Forum Menu - Click/Swipe to open
 

Makkah News and Updates

Jump to page:

You have contributed 0.4% of this topic

Thread Tools
Appreciate
Topic Appreciation
omer, Taqwah, Taalibah, rizmalek, super-glue, Seifeddine-M, bint Mohammed, member2, sweetmuslimahk1, abu mohammed, Yasin, Heather2727, Naqshband66, ummi taalib, mo_isaq, Acacia, Desi tadka, umar123, habeeba, Jinn, Arslan., ibn Ismail, najimuddin, ALIF, al-adnan, abuzayd2k, Moonlight, Mohammed8, ssaad, tanveerzakee, sharjan8643, opc121177
224 guests appreciate this topic.
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6226 [Permalink] Posted on 27th February 2020 09:13

Saudi Arabia suspends entry
for Umrah pilgrimage
over coronavirus fears


February 27, 2020


RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has placed a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims in an attempt to ensure public safety by preventing the spread of the coronavirus.


Most foreign pilgrims often visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before or after the completion of their religious duties in Makkah, this has also been halted.


It is one of a number of precautionary restrictions announced early on Thursday as health authorities in the Kingdom closely monitor the spread of the virus. Tourist-visa holders from countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus will also be denied entry.


In addition, Saudi nationals and citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council nations will not be able to use a national identity card to travel to and from the Kingdom for the time being. Exceptions to this shall be granted to Saudis returning home, and citizens of GCC countries who are in the Kingdom and want to return to their home countries, provided that they left or entered the Kingdom using a national identity card.


Health authorities at entry points will verify which countries travelers visited before arriving in Saudi Arabia and apply all necessary precautionary measures.


Saudi officials stressed that the restrictions are temporary and will be continuously reviewed by the health authorities. They reiterated the Kingdom’s support for and implementation of international efforts to limit the spread of the virus, and the Foreign Ministry urged citizens not to travel to the countries worst affected by the coronavirus.


Nearly 7 million Umrah pilgrims visit the Kingdom each year, the majority of whom arrive at airports in Jeddah and Madinah.


Earlier, it emerged that seven Saudis are among the latest coronavirus cases in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Bahraini Ministry of Health on Wednesday said six Saudi women has tested positive for the virus.


They had arrived at Bahrain International Airport on a flight from Iran. The total number of confirmed cases in the country stands at 26. Studies at schools and universities have been suspended for two weeks in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.


Kuwait announced the first case of a Saudi citizen infected by the virus. The man, who had arrived in the country from the Iranian city of Mashhad, has been placed in quarantine for 14 days. There have been 26 confirmed cases of the virus to date in Kuwait.


The Saudi Ministry of Health has been providing neighboring Arab countries with advice and guidelines for controlling infectious diseases such as the coronavirus and dealing with health emergencies.


Dr. Hani bin Abdul Aziz Jokhdar, the deputy minister of public health, said that the guidelines were based on Saudi Arabia’s experience of protecting the health and well-being of pilgrims during Hajj season.


He led the Kingdom’s delegation at a meeting of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers for Health on Wednesday at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo.


https://www.arabnews.com/node/1633826/saudi-arabia

report post quote code quick quote reply
+2 -0
back to top
Rank Image
mSiddiqui's avatar
Offline
Unspecified
595
Brother
116
mSiddiqui's avatar
#6227 [Permalink] Posted on 27th February 2020 13:49
abu mohammed wrote:
View original post

The countries in the tourism visa restriction are: Hong Kong, Macau, China, Iran, Italy, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Singapore, India, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Somalia, and Vietnam.

www.arabnews.com/node/1634041/saudi-arabia
report post quote code quick quote reply
+2 -0
back to top
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6228 [Permalink] Posted on 27th February 2020 19:20
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah

27 February 2020

Entry to Saudi Arabia for Umrah or Visit purposes is temporarily suspended, and that is a precautionary measure to prevent The New Coronavirus from reaching KSA.

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En), therefore, stopped the issuance of Umrah visas and the entry for those who obtained Umrah visas.

twitter.com/MoHU_En

Ministry of Haj & Umra Customer Service Center (@MOHU_CSC) said Umrah visa holders are suspended world wide.

Umra visa entry suspension include all countries. All countries no exceptions.

