NEWS l Mecca & Pilgrimage

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The Kaaba

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/5521460...n/photostream/

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Mountain leveling in Makkah to be curbed


http://www.geolocation.ws/v/W/File:M...orama.jpg/-/en

Makkah: Arab News

Monday 16 July 2012

Local authorities in Makkah unveiled plans to restrict the leveling of mountains that has been ongoing as part of construction projects.

Khaled Fida, director of the Urban Planning Department at the Makkah municipality, said municipal authorities would soon curb the demolishing of mountains to protect the holy city’s landscape and ecosystem.

He told Al-Eqtisadiah business daily on Sunday: “A study on taking advantage of Makkah’s hilly terrain as well as to preserve it as much as possible has been completed.” Future construction work would be in line with the findings of the study.

The official’s comments come at a time when the holy city is witnessing a massive construction boom. Many mountainous regions, including those in the central Haram area, have been leveled for construction.

These included the Jabal Omar and Jabal Kaaba regions. A giant development plan for Jabal Khandama is to be implemented in the near future.
Fida noted that Makkah’s landscape, which includes rugged and rocky terrain, is not easily accessible.

Building the city’s road network involves challenges, but the network of tunnels and related projects have helped overcome these hurdles.

Fida said the comprehensive plan for the development of Makkah up to the Hijra year 1450 is now in the last phase of preparation.

“The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Agency for Urban Planning are putting the finishing touches to the plan and that was in coordination with the Makkah municipal council and the Higher Authority for the Development of Makkah and the Holy Sites.”

He hoped the ministry would approve the project in the near future.

Referring to the difficulties faced by the municipality with regard to implementing urban planning, Fida said undeveloped districts in the city were posing a great challenge. Several agencies are tackling this problem and carrying out studies about developing these regions in the best possible way.

The ambitious Makkah Development Plan launched last year aims to implement massive projects worth over SR100 billion in the infrastructure, utilities, investment, real estate and tourism sectors over a period of 10 years.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said earlier the King Abdullah development project would make Makkah the first smart city in the Kingdom. He said the smart city project was part of the Kingdom’s efforts to improve services for pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah.

He said the two-year strategic development plan for the Makkah province was prepared with the participation of intellectuals and businessmen and that the plan makes the Holy Kaaba the center of this massive development.

http://www.arabnews.com/mountain-lev...kkah-be-curbed

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Supreme Court urges people to look
for new moon on Thursday


A general view shows the four-faced clock, atop the Abraj Al-Bait Towers,
stands over the holy Kabaa. (AP Photo)

SPA

Tuesday 17 July 2012

The Supreme Court has called on all Muslims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan on Thursday evening, Shaaban 29, 1433AH, corresponding to July 19, 2012, according to Umm Al-Qura Calendar.

In an announcement made this morning, the Supreme Court also called on whoever sees the crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan by naked eyes or through binoculars to report to the nearest court and register his testimony, or report to the authority of the region's governorate if there is no judge in the area where he sighted the crescent in order to facilitate his reaching to the nearest court.

The Supreme Court also urges all Muslims to sight the Crescent for the cooperation of all Muslims in righteousness and piety.

http://www.arabnews.com/supreme-cour...-moon-thursday

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Presidency of Prophet's Mosque Affairs Completes
Preparations for Ramadan Month

Madinah, Sha'ban 25, 1433, Jul 15, 2012, SPA

The Agency of General Presidency for Prophet's Mosque Affairs has completed its preparations for the reception of visitors and worshipers at the Prophet's Mosque during the blessed month of Ramadan.

The Agency will distribute one million copies of leaflets and pamphlets in Arabic, English and Urdu to guide visitors to the etiquette of the visit to the Prophet's Mosque and to brief them on Hajj and Umrah rituals.

The Library of the Prophet's Mosque, which has about 180,000 books and manuscripts also receives its visitors

http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1015567

Emir of Medina oversees the preparation of various government agencies
in the city for the month of Ramadan (SPA) 27.08.1433 e - /17/07/2012

سمو أمير منطقة المدينة المنورة يشرف على استعدادات مختلف الجهات الحكومية بالمدينة لشهر رمضان المبارك (واس) 27-8-1433 هـ





http://www.spa.gov.sa/readsinglenews...16101&scroll=1

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Olympic Ramadan Iftar project launched

Tuesday, 17 July 2012 - 27 Shaban 1433 H

LONDON — The Islamic Cultural Center (ICC) launched the Olympic Ramadan Iftar 2012 project at the Regents Park here, Sunday.

Shaukat Warraich, Director of the project and Chief Executive of Faith Associates, said the program offers Olympic visitors a chance to experience Ramadan with local British Muslim communities. Under the project, mosques will offer Iftar including huge varieties of culinary dishes from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Far East.

The Olympics, starting July 27, will take place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and in the spirit of collaboration and friendship mosques across Britain will offer Iftar meals to visitors, both Muslims and non-Muslims, officials and participating athletes from across the world.

Hockey star Darren Cheesman (Silver medal hockey winner at the 2007 Olympics) of Team GB, said he would be delighted to take part in the Iftar celebrations. “To have the Olympics in your hometown is just amazing, but to be able to share an experience of your faith with others as part of these celebrations is just fantastic. I hope people will keep an open mind and come along to a local mosque.”

