NEWS l Mecca & Pilgrimage

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Holy Mosque - Masjid al Haram

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Makkah’s role in making unity
among Islamic nations a reality

Makkah is the only place that is able to utilise the gathering of Muslims
on an annual basis for Haj to unify their voice after uniting their hearts



Pilgrims perform fajr prayer during the Umrah at Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

May 16, 2013

About 1,400 years ago, Makkah, as per the modern definition, was an economic centre that attracted many people from the Arabian Peninsula — a marketplace in which various commodities were sold. Culture represented a very important aspect of this Arab tribal religious extravaganza, especially in the field of poetry. The seven most famous poems in the history of Arab literature were presented and promoted at this exceptional location, which, in addition to its commercial and cultural significance, also served as a place for idol worship, which was later abolished by Islam.

However, trading in various commodities through barter, and promoting poetry and idol worship, were not the only activities that occurred in Makkah prior to Islam. Makkah was a place in which social relations were woven among different tribes, serving as a place for meetings and forging alliances, exchanging information on natural disasters, inter-tribe wars, water sources, cattle and new convoy routes. It was also a place in which plans for future projects came about, or “long-term projects” as they are called in modern day trade lingo.

Makkah remained a central location for a commercial, social, cultural and religious gathering that took place on a specific day on a yearly basis. This gathering was planned very carefully to ensure that all involved traders received their expected gains and was a massive event by the standards of the day and age.

If we are to be true to ourselves and set aside the significant and primary religious role of Makkah for the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world, then we could perhaps speak about the other roles it could play less timidly — roles that are absent in this day and age. If some of those efficient roles were to be brought back, then it would certainly serve the benefits of all Islamic countries in particular and all Muslims around the world. However, these roles must be deemed suitable and convincing, because they cannot all be brought about through people alone as they require the contributions of institutions.

It is important to remember that these are merely suggestions and this article is a discussion of ideas, not an expressed interest in carrying out some sort of projects or vision. The matter of projects and visions, which are deemed possible for execution, is up to the decision-makers in Islamic countries and at the forefront of these countries is Saudi Arabia because it is the custodian of the two Holy Mosques and its affairs. These suggestions will touch upon a single Islamic rite and that is Haj, which is mandatory for any Muslim who is financially and physically able. I have quite often pondered on writing about other roles that can be played by Makkah. The first of such occasions was when I took my mother for Haj and the second time was when I accompanied my brother for Haj.

Islamic countries are currently undergoing many political crises, but my focus will be on how to address the economic issues. One can currently observe that a study is underway to replace the traditional economic system with an Islamic economy, especially with regard to Islamic banking.

Reports are also underway about some GCC countries and cities planning to become capitals of Islamic economy that is expected to attract huge Islamic investments, according to estimates. In addition to setting up Islamic banks that provide a variety of services, economic and commercial projects that are based on the concept of Islamic economy will also be undertaken.

The concept of Islamic economy is starting to spread and now its dimensions are being understood by both Islamic and non-Islamic communities. It is worth noting that the first-ever Islamic banks were set up in Dubai and Riyadh back in the 1970s.

In addition to being a location of religious importance to Muslims around the world and being the place where the Holy Mosque is located, Makkah today also possesses many other capabilities and plays different roles. Among those is Islamic decision-making in both political and economic terms, which would involve many Muslims around the world. Such a role would not be alien to Makkah. In fact, it is highly suitable considering its history over the past hundreds of years. As we mentioned previously, this role was played by Makkah even before the revelation of Islam.

Islamic countries and billions of Muslims around the world need, more than ever, a Makkah that can take on various roles — more so, a role that manifests itself in different aspects of a being a Muslim as well as a non-Muslim in both the Arab region and other regions where Muslims live.

Muslims can travel to Makkah for the purpose of Haj and then return to their countries. This is an obligation that must be carried out by any able Muslim. However, it is also required for Makkah to reprise its other historic roles, especially its economic and political ones.

Makkah is the only place that is able to utilise the gathering of Muslims on an annual basis for Haj to unify their voice after they are done uniting their hearts. Such a gathering can be used for presenting economic and political agendas and coordinating among one another the implementation of these agendas for their own benefit without intruding on a country’s sovereignty or internal affairs. This will make unity among Islamic nations a reality.