Suspension of entry for holders of Umrah visas and a visit to the Prophet’s Mosque to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporary and any developments will be announced in due course. Please follow us.

twitter.com/MOHU_CSC
report post quote code quick quote reply
+2 -0
back to top
Rank Image
Rajab's avatar
Offline
Unspecified
1,989
Brother
953
Rajab's avatar
#6229 [Permalink] Posted on 27th February 2020 23:53
Tourist visa is not banned from UK. Does that mean they will be able to travel to makkah and madinah?
report post quote code quick quote reply
+0 -0Disagree x 1
back to top
Rank Image
In Need of Teaching's avatar
Offline
USA
1,059
Brother
478
In Need of Teaching's avatar
#6230 [Permalink] Posted on 28th February 2020 00:57
Rajab wrote:
View original post
Check with your local Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate.

report post quote code quick quote reply
+1 -0
back to top
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6231 [Permalink] Posted on 28th February 2020 09:23

Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia
ready to confront health epidemics

February 28, 2020


MAKKAH: The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has announced its readiness to deal with any epidemic cases. It said that it will provide all necessary information to pilgrims and has doubled cleaning times of the courtyards and corridors of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.


The presidency said that it is raising media awareness in all languages and through informative screens to distribute the latest medical instructions and emergency developments.


Abdulhamid Al-Maliki, assistant undersecretary for services affairs at the presidency, told Arab News that the Two Holy Mosques are collaborating with public health authorities to face all possible situations.


Al-Maliki said that he has been working hand-in-hand with governmental and private agencies to distribute masks and hand sanitizer.


He added that coordination has been made with public health-related bodies to mobilize the necessary media coverage to inform all pilgrims of different nationalities wherever they may be.


The assistant undersecretary said that responding to all instructions and advice is necessary for the best handling of health issues.


Crowd expert Akram Jan said that Saudi Arabia has gained experience in dealing with crowds and millions of people, and that it was prepared to handle several sudden scenarios as well as the most difficult situations with success.


Jan said that the difficulties that accompany the presence of viruses — such as the new coronavirus — are their ability to spread and infect through contact or sneezing. He added that the Kingdom is taking precautionary measures to prevent a disaster from happening.


Disinfection


The floors of Makkah’s Grand Mosque are washed and disinfected four times daily as part of measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims and visitors.


Highly qualified cadres use the best technology and cleaning and sanitizing tools, said Jaber Widaani, director of the mosque’s department of disinfection and carpets.


There are 13,500 prayer rugs at the mosque, all of which are swept and fragranced on a daily basis, he added.


Since the new coronavirus emerged in December 2019 in central China, it has sickened 82,000 people globally, with more than 2,700 deaths. The illness it causes was named COVID-19, a reference to its origin late last year.


Middle East countries have been implementing measures to protect their citizens and residents from the rising coronavirus cases.


On Thursday, Dubai’s Emirates announced a temporary ban on carrying Umrah pilgrims and tourists from nearly two dozen countries to Saudi Arabia.


The announcement came after the Kingdom placed a temporary ban on pilgrims from entering the country to perform Umrah, in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.


Nearly 7 million Umrah pilgrims visit the Kingdom each year, the majority of whom arrive at airports in Jeddah and Madinah.


https://www.arabnews.com/node/1634301/saudi-arabia

report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6232 [Permalink] Posted on 28th February 2020 09:26
Saudi ban on Umrah pilgrims backed by OIC, Arab health ministers

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims, imposed as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the killer coronavirus, was on Thursday backed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The OIC’s General Secretariat stressed its full support for the Kingdom’s preventive measures aimed at protecting its citizens and worshippers intending to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision to suspend entry to the country for Umrah pilgrims was made to ensure public safety and stop the deadly virus, known as Covid-19, from spreading.

The common practice of foreign pilgrims visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before or after the completion of their religious duties in Makkah, had also been halted, the ministry added.

Approving the move, the OIC said: “The Kingdom’s decision to ban the entry of pilgrims temporarily will help preserve their safety. It comes in line with the adopted international standards and supports the efforts of states and international organizations, particularly the World Health Organization (WHO).”

The OIC’s view was on Thursday echoed by the Council of Arab Health Ministers at the end of its 53rd session being held at the Arab League’s headquarters.

Council members highlighted the importance of “boosting cooperation between Arab states to implement joint measures preventing the transmission of Covid-19 and supporting the affected states when discovering new cases.”

The health ministers also emphasized the necessity of making the most of the adoption of risk assessment systems and approaches for dealing with the virus outbreak among Arab states.

