment.

The contractors will also complete a mosque for about 3,000 people, with an outdoor prayer yard over 2,450 square meters and an upper level that has the capacity for 700 females.

Other facilities include 220 passenger-processing counters and 80 self-service machines. There will also be an automatic train system for international flight passengers inside the terminals complex.

There will be aprons and taxiways over 2.1 million square meters, air conditioning systems, fire-extinguishing facilities, sanitation and rainwater drainage networks.

Also under construction is a four-level short-term car park for 8,200 vehicles equipped with advanced electronic systems to enable drivers to locate their cars. There are also long-term car parks for 4,356 vehicles, a parking area for 48 buses, a section for 651 taxis, a space for 1,243 rental cars, and 9,123 parking spaces for airport employees.

Other facilities include a 4-star, 120-room hotel for transit passengers, a firefighting and rescue station, two integrated information centers connected with fiber optic cables, a 9,327-meter-long service tunnel and a 46-km-long service corridor linking all load centers.

There will also be an aircraft fuel farm with tanks and a distribution network, ground services and maintenance buildings, a nursery for airport landscaping works, and a 36.5-km road network, including several tunnels and bridges.

 

The new airport will be able to serve 70 aircraft at the same time. There will be temporary aircraft parking spaces located around the terminal complex to accommodate 28 aircraft. Fuel and water will be supplied through underground pipes.

A feature of the new airport is the architecture, which combines elements of Arab and Islamic designs. There will be green spaces around and inside the terminal complex. There is currently construction taking place on a park over 18,000 square meters, with a 14-meter-high and 10-meter-wide aquarium.

Some of the environment-friendly features at the airport include the use of treated wastewater for irrigation and toilets, energy saving lighting in the airport terminals and airfield instead of halogen to reduce thermal emissions, with a 20-year lifespan.

The new KAIA project has also been an opportunity for the government to train new Saudi graduate engineers across all engineering disciplines. The aim is to skill them for their chosen jobs.

The current terminals in the south and north will gradually be phased out. The South Terminal, or Saudi Airlines Terminal, will be transformed into a cargo facility.

The Haj and Umrah terminals complex will remain in place because upgrades were completed in 2009. This means the complex will be able to handle the predicted rise in passengers over the next 20 years.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/741301

 

Progress Jeddah Airport - March 2015



















Jeddah Airport Mosque