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#1006 [Permalink] Posted on 8th August 2012 12:43

Lights illuminate Medina Mosque

Light is distributed in the various angles of the Madina Mosque to accommodate all worshippers. (Al Arabiya)

Wednesday, 01 August 2012

Lighting is what crowns any place, with the way it shines onto spaces and buildings, requiring a great deal of creativity, imagination, and accuracy.

This is especially the case in a place as spacious as the Medina Mosque in Saudi Arabia, with passageways adorned with various forms of lighting, situated with a special aesthetic effect.

“Lighting in the Medina Mosques takes various shapes. There are lamps, pendent lights, sconces, and lanterns.”

While too much lighting can be a pain for the eyes, too little is confusing. That’s why it is important for lights in the mosque to be balanced in a way that serves worshippers who have varying age ranges and health conditions.

Light is distributed in the various angles of the mosque to accommodate all worshippers.

“There are more than 10,000 lamps and pendant lights in the mosque and around 300 sconces and lanterns.”

Lighting in the mosque plays an important role in shaping the relationship between worshippers and the Holy Quran from which they read. If lighting is weak, they become less able to read.

The power of the lighting system in the Medina Mosque amounts to 32 megawatts to provide worshippers with the right amount of light. There are also eight emergency power generators, the power of each of which is 2.5 megawatts.

“Most light fixtures are placed in engraved gold-plated brass casings. This makes the light come out of them in beautiful shapes and formations whether during the day or at night.”

Three of the five prayers Muslims perform every day fall during or close to the night. That is why their keenness to provide mosques with the proper lighting has long transcended the use of oil lamps. Now lighting is an integral part of any mosque and mastering it has become a worldly ritual Muslims cannot do without.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...01/229824.html

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#1007 [Permalink] Posted on 8th August 2012 12:45

Rawda al-Sharifa: A place of love for Muslims

Rawda al-Sharifa is a revered spot for Muslims as is
many places associated with the Prophet Mohammed. (Al Arabiya)
Thursday, 26 July 2012

Here was Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, and from here the Muslim nation was born. Here both humans and angels share the same space and time. Here is a 330-square meter piece of land sacred to a billion-and-a-half of the inhabitants of planet earth and they know it as the 'honorable garden' (al-Rawda al-Sharifa).

"The Prophet, peace be upon him, said 'Between my house and my pulpit is one of the gardens of paradise.' Some say he said 'my grave' but it is 'my house.' This garden is on the eastern part of the mosque. It is situated between the pulpit and the house of the Prophet."

This place housed the Prophet for 16 years of his life; every single inch tells a different story about him. Those fortunate enough to reach the garden and pray there recommended that other Muslims follow suit.

"Muslims are advised to pray two 'rakaas' in the mosque, preferably in the Rawda and follow it by supplications then visit the prophet's grave."

Muslims' love for al-Rawda al-Sharifa is an extension of their love for their Prophet. He who loves the resident of a house loves the house itself even if this resident is long gone, let alone if the resident was a prophet who before his death chose his grave to be next to his garden.

"Al-Rawda al-Sharifa is the distance between the Prophet's house and his pulpit. In part of its passes the wall the separates between both. It was part of the Medina Mosque and was adjacent to the pulpit after the extension the Prophet made."

Even though it is located on earth and everybody is allowed to sit in it, the fact that it is part of paradise is one of the major Islamic beliefs. This is attributed to the fact that the Medina Mosque was the meeting place of humans who would be the dwellers of paradise.

english.alarabiya.net/article...26/228561.html

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#1008 [Permalink] Posted on 8th August 2012 12:45

Friday Sermon conducted in sign language at the Prophet's Mosque

The deaf and mute are now able to have a complete praying experience
thanks to sign language interpretation. (Al Arabiya)

Friday, 03 August 2012

People, who are mute or have hearing impairment in the Saudi city of Madina, have the chance to follow the Friday Sermon in sign language with simultaneous interpretation, a privilege they only enjoy in a few places.

"When deaf and mute people used to come to the Holy Mosque, they sat passively without receiving any information, but now they are benefiting from every single experience. In the past, some deaf and mute did not see the benefit of attending the Friday sermon and others refrained from coming to the mosque out of laziness. But now, they have their own place inside the mosque and are equal with other worshipers," Khalid al-Thakir, a sign-language translator said.