The council commended measures already taken by Arab countries, in accordance with WHO guidelines, to respond, prevent and fight the spread of the coronavirus. It pointed out the importance of promoting communication, the exchange of information, and continuous coordination between Arab League member states and their relevant health bodies and sectors.

However, chairman of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s committee on hotels, Abdullah Filali, warned of tough times ahead for the holy city’s accommodation sector.

He told Arab News that with more than 1,300 hotels, Makkah was heading toward a difficult season with high financial losses if the Umrah ban continued and was extended until Ramadan.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Minister of Religious Endowments Sheikh Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, gave his support to the Saudi move. “The decision to ban Umrah visas is justified, as it intends to preserve the lives of pilgrims from a certain doom. The Saudi foreign ministry said that this measure is temporary and will be continuously re-evaluated,” he said.

“We all know that crowded places are more vulnerable to the spread of the virus, which was confirmed by the WHO’s reports. We ask Allah to save all humanity and protect Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world against all harm,” the minister added.

Sheikh Dr. Khalid Al-Halibi, director of the House of Expertise for Research and Social Studies, said: “We support our government’s decision which aims to preserve the lives and the well-being of the people. It is a necessary preventive measure that was appreciated by the professionals.”

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques announced its readiness to deal with any epidemic, saying it would provide all necessary information to pilgrims and had doubled cleaning schedules for courtyards and corridors at the Two Holy Mosques.

Highly qualified cadres used the latest cleaning and sterilization tools, said Jaber Widaani, director of the mosques’ department of disinfection and carpets, noting that 13,500 prayer rugs were swept and fragranced on a daily basis.

The presidency added that it was raising media awareness in all languages and via information screens to pass on the latest medical instructions and emergency developments.
report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6233 [Permalink] Posted on 1st March 2020 11:33
Loading tweet
report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6234 [Permalink] Posted on 3rd March 2020 09:11

Saudi Arabia announces
first case of coronavirus


The Kingdom's health ministry said it sent an infection control team immediately to check on the citizen.

March 02, 2020


RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced on Monday the first coronavirus case in the Kingdom, identified in a Saudi citizen traveling from Iran to the country through Bahrain, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.


According to the report, the person did not disclose to Saudi authorities that they had visited Iran before Bahrain.


The Kingdom's health ministry said it sent an infection control team immediately to check on the citizen, and to take a sample for laboratory examination, as part of its precautionary measures.


The results confirmed the man was infected with COVID-19.


The ministry said it had ensured that the infected person remained isolated in hospital and is receiving medical treatment.


In addition, all those who were in contact with the infected person were counted, and samples were taken from them for examination by the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control.


Results will be announced once the examination is completed.


The ministry urged residents in the Kingdom to contact its hotline on 937 if they have any enquiries related to the virus.


https://www.arabnews.com/node/1635781/saudi-arabia



Saudi Arabia reports first coronavirus case

March 2, 2020


RIYADH — Saudi Arabia announced on Monday the detection of the first coronavirus case, a Saudi national traveling from Iran to the Kingdom through Bahrain, Saudi Press Agency reported.


The Saudi Ministry of Health announced on Monday the detection of the first Coronavirus (Covid-19) case of a Saudi national. The laboratory results confirmed the first case of infection with Covid-19 for a citizen, who did not declare at the Saudi port about his visit to Iran, the ministry said in a statement.


“Within the framework of the precautionary measures, the ministry sent an infection control team to examine the citizen and to take samples for laboratory tests in which it was confirmed that he was infected with the virus. The citizen has been quarantined in the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment,” the ministry said.


According to the ministry statement, samples were taken from all people who have had contacts with the infected person for laboratory tests at the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, and results will be announced upon completion of the tests.


The ministry called upon all people to contact with its 937 Service Center for any queries about the virus, while stressing that information should be taken from its official sources and not to believe in rumors.


Earlier in the day, Minister of Health Tawfiq Al-Rabiah had said that the Kingdom has not registered any confirmed cases of coronavirus after testing over 290 suspected cases.


Lauding the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom since the appearance of the first coronavirus case in China, Al-Rabiah said: “We are closely monitoring all arrivals in the Kingdom, especially from the countries suffering from the disease. All suspected cases are being thoroughly checked up to ensure they are safe. Till now 298 suspected cases have been tested and all of them were found to be safe.”


