Makkah News and Updates

Makkah - Haj 2012

20 October 2012 - 04 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

BEIRUT — Following the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to allow Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey to come for Haj, Syrian refugees expressed happiness by demonstrating peacefully in front of the Saudi embassies in Amman and Beirut.

Muhammad J., from the Syrian town of Dara, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that he thanked King Abdullah for his gesture, which he said has made Syrian refugees very happy.

Muhammad lost four of his family members in the violence in Syria and fled with three others to Lebanon.

They have been living in a small room for over a year.

His only wish was to perform Haj and pray to Allah in front of the Ka’aba that the oppression in Syria stops.

Samer J. said all Syrian refugees were extremely glad over the news of that Haj visas would be made available to them.

He added: “King Abdullah has always supported and stood by the Syrian people. May Allah reward him for this.”

Samer said Syrian refugees have become tired and exhausted by what has been going on in their country.

Alya said she lost three of her children and she wants to go to Makkah and pray for them and for the Syrian people.

When she heard that she could apply for a Haj visa, she could not believe it and felt ecstatic.

She added: “My three sons, who died as martyrs, used to promise me that they would take me to Makkah so that I could perform Haj. I’m happy their wish is coming true.”

Ali Asiri, Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, said the embassy is working non-stop to provide Syrian refugees with all necessary services and expedite the processing of their visas so they can perform Haj.

Processing a single visa takes a few minutes, he added.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121020140292
20 October 2012 - 04 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

JEDDAH — There has been a 50 percent increase in the number of Filipino pilgrims that have arrived in the Kingdom to perform Haj, according to Philippine Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay.

Garibay said around 6,000 pilgrims arrived, compared to last year’s estimated 4,000.

The Philippine Consulate’s Administration Officer R.J. Sumage said the pilgrims arrived in batches and the first group landed in the Kingdom on Sept. 26.

Sumage said Commissioner Edilwasif T. Baddiri of the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) was among those who arrived early.

Sumage said the last group of Filipino pilgrims arrived early Thursday morning. The group included Haj Attorney Mehol K. Sadain and other commissioners.

Sadain, former commissioner of the Commission of Elections (Comelec), was appointed the new secretary of the NCMF by President Benigno Aquino in April.

The national theme for this year’s Haj is “Pilgrimage for Peace”, which according to Sumage is in line with the Philippine government’s signing of a landmark framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

After the pilgrimage Garibay said the consulate would host the traditional Haj night on Oct. 31 in honor of the pilgrims.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121020140293
20 October 2012 - 04 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

JEDDAH — The checkpoints at the gateways to Makkah have foiled several attempts by illegal pilgrims to enter the holy sites.

The most prominent of these attempts so far was a cleaning company's bus that was stopped at Al-Jabalain sorting checkpoint on the Jeddah-Makkah Road. The bus was carrying 13 overstayers who had entered the country on Umrah visas.

Apart from the overstayers, there were several African and Asian infiltrators and a resident working for a cleaning company. They had donned women’s clothes, used cosmetics and worn ornaments including bracelets so as to deceive the security men. Upon referring them to the women’s inspection room, their real sex was uncovered. The illegal pilgrims have been taken into custody.

This was confirmed by Brig. Gen. Ayidh Al-Harbi, Commander of the Passports Department Force in Haj. He said that the vehicle was impounded at the Traffic Department while the transporter and overstayers were handed over to the Expatriates Administration so as to mete out penalties according to the regulations. These include a fine, imprisonment and deportation after taking to task all those involved in this operation.

Brig. Gen. Al-Harbi said Al-Behaitah seasonal checkpoint has succeeded in stopping another bus carrying 46 male and female Saudi nationals wearing civilian clothes and sportswear over the Ihram. They were not carrying Haj permits.

Al-Harbi said measures will be taken against the transporter and the bus, according to regulations. The transporter will be taken into custody and the bus impounded at the Traffic Department. The illegal pilgrims will be turned back to where they had come from.

Meanwhile, special teams from the Directorate General of Passports foiled an attempt by Asian expatriates to smuggle an illegal pilgrim to the holy sites. The illegal pilgrim wore an abaya to get past security men at Al-Rehaili checkpoint. However, the illegal pilgrim was arrested following confirmation that the illegal pilgrim was actually a man with a mustache.

