Makkah News and Updates

Prophet's Mosque - Masjid an-Nabawi

10 Sept 2012

One of the world's most important mosques will become easier to use for worshippers thanks to a new project to dramatically improve its accessibility.
Limah Design Consultants has been appointed to develop a comprehensive Wayfinding solution for the existing carpark at Al Masjed Al Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, which currently suffers from major congestion.

"The carpark can reach maximum capacity in a matter of minutes during peak prayer times, and major traffic congestion results," explains Jason Lewis, Founder and Managing Director of Limah Design Consultants.

"Currently there is no system of navigation and little signage in the carpark to assist drivers and pedestrians. To add to the confusion, there are nearly 50 different access points to the carpark for cars, pedestrians, buses and taxis, so it is critical for guests to remember and understand their location and entrance points."

As a multi-disciplinary design firm, Limah provides a scientific approach to making complex spaces more efficient through Wayfinding and signage, the use of public art, as well as industrial and communication design.

The 4,400 space carpark, work on which is due for completion in late 2013, is located beneath the mosque and is the main parking area for visitors to the many cultural and religious sites.

"Our work is focused on not only improving the process of navigation but it will also allow drivers to locate spaces and return to their cars easily," added Lewis.

Limah will design a digital navigation parking system with bright and clear LED signage which will assist drivers to find available spaces quickly. Upon entering the mosque guests will also find many visual clues such as wall murals and brightly coloured signage that help them navigate.

"With such an important historical and religious site it's important that everything we do is in keeping with the surroundings: for example the design of the signs reflect the architecture of the nearby buildings, while the names used to define the areas of the carpark are the same as the areas above ground."

"In fact the entire carpark system and Wayfinding masterplan developed by Limah ensures that the underground spaces connect with the above locations, through the use of colours and traditional area names and patterns. The visual clues are depicted through all the levels of the sight, and we even go as far as incorporating the designs in the water features," said Lewis.
"Massive carparks are becoming more common, and merely installing a digital space count system does not solve all the congestion issues, or allow guests to remember where they parked."

"While these projects do often engage a parking consultant, it is critical clients understand the difference between a parking consultant and a Wayfinding consultant. Any large scale carpark requires both to be successful and well-planned Wayfinding systems need to be integrated into overall strategy to improve the overall performance and efficiency of a carpark."

"Clean, functional and accessible carparks can encourage residents and tourists alike to make more visits to these areas. With this understanding, it is our intent to create signage that aids in an enjoyable experience and allows users to both find spaces and in the end locate their car when leaving."

http://www.ameinfo.com/limah-wins-co...y-major-311097
 

 

13 September 2012 - 26 Shawwal 1433 H

MAKKAH – The Kingdom has no plans to restrict the number of pilgrims during the next Umrah season.

Announcing this at a press conference here, Dr. Bandar Hajjar, Minister of Haj, put at rest reports that the number of pilgrims will be drastically reduced owing to the ongoing expansion of the Mataaf (circumambulation area around the Holy Ka’ba).

The new project will increase the capacity of the Tawaf area from the current 50,000 pilgrims per hour to 130,000 per hour. Authorities will be cooperating with construction companies to ensure the continuity of Tawaf and that there was enough space for worshippers to pray in safety.

Over 1.8 million faithfuls performed Umrah pilgrimage this year, the minister said.

Hajjar’s press conference came at the end of his inspection tour of the South Asian Pilgrims’ Tawafa Establishment here, Wednesday.

“Reports that the government was planning a significant reduction in the number of Umrah pilgrims are baseless and untrue,” the minister told the press conference.

“The Umrah season has been successful by all standards. Overall 5.8 million visas were issued and about 5.5 million pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom,” he said.

Only 10,000 pilgrims overstayed their visas, the minister said, adding that the success of the Umrah season can be gauged from the fact that 2.5 million pilgrims came to the Kingdom in 2005 and out of them a whopping 500,000 overstayed their visa.