The hearing impaired and the mute were unintentionally marginalized from Friday sermons and other lectures in mosques however; the Holy Mosques officials offered an experience that could be replicated locally and globally.

"Praise to Allah, it is a beautiful place, I first asked about it and came here and felt very comfortable. The administration took a valuable initiative to provide simultaneous sign language interpretation to the deaf and mute; we are benefiting from this service," al-Thakir translated one attendee.

"In the first 10 days of Ramadan we host a festival for deaf and mute people coming from Syria, Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, the Medina and other parts of the world," al-Thakir translated another attendee.

Normally, one cannot portray the effect of the Friday Sermon on the faces of worshipers, but in this room, you can see the interest with which the worshipers follow the Friday Sermon; probably because the preacher's sermon is grasped with the eyes.

english.alarabiya.net/article...03/230203.html

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#1009 [Permalink] Posted on 8th August 2012 22:26

Saudi Arabia's Jabal Omar Plans to Build 10 Hotels in 2013

Jabal Omar Development Co. (JOMAR) plans to open 10 hotel towers in Mecca nextyear to accommodate Islamic pilgrims, the Saudi Arabian company's executive general director said.

Jabal Omar is developing 2.2 million square meters (24 million square feet) of land near the Grand Mosque, Sameer Al- Quraishi said in a phone interview last week. The site was designed to include 38 hotel towers and the country's largest shopping mall, he said.

"Saudi Arabia is aiming to increase the number of people who are allowed to perform the annual pilgrimage," Al-Quraishi said. "It's also mostly trying to accommodate more religious visitors and that will surely increase demand for hotels."

The government's goal to allow more pilgrims to Mecca coupled with rising wealth in Islamic countries is fueling demand for higher-end accommodation in the holy city. More than 10 million people descend on Mecca throughout the year and about 3 million pilgrims attend the annual Hajj,theIslamic journey every able-bodied Muslim is obligated to make.

Marriott International Inc. (MAR), Hyatt Hotels Corp. (H), Blackstone Group Inc.'s Hilton Hotels and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (HOT)'s Sheraton unit will manage properties there, Al- Quraishi said. The 38 hotels under construction will be managed by 28 companies and will add 13,500 rooms to Mecca's hospitality industry when they're completed in fiveyears,hesaid.

The project is being developed in fivephasesata cost of 20 billion riyals ($5.3 billion).Jabal Omar, based in Mecca, is looking at ways to finance the final two stages of development after it funded previous phases through bank and government loans in addition to a capital increase, Al-Quraishi said.

Bonds Preferred "We will either issue bonds or borrow from banks, but we definitely prefer bonds," he said. "When we complete the designs for the final two stages in about six months, we will have a clearer idea of our best financing option and the amount needed."

Jabal Omar shareshaverisen 57percentthisyear.The country's Tadawul All ShareIndexhasgained 8.5 percentduring thesameperiod. Saudi Arabia's largest homedeveloper, Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co. (ALARKAN),haveincreased 28 percent this year. Jabal Omar, which reports earnings according to the Islamic calendar, has suffered losses in the past two years, Bloomberg data shows.

Repay Debts "Returns won't be immediate because we have debt to banks and the government so we have huge financial commitments right now," Al-Quraishi said. "Once we repay debt, the returns would be enormous."

Jabal Omar said last month it signed an agreement for a 5 billion-riyal Islamic financing with a group of local banks. The developer in December got a 3 billion-riyalloan from thefinanceministry. The company raised 2.5 billion riyals from its shareholders for the project, and it has 4.6 billion riyals of debt due in 2049, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The contract for construction of the Mecca project's third phase, which includes two towers, known as Mecca Gate and a mall, will be awarded soon, he said. About 17 companies,mostly from theUnited Arab Emirates, are bidding for the work, he said.

The first phase of the project, which includes 10 towers, is being built by Nesma & Partners, a closely held Saudi Arabian firm. Baytur ConstructionCo. and AzmeelContracting & Construction Corp. won the contract for the second phase, which includes four towers. Designsfor the fourth and five phases are being drawn and are expected to be complete in six months, Al- Quraishi said.

Prayer Area The development, about 300 meters from the Grand Mosque, will include a prayer area to host 65,000 worshipers, complete with parking spaces, Al-Quraishi said. Jabal Omar is also building a power plant and water-treatment system, he said.