James Brokenshire MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary, Home Office/Olympic said: “The Olympics are in London because London is a vibrant, positive and diverse city – at the heart of one of the most inclusive nations in the world.

“As a part of vibrant community in the heart of London, I know that people here will not just share in the excitement of the sporting event itself, but share in a great opportunity to showcase what London and the rest of the UK has to offer and demonstrate what makes our country so unique.”

Dr. Ahmed Al-Dubayan, Director General of the ICC, London, said his organization was proud to be part of the Iftar campaign.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120717130239

Ramadan Olympics Challenge Muslim Athletes

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British mosques to host Ramadan Iftars during Olympics

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

As London gets busy to host the Olympics in August, mosques across the country are gearing up for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan -- which this year coincides with the Games.

Officials and Muslim organizations launched the Iftar 2012 program in London to welcome the thousands of athletes and visitors who will flood the British capital for the sporting event.

Participating mosques will serve Iftars or evening meals to break the fast to visitors, welcome athletes to their premises and celebrate the event with non-Muslims.

British hockey star Darren Cheesman, a Muslim convert, displayed his sporting skills to local scouts at the event.

“The fact that you will never have a Ramadan, and Olympics, in London, at the same time, ever again. It’s a great way to use something that the whole country is going to be focused on, and saying: ‘Hold on, there’s another big event going on this month -- Ramadan,” Cheesman said.

“There’s a load of Muslims in this country who are all there and let’s use it as a chance to open our doors and build community links and start to show each other what we are really about,” he said.

The scouts were star-struck. One of them, Haafizah Ahmed, said: “It’s good because we learn new skills and we haven’t played with a real Olympic champion before.”

British Home Office minister James Brokenshire said the initiative will not only celebrate the Muslim faith, but also Britain’s multicultural mix.

“I think Iftar 2012 is a fantastic initiative to bring communities in the UK together and to really celebrate Islam. The Olympics and Ramadan are taking place at the same time over the course of the summer and we want this to be an inclusive Olympic and Iftar 2012 will help achieve that as well as celebrating the culture that we have in this country -- reflecting the country we are and we want to be,” Brokenshire said.

Ramadan this year starts on July 20, exactly a week before the Olympics. Many athletes may find it challenging to fast during the day, but Cheesman -- who has had to drop out of the Games due to injury -- said he finds Ramadan inspiring.

“It’s actually a good thing. I love the challenge of waking up in the morning, having suhoor, being with my family and starting my day ... Ramadan a a whole, take away the fasting -- it’s a beautiful time and it enhances your sporting ability rather than takes it away,” he said.

London’s Islamic Cultural Centre said it was ready for the event, having hosted group Iftars every year.

“The logistics program we have on a yearly basis is quite magnanimous. So we have this team set up who provide the food to facilitate the welcoming of visitors and worshippers who come here. We have this team set up on a regular basis, in fact, not only with the accompaniment of Iftar 2012 but over the years, the logistics of it has been very smooth,” said Omar Saddique, the center’s visits officer.

Organizers have said more than eight million tickets have been sold for the Games.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/20...12/220193.html

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Travel operators increase costs of Umrah package


Some pilgrims have to resort to taking motorcycle rides. (AN file photo)

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Local travel operators have increased weekend Umrah package rates from SR 90 to SR 160 for each pilgrim from Riyadh in anticipation of the expected increased demand during Ramadan.

The Supreme Court called on Muslims in the Kingdom to look out for the new moon either with the naked eye or through telescopes on Thursday evening and inform the nearest court accordingly.

The peak of the pilgrimage season, which will begin from Wednesday, will last until the end of Ramadan.

This year the peak season coincides with the summer holidays.

A large number of pilgrims including Saudis are expected to perform Umrah this season.

A return fare from Riyadh to Makkah by luxury coach including accommodation in the holy city will cost SR 160 per pilgrim and there will be an additional charge of SR 40 if the pilgrim opts to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on the way.

For an additional payment of SR 100 per pilgrim, accommodation can be upgraded to four-star hotels in the holy city.

According to a spokesman from Al-Rush, a travel operator in the city, the weekend package to Makkah and Madinah starts at 4 p.m. from Riyadh on Wednesday and finishes on midnight Friday.

Each family is given a large room while the bachelors are accommodated on a sharing basis with three pilgrims in each room. Children under 12 pay half.
An employee at travel agency Anver Al-Shareefaine said a five-day package to Makkah and Madinah including travel and accommodation would cost a pilgrim SR250.

The offer includes a two-day stay in a three-star hotel in Madinah and another two days in similar accommodation in Makkah.

The package begins on Monday and ends on Friday. The pilgrims would leave Makkah after Friday prayers so that they reach Riyadh around midnight.
Pilgrims are given an option to choose five star accommodation for an additional payment.

There are nearly 200 Umrah travel operators spread out in the capital but they are largely concentrated in the city center of Batha.

During the journey, coaches stop over at three points for Maghrib, Isha and dinner and at the meeqat in Taif to allow pilgrims to put on their ihram (the two pieces of white cloth that each male pilgrim must wear prior to performing Haj or Umrah).

Pilgrims are given half an hour to don their ihrams at the meeqat point so pilgrims can offer their Fajr prayers in Makkah.

The Dawah centers in the city are organizing Umrah packages free-of-charge to Muslims who are singles in the capital.