Adnan Katib, Chairman of the Board of Directors of South Asian Pilgrims’ Tawafa Establishment, said the meeting with the Haj minister tackled several crucial issues including the operation plans drawn up to serve the Guests of Allah during the Haj season this year. The issues included pilgrims’ housing, transportation, public affairs and planning. He said the plans, approved by the minister in Ramadan, would be implemented in earnest in the coming days.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120913135972

Sultan Mosque, Singapore

11 September 2012

SINGAPORE: The Haj Ministry of Saudi Arabia has allocated 680 places for Singapore for the coming Haj season in October.

It said it was unable to provide additional places beyond Singapore's official quota of 680 for the pilgrimage to Mecca.

This decision to stick to the official quota - based on 0.1 per cent of the Muslim population of a country - applies to all countries.

The Saudi Hajj Minister, Dr Bandar Mohammad Al-Hajjar, explained the decision in response to a request in March for more places by Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.

He said there are many major development projects in the vicinity of the two Holy Mosques, along with space constraints in the boundary of Mina.

The global Muslim population is rising rapidly, while accommodation in the holy sites is limited.

The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis), or Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, said all the successful applicants have been informed.

They've registered for their Haj packages with the general sales agents appointed by Muis.

Muis said it shares the disappointment of those who won't be able to perform the pilgrimage this year.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...225367/1/.html
 

13 September 2012 - 26 Shawwal 1433 H

MAKKAH — Dr. Bandar Al-Hajjar, Minister of Haj, has reinstated three mutawwifs (pilgrim guides) who were banned from working with pilgrims during last year’s Haj season.

Ghaleb Mustafa, head of the Field Office No. 16, Hassan Abdullah Shabraweshi, head of Group 17, and Essam Ahmad Fakieha, head of Group 18, were banned on the basis of a recommendation from the head of the Egyptian Haj Mission. The recommendation was endorsed by directors of the Arab Tawafa Establishment.

The mutawwifs appealed to Al-Hajjar, who examined their performance records, which showed they were honored several times for their dedication and hard work in the service of pilgrims throughout their long career. In view of their excellent performance records, the minister ordered their reinstatement.

The three mutawwifs have already resumed their duties and started forming teams as part of preparations to provide services to pilgrims coming from a number of Arab countries.

The mutawwifs said they never had any doubt they would get justice as the minister immediately formed a fact-finding committee to look into their appeal.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120913135989

Kalutara Mosque, Sri Lanka

RIYADH: ARAB NEWS

Thursday 13 September 2012

A senior minister from the Sri Lankan government arrived in Jeddah early this week to ask for an increase in the quota of Haj pilgrims from Colombo.

Sri Lankan senior minister for urban development, Abdul Hameed Mohamed Fowzie said, “I came to make a personal request to Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajar to increase our quota to 6,245 pilgrims, since the existing quota of 2,800 does not satisfy the demand,” he told Arab News.

Minister Fowzie who handles Sri Lankan Haj affairs said with the end of the ethnic conflict on the island, more Muslims are free to travel and want to perform Haj this year. “If the additional quotas are issued now, we can start processing their travel papers for the upcoming Haj season,” he said.

Last year an additional 1,000 Sri Lankan pilgrims were accepted at the last minute but there was not enough time to prepare them. Haj operators exploit these situations and increase their fees claiming last-minute arrangements cost money.

“Prospective pilgrims are registered with the Department of Haj in Colombo. Pilgrims are selected on a first-come first-served basis and those who do not make the list will be considered next year,” minister Fowzie said.

He said his department asked Haj operators to charge each pilgrim Rs. 4,25000. He warned any agent who charges more will be subject to severe penalties.

Minister Fowzie thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for providing exceptional facilities and services to pilgrims. “There was a time stampede was an annual feature, but now improvements at Jamarat facilitate a smooth flow of pilgrims,” he said.

The Ministry of Rural and Municipal Affairs is expected to implement development projects in the holy sites worth over SR1.4 billion. Two new projects will connect the Aziziyah district with Jamarat via tunnels and another will link the King’s Road to Al-Sharaie district.

Earlier, Haj Minister Al-Hajar said about 80 countries have requested an increase in their Haj pilgrim quota but the ministry has to restrict the number of pilgrims to the availability of accommodation in Mina.

Al-Hajar said according to prophetic teachings, the sacred area of Mina cannot be extended and pilgrims must be housed in the designated area during their stay.

http://www.arabnews.com/sri-lankan-m...-pilgrim-quota