A Makkah which takes on a religious role will always exist. However, it is a requirement, and a justifiable one, for it not to be content playing only a single role because it holds immense capabilities that are waiting to be harnessed and realised. Whoever takes on such a duty will be doing a great service to Islam and Muslims and this step is in line with the needs and challenges being faced by Muslims around the world in modern times. So long as we are Muslims and we undertake such a step with the best intentions in mind, it will surely be of great benefit to the Muslim population.

Mohammad Hassan Al Harbi is a writer and journalist.

http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columni...lity-1.1184564

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Egyptians head to Mecca to perform Umrah

500 000 Egyptians have performed Umrah



Muslims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca
to perform the rituals of the umrah. [Amer Hilabi/AFP]

Cairo / 2013-05-13

As many as half a million Egyptians have performed umrah since February, and some officials project that number will reach 800,000 by the end of the months of Shaaban and Ramadan, the high season for umrah pilgrimages.

This year, Saudi authorities asked the Egyptian government to reduce the number of umrah pilgrims by 10% as the on-going expansion of Mecca's Grand Mosque has not yet been completed, according to Maamoun al-Rashidi from the religious tourism committee at the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism's Chamber of Tourist Establishments.

The maximum number of pilgrims was set at 800,000, he said.

The umrah season ends at the end of July this year, al-Rashidi said, adding he expects umrah pilgrims in Shaaban and Ramadan to number 300,000.

In addition to agreeing on the umrah pilgrimage quota, the two countries have established measures to deter pilgrims who seek to remain in Saudi Arabia until the hajj season without proper documentation or attempt to find employment in the kingdom without acquiring a work visa, he said.

These measures include expediting legal proceedings against those who fail to return to Egypt and denying them visas to Saudi Arabia for five years, as well as distributing a list of violators to tourist companies.

"This year, Saudi authorities are strictly enforcing the policy requiring tourist companies to provide comprehensive and documented plans for umrah tours, particularly in regard to hotel reservations and transportation," said Mahmoud Sami, director of a Cairo tourist company.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism is working alongside tourist and aviation companies to prevent congestion during the return journey, he said, adding that it is important tourist companies adhere to their itineraries and promptly report those who fail to show up for their trip back.
Airlines and tourist companies compete

"EgyptAir increased the number of its flights for the tail end of the umrah pilgrimage season by 20%, or the equivalent of 115,000 additional seats," Sami said.

Umrah prices this year reflect the intense competition among tourist companies to attract customers, Sami said.

Prices range from 6,000 Egyptian pounds to around 15,000 ($861 to $2,153), depending on the quality of accommodation and means of transportation to and within the kingdom, he added.

EgyptAir offers most umrah flights, with reservation records showing the airline expects to transport about half a million pilgrims this year, compared to 300,000 pilgrims last year, he said.

Hajj Mustafa Abdul Salam, a retiree, said he has performed umrah five times and hajj once. He told Al-Shorfa he raises the funds through side work so he can perform umrah every two to three years.

"Egyptians are very fond of umrah," he said. "Although it is not obligatory, everyone, whether poor or rich, seeks to perform it, especially since the hajj pilgrimage is subject to a lottery system and there is a limit on the number of pilgrims from each country."

"Modern technology and the ease of travel and accommodation notwithstanding, umrah tours in the past had a different flavour and were more imbued with spirituality," he said.

Abdul Salam said part of the pilgrimage's popularity stems from interpretations and hadiths that claim performing umrah during the month of Ramadan is equivalent to performing hajj in the company of the prophet.

"For this reason, many people seek to perform umrah during Ramadan," he said.

http://al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/.../13/feature-02

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1,000 artworks showcase Madinah
as Islamic Cultural Capital 2013


The exhibition encompasses 1,000 artworks made by the students, which
highlight the significance of Madinah as the Islamic Cultural Capital of 2013.

Thursday 16 May 2013

Students in the Department of Art Education at Taibah University displayed their works at an art exhibition, on the sidelines of the university’s participation in the yearlong celebrations of Madinah as Capital of Islamic Culture for the year 2013.

Director of Taibah University Adnan bin Abdullah Al-Mazroua inaugurated the exhibition on Tuesday.

It encompasses 1,000 artworks made by the students, which highlight the significance of Madinah as the Islamic Cultural Capital of 2013.

The head of the Art Education Department at Taibah University, Waleed Al-Qeen told Saudi Press Agency the artistic creations of the students were corresponding with Madinah’s celebrations.

Al-Qeen said all these artworks will be participating in the cultural tent near Quba Mosque, wherein an exhibition will be set up on an area of approximately 1,500 meters to showcase these innovative creations.

The exhibition runs until next Monday, and it will be open for women today, said Al-Qeen.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/451773

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2,743 Makkah buildings
given approval to house pilgrims

20 May 2013 - 10 Rajab 1434 H

MAKKAH — So far 2,743 licenses have been issued for buildings that will be used for Haj accommodation, according to the chairman of the Makkah Haj accommodation committee.

The licensed buildings can accommodate 762,774 pilgrims, Zuhair Hadad added.

The committee enforces strict procedures for issuing licenses to ensure that buildings comply with safety standards and do not pose any threat to pilgrims.

Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar visited Sunday the committee’s headquarters, where Hadad briefed him on all procedures and safety standards for any building that will be used for Haj accommodation purposes.

Al-Bar urged citizens who want to rent their buildings out to pilgrims to have an accredited engineering office inspect the building and ensure it meets all standards, so that the committee issues it with an accommodation license.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130520166532

Police prevent pilgrim from taking own life

20 May 2013 - 10 Rajab 1434 H

MAKKAH — Police in Makkah saved on Sunday a Turkish Umrah performer in his 40s who tried to commit suicide by jumping off the roof of a five-floor building in the city's Al-Shawqiya neighborhood.

Police officers and Civil Defense rescuers succeeded in convincing the man to change his mind.

Civil Defense spokesman Col. Ali Al-Muntashiri said the rescuers used a safety net just in case the man jumped off the roof. Sources said the man was suffering from a mental breakdown.

Al-Muntashiri urged Umrah guides to educate their nationals that it is forbidden in Islam to commit suicide anywhere around the world, let alone a holy city like Makkah.

This is not the first time rescuers have stopped an Umrah performer from committing suicide, he added.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130520166526

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Grand Mosque allocates 100 doors for pilgrims, 18 for the disabled
and 14 doors closed for Mataf expansion project

أغلق 14 باباً لصالح مشروع توسعة المطاف
الحرم المكي يخصص 100 باب للمعتمرين و18 للمعوقين

مكة المكرمة - جمعان الكناني

اغلقت الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي 14 باباً داخل الحرم المكي الشريف وذلك لصالح مشروع الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز لتوسعة المطاف.

واوضح مدير ادارة الابواب بالمسجد الحرام عبدالله الطميح بأن الأبواب التي جرى اغلاقها تقع في الجهة الشمالية وجزء من الجهة الشرقية للمسجد الحرام، مشيراً الى ان ادارة الابواب تعمل على مساعدة المعتمرين على تأدية مناسكهم بكل سكينة وهدوء. واكد الطميح بانه تم تخصيص مائة باب لدخول المعتمرين والمصلين للمسجد الحرام كما تم تخصيص 18 مدخلاً لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة.

وأضاف بأن دخول العفش والحقائب بأنواعها ممنوع، وعدم دخول ما يؤثر في حركة السير داخل المسجد الحرام ومنع دخول كل ما يؤثر في نظافة وقدسية المسجد الحرام من مأكولات ومشروبات.

وأهاب الطميح بمعتمري وزوار بيت الله الحرام أن يتعاونوا مع العاملين على الأبواب وأن يراعوا الإشارات الضوئية الموجودة على أبواب المسجد الحرام التي تضيء باللون الأخضر عند وجود أماكن شاغرة داخل المسجد الحرام وتضيء باللون الأحمر عند اكتمال الطاقة الاستيعابية داخل المسجد الحرام، منبهاً بعدم الدخول إلى المسجد الحرام وقت خروج المصلين بعد الصلاة مباشرةً، لما يسببه ذلك من اختناقات لا سمح الله، وكذلك عدم دخول عربات الأطفال لما تسببه من عرقلة للحركة داخل المسجد الحرام.

http://www.alriyadh.com/2013/05/20/article836782.html

Google trans: Closed the General Presidency for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque 14 gates inside the Haram al-Sharif in favor of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to expand eventually.

The director said Doors Grand Mosque Abdullah Tmih, that the doors that have been shut down are located in the northern part of the eastern side of the Grand Mosque, adding that the Doors administration is working to help pilgrims to perform the rituals in all tranquility and calm. Tmih confirmed that he has been allocated one hundred door to enter the pilgrims and worshipers to the Grand Mosque has also been allocated 18 entrance for people with special needs.

He added that the entry of luggage and bags of all kinds is forbidden, and do not enter what affect the traffic flow inside the Grand Mosque and prevent the entry of everything that affects the cleanliness and the sanctity of the Grand Mosque of food and drinks.

He called Tmih Bmatmra and visitors to the House of God to cooperate with the workers on the doors and respect the traffic lights on the doors of the Grand Mosque, which lights up in green when there are vacancies inside the Grand Mosque and lights up red when completed capacity inside the Grand Mosque, warning not to enter to the Sacred Mosque time out immediately after the prayer worshipers, what caused bottlenecks, God forbid, as well as non-entry strollers what caused obstruction of the movement inside the Grand Mosque.

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Visit the Exhibition of Mataf Expansion Project

Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques open its doors to visitors
at the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques project to increase the capacity of the Mataf

شؤون الحرمين تفتح ابوابها لزوار معرض مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين لزيادة الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف

بعد تفضل صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير / خالد الفيصل أمير منطقة مكة المكرمة _حفظه الله _ بافتتاح معرض مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين لزيادة الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف والذي يحتوي على العديد من الصور والمجسمات والعروض الرئيسة التي تحكي تفاصيل المشروع ؛ تفتح الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي أبواب المعرض للزوار للاطلاع عليه والاستفادة منه مع العلم أن وقت زيارة المعرض سيكون يومي الاحد و الاثنين من كل أسبوع بعد صلاة الظهر مباشرة .

ولزيارة الوفود الرسمية الاتصال على مكتب الرئيس العام على الأرقام التالية:
( 5733311 ) ( 0569121600 )

http://www.makkah-now.com/news.php?action=show&id=7698

Google translation: After His Royal Highness Prince / Khaled Al-Faisal, Governor of Mecca _ may God protect him _ inaugurated Project Gallery King to increase the capacity of the Mataf for which contains many pictures and models and offers key that tells details of the project; open the General Presidency for the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque doors exhibition for visitors to look at it and benefit from it, knowing that the time to visit the exhibition will be on Sunday and Monday of each week immediately after the noon prayer.

To visit the official delegations contact the Office of the President on the following numbers:
(5733311) (0569121600)

Gallery Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
to raise the capacity of the Mataf

''معرض مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين لرفع الطاقة الإستيعابية للمطاف"

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Allocation of the ground floor pedestrian .. Bin Humaid's Okaz:
Linking up Suspension Bridge path quest for the disabled

تخصيص الدور الأرضي للمشاة.. بن حميد لـ عكاظ:
ربط جسر المطاف المعلق بمسار سعي للمعوقين

20 May 2013

قررت إدارة المشاريع والدراسات في الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الشريف، ربط جسر المطاف المعلق بمسار سعي للمعوقين في ميزانين الدور الارضى، وتخصيص الدور الأول لطواف المعوقين، كما قررت استمرار العمل بجسر المطاف المعلق طيلة مدة تنفيذ مشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز لرفع الطاقة الاستيعابية لصحن المطاف.

وقال مدير عام إدارة المشاريع والدراسات في الرئاسة المهندس عبدالمحسن بن عبدالرحمن بن حميد لـ«عكاظ» إنه انطلاقا من اهتمام القيادة الرشيدة بخدمة الحرمين الشريفين وقاصديهما وتذليل الصعاب أمام الطائفين، قامت الرئاسة العامة بإنشاء جسر للطواف لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة، مؤكدا أن العمل يجري العمل على قدم وساق في تنفيذ مطاف المعوقين المؤقت في حلقة دائرية تحاذي الرواق القديم بعرض 12 مترا، وذلك لفصل حركة المعوقين عن حركة الطائفين في صحن الطواف.

وأوضح أن الاستفادة من جسر المطاف المعلق تستمر طيلة مدة تنفيذ المشروع، معيدا السبب الى انقطاع حلقة الطواف في الأروقة بسبب أعمال الإزالة التي تقتضيها مراحل تنفيذ المشروع طيلة السنوات الثلاث التي تنتهي بنهاية العام 1436هـ.

وقال بن حميد إن المطاف المؤقت يتكون من طابقين متعامدين يرتبط أحدهما بأروقة الدور الأرضي والآخر بالدور الأول الذي سيخصص لطواف المعوقين وسيراعى في كل عناصره المرتبطة به الفصل الكامل بين حركة المعوقين وحركة المشاة في أروقة الدور الأرضي، كما سيراعى ربطه بمسار سعي المعوقين في ميزانين الدور الأرضي حفاظا على سلامتهم وتسهيلا لأداء النسك، مشيرا إلى أنه استخدم لتنفيذ هذا المشروع تقنيات عالية وعناصر إنشائية مسبقة الصنع، ويشمل ذلك القواعد والأعمدة والجسور والبلاطات والعناصر المعمارية التكميلية، وذلك من خلال الاعتماد على الألياف الكربونية التي تتميز بخفة الوزن والقوة والمتانة العالية والسهولة في التركيب والفك.

وأكد أنه سيتم تخصيص الدور الأرضي من المطاف المؤقت للمشاة لتخفيف العبء على صحن المطاف، ويجري العمل على قدم وساق للانتهاء من أعمال المطاف المؤقت قبل موسم رمضان المقبل.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20...0520602555.htm

Google translation: 20 May 2013

Has decided to manage projects and studies in the General Presidency for the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, connecting bridge eventually commentator path quest for the disabled in mezzanine Ground Floor, and the allocation of the first round of the Tour of persons with disabilities, also decided to continue working bridge eventually suspended for the duration of the implementation of the project Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to raise the capacity of the Mataf.

The general director of project management and studies in the presidential Engineer Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdulrahman Bin Humaid for «Okaz» It is the basis of interesting leadership to serve the Two Holy Mosques and Qasidihma and overcome the difficulties in front of الطائفين, the General Presidency create a bridge for Cruising for people with special needs, stressing that the work is being presented and bounds in the implementation of the Interim مطاف disabled in a circular loop bordering the old hallway width of 12 meters, so as to separate the disability movement from movement الطائفين in circumambulation Mataf.

He explained that the advantage of eventually Suspension Bridge will continue for the duration of the project implementation, a lecturer reason to break a loop circling in the hallway because of the clearance required by the implementation phases of the project over three years, which expires at the end of the year 1436 AH.

He said bin Humaid The ultimate temporary consists of two floors perpendicular linked to one porticoes the ground floor and the other on the first floor, which will be allocated for Cruising with disabilities and will take into account all the elements associated with it complete separation between the disability movement and the movement of pedestrians in the corridors of the ground floor, and will take into account linked to the course of the pursuit of persons with disabilities in the mezzanine Ground Floor for their own safety and to facilitate the performance of rituals, pointing out that he used to implement this project high technologies and elements of structural precast, including rules and columns, bridges, tiles and architectural elements complementary, so by relying on carbon fiber which is characterized by light weight, strength, durability and ease of installation and jaw.

He stressed that he will be allocated the ground floor of the ultimate provisional infantry to ease the burden on the dish of the day, and being worked on by leaps and bounds for the completion of the provisional work up before the next Ramadan season.

[Roukaya19]

Five stations supply power to Holy Haram

21 May 2013 - 11 Rajab 1434 H

MAKKAH — The Holy Haram is being supplied with electricity by five major stations with 110/1308 kh voltage and four electric islands each with a voyage of 380/110 kh, an official of the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has said.

“There are other feeding stations which will supply current to the Grand Mosque in few seconds in case of any power cut,” he told Saudi Gazette on Monday.

The source said the five stations also provide electricity to other nearby districts in Makkah. Special arrangements have been made to ensure a steady flow of electricity into the Grand Mosque.

The spokesman of the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Ahmed Al-Mansouri revealed that there is a stand-by electricity station in Kudai, about 3.5 km south of the Haram, to provide the Grand Mosque with electricity in case the five main feeding stations stop working.

“The SEC has installed a UPS station within its network to feed all the sensitive points in the Haram area with electricity in case of temporary power cuts — even for a few seconds,” he said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20130521166643

[Roukaya19]

Tunnel: Makkah - Taïf

____________________

Tunnel Makkah Taïf cost 3 billion and contribute
to the economic recovery of the region

نفق مكة ــ الطائف تكلفته 3 مليارات ويسهم في إنعاش المنطقة اقتصاديا

19 May 2013

أنعشت توجيهات صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير سلمان بن عبدالعزيز ولي العهد نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الدفاع الآمال في تنفيذ مشروع نفق يربط الطائف بمكة المكرمة، وذلك بعد أن وجه سموه محافظ الطائف فهد بن عبدالعزيز بن معمر بالرفع له مباشرة عن المشروع، قائلا: «لن نبخل على مكة المكرمة بشيء، وعليكم الرفع لي بتقرير عن المشروع فورا لمناقشته في مجلس الوزراء في أقرب فرصة، مؤكدا سموه حرص الملك على دعم كل ما من شأنه تطوير مكة المكرمة». إلى ذلك أكد محافظ الطائف فهد بن عبدالعزيز بن معمر حرص ولي العهد وسمو أمير منطقة مكة المكرمة على دعم كل ما من شأنه تطوير المنطقة ومحافظاتها، لافتا إلى أن توجيه سمو ولي العهد يخدم المشاعر المقدسة والمنطقة بأكملها.

وأشار رئيس الغرفة التجارية الصناعية في الطائف نايف العدواني إلى أن دراسة المشروع جاهزة، حيث تمت إعادة تصميم بعض التصورات بناء على توجيهات الأمير خالد الفيصل لتستمد تصميمها من الطبيعة العمرانية لمنطقة مكة المكرمة وعرضها على خادم الحرمين الشريفين، لافتا إلى أن المشروع الذي تصل تكلفته إلى ثلاثة مليارات ريال، سيساهم في تقديم الخدمات واختصار المسافات، بما يضع حدا لمعاناة قاصدي مكة المكرمة، معربا عن أمله في أن يكون مشروعا حكوميا.

ويتوقع أن يسهم المشروع حسب عدد من رجال الأعمال بالطائف، في إنعاش الحركة الاقتصادية بالمنطقة، لتكون مقصدا سياحيا لكل أبناء المملكة، ويرى عيد السواط أن أثر المشروع لن يقتصر على اختصار المسافة بين الطائف ومكة، بل سيسهم في إنعاش السوق العقارية بمنطقة الهدا بشكل كبير، وزيادة الاستثمارات في المنطقة عامة، وسيشكل إضافة مهمة للطائف والمنطقة الغربية من الناحيتين السياحية والاقتصادية، خصوصا أن المسافة المقدرة من النفق إلى البيت الحرام لن تتجاوز 30 دقيقة، كما ستصبح الطائف أقرب لسكان مكة المكرمة من محافظة جدة، بما سيسهم في انتعاش السياحة على مدار العام.

وقال رجل الأعمال أحمد الشهيب إنه بعد الانتهاء من المشروع ستكون الطائف مقصدا سياحيا بما يسهم في انتعاش الوحدات السكنية والفنادق والشقق المفروشة طوال العام وتوفير مساكن قريبة للمعتمرين والزوار.

يذكر أن طول المشروع يصل 11 كيلو مترا محتويا على نفق من تحت الجبال قطره 13.5 متر وارتفاعه 8.7 متر، فيما حددت دراسة بداية النفق من منطقة الخالدية في محافظة الطائف بجانب نفق المياه القديم ونهايته في منطقة نعمان بداية مكة المكرمة، وسيكون نفقا مزدوجا باتجاهين بواقع ثلاثة مسارات وعرض ثلاثة أمتار للاتجاه الواحد، ومزودا بأحدث تقنيات السلامة، فيما ستربط المسارين أنفاق عرضية للطوارئ بعد كل 300 متر للإخلاء في حالة الحوادث.

وقد انبثقت فكرة النفق بعد تنفيذ مشروع إيصال المياه من محطة الشعيبة 1 إلى الطائف، والذي تم بواسطة أنابيب مررت عبر جبال الهدا، حيث كان تمرير الأنابيب عبر نفق خاص بالهدا، بمثابة بادرة لمشروع أكبر وهو تمرير نفق من خلال الجبل، وقد تبلورت فكرته بانتظار الموافقة على الاعتمادات ليكون بعد تنفيذه أطول نفق مزدوج في المملكة.

وكشفت مصادر «عكاظ» أن الدراسات لتنفيذ مشروع النفق وضعت العديد من الحلول لمعاناة السكان وهي أن طريق الهدا الذي يزيد طوله على 40 كيلو مترا تستهلك فيه إطارات السيارات ومحركاتها وتختصر في عمرها الزمني، وهذا يكلف - بحسب دراسة - مبالغ كبيرة، فضلا عن اختصار المسافة عن طريق الهدا الحالي وطريق السيل، إضافة إلى كونه البديل الآمن لسالكية، بدلا من التوقفات والانهيارات التي يشهدها طريق الهدا وما يصاحبها من حوادث واختناقات على طريق السيل. يذكر أن مشروع النفق يمثل طريقا سريعا يختصر المسافة بين مدينتي مكة المكرمة والطائف، وكانت غرفة الطائف قد تبنت في وقت سابق، إعداد دراسة وتصاميم أولية للمشروع وجدواه الاقتصادية عن طريق أحد المكاتب الهندسية الاستشارية.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/issues/20...0519601878.htm

Google translation: 19 May 2013

Revived the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense hopes to implement a project tunnel connecting Taif Makkah, and after that the face of his governor of Taif Fahd bin Abdulaziz bin Muammar lifted him directly about the project, saying: «will not shrink Mecca something, and you lift me a report on the project immediately for discussion in the Council of Ministers at the earliest opportunity, stressing His Highness the King's keenness to support everything that would develop Mecca. To that, the governor of Taif Fahd bin Abdulaziz bin Muammar Crown Prince and keenness of His Highness the Emir of Mecca to support everything that would develop the region and the provinces, pointing out that the guidance of His Highness the Crown Prince to serve the holy sites and the entire region.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taif Nayef aggressive that the study of the project is ready, as has been redesigned some perceptions based on the directives of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal to derive design of nature's urban area of ​​Mecca and presented to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, pointing out that the project, which is a cost of three billion riyals, will contribute to the provision of services and shorten the distances, including putting an end to the suffering قاصدي Mecca, hoping to be a government project.

It is expected to contribute to the project by a number of businessmen in Taif, the recovery of the economic activity in the region, to be a tourist destination for all the sons Kingdom, and sees holiday whipper that the impact of the project will not only shortened the distance between Taif and Mecca, but will contribute to the recovery of the real estate market area Hada dramatically, and to increase investment in the region in general, and will be an important addition to Taif and the western region of both tourism and economic development, especially that Estimated distance from the tunnel to the Sacred House will not exceed 30 minutes, as will become Taif closer to the residents of Mecca from Jeddah, including contribute to the recovery of tourism throughout the year.

The businessman said Ahmed Alshahyb that after the completion of the project will be Taif tourist destination so as to contribute to the recovery of condominiums, hotels and furnished apartments throughout the year and provide housing close to the pilgrims and visitors.

It is noteworthy that the length of the project reaches 11 kilometers containing a tunnel under the mountains diameter of 13.5 meters and a height of 8.7 meters, while the study identified the beginning of the tunnel from Khalidiyah area in the province of Taif beside the water tunnel old and end in the area of ​​Naaman the beginning of Mecca, and will be a tunnel double two-way by three paths and a width of three meters per direction, and equipped with the latest safety technologies, while the tunnel will link the two tracks occasional emergency after every 300 meters for evacuation in case of accidents.

Has emerged the idea of ​​the tunnel after the implementation of the project delivery of water from the station SAA 1 to Taif, which was by pipes pass through the mountains of Hada, where he was to pass pipe through a tunnel special بالهدا, as a sign of a larger project which is to pass a tunnel through the mountain, has crystallized the idea awaiting approval appropriations to be implemented after a double longest tunnel in the Kingdom.

Sources «Okaz» that studies for the implementation of the tunnel project, and developed many of the solutions to the suffering of the population is that by Hada which increases the length of over 40 kilometers consume it tires and engines and shorten the lifetime, and this cost - according to a study - large sums of money, as well as shortened the distance by AlHada current through Sail, in addition to being a safe alternative to patency, instead of stops and landslides taking place through the Hada and associated accidents and bottlenecks on the road to flood. The project represents a highway tunnel shorten the distance between the cities of Mecca and Taif, Taif room had adopted earlier, to prepare a study and preliminary designs for the project and its economic feasibility through a consulting engineering offices.

[Roukaya19]

Mataf expansion progress

20 May 2013







17 May 2013

[Roukaya19]

King Abdullah gate minarets

March 2013