The project's location in Mecca meant the developer had to ensure that construction didn't harm a well that Muslims believe started miraculously when Ismail, the infant son of Abraham, started crying from thirst.

"Zamzam well's waterways under the project were fortified to ensure we don't disturb the flow of water and that it isn't contaminated," he said.

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#1010 [Permalink] Posted on 8th August 2012 22:29

Firm to invest $3.2bn in Makkah housing projects

Jabal Omar Development is to invest $3.2bn in projects located at the holy city of Makkah, according to Bloomberg.

The company will use the capital to invest in 40 residential towers to accommodate 160,000 Islamic pilgrims, and a prayer area for 200,000 worshippers. Ten towers are expected to be open next year.

An electronic sign board that overlooks the Central Area of the Grand Mosque in Makkah has been erected to count down the days to the development's opening. The scheme is one of five huge development projects in Makkah.

More than 600 properties have been seized for the project, which involves constructing two five-star hotels with 935 rooms, and six three-star hotels comprising 1,255 rooms, across an area spanning 244,800m2.

Residential buildings reaching 20 storeys to accommodate 100,000 people, 520 restaurants and 4,360 commercial and retail units are also being built.

When finished, the development will have air-conditioned plazas for 100,000 worshippers, open courtyards for 120,000 people and a car park that can accommodate 10,000 vehicles.

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#1011 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 20:08

Anyone knows the deal behind this rendered picture and model?

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#1012 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:03

50-year Makkah plan to be executed in phases

JEDDAH: ARABNEWS

Thursday 9 August 2012

Interior Minister Prince Ahmed yesterday highlighted the new 50-year plan for the comprehensive development of Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah,saying itwould bring aboutmassive improvement in services to pilgrims.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the Supreme Haj Committee in Jeddah, Prince Ahmed said the new plan would be completed in phases.

"A new study has been conducted for the development of Makkah and the holy sites. Its findings will be announced later," he said.

Part of the project would be implemented in the next 10 years."Detailed studieshavebeenconductedby expertsto implement the project in the best way possible," he said.

Prince Ahmed added: "Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisalhasmore detailsabouttheplan.It needssomemore time to geta final picture. It includes construction of buildings on top of mountains and other places."

The ministersaid the committee discussed the reorganization of places and new development projects in the holy sites. It aims at creating more room in the holy sites to accommodate the growing number of Haj pilgrims.

"There are a number of ideas to increase the capacity of Mina. These include shifting of some government departments from Mina to other places," the minister explained.

He reiterated the committee's support to the central Haj committees in Makkah and Madinah, which are chaired by Prince Khaled and Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed.

Prince Ahmed highlighted the Kingdom's longstanding experience in crowd management. All necessary arrangements have been made for the success of the emergency Islamic summit to be held in Makkah on Aug. 14-15. He called on Saudis, expatriatesand pilgrimsto cooperatewith authoritiesto make the summit a big success.

The ministeremphasized theneedto follow theHajrulesand regulationssetby theKingdom forthesuccessful management of the annual event. He called urged Saudisand expatriate workers not to proceed to holy places without obtaining valid Haj permits.

"Arrangements will be made for the early issuance of Haj permits. Those who do not get permits this year should wait for next year," Prince Ahmed said. "Haj is incumbent only on those who are physically and financiallyfit.Unfortunately, many people perform Haj several times, and some of them do it every year. This is not acceptable," the minister said, adding that the government would take appropriate measures to stop violators of Haj regulations.

"I am optimistic thatthisyear'sHajwill befarbetterthan previousyears," Prince Ahmed said. He disclosed plans to improve the services of Mashair Railway, which has been playing an important role in facilitating transport of pilgrims between the holy sites.

Prince Ahmed said the Kingdom would not allow anybody to tamper with Haj security and exploit the annual pilgrimage to serve his/her vestedinterests. Earlier, addressing the Supreme Haj Committee, Prince Ahmed emphasized the desire of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman to provide quality services to the guests of God.

www.arabnews.com/50-year-makk...xecuted-phases

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#1013 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:04

Evacuation teams increased to deal with emergencies in Makkah

RIYADH: SHARIF M. TAHA

Thursday 9 August 2012

The General Directorate of CivilDefensein Makkah hasincreased the number of medical evacuation teams in the holy city to achieve the required response time to deal with emergency healthcases of Umrah performers during Ramadan.