According to Moulavi Ramadan from the Rawdah Center, there will be weekly trips to Makkah for these particular pilgrims.

A leading hotelier in Makkah told Arab News the majority of the pilgrims are from the Kingdom as well as Gulf countries.

Other pilgrims include those from countries such as Turkey, Algeria, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia.

He added: “This year there are less people from Syria, possibly due to unrest in the country.”

According to sources, hotels in Makkah are already booked for the Ramadan season.

The occupancy rate in Makkah hotels will reach 100 percent from the beginning of the holy month, he added.

The demand for accommodation is high in Makkah because of the ongoing development work following the demolition of old buildings in the holy city.
During the latter part of the holy month, rooms in five-star hotels are sold for SR 31,000 to SR 40,000 including suhur (meal taken before the start of the fast) and iftar (breaking of the fast) meals for 10 days.

Local hotels in Madinah in cooperation with local tour operators have arranged city tours to historical sites for the benefit of those pilgrims who come to Madinah to visit the Prophet's Mosque.

Places of interest include Quba Mosque, the first mosque built by Prophet (peace be upon him) in Madinah; Qiblatain Mosque where the Qibla was shifted from Baitul Muqadis (Al-Aqsa Mosque) to the Holy Kaaba when the Prophet (pbuh) was conducting prayers; and the graveyard on the foothills of Mount Uhud where the bodies of martyrs from the time of the Prophet (pbuh) were buried.

http://www.arabnews.com/travel-opera...-umrah-package

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King: Exert all efforts to serve Umrah pilgrims

Tuesday, 17 July 2012 - 27 Shaban 1433 H

JEDDAH — King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has urged officials and government agencies involved in Umrah services to exert all efforts to help pilgrims perform their rituals in ease and comfort.

The King also urged all Muslims to glorify the holy month of Ramadan and be guided by the Prophet’s Sunnah.

Benevolent deeds should be doubled and Allah’s forgiveness sought in this holy month, the King said while chairing the weekly session of the Council of Ministers here, Monday.

The Cabinet highlighted the arrangements and preparations made by various government agencies in Makkah and Madinah on the advent of Ramadan.

Millions of worshipers from around the world are expected to visit Makkah to perform Umrah.

Prince Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, has approved the security plan for Ramadan, which will see 28,000 security officers mobilized throughout the month.

Those officers will be in charge of vehicle traffic and will manage crowds of Umrah performers and visitors inside the Grand Mosque.

Maj. Gen. Nasser Al-Arfaj, deputy director of Public Security, said, “We have plans to manage crowds and respond to any emergency on the 27th night of Ramadan when over three million people will perform Umrah and pray in Makkah.”

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120717130173

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Holy Mosque Expansion progress




Video - 17 July 2012




Great pics - 13 July 2012

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All preparations in place to welcome Ramadan visitors

18 July 2012 - 28 Shaban 1433 H

MAKKAH — All government agencies involved in pilgrimage services are bracing up for the huge influx of Umrah performers during the holy month of Ramadan. Officials said all preparations are in place in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to welcome the guests of God in the fasting month.

King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Minister, have been continuously following up the preparations to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, said the presidency had drawn up an integrated plan to receive the swelling number of Umrah performers round the clock throughout the holy month.

He said more than 8000 female and male employees, including cleaning and maintenance staff, would be involved in the execution of this plan.
Al-Sudais said arrangements have been made to secure enough number of wheelchairs for those who may need the service.

Khaled Bin Muhammad Al-Haiej, acting Mayor of Makkah, said the mayoralty would deploy more than 8500 cleaners equipped with 676 pieces of machinery to clean the central area of the holy city round the clock.

He said work on 12,500 new toilets would be completed before the month begins. In view of the extreme weather conditions, the mayoralty has also installed some 250 water sprinklers to cool the air in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120718130301

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The making of Kiswa

18 July 2012 - 28 Shaban 1433 H

Farid, a skilled artisan at The Kiswa Factory, shows visitors the art of immaculate hand embroidery on the Kiswa at the Saudi Aramco Cultural Summer Festival in Jeddah. — SG photo by Syeda Amtul

KISWA, the black-colored cloth that is draped over the Ka’bah in Makkah holds great reverence for all Muslims, especially those who work hard toward its making.

The making of Kiswa is no easy feat, it requires careful, laborious craftsmanship by diligent workers.

Farid is working at the Kiswatul Ka’bah factory for the past 37 years. He is showing the art of immaculate embroidery on the Kiswa to visitors in the heritage tent of the Saudi Aramco Cultural Summer Festival in Jeddah.

“I feel honored to do this job. In fact, I consider it as my good luck that I’m doing something that makes me feel happy,” said Farid when asked how he felt working at the factory for over three decades.

The Kiswa Factory has over 200 workers who work in specific groups. Farid said before entering the factory, every worker has to be clean and should have performed Wudu.

Farid told Saudi Gazette that the making of the Kiswa is divided into six stages – coloring, weaving, designing, printing, embroidery and attaching each piece to one another. And it takes one whole year to accomplish it.
The first stage in the making of the Kiswa is the dying of the cloth – an important and lengthy process that consumes a lot of time. The extensive treatment stabilizes the cloth to withstand a year’s exposure to the sun and the touch of the circumambulators. According to Farid, the raw material for dying is imported pure silk.

The second stage is the weaving wherein the workers patiently and meticulously weave the cloth with praises for Allah. The value of the woven cloth is well-known globally and worshipers from all walks of life strive hard to procure a piece of it.

Weaving is followed by designing. The design and the calligraphy of the Kiswa is not fixed. Every year, various designers submit embellishments and patterns to the authorities for approval, after which they are printed on the cloth by specialized machines – another tedious process that requires immense precision.

After the designs are printed on the Kiswa, skilled artisans take over the job of adorning it with beautiful hand embroidery in threads of gold and silver — the stage where Farid works with his colleagues.

Farid said, “ I feel very glad to work there. I do my work whole-heartedly and my dedication toward my art work is noted. I feel honored to be part of the holy Kiswa.”

The Kiswa is then sent to the laboratory for testing resilience, color steadfastness and durability followed by stitching of the numerous pieces.
On the 9th of Dhul Hijja, the brand new Kiswa comprising of four parts – Al-Multazam, Al-Hijr, the Door of Abraham, and the side between the two corners – is assembled on the Ka’bah; experienced craftsmen skillfully stitch the heavy pieces together.

The length of the Kiswa is 14 meters high. On the top third of the cloth, there is a 95 cm wide and 45 meters long hizam (belt). It has 16 pieces that surrounds the Ka’bah on all the four sides.

Under the hizam, on each corner of the Ka’bah Surah Ikhlas is calligraphically embroidered inside a circle, in addition to six other verses from the Qur’an which are embroidered in separate frames. In between there are also lamp-shaped frames with phrases glorifying “The Eternal One.”

Al-Multazam door of the Ka’bah has the heavily adorned embellished curtain made of silk and embroidered with protruding designs.

All the inscriptions are inspired by the Ath-Thuluth style of Arabic calligraphy.

The history of the Ka’bah goes back to the reign of King Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahaman Al-Saud, who ordered the making of the Kiswa in Makkah.
“Throughout my tenure in the factory, I have witnessed many significant changes. New machinery and modern technology is always brought in the factory to achieve impeccable results,” Farid said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120718130294

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176 gates in Grand Mosque ready for pilgrims


Fire fighters from the Civil Defense take part in drills. Thousands of Civil Defense workers will be deployed throughout
Makkah during Ramadan to ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents. — SPA

19 July 2012 - 29 Shaban 1433 H

MAKKAH – Gates in the Grand Mosque have been readied to receive worshippers and Umrah pilgrims during the month of Ramadan, said Talal Al-Thaqafi, Director of the Gates Administration at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

176 gates lead to the Grand Mosque, its roof, and the basement, and are kept open and guarded throughout Ramadan by 798 male and female employees.

Apart from this, 18 entrances for people with special needs have been readied. They include the King Abdul Aziz Gate (Bab Al-Malik Abdul Aziz), New Ajyad, Hunain, Al-Safa, Al-Marwah, Al-Qararah, Mazlaqan, Al-Fateh, Al-Madinah, and Al-Umrah gates as well as gates no. 64, 74, 84 and 94. They also include the gates to Al-Arqam, Al-Marwah, Murad, Al-Qararah, and Al-Mazlaqan escalators.

Al-Thaqafi added that in order to safeguard and facilitate movement in the Grand Mosque, bags of all kinds, food items, drinks, water cans - empty or full - and baby strollers have been banned.

He further called on visitors and Umrah pilgrims to cooperate with the workers at the gates and comply with the signal lights at the gates which will be green when there is space in the mosque and red when it is full. He called on worshippers not to enter the Grand Mosque immediately after prayers in order to prevent congestion.

Safe boxes in the courtyards of the mosque have been arranged for pilgrims’ valuables.

These initiatives were made under the supervision of Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, General President for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, and are being followed up by Muhammad Al-Khuzaim, Deputy General President for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120719130426

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Moon-sighting on Thursday unlikely, says ICOP report

19 July 2012 - 29 Shaban 1433 H

JEDDAH — Jeddah Astronomy Society has stopped releasing statements regarding sighting of the new moon for Ramadan and denied that last year’s incident has anything to do with the decision.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Crescents’ Observation Project (ICOP), based in Abu Dhabi, released a report which stated that a new moon will not be sighted on Thursday. ICOP based the report on astronomical calculations.

Last year, a number of astronomers said the sighting of Shawwal’s new moon was impossible. Despite the declaration, the Supreme Court announced Eid based on reports by traditional moon-sighting observers.

ICOP stated that the sighting of Ramadan’s new moon on the 29th of Shaaban, would be impossible from all northern locations and some central locations in the world.

This would include Iraq, Syria and parts of Saudi Arabia. This is due to the setting of the moon before sunset. For the rest of the Arab world, the sighting of the new moon on Thursday will not be possible even with the largest telescopes due to setting of the moon at the same time as the sun.


Mohammed Odeh, ICOP President, said that according to astronomers, Ramadan will fall on Saturday but “if things go like they did last year, Ramadan will be on Friday for many countries.”

“People who see the new moon with the naked eye, are the same people who have been seeing it for the past 20 years or so. With all this technology, astronomers and experts, we have special telescopes directed to the moon and then traditional moon sighting people say they saw the moon. I believe it’s time to trust science,” Odeh said.

Although the moon will set six minutes after the sun in Makkah; 8 minutes in Sana’a, Yemen; 10 minutes in Khartoum and Djibouti; 14 minutes Mogadishu; and 19 minutes in Moroni (Comoros), the moon will not be visible to naked eye or with the aid of a telescope. It will be seen only in the far Southern region of Africa and South America, ICOP declared.

“Despite having the latest technologies and experts, if, this year, things go the way they have been going the previous years, the majority of Arab countries will start fasting on Friday. In a few countries, they accept reports that contradict Astronomical data and scientific calculations claiming that reports of a sighting by any witness should not be refuted while the moon is in the sky,” Odeh said.

The Islamic Crescents’ Observation Project urged authorities in Muslim countries to take every precaution possible to confirm with absolute certainty all sighting reports on Thursday.

Every year, countries that still rely on the traditional method of moon sighting, report sightings if enough citizens claim to have seen the moon. Many Muslim countries such as Oman and Morocco, do not rely on such reports, which are prone to error and instead use astronomical calculations to declare the beginning and end of the holy month.

This year, it is expected that many Arab countries will announce the beginning of the holy month on Friday. Other countries including Oman, Morocco and Libya are expected to account the start of fasting on Saturday.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120719130414

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Civil Defense deploys 10,000 men in Makkah

Riyadh: Arab News

Thursday 19 July 2012

The drector general of Civil Defense on Wednesday said this year's general emergency response plan in Makkah and Madinah will be successful.

With more than 10,000 men and 2,000 vehicles including nine helicopters, the forces are prepared for dealing with any emergency, Lt. Gen. Sa'ad bin Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri said.

Al-Tuwaijri was inspecting Civil Defense forces as they implemented the emergency response plan in Makkah.

He watched a demonstration involving a number of the new vehicles that will take part in the Umrah season for the first time, including a multipurpose unit that can be used for fire extinguishing, rescue and providing first aid.
There were others that dealt with accidents involving chemical or radiation leakage.

Al-Tuwaijri inspected field specialist teams and their vehicles.
The plan was approved by Minister of Interior Prince Ahmad and involves 18 government bodies.

It is largely developed in terms of deploying and stationing field units to reduce response times, said Al-Tuwaijri.

More than 2,000 paramedics were deployed to provide first aid to the sick and elderly inside and outside the Grand Mosque. New teams and temporary centers were created to cover all routes to Makkah and support forces there.
Al-Tuwaijri underlined the plan's preventive measures including inspecting safety equipment and measures at more than 6,000 pilgrim accommodation buildings in Makkah and handle any violation that could pose a threat to safety or obstruct Civil Defense staff in case of emergencies.

The department also increased its awareness programs for pilgrims to help them avoid hazards through the use of signboards, leaflets and text messages among others.

He commended the level of cooperation and coordination between government bodies participating in the plan.

Makkah Prince Gov. Khaled Al-Faisal and Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs Prince Muhammad bin Naif is supervising implementation of the plan.

With Ramadan beginning Friday, the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) said Wednesday that the holy month this year will witness the longest days and shortest nights of the year and temperatures of up to 48 degrees Celsius. In some regions of the Kingdom, temperatures could reach 50 degrees while maximum temperatures will be around 34 degrees in mountainous regions, Al-Madinah local daily reported.

According to the Umm Al-Qura Calendar, fasting time is 14 hours and 40 minutes on the first day of Ramadan. Fajr prayer time starts at 4.25 a.m. and Maghreb is at 7.05 p.m.

This means nighttime is only nine hours and 20 minutes.

The fasting month coincides with the period when the sun is perpendicular over the Arabian Peninsula in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in the longest days and shortest nights, the PME said.

Normally, when the sun is over the Tropic of Cancer, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day and shortest night. When it is over the Tropic of Capricorn, the Northern Hemisphere has its shortest day and longest night.

Coastal cities and regions including Jeddah will experience humidity that will intensify the soaring temperatures.

During the fasting month, the Kingdom’s summer resort cities such as Taif, Abha and Baha will experience pleasant weather, with minimum temperatures reaching around 16 degrees.

Recently PME denied reports that temperatures this summer could exceed 70 degrees.

The presidency was responding to reports that speculated temperatures might break existing records. Jeddah and many other Saudi cities experienced high temperatures during Ramadan in 2010.

The Ministry of Education is planning to open 500 Ramadan clubs in various cities and regions of the Kingdom during the month. It has allocated SR 20 million for the program, and each club will get SR 40,000, Al-Eqtisadiah daily reported quoting sources at the ministry.

These clubs will organize a wide variety of entertainment and sporting programs for children. These activities will start after Taraweeh prayers and will be held over a period of 19 days, four hours per day.

The venues for the club activities will be government school compounds in densely populated districts.

The ministry’s conditions stipulate that at least 70 percent of the activities will be sports and games while the rest are those related to community activities and entertainment.

The Ramadan clubs’ activities will be open to boys and girls free of charge. They are not allowed to charge even registration fees, the sources said.

http://www.arabnews.com/civil-defens...000-men-makkah

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Ramadan Kareem!

Royal Court: Tomorrow Is First Day of Ramadan

Jeddah, Sha'ban 29, 1433, Jul 19, 2012, SPA

Tomorrow, Friday, corresponding to July 20, 2012, will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan according to testimonies reported to the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by adult and wise witnesses, a statement by the Royal Court said this evening, quoting a report by the Supreme Court.

According to the report, the Supreme Court has received at its summer headquarters in Taif Province several assurances that the new lunar moon was eye-seen, an evidence that tomorrow will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Supreme Court avails itself of this opportunity to congratulate the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince, Saudi government and people, Muslim expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all Muslim nation on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, praying to Allah Almighty to help Muslims on fasting the holy month of Ramadan and accept their good deeds.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Culture and Information avails itself of this opportunity to congratulate the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense; the Saudi Royal family, citizens and all Muslim nation on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, wishing them easy, successful and acceptable fasting.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1016784
http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1016785

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Finishing touches to the expansion in Makkah.

21 July 2012 - 02 Ramadan 1433 H

Workers are seen putting finishing touches to the new expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, issued directives to make use of the new expansion area effective the first day of Ramadan. The Monarch ordered that the ground floor of the new expansion and a large portion of the courtyards, which accommodate over 200,000 persons, to be opened for Umrah performers and visitors.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120721130596

[Roukaya19]

Makkah’s Ramadan cannon keeps tradition alive


Makkah’s Ramadan cannon on Jabal Al-Midfa (Cannon Mountain)
against the backdrop of the Grand Mosque.

21 July 2012 - 02 Ramadan 1433 H

MAKKAH – During the past 50 years, Makkah residents have been hearing the booming sound of the city’s Ramadan cannon. They have become so accustomed to hearing the sound of the cannon that many residents, young and old, do not break their fast until they hear the boom of the cannon, which was used in the past as a sign to break the fast at dusk or begin the fast at dawn. The cannon also heralds the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

This was before the appearance of loudspeakers during a time when mosques did not have electricity and the call to prayer was difficult to hear for people outside its immediate vicinity. The mountain on which the Ramadan cannon is located has been named by Makkah residents as Cannon Mountain (Jabal Al-Midfa).

“We were so used to hearing the sound of the Ramadan cannon heralding the beginning of Ramadan and the time to break the fast that some people wouldn’t break their fast unless they heard the sound of the cannon. Even on hearing the call to prayer (Adhan), they would still wait for the cannon to sound.

The boom of the Ramadan cannon has made it an inseparable part of the holy month, giving the atmosphere a special beauty,” said Osama Turki, a longtime resident of Makkah.

The cannon’s blank shots are prepared for the entire month beforehand. It fires one shot at the time for breaking the fast at dusk (Iftar time), one shot at the time for the last meal (Suhoor) and two shots when it is time to stop eating and drinking (Imsaak time). That brings the total number of shots fired in Ramadan to about 120. In its 50-year life span, the Ramadan cannon has fired about 6,000 shots.

Abdullah Al-Raddadi, another resident of Makkah, said that he and his sons have become accustomed to hearing the Ramadan cannon every year, as it is one of the prominent characteristics of Ramadan in Makkah.

“We can’t imagine Ramadan beginning without the boom of the cannon. Family members used to compete with each other by running to the roof to hear the sound of the cannon at dusk, especially Makkah residents living near Jabal Al-Midfa. All would be gazing in the direction of the mountain waiting to hear the boom, said Al-Raddai.

“As for houses far away from the mountain, they used to monitor the cannon on Saudi TV minutes before dusk,” he added.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120721130599

[Roukaya19]

Inspection of Makkah slaughterhouses intensified

21 July 2012 - 02 Ramadan 1433 H

MAKKAH – Saud Al-Hetairshi, director of the Department of Slaughterhouses in the Makkah Mayoralty, said over the past three months his department’s inspectors have confiscated over 2.5 tons of rotten meat. For Ramadan, the department has taken all necessary precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of any infectious or epidemic diseases when a huge number of sheep and cattle are slaughtered.

Slaughterhouses have been provided with more skilled workers to deal with the huge demand of sheep and cattle in Ramadan.

“We’ve started carrying out intensive inspections of butcher shops and meat markets to make sure that meat is free from any diseases. Veterinary examinations of slaughtered animals have been intensified as well,” said Al-Hetairshi while calling on citizens to report anyone who slaughters animals outside the city’s designated slaughterhouses by calling 537-9123.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120721130598

[Roukaya19]

Nearly 100,000 Muslims pray at al-Aqsa for Ramadan


The al-Aqsa mosque compound is known as al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims and
is Islam’s third holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Friday, 20 July 2012

Nearly 100,000 Muslim worshippers poured into al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City for the first Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan, an Israeli police spokesman said.

“Nearly 100,000 Palestinians from the West Bank” and east Jerusalem “were at the Temple Mount for prayers,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said, adding that no disturbances were reported.

The al-Aqsa mosque compound is known as al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims and is Islam’s third holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

But Jews refer to the same area as the Temple Mount, the location of the Second Jewish Temple razed by the Romans in 70 AD and Judaism's holiest site.

The Israeli police and army have eased restrictions imposed on West Bank Palestinians wishing to pray at al-Aqsa during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which most Muslims across the region began observing from Friday.

Authorities said they would allow 5,000 Palestinians to travel daily from the West Bank to aAl-Aqsa to pray throughout the month of Ramadan and would also ease travel restrictions for those wishing to visit with relatives.

But Palestinians men under the age of 40 are still banned from going to al-Aqsa.

Rosenfeld said thousands of security forces were deployed since the early hours in the Old City, around the al-Aqsa mosque compound and in the eastern part of Jerusalem, to prevent any incident.

Israel generally prohibits Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to enter its own designated territory or east Jerusalem, which it occupied in the 1967 Six-Day-War and later annexed.

Meanwhile Israel has transferred ahead of time tax and tariff revenues to the Palestinian Authority in a goodwill gesture for Ramadan, a spokesman for the body that deals with Palestinian civilian affairs in the West Bank said.

On Wednesday, “Israel transferred 160 million shekels ($40 million, 32.7 million euro) to the Palestinian Authority to be used to pay July salaries,” Guy Inbar said.

The funds would normally have been paid in the second week of August.

Israel levies taxes and custom duties on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, under interim peace deals.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...20/227465.html

[Roukaya19]

Expand the Grand Mosque in Mecca

توسعة الحرم المكي.. تاريخ بالصور



Exhibition attracted more than a hundred thousand people in the early days

أكثر من مائة ألف زائر توافدوا على المعرض الذي يحكي قصة "التوسعات" في الحرم المكي الشريف بمكة المكرمة خلال العصر السعودي، وتحديدا في مرحلة الدولة الثالثة التي أعاد تأسيسها الملك عبد العزيز آل سعود في يناير/كانون الثاني 1902. وتضمن المعرض الذي أقيم في جدة الكثير من الصور الفوتغرافية الفريدة والمتنوعة.

وإضافة إلى "الجانب الروحي" لأطهر بقعة على وجه الأرض باعتباره عنصر الجذب الرئيسي للجمهور، فإن أغلب الصور تعرض للمرة الأولى محليا، وهو ما أعطى المعرض الذي أقامته الرئاسة العامة للحرمين الشريفين ضمن برنامج النادي الصيفي بشركة "أرامكو السعودية"، زخما إضافيا.

تاريخ ودلالات
كل واحدة من صور المعرض (59 صورة) التي عرضت في جناح عمارة الحرمين الشريفين بنادي أرامكو الثقافي، تحمل دلالات تاريخية مهمة، منها صورة المرحلة الأولى من توسعة الحرم المكي عام 1375هـ، وأخرى لبئر زمزم.

وتورد الصورة حالة "الاختلاف الفقهي" بين المذاهب السنية الأربعة في مواقيت الصلاة المفروضة، حيث كان لكل مذهب مقام على محيط الكعبة المشرفة يصلون فيه الصلوات وفقا لمذهبهم، واستمر ذلك سنوات ليست بالقليلة، إلى أن أزيلت من أماكنها في العصر السعودي.

إحدى الصور كانت الأكثر جذبا للجمهور، وتظهر أول ملك بعد المؤسس -وهو الملك سعود- بجانب الشيخ محمد بن لادن (والد زعيم تنظيم القاعدة الراحل أسامة بن لادن)، وهو يشرح أعمال أول توسعة في المسجد الحرام التي جرت بين عامي 1382هـ و1385هـ. ولا تزال عائلة بن دلان تحتفظ بهذا الإرث في أعمال مقاولات وترميم وصيانة ونظافة المسجد الحرام حتى اليوم.

وتتحدث صورة أخرى عن أول صلاة لعيد الفطر المبارك بعد أول أعمال التوسعة في محيط الكعبة المشرفة وذلك في عام 1391هـ، بحسب المرشد داود سندي في حديثه للجزيرة نت. كما نالت صورة الملك فيصل بن عبد العزيز -ثاني ملك سعودي- وهو داخل الكعبة يشارك في أعمال ترميمها بوضع لبنات، حظها الكبير من إقبال الجمهور.

ومن بين الصور الحديثة التي تضمنها المعرض، صورة الباب الجديد الذي تجرى عليه الأعمال حاليا، والذي سيطلق عليه اسم العاهل السعودي الحالي "باب الملك عبد الله"، وسيكون الباب رقم "26" بين أبواب المسجد الحرام.

وأبرزت باقي الصور لقطات تظهر التوسعات القديمة والحديثة للمسعى، والأحياء والأسواق القديمة في مكة، كالسوق الصغير الذي كان يعد أكبر أسواق مكة المكرمة سابقا. وقد اختفت هذه الأسواق ولم يعد لها وجود إلا في "الذاكرة الفوتغرافية".

ولم تغفل إدراة الجناح استعراض صورة افتراضية للتوسعة الجديدة التي يجري عليها العمل حاليا، وتعتبر أكبر توسعة في تاريخ المسجد الحرام على مر العصور.

لكن ما يؤخذ على الجناح اعتماده في شرح الصور على المرشدين المتواجدين، وغياب أي "بطاقات تعريفية" تساعد الزوارعلى فهم خلفية الصورة وتاريخها، فبعض الزوار الآسيويين والأوروبيين لا يجيدون اللغة العربية، مما جعل تفاعلهم مع الصور "روحيا" أكثر منه معلوماتيا.

عامل الكسوة
وضمن فعاليات المعرض كان العم فريد شاطر العامل بمصنع الكسوة منذ أكثر من 37 عاماً، محور حديث الزائرين. وقد توسط مقر جناح الصور وهو يقوم بتطريز قطعة من حزام الكعبة المشرفة التي تقع في الثلث الأعلى من بناء الكعبة، ويبلغ عرضها 95 سم، ويكتب عليها بعض الآيات القرآنية، مطرزة بشكل بارز مغطى بسلك فضي مطلي بالذهب. ويبلغ طول الحزام 47م، ويتكون من 16 قطعة.

دخل فريد شاطر هذه المهنة وهو في السادسة عشرة من عمره -كما قال للجزيرة نت- بدعم من جده الشيخ أحمد بن علي سحرتي الذي كان أحد مؤسسي مصنع الكسوة الجديد الذي أنشئ عام 1977. ويتلقى العم فريد أسئلة كثيرة من زوار المعرض ينصب معظمها حول شعوره وهو يمارس هذه المهنة "الفريدة" لنحو أربعة عقود متواصلة.

ولا يخفي شاطر سعادته بوجوده في هذا المكان ومشاركته في حياكة كسوة الكعبة، وغالبا ما تكون إجابته لسائليه واحدة "ما أنا فيه هو فضل وتوفيق من الله، أن جعلني أخيط بعض قطع كسوة بيت الله المعظم"، وسيستمر في عمله الذي عشقه منذ الصغر أمام الجمهور حتى آخر يوم من فعاليات المعرض يوم 18 يوليو/تموز الجاري.

http://www.aljazeera.net/news/pages/...1-6576e777b9ff

الملك الراحل سعود (يمين) يستعرض مع الشيخ محمد بن لادن أعمال التوسعة الأولى
للمسعى بين الصفا والمروة

The late King Saud (right) reviews with Sheikh Mohammed bin Laden's first expansion of
For the endeavor between Safa and Marwa

Google translation:

Expand the Grand Mosque in Mecca .. Date of pictures

Exhibition attracted more than a hundred thousand people in the early days

More than one hundred thousand visitors flocked to the exhibition, which tells the story of the "expansion" in the Haram in Makkah Saudi Arabia during the era, and specifically at the stage of the third country re-established by King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud in January 1902. And ensure that the exhibition which was held in Jeddah, a lot of pictures unique and diverse.

In addition to the "spiritual side" of the purest spot on the face of the earth as a main attraction to the public, the majority of images presented for the first time locally, which gave the exhibition held by the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques within the program of summer club company, "Saudi Aramco", added impetus.

The history and significance
Each of the pictures show (59 pics) that were presented at the Pavilion of the Two Holy Mosques Club Building Cultural Aramco, with important historical significance, including the image of the first phase of expansion of the Grand Mosque in 1375 AH, and another for your well.

And for which is the case of "different jurisprudential" between the four Sunni schools of prayer times imposed, where each doctrine serves the area around the Kaaba praying the prayers according to their doctrine, and continued so years is not uncommon, to be removed from their places in modern Saudi Arabia.

One of the pictures were the most attractive to the public, and show the first king after the founder - the King Saud - next to Sheikh Mohammed bin Laden (the father of al-Qaeda leader the late Osama bin Laden), which explains the work of the first expansion in the Grand Mosque that took place between 1382 AH and 1385 AH. Ben's family is still Dlan keep this legacy in the work of construction, restoration, maintenance and cleanliness of the Sacred Mosque until today.

And another picture speaks for the first prayer of the Eid al-Fitr after the first business expansion in the vicinity of the Kaaba, in 1391, the year, according to leader David Cindy in his speech to the island. It also won the image of the King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz - the second Saudi king - which is inside the Kaaba participate in the work of restoration status of the girls, their share of the large public turnout.

Among the modern pictures included in the exhibition, a new section which is currently held by the business, which will be called the current Saudi monarch, "the door of King Abdullah," and the door will be the number "26" between the doors of the Grand Mosque.

She highlighted the rest of the images to show footage of ancient and modern expansions of the effort, and the living and the old markets in Mecca, such as the Duty Little, who was the largest markets of Mecca previously. Have disappeared these markets no longer exist except in the "photographic memory".

Did not overlook the Administration wing review virtual image of the new expansion being out of work now, and is the largest expansion in the history of the Grand Mosque over the centuries.

But what is taken on the wing adopted in explaining the images on the present tour, and the absence of any "labels" Alzoaraly help understand the background and history, some visitors Asians and Europeans do not speak Arabic, making interaction with images "spiritual" rather than in terms of information.

Factor cladding
As part of the show was Uncle Fred shared the clothing factory worker for more than 37 years, the focus of recent visitors. The wing headquarters mediate image is based strap embroidered piece of the Kaaba, which is located in the upper third of the building of the Kaaba, and a width of 95 cm, and write some verses of the Koran, embroidered prominently covered with wire silver plated with gold. The length of the belt 47 m, and consists of 16 pieces.

Fred shared the income of the profession he was sixteen years old - as he said of the island - with the support of his grandfather, Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali, who was a Shrta the founders of the new clothing factory which was established in 1977. Uncle Fred and receives many questions from visitors to the exhibition focus is mostly about his feelings, in exercise of the profession "unique" for nearly four decades straight.

It is no secret shared his delight he was in this place and his participation in the weaving clothing of the Kaaba, and often the answer to Saúlah one "what I am is preferred and the reconciliation of God, that made me sew a few pieces of clothing house of God, holy," and will continue in his work that his passion since childhood to the public until the last day of the exhibition on July 18 this month.

فريد شاطر قضى 37 عاماً
في تطريز كسوة الكعبة المشرفة

Share Fred spent 37 years
Embroidery in the covering of the Kaaba