The Passports Department officers had suspected the man was disguised as a woman from the outset because the driver appeared to be nervous. They then referred the abaya-wearing pilgrim to the female inspectors to confirm his sex.

Al-Harbi added that the vehicle was impounded and the driver’s transaction was referred to the Expatriates Administration with the intention of implementing the regulations on him. The penalties include a fine, imprisonment and deportation for the expatriate who provided transport to illegal pilgrims, as they had no Haj permits. They intended to enter the holy sites and sleep outdoors on the pavement.

Al-Harbi said on Friday six buses were stopped. They were carrying citizens and expatriates totaling 186 who were not holding Haj permits. The drivers were taken into custody and the buses were impounded, while those who were not holding permits were turned back.

Al-Harbi said that this was the measure taken in such cases. He added that so far, 9,000 people have been turned back from the checkpoints and gateways to Makkah.

One bus was stopped at Al-Tan’eem checkpoint for checking. It was carrying a number of Saudi nationals and expatriates who were also not holding Haj permits. They were wearing Saudi thobes or night thobes on top of the Ihram. As with the aformentioned cases, the driver was taken into custody and the vehicle impounded.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121020140312

Masjid al Haram - Haj season 2012

17 Oct 2012

Sunday 21 October 2012

JEDDAH: Interior Minister Prince Ahmed, who is also chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, has extended the last date to obtain Haj permits for expatriate pilgrims in Jeddah by two more days to Oct. 23, said Commander of Passport Forces for Haj Brig. Aed Al-Harbi.

Initially the last date for permits was Oct. 21, but the date was extended in view of the volume of applications for tasrih that could not be completed by that time. The Passport Department issues permits the same day it receives the applications.

Prince Ahmed also approved the organization, security, utility and precautionary plans that are to be implemented by various departments for Haj.

These plans detail the precise tasks and roles of each department including the number of workers needed, resources and equipment for the ideal implementation of the plans, reported the Saudi Press Agency, quoting Adviser to the Interior Minister and Secretary-General of the Supreme Haj Committee Saed Al-Harithy.

Prince Ahmed urged the departments to offer the best services to pilgrims as desired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.

http://www.arabnews.com/last-date-ob...-pushed-oct-23
Sunday 21 October 2012

RIYADH: A senior official from the Ministry of Health advised local pilgrims yesterday to take necessary precautions against influenza to prevent a flu attack during their stay at the holy sites.

Undersecretary to the Ministry of Health for Public Health Ziad Al-Memish told Arab News that only the vaccine against meningitis is mandatory. However, he said that the flu vaccine is desirable considering the present weather conditions and the susceptibility of the pilgrims to influenza.

He said the elderly people and patients who are suffering from chronic diseases should take this dose against influenza as a preventive measure to avoid unnecessary health problems during the pilgrimage.

High-risk patients who have chronic ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and renal diseases,should take the flu vaccine, which would help them perform their Haj rituals without any problems.

Al-Memish was speaking after yesterday’s meeting of the Haj Health Committee chaired by Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah. He said the minister was briefed on the latest health situation among the pilgrims in the two holy cities.

The undersecretary, who made a presentation about the health situation in the holy cities at the meeting, said he is glad there is a smooth flow of pilgrims within the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah without any serious health problems.

He pointed out that the health arrangements have been made in line with the global health standards spelled out by the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Europe and in Atlanta in the United States.

A five-member team from the Atlanta-based CDC was in the western province until yesterday to monitor the measures taken by the ministry of health in looking after the pilgrims.

The team also visited the regional laboratory of the MoH in Jeddah. Blood samples of suspected cases among pilgrims are clinically tested at this laboratory, he added.

He said a two-member team from the WHO will arrive today to assist the health officials working for Haj. “They will be with us till the end of the pilgrimage season,” the undersecretary noted, indicating that the ministry has a special team to monitor the movement of epidemics in all parts of the globe.

He said there is no cause for alarm about coronavirus. However, people should be aware of its presence and take preventive measures to keep the disease away.”

The changing weather at this time of the year and with the start of the Haj season, a new strain of coronavirus was detected in two patients.
Coronavirus is considered one of the common etiological agents of the common cold.

The official said the symptoms of the virus include runny nose, general feeling of illness, mild sore throat, cough, headache, low fever and chills. It can also cause respiratory, intestinal and neurological illness.

The official said people should be careful when they mingle in mass gatherings.

“It is advisable to wear masks in crowded places and change them frequently.”

He added that they also should pay special attention to personal hygiene, and hand cleansing and covering the mouth and nose while sneezing to help prevent the spread of infection.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed all its foreign missions abroad to issue entry visas to the Kingdom provided the pilgrims comply with the quarantine regulations of the country.

Prior to the commencement of the Haj season, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the advice of the Ministry of Health, sent out circulars to all Saudi embassies indicating the quarantine requirements for the respective countries for the issuance of pilgrim visas.

This year, the Kingdom has focused on such illnesses as yellow fever, meningitis, seasonal influenza, polio and food poisoning. He added that the stipulated vaccines should be given 10 days before the date of departure to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. “We have prescribed some vaccines considering the incidence of the disease in those respective countries.”

He added that the ships and aircraft carrying pilgrims should also produce a certificate that the carriers are free of mosquitoes.

http://www.arabnews.com/pilgrims-told-guard-against-flu Sunday 21 October 2012

JEDDAH: Shoppers in Jeddah say ihram-clothing prices have risen and they differ from one shop to another.

“Every year there seems to be an ihram “fashion trend” as I see new and odd styles of the clothing,” said shopper Ahmad Naser Al-Aifi.

Traders claim the prices have increased because of the high quality of the textile, which is not true as I see only new designs but same material (textile).”

He added that, “They (traders) have an agreement to sell in the same increased price then they claim the increase is due to quality. This year I noticed Ihram clothing and items in shops are imported from China and we have no idea about the quality.”

Al-Aifi said a high-quality ihram last year cost not more than SR 55 and now it would cost more than SR 95. The prices of other ihram items like small bags, belts, sun shades (umbrellas) and other items are now sold at very high prices “even with the fact originally they are worth no more than a quarter of their price,” he said.

Yousuf Al-Ghamdi said the prices of all Haj items increase by roughly 30 percent every year.

Shop owner Muhammad Siddiq said the demand comes mostly from domestic pilgrims.

“The type on demand is the Chinese-made ihrams that are made of blended-fiber textiles that is light and helps resist the feeling of high temperatures. Its price is SR 95 to SR 105. Other types of lower quality are sold for SR 55 to SR 85,” he said, adding that other items such as bags and belts are sold for no more than SR 35 and most of them are also imports from China.

Siddiq said that the Haj period is so good a season for traders that some of the shops change their activity during it.

“They do not usually sell Haj items, but when the season approaches, they stock their goods and import items usually bought by pilgrims.”

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has warned earlier from buying unfit Ihrams that could be counterfeit or of low quality and can cause harm to the one wearing it when walking for long periods.

Member of the Commercial Committee at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdulaziz Bu Knan reportedly said that the increase in the prices of textiles used in making women Ihrams reached 15 percent. The demand in general increased by 20 percent.

A man’s Ihram usually requires 3.5 inches of fabric while a woman’s Ihram would require about 5.

The size is different according to the type of textile, he said, adding that the profit margin for textile traders is 10 to 15 percent because of the competition and the import of small amounts of goods.

http://www.arabnews.com/haj-%E2%80%9...ads-production

Sunday 21 October 2012

MINA: Iran has agreed to comply with all Haj regulations, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Ahmed announced yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting Haj preparations at the holy sites, he said the 15 Iranians, who were arrested by the border guards on Thursday, had entered the Kingdom by mistake while heading for Kuwait.

He reiterated that the Kingdom would not prevent any Syrian Haj pilgrims from entering the Kingdom while reporting an increase in the number of pilgrims from certain countries.

Prince Ahmed said Saudi authorities would investigate cases of deaths while Nigerian women pilgrims were denied entry to the Kingdom for violating regulations.

He urged the Haj Ministry to take measures to control prices charged by agencies that serve domestic pilgrims. “The Kingdom carries out more development projects in order to meet the requirements of growing numbers of Haj and Umrah pilgrims,” he said.

Earlier yesterday, Prince Ahmed inspected security arrangements in Makkah, Mina and other holy sites. “Preparations have been completed for Haj to help the guests of God perform their rituals in peace and tranquility,” the Prince said, adding that the Kingdom would not allow anybody to tamper with Haj security.

Prince Ahmed began his tour from the camps of special emergency forces stationed along the Taif-Makkah Expressway, where Director General of Public Security General Saeed Al-Qahtani and Commander of Haj Forces Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khelaiwi greeted him.

In his welcome speech, Gen. Al-Qahtani said Saudi Arabia and its people consider the opportunity to serve the guests of God a great honor. “Over the past years, Saudi Arabia has been exerting all possible efforts for the success of the Haj pilgrimage,” he added.

He described the security situation for Haj as “excellent.” He remembered the late Prince Naif, who had played a great role in developing the Kingdom’s security forces.

Prince Ahmed, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, senior Cabinet members and top officials later watched a parade of various security forces with their equipment.

http://www.arabnews.com/prince-ahmed...mply-haj-rules Sunday 21 October 2012

RIYADH: More than 1 million polio vaccines were given to Haj pilgrims from endemic countries, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah announced here yesterday.

Al-Rabeeah was chairing the seventh meeting of the Haj Health Committee at his ministry headquarters yesterday. Chairmen of all related sub-committees were present to exchange notes about the progress of the health plan for the current Haj season.

The minister said that polio vaccines were given to pilgrims who arrived at the Haj terminal from countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. He added that pilgrims who from the African belt were also given polio doses as a preventive treatment. The doses were given to both male and female pilgrims.

Prior to the Haj season, the Saudi missions abroad requested pilgrims to produce quarantine certificate to issue Haj visas. They were certified against yellow fever, meningitis, polio and influenza depending on the countries of origin.

Most pilgrims from the African and South American continents were advised to take vaccination against yellow fever, which is endemic to those countries.
Vaccination against meningitis was made compulsory on all pilgrims since it can be spread due to congestion of people, coughing and saliva from infected people.

The minister said the ministry formed several teams to look after the health interests of the pilgrims.

“One of such teams is the group of officials, who are giving polio doses at the airport,” the minister said. He noted the ministry is fully equipped with medics, paramedics supported with necessary facilities to face any eventualities.

Al-Rabeeah said there are no serious health problems among the pilgrims.
“We are monitoring the pilgrims at all sea, land and air entry points to check pilgrims carrying infection into the Kingdom,” he noted, adding that maximum precautionary measures are being taken to check new developments in the spread of infection.

In case of emergency, the ministry of health has set up airstrips for air ambulances in Arafat to ferry emergency patients with the help of the Red Crescent.

The helipads are fully operational and the ministry will be using it for the first time this year, Al-Rabeeah said.

He said that last year the ministry carried out some experimental operations.
He added there are 25 hospitals with a capacity of 5,200 beds. They include seven in Makkah, nine in Madinah,four in Minah,four in Arafat, the new Arafat Sharq Hospital and the King Abdullah Medical City.

Besides these hospitals, he said there are 141 medical clinics in the holy sites,which include 43 in Makkah, 80 in pArafat, Minah and Muzdalifah, 12 in Madinah and 17 emergency clinics at the Jamaarat area.

“We have also kept a stock of 16,000 units of blood to treat patients who come to these facilties,” he said.

The minister also stressed the importance of unifying the efforts of all health sectors participating in this year’s Haj season to provide integrated health care services to the guests of Allah.

“According to the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, we are dedicated to provide the best of services to the guests of Allah,” he said

The committee also coordinates with other ministries that are connected with the maintenance and operation of Haj activities in the holy areas. Al-Rabeeah said that the functions of the Haj committees are interlinked through a electronic network to ensure integrated health care services.
“The sick should be transported to the nearest Haj facility without loss of time, ” Al-Rabeeah said.

He also said that the ministry should make use of the ambulances that are available at all strategic points within the holy cities. He indicated the casualties among pilgrims would include victims of accidents, food poisoning and fatigue due to congestion.

http://www.arabnews.com/1-million-po...n-haj-pilgrims 21 October 2012 - 05 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

MAKKAH — Marwan Zabidy, Secretary General of the General Cars Syndicate and Head of the Saudization Committee, has said a study will be conducted after Haj to determine the failure of the Saudization program to fill 25,000 seasonal vacancies for drivers.

During the past Haj seasons, the number of Saudi drivers employed by the syndicate in seasonal jobs did not exceed 1,900.

The syndicate is continuing its plan for the Saudization of Haj transport companies and is providing attractive salaries and incentives to encourage citizens to take up these jobs. The syndicate had advertised 25,000 jobs, but only 1,845 citizens and residents had applied.

The applicants were referred to the Haj transport companies for employment as drivers and technicians, while the rest of the vacancies were filled by outside recruitment.

The syndicate had also advertised 2,047 administrative and field jobs at its headquarters and branches, and managed to fill all positions with qualified Saudis.

The syndicate employs a total of 27,000 people in seasonal and permanent jobs, including administrators, technicians and drivers. According to the Saudization law, Saudis must fill at least 10 percent of these jobs.

The transport companies are forced to rely on foreign drivers due to the reluctance of Saudis to take up temporary jobs as part of the Saudization project, which was launched 13 years ago.

Zabidy attributed the failure of Saudization efforts to the general tendency among Saudi applicants to look for jobs that do not involve hard work and to shun strenuous tasks.

He said they request for positions such as emergency drivers, who are utilized only when an original driver falls sick or abstain due to unavoidable circumstances. Nevertheless they are paid the wages. This forces the transport companies to hire drivers from abroad on a temporary basis, which entails enormous costs in terms of visa fees, recruitment charges and airfare.

In addition, all foreign drivers are required to undergo a 13-day training with the cooperation of six related agencies.

Zabidy said the cars syndicate has devised a plan to overcome the weaknesses of the Saudization project. Initially, some 400 Saudi drivers will be recruited on a permanent basis on high salaries with the support of the transport companies, which currently refuses to raise drivers’ salaries on the grounds that the fees for transportation of pilgrims remained stagnant for more than 30 years while prices of vehicles and spare parts have recorded a tremendous increase.

The syndicate has prepared its operational plans for this year’s Haj season with the aim of providing safe and comfortable transportation to more than 1.8 million pilgrims. The plan covers Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. The plan allows the pilgrims or their representatives to choose the transport company that suits them.

The transport plan is based on moving the pilgrims in one trip, two trips, or multiple trips, according to the size of the pilgrim contingent. Prince Khaled, Emir of Makkah and President of the Haj Committee, issued instructions last year, banning transportation of pilgrims after 11 p.m. to ensure their safety.

The decision resulted in a decrease traffic accidents involving pilgrims’ buses. Zabidy said the ban is in force this year as well.

He said the syndicate’s fleet is sufficient to meet the needs and no buses will be rented from abroad this year.

The syndicate has implemented a system to ensure the proper scheduling of drivers to minimize problems resulting from fatigue. The drivers are subjected to stringent medical tests to ensure that they do not use drugs.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121021140349

King: Don’t shun modernity



on Saturday. He is flanked by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, left, and MWL chief Abdullah Al-Turki.

UK sends consular delegation

 

to serve pilgrims

14,000 officers deployed

 

for crowd management


A Civil Defense official gives directions to one of 300 Saudi volunteers who have joined Haj duty
at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saturday. A large number of citizens came forward volunteering
to serve the pilgrims, but only 300 have been selected.

21 October 2012 - 05 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

As Muslims we believe that performing Haj is by invitation only, an invitation from the Almighty Allah, and this year we couldn’t believe our luck when we were “invited” to join the two million or so fortunate Muslims to perform the joyous rites of Haj.

And of course by “we” I mean me, my mother and brother, alas to the regret of the rest of my family who couldn’t make it or weren’t invited to join us.

When we first contacted the Haj operators, most were full and refused our application as we had applied too late.

However, without any effort from our side, everything got sorted out at the last minute through a good Samaritan (based in a certain newspaper in Jeddah) and we were able to make it.

As soon as it was decided that we were going to Haj, we all went into full gear, running around sorting out visas, tickets, hotels, injections, clothes, and all the other things that would be needed on this auspicious journey.

On the first of Dhul Hijja, we took a flight from Dubai to Makkah, and the plane was full of bright-eyed happy people all going for Haj. Because of this happiness everyone on the plane was extra helpful and kind, smiling and greeting each other. I was sure many were going to burst out in duaas.
The trip went well and we arrived at Jeddah Airport where they took us to the Pilgrim’s Terminal.

As a sea of people spread across the terminals, we got concerned about how long the queues would be and how long we would stand. I had heard a lot of negative stories about the hours of waiting and confusion; however, I was surprised how organized and well ordered the airport was, with airport staff on hand with bottles of water and welcome smiles on their faces.

When we arrived they took us to this big glass hall, one of several where pilgrims coming from different parts of the world were kept. There we stayed for around an hour while the nurses gave vaccine drops to the groups coming from some Asian countries. After that we went through the passport control queue and our group cleared it in 30 minutes. I didn’t find it a bad experience and in fact I preferred it over most international airports I have been in around the world.

After claiming our baggage we went outside to this huge open-air area which had lots of fiberglass umbrellas that looked like tents and could accommodate up to 80,000 people at a time.

This terminal has won awards for its unique design as the fiber-glass tents create a “chimney effect” that can cool the hot desert air without expensive air conditioning. This terminal is only used during the Haj season and is very basic with different kinds of restaurants, shops, and kiosks selling phone cards. It was a far cry from the glitzy duty-frees in other airports but had a quaint Bedouin charm of its own. After all, how many airports function as a gateway to heaven for millions of pilgrims?

It was in this area that pilgrims had to undergo the third process of leaving the airport to their accommodations in Makkah through a body called the United Agents Office. Here the scene was a bit chaotic because the agents had to organize the luggage to be taken to the buses stationed on another side of the terminal.

The sea of people slowly began to filter the tented area when the agents driving baggage carts began to call out the names of the group’s countries as they exited the main building.

As always, our brothers and sisters from the subcontinent are more practical and resilient than most of us as they had come prepared on the journey with sacks of rice, flour, lentils and all other kinds of dried food. This had baffled some of us until one of the agents informed us that they still kept the old practice of bringing their own provisions with them because they stayed in Waqf buildings that provided kitchens for cooking.

As we waited for our bus to be readied we were seated in zones by the agents, who were very enthusiastic to serve the pilgrims. All around us were pilgrims from every corner of the earth and there was a palpable sense of joy in arriving at the Holy Land.

While we waited I spied a group of enthusiastic boy scouts who were distributing water to the pilgrims and smiling and chatting. All this activity kept most of us occupied and we didn’t notice the two hours of waiting for our bus to be ready so we could drive off to the holy city of Makkah, to all the historic wonders that awaited us in a land where once our beloved holy Prophet (peace be upon him) walked on.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121021140344 21 October 2012 - 05 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

Year after year, every blessed Haj season, as the echoes of the Talbiya resonate in the air and the pilgrims don their white ihram, families in the miqat area of Qarn Al-Manazil open up stalls and prepare to greet the pilgrims, help direct them, and sell them basic necessities. Their role in serving pilgrims has been passed down from generation to generation over the past century.

Miqat Qarn Al-Manazil is also known as Al-Sayl and it lies 55 km north of Taif and 75 km east of Makkah. The Miqat is the final point where the pilgrim intending Haj or Umrah must wear the Ihram and it is from there that he/she embarks on the unforgettable spiritual journey. This Miqat is for the people from the Najd region and also the residents of Taif. In fact, it is the largest miqat for local residents and Saudi nationals, as over 50 percent of local pilgrims pass through this point.

The owners of these stalls seek to serve pilgrims and help them, and their desire to serve far outweighs any search for making profit and financial gain. They have inherited this responsibility from their forefathers and they continue to provide the pilgrims with everything they may need; the white Ihram, scissors, slippers, a belt to keep money and important documents safe, umbrellas, water, and snacks.

One young man operates a stall with his uncle and they work long hours for the first ten days of Dhul-hijja. “Most Saudi pilgrims buy their Ihram at the Miqat. We are not after profit or taking advantage of pilgrims, we wish to facilitate their highly rewarding but also arduous trip. In fact, in order to obtain a legal permit and rent out the stall for these ten days, we must pay rent for the entire year but we only use it during Haj. So we are here just up until the first day of Eid, when we close up and do not return to our posts until the following year for Haj again. The financial returns are not worth the effort, but hearing the supplications and well wishes from the guests of Allah and helping the pilgrims is well worth all the work,” said Turki Al-Thabiti.

An ophthalmologist who lives in Taif, Dr. Ali Al-Sibai, said “Every year during this time, I have guests, relatives or friends who come from different parts of the Kingdom to stay with me due to our close vicinity to Makkah to perform Haj. I know the stall owners at the Miqat by their names and I take my guests to them to purchase all that they will need for their Haj journey.”

High school student who helps his father sell Ihram at the miqat, Khalid Al-Otaibi, said: “It is our family tradition and we consider it an honor to serve the guests of Allah. At our stalls here, pilgrims can find everything they need in one place. The price of the Ihram ranges between SR30 and SR60, depending on the quality of the material, and our financial returns are minimal. We have developed close ties with the pilgrims and every year we wait to hear their stories and sell them the goods that they need.”

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121021140345

Makkah train project will be

 

implemented

 

before the end of the next Hijri year 1434

Senad Hadzic after more

 

than ten months

 

of walking ''arrived in Mecca''

 

21 October 2012

MAKKAH - Pilgrims have been descending in droves on the holy city of Makkah for the Haj, the world’s largest annual gathering which Saudi Arabia insists will not be affected by instability shaking the region.

Walking in groups, mostly led by guides with their countries’ flags printed on their garments, faithful men and women have poured into the holy city to perform Umrah, ahead of the Haj rituals.

Officials say the main events, which begin on Wednesday, are expected to attract more than two million faithful from across the world.

Thursday marks the most important day, when all pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain outside the holy city. The pilgrimage ends after Eid Al Adha which will be celebrated on Friday.

“It’s my first time in holy city of Makkah for pilgrimage. I can’t wait to pray in Arafat,” said 32-year-old Koara Abdulrahman, a businessman from Burkina Faso.

Inside the Grand Mosque, scores of pilgrims continually circumambulate the holy Kaaba with many pushing their way through the crowds to kiss the walls of the structure that was first built by Abraham. Others pray or recite verses of the Holy Quran, while many sleep in corners.

“Right now, I’ve got all the good feelings you can think of,” said an Iranian pilgrim, her voice quivering and tears welling up in her eyes.

Authorities said more than 1.6 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived and the numbers are set to grow by Wednesday. Around 750,000 domestic pilgrims are also expected to take part in the rituals.

Despite several checkpoints on the roads leading to the holy city to prevent illegal travel, huge numbers of unauthorised devotees also join the Haj every year.

A bulk of pilgrims are from Asia, mostly from Indonesia which has the highest Haj quota.

It was unclear how many Syrians, whose country is being rocked by a civil war that began with a popular uprising against President Bashar Al Assad’s regime 19 months ago, will make the journey.

Damascus claimed in September that Saudi authorities have barred Syrians from travelling to this year’s Haj after the two sides failed “to reach consensus.”

But on Saturday, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz insisted that pilgrims from Syria are not being barred, except those who sent in their applications too late.

The Saudi envoy to Lebanon said last week that the kingdom will also grant visas to Syrians in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, where thousands of refugees are being accommodated. — AFP

Prince Ahmad also warned that Riyadh will not allow the Haj to be “politicised” and told reporters the kingdom was not worried that trouble in Syria and other Arab countries could affect the Haj or that pilgrims from Iran would cause any disturbance.

“I don’t expect pilgrims or the pilgrimage to be affected by what is taking place elsewhere, whether Syria or any other place,” he said.

“We don’t expect any” unrest to be caused by Iranians, he added.

“The Iranians have assured us that they are as concerned about the comfort of pilgrims as we are,” Prince Ahmad told a news conference that followed a military parade by security forces and civil defence.

Despite marred by deadly incidents in the past such as floodings, stampedes, and fires, Haj has become nearly incident-free over the past few years — thanks to the multi-billion projects being implemented every year.

This year alone, the kingdom spent more than 1.1 billion riyals ($293.3 million) on development projects in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, all outside Makkah.

Saudi authorities have also taken measures to deal with any epidemics that may break out during the Haj, and have downplayed fears over the spread of a mystery illness from the same family as the deadly SARS virus.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-artic...ion=middleeast

22 October 2012 - 06 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

MAKKAH – Mina witnessed heavy rains Sunday, two days before pilgrims start descending on the tent city for Haj. Saudi authorities have already taken measures against flash floods.

Pilgrims have been arriving in droves in Makkah unfazed by events in Syria or elsewhere.

“I don’t expect pilgrims or the pilgrimage to be affected by what is taking place elsewhere, whether Syria or any other place,” Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, told reporters Saturday.

Thursday marks the high point of Haj when all pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain, supplicating and seeking mercy from Allah.

“It’s my first time in Makkah for pilgrimage. I can’t wait to pray in Arafat,” said 32-year-old Koara Abdulrahman, a businessman from Burkina Faso.

Inside the Grand Mosque, scores of pilgrims continually circumambulate the Ka’abah.

“Right now, I’ve got all the good feelings you can think of,” said an Iranian pilgrim, her voice quivering and tears welling up in her eyes.

Authorities said more than 1.6 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived and the numbers are set to grow by Wednesday. Around 750,000 domestic pilgrims are also expected to take part in Haj.

Every Muslim country has a Haj quota of 1,000 pilgrims per million inhabitants and the biggest contingent – 200,000 pilgrims – is coming from Indonesia. The Saudi envoy to Lebanon said last week that the kingdom will also grant visas to Syrians in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, where thousands of refugees who have fled the violence are being accommodated.

Prince Ahmad also warned that Riyadh will not allow the Haj to be “politicized.”

The authorities have deployed a 25,700-strong civil defense force with 6,600 vehicles and 19 helicopters for the safety and security of pilgrims.

Saudi authorities have also taken measures to deal with any epidemics that may break out during Haj. Some 20,000 health workers, 320 of them medical experts in rare specializations, have been mobilized to cope with any emergency and 80 large ambulances have been readied to transport patients between health facilities as well as 95 smaller ones.

Development projects worth more than SR1.1 billion have been implemented in the three holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat. About 2.2 million bottles of Zamzam, taken from a spring inside the Grand Mosque complex, will be distributed to the faithful this year. Three-hundred tons of Zamzam water will be supplied daily to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

More than six million books, films, brochures and tapes will be handed out to pilgrims coming from inside the Kingdom, while 12 million copies of the Qur’an and similar handouts will be provided for those coming from abroad.

Media outlets using 32 different world languages will also provide information and guidelines for the pilgrims. The Grand Mosque , which can accommodate more than 1.5 million worshippers, has seen its ground floor capacity increase this year to accommodate an additional 300,000 people and work is underway to further expand it.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121022140437
22 October 2012 - 06 Thul-Hijjah 1433 H

MADINAH — A convoy of ambulances from the Ministry of Health will leave Madinah early Tuesday from Al-Miqat Hospital carrying sick patients to Mina at the start of their Haj rites.

The patients, whose health conditions would allow them to perform the Haj, have been confined to a number of hospitals in Madinah including King Fahd, Al-Ansar, Uhud and the Miqat Hospitals.

Director of King Fahd Hospital in Madinah Dr. Abdul Hameed Shahhat said 32 male and female sick pilgrims were admitted to the hospital. He said they were admitted for a number of diseases including bone fractures, renal failures, chest pains, stomach troubles and other illnesses.

Shahhat said the sick pilgrims hailed from 17 countries, including the US, Britain, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Tunisia, Tajikistan, Sudan, India, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Cameroon and Nigeria.

“A total of 111 sick male and female pilgrims admitted to hospitals in Madinah will be able to perform Haj. There are 10 patients still being confined to hospitals. Some of them are in the intensive care units,” he said.

Director of the department of health affairs in Madinah Dr. Abdullah Ali Al-Taifi said in addition to the ambulances, the caravan would also include supply cars carrying food for the sick pilgrims in addition to other cars carrying oxygen cylinders. “Each patient will be transported in a separate ambulance manned with qualified doctors and nurses in addition to the required medical equipment,” he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20121022140444