The teams are prepared to transfer patients and injured to hospitals and specialized medical centers if need arises, Major Nowar Al-Osaimi, headof safetyattheCivilDefense in Makkah, was quoted by the Saudi Press Agency as saying.

He said some of the Umrah performers might be exposed to critical conditions or injuries due to overcrowding, fatigue, or to complications that might occur to the elderly or those with chronic diseases.

The detailed plan of the evacuation this year is designed to speed up accessto thesitesof reported casesof criticalconditions or injuries within the holy city, particularly the central area, and immediate intervention to deal with those cases and transfer them to hospitals and medical centers to have the required medical treatment, he said.

Al-Osaimi said the plan would be carried out through field deployment of evacuation teams equipped with vehicles stationed in three carefully selected locations in Makkah. All vehicles are supported with stretchers and cadres specialized in emergency medicine and first aid, he said.

Earlier this month, the Director General of Civil Defense Lt. Gen. Sa'ad bin Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri announced that more than 10,000 men and 2,000 vehicles including nine helicopters had been prepared to deal with any emergencies in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Al-Tuwaijri's statement came when he inspected the Civil Defense forces as they implemented the emergency response plan in Makkah during the Umrah season.

The new vehicles can be used for fire extinguishing, rescue and first aid services.

www.arabnews.com/evacuation-t...gencies-makkah

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#1014 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:05

Thobe prices fly high in Ramadan

Thobe prices vary depending on the season but some outlets could create brands and raisethe price of a thobe to above SR 500 in any season. EDDAH: JASSIM ABUZAID

Thursday 9 August 2012

Thobe prices have increased over the past few months due to local importers raising textile prices, said a report by Al-Watan newspaper this week. The report also quoted tailors blaming businessmen for the rise in prices.

Price increases seem to be a regular feature every year, the reasons being the same. In a report published last year in Al-Riyadh newspaper, local experts expected an international increase in textile prices because of what they called "an increase in raw material prices in source countries."

"There will bea 30percentincreasein prices," said Tarik Ba Abbad, a Riyadh textile importer.

Sources at Al-Madina newspaper blamed the current conflict in Syria as the reason for the halt in cotton exports.

Ramadan is generally the peak season for both textile distributors and tailors. Prices usually double as people are keen to get their new thobes just weeks before Eid Al-Fitr.

Tailors on Bani Malik Street in Jeddah, famous for reasonable priced thobes, add an additional 50 percent to their merchandise during Ramadan.

"They normally charge SR 100, but during Ramadan, which is their busiest season, prices jump to SR 150 at least," said Majid Alghamdi, a dressmaker.

Bani Malik tailors are considered the least expensive compared to other outlets. Prices of thobes in Ha'il Street and Sarai start from SR 200 in the off-season, with prices rising higher during Ramadan. Depending on the textile model and details to be added to the thobe, the price could reach SR 500, but the same quality can be found in Bani Malik at a lower cost.

Despite the increase of prices during Ramadan, people still delay their purchases until the holy month is upon them, and most outlets lack the sufficient manpower to handle the demand. They are forced to stop taking orders by mid-month.

Some costumers have developed a strategy to combat the price madness during Ramadan.

"I no longer buy textiles from the tailor," said Soud Al-Harbi. "I buy textiles from wholesalers in Balad and take them to the tailor prior to Ramadan. Thissaves me 20-40 percent off the price, since the materialsarethesame."

www.arabnews.com/thobe-prices-fly-high-ramadan

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#1015 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:05

Meet on defending Prophet planned

RIYADH: SharifM. Taha

Thursday 9 August 2012

Committees entrusted to organize a conference on "Dialogue and its impact on defending Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)" continued sessions at Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University (IMSIU).

The conference will beheld underthepatronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

The conference will beorganized by theKing Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies and Dialogue of Civilizations, an affiliateof IMSIU.

Rector of IMSIU, Sulaiman bin Abdullah Aba al-Khail, said the conference makes a Muslim proud to take part, as he defends the best and righteous man, Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).

He said the conference is aimed at originating the concept of dialogue in Islam and highlighting efforts of the Kingdom in conducting that dialogue, whether at the national level or between followers of different religions and civilizations. The conference is primarily meant to provideproper definition of theProphet(pbuh),correct false images of him, highlight the glory aspects of his life,and defend him through constructive dialogue, he said.

The conference will deliberateon fivetopics: importanceof dialoguein Islam, Kingdom'seffortsin thenationaldialogueand dialogue between civilizations and religions,prospectsof successful dialogue,theimpactof defenseof theProphet(pbuh),and efforts of Muslim scholars on supporting the dialogue to defend the Prophet (pbuh), Dean of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies and Dialogue of Civilizations.

www.arabnews.com/meet-defending-prophet-planned

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#1016 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:06

Saudi authorities to register people wanting to 'retreat' at Medina Mosque

A new Saudi electronic registration process for Muslims wanting to go into 'aitakaaf' (retreat) will ensure that rules are adhered to in Medina Mosque. Sunday, 05 August 2012

The administration of the Medina Mosque in Saudi Arabiawill forthefirst time apply a new system in which worshippers need to register online before 'aitakaaf' (Islamic retreat) during the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the administration, the new system aims at keeping a record of the identities of worshippers present at the mosque during 'aitakaaf' for security reasons. It also hopes to regulate the process of 'aitakaaf' using a set of rules people need to abide by in order to spend the last 10 days of Ramadan in the mosque.

One of these rules concerns the items people bring, which should be confined to a pillow and a blanket. Other rules include keeping the mosque clean, not disturbing other worshippers, and only sitting in the area allotted for retreat in the northern part of the mosque.

Worshippers are prohibited from hanging their clothes on shelves on which copies of the Quran are placed or on the walls and windows of the mosque and from leaving personal belongings on air conditioning units or in shoe racks. They are also not allowed to sit or sleep in places where other worshippers are performing their prayers.

According to the new system,worshippersareto end their 'aitakaaf'right aftertheevening prayerson theeveof Eid al-Fitr(the Lesser Eid).

The system, added the administration, is not only better for the mosque but also for worshippers who will no longer need to stand in a line before entering the mosque since they will have already registered before going.

It will also ensure that worshippers would read all the instructions online before coming and therefore minimizes chances of violating them and the subsequent delay this might cause at the entrance.

The number of worshippers in 'aitakaaf' during the last 10 days of Ramadan has always been controversial and some even called upon the relevantauthorities to cancel it altogether in the Mecca and Medina mosques in order to allow more space for pilgrims and regular worshippers.

Complaints have been filed about the behavior of some in 'aitakaaf' who reportedly sleep all over the mosque and make phone calls while others are praying. This led to suggestions that retreat be confined to the furthest ends of the mosque.

In order to offer a partial solution to the problem, the Ministry of Interior issued a decree obliging residents/workers in the kingdom to obtain permission from their sponsors before going on 'aitakaaf'.

english.alarabiya.net/article...05/230581.html

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#1017 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:06

Volume of mosque loudspeakers sparks debate

In Indonesia, mosques serve the world's largest Muslim population,thecalls emanating from low quality and poorly synchronized speakers has become an increasing irritation. Sunday, 29 July 2012

Voices of muezzins coming from the tops of minarets to call for prayer are one of distinctive characteristics of many Muslim cities around the world.

However, the loudspeakers used to carry the sound have become a source of contention in some places, because noise levels can cause annoyance to those living near mosques.

In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs banned small mosques from using loudspeakers for the nightly tarawih prayer in Ramadan. The sounds of prayers coming from different mosques at the same time can be confusing, the ministry said explaining the rationale behind their decision.

"Raising the sound of loudspeakers above the accepted level is not permissible," said Sheikh Tawfiq al-Sayegh, imam of a mosque in the coastal city of Jeddah, to Okaz daily. "There are ill and elderly people in the neighboring houses who need rest and quietness."

However, the ministry is struggling to enforce their decision. Writing forthesamepaper,columnistHumoud Abu Talib said very few mosques have actually respected the ministry's instructions to control the noise levels. But another columnist objected to the ministry's desire, arguing that such ban would take away from the spirituality of the holy month.

"It is only one month [Ramadan] that has a social character in every part of the world," Mohammad al-Uhaideb wrote. "There is no harm in allowing the sounds of prayer to blast loudly in it."

In Indonesia, where 800,000 mosques servetheworld'slargest Muslim population, the calls emanating from low quality and poorly synchronized speakers has become an increasing irritation, Reuters reported.

"One complaint includes when there are two or three (mosques) in a neighborhood and they get involved in a loudspeaker war," Amidhan,headof thehighestIslamicauthority, the Indonesian Ulema Council, told the news agency.

A local company called V8sound tried to tackle the problem by offering smoother sounding speakers. The brand name of the new loud speakers is "Al Karim," which can betranslated to "thegenerous."

"The purpose of these loudspeakers is so that Indonesian mosques can have a jazz lounge standard," said Harry Kissowo, the company founder. He told Reuters that more mosques are willing to pay a premium to install Al Karim sound system.

english.alarabiya.net/article...29/229100.html

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#1018 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:07

Pilgrims deem price increase of Makkah hotels 'unholy'

MAKKAH: SARAH ABDULLAH

Thursday 9 August 2012

With the last 10 days of Ramadan commencing today, hotels and furnished apartments near the Grand Mosque in Makkah are already fullybooked, with a typical room offering a view of the Kabaa - the House of God - ranging anywhere between ten and SR 15,000 per night.

Pilgrims performing the "umrah" pilgrimage argue that the high prices make it possible for only the wealthy to stay near the Grand Mosque, creating a luxury market for accommodation therein.

"It is unfair and unholy that these rooms are not made affordable for all to enjoy," Majed Hamad told Arab News, adding that prices should be regulated because it is not acceptable to put a price on the "blessings of Ramadan." Some claim that it is not hotel owners who are to blame for the rise in price but pilgrims who are willing to pay such rates.

"I do not hold the view that it is entirely fault of hotel owners for the price increase because if members of the public refused to pay thousands of riyals per night for such accommodation, owners would be forced to reduce prices to turn a profit" Yahya Hindawiyah said. In other words, demand for such a service is largely elastic. Indeed, other pilgrims have said that they have already paid astronomical sums of money to stay near the Grand Mosque during Ramadan.

"We havebeenstaying ata hotel not far from the Grand Mosque since Ramadan began and have spent nearly SR 200,000" a pilgrim from Riyadh wishing to remain anonymous said, stating that he has been planning the trip since last Ramadan by saving throughout the year in order to be able to enjoy the holy month of this year. Justifying the rise in prices, Saad Jameel Al-Qurashi,thechairman of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah said "Businessmen who have invested enormously into these properties are legitimately taking advantage of the peak Ramadan season in order to reap a return on their investment", stating that there is "nothing wrong with seasonal practice."

www.arabnews.com/pilgrims-dee...nholy%E2%80%99

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#1019 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 21:54

"abu mohammed" wrote:

Anyone knows the deal behind this rendered picture and model?

subhanallah....gigantic minarets !

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#1020 [Permalink] Posted on 9th August 2012 23:10

Elaborate plans in place for the Makkah rush

9 August 2012 - 21 Ramadan 1433 H

JEDDAH - Authorities have chalked out an elaborate strategy to control the millions of worshipers in Makkah during the last ten days of Ramadan. Also, special care has been taken for the smooth organization of the Islamic solidarity conference in the holy city next week, Prince Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, has said.

In a statement issued Wednesday after presiding over the Haj committee's meeting, Prince Ahmed said the Kingdom has vast experience in crowd management and as such "there was nothing to worry about in this regard."

Moreover, he hoped that worshipers from the Kingdom and abroad will cooperate with the authorities and strictly follow the guidelines designed for their own safety and comfort.

With regard to those who perform Haj without obtaining a permit, Prince Ahmed said the government has been very strict in dealing with them. "They areoffendersand will be responsible for the consequences," he said, urging intending pilgrims to apply for permits in time.

Prince Ahmed also warned those who use the pious occasion of Haj for political purposes that they will be dealt with firmly and that no attempt to create divisions among the Ummah will betolerated.

Talking about massive new projects at holy places, he said the aim is to increase the accommodation capacity for pilgrimsand visitorsduring theHajand Umrah seasons.

The Haj committee meeting, Prince Ahmed said, discussed new projects and their effectiveness in creating more room for pilgrimsaswellasfacilitiesto provideease and comfort to the millions of visitors to the holy places.

Meanwhile, the traffic department has announced a new trafficplan for the Aug. 14-15 Islamic summitin Makkah, when privatecarswill not beallowed to enterthecity and people will haveto usepublictransport.

The plan will be effective as of Monday morning (Aug. 13).

Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Muqbil, director general of traffic, urged the public to cooperate with the plan set out for the successful organization of the summit.

www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120809132574

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