The minister added: “We have raised the level of health readiness to enhance prevention from the disease. We have formed a committee comprising 17 various authorities to monitor the situation. We are also working as one system to prevent infections and be prepared to deal with the disease in case of any appearance.”


“I advise all the citizens and expatriates to ask the Ministry of Health in case if they have any query about preventing infection of the disease,” the minister said.


http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...ronavirus-case

report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6235 [Permalink] Posted on 5th March 2020 09:07

Saudi Arabia suspends Umrah
for domestic pilgrims



Saudi Arabia has suspended temporarily on Wednesday Umrah pilgrimage
for Saudi citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom.

March 4, 2020


RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has suspended temporarily on Wednesday Umrah pilgrimage for Saudi citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom. According to a statement of the official source at the Ministry of Interior, the decision was taken in line with recommendation of the committee concerned with following up the developments of the situation of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


The concerned authorities would continuously review the decision and will withdraw whenever it found that the reasons for the suspension were disappeared, the statement said.


The Interior Ministry spokesman attributed the preventive measures to the keenness of the Saudi government to support global efforts, especially by the international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) to stop the spread of the virus.


“Suspension of Umrah pilgrimage for domestic pilgrims is as an extension of the government’s decision to suspend temporarily entry of pilgrims for the purposes of Umrah and visit of the Prophet’s Mosque from outside the Kingdom, as well as to suspend tourist visas for people from countries where the spread of the novel coronavirus is dangerous,” the statement pointed out.


The spokesman said this decision is part of the preventive measures that the government has consistently taken to limit the spread of the epidemic and prevent its access to the Two Holy Mosques, which are witnessing a permanent huge flow of pilgrims.


It also comes in line with the precautionary measures taken by Saudi authorities to prevent the spread of the virus into the Kingdom and to complement the efforts that have been taken to ensure maximum safety of citizens and expatriates, the statement added.


The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Saudi Arabia on Monday. The Ministry of Health announced the detection of the first coronavirus case of a Saudi national traveling from Iran to the Kingdom through Bahrain.


As part of the precautionary measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had suspended temporarily Umrah visas for all countries and tourism visas for 22 countries effective from last Thursday. The authorities have clarified that passengers holding employment visa, work visit visa, business visit visa and family visit visa are exempted from the travel restrictions.


The Council of Ministers on Tuesday emphasized that the precautionary measures that the Kingdom has taken against Coronavirus to ensure maximum safety of citizens, expatriates as well as pilgrims and visitors.


“The measures were taken in order to complement the efforts aimed at providing the utmost protection to the safety of citizens, residents and all those coming to the Kingdom’s territories to perform Umrah, visiting the Prophet’s Mosque or for tourism,” the Council said in a statement.


The Cabinet also hailed the efforts made by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies to contain the virus, follow up on any economic repercussions and make the necessary arrangements to deal with it.


http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/5...estic-pilgrims


report post quote code quick quote reply
+1 -0
back to top
Rank Image
Offline
Unspecified
157
Brother
124
#6236 [Permalink] Posted on 5th March 2020 16:23
BREAKING: Saudi Arabia announces that the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will be closed one hour after the Isha prayer and will reopen one hour before Fajr prayer over Coronavirus fears.
report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top
Rank Image
ssaad's avatar
Offline
India
1,539
Brother
-169
ssaad's avatar
#6237 [Permalink] Posted on 5th March 2020 16:25
This hurts

Loading tweet
report post quote code quick quote reply
+0 -0Agree x 1
back to top
Rank Image
ssaad's avatar
Offline
India
1,539
Brother
-169
ssaad's avatar
#6238 [Permalink] Posted on 5th March 2020 16:42
When Haram was flooded with water, brothers did tawaf by swimming. But today.....
report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top
Rank Image
abu mohammed's avatar
London
26,482
Brother
9,591
abu mohammed's avatar
#6239 [Permalink] Posted on 5th March 2020 18:28
There are photos of Shaykh Sudais with a spray going around the Haram. I'll try and get the link later. Photos not allowed on the forum showing faces
report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top
Rank Image
In Need of Teaching's avatar
Offline
USA
1,059
Brother
478
In Need of Teaching's avatar
#6240 [Permalink] Posted on 5th March 2020 18:41
abu mohammed wrote:
View original post
Quote:
Photos not allowed on the forum showing faces
Since I am still new to Islam, I've been wondering what the basis for that is.
Also, is it whole face or just the eyes?

report post quote code quick quote reply
No post ratings
back to top

Jump to page: