"Makkah and Madinah News and Updates"

[Saif al-Arab]

Madinah from air (Hajj 1436)​

Hijaz Railway Museum

Quba Mosque

Qiblatain Mosque

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[Saif al-Arab]

Al-Jummah Mosque

Miqat Mosque

Al-Khandaq battle site

Battle of Uhud site

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[Saif al-Arab]

Continued

 

[Saif al-Arab]

SR500-billion Madinah projects on track

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman is briefed by Madinah Gov.
Prince Faisal bin Salman of new projects in Madinah in this file picture.​

Tuesday 15 September 2015

MADINAH: The massive SR500 billion expansion projects under way in Madinah are on track and becoming a reality for all to see, said Prince Faisal bin Salman, governor of the city, here recently.

Speaking at the opening of a forum and exhibition on the city’s projects, Prince Faisal said the construction includes the extension to the Prophet’s Mosque and various health services and security projects approved by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

In his address, Prince Faisal said that Islam encourages the development of land to keep up with technological changes and advances. It was an essential part of all civilizations, aimed at providing the best possible services to people.

Madinah was changing so that it could meet the conditions and needs of society, and ensure that pilgrims and visitors from here and abroad can visit in safety and comfort.

Prince Faisal said the city’s administrators have formed a committee to execute and monitor all projects. The committee would make sure that all contractors respect and protect the city’s Islamic architectural heritage.

“These sites and treasures are cared for and documented by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH), the specialized authority entrusted with preserving all sites connected with the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him.”

He said that the SCTNH had documented much of the heritage “related to that glorious period, to help the younger generation of Muslims maintain strong ties with their rich Islamic history.”

“The construction and development activities will, God willing, go hand in hand with identifying, recording and documenting religious, cultural and noteworthy architectural sites, as well as working diligently to protect and preserve them according to the highest world standards, which is of utmost importance.”

“We are both hopeful and keen that the basic development and construction remain as faithful as possible to the identity of the place, the design style, and the social and natural environment.”

Prince Faisal said that the development of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Makkah and Madinah, has been taking place consistently since the days of the late King Abdul Aziz, the Kingdom’s founder.

“This has now continued under King Salman, reflecting the balance between meeting the needs of the people, visitors and pilgrims, and preserving the great cultural heritage of this land.”

Earlier this year, King Salman approved the Darb Al-Sunnah Project, which is being developed under the Madinah Development Authority, according to Prince Faisal, the president of the body.

Prince Faisal had thanked the king for approving the 3-km development between the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque. In a telegram to the king, the prince said the project would upgrade the area, while protecting the original architecture of Madinah.

He said the project takes into account palm farms surrounding the mosque, which would provide visitors and residents with recreational facilities. It includes the King Abdulaziz Complex for Waqf Libraries, that enhances the city’s role as a cultural icon in the Islamic world, he said.

King Salman had earlier this year also launched the revamped Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Airport that would cater for increasing numbers of local and international visitors.

Heralding a new era of public-private partnership in the Kingdom’s aviation history, the iconic project, spread over an area of 4 million square meters, is the Kingdom’s first airport constructed and operated entirely by the private sector.

Occupying an area of 4 million square meters, the new airport would in its first phase handle 8 million passengers a year, rising to 18 million in the second phase, and then 40 million after the third and final phase.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has been operating the airport on a trial basis since April to check systems. It is the first airport in the Kingdom constructed and operated entirely by the private sector.

GACA raised financing by forming partnerships with Saudi and foreign companies. The project was won by a consortium consisting of Al-Rajhi Holding Group, Saudi Oger and TAV Airports Holding. The total investment for the first phase is $1.2 billion funded by the National Commercial Bank, Saudi British Bank and Arab National Bank, under the supervision of the International Finance Authority, a member of the World Bank Group.

The main travelers’ building covers 155,000 square meters and has 72 check-in counters, of which eight are for larger size baggage, 24 counters for self-check-in services, 26 passport counters for departures and the same number for arrivals. There is seating for 4,000 people.

Technologically advanced services include 36 elevators, 28 escalators and 23 conveyor belts, to facilitate and speed up the movement of passengers and luggage inside the passenger terminal complex.

In addition, the new airport features local and international shops, restaurants, and cafes, banking, and transport services including buses and taxis. Six external terminals have been built over an area of 10,000 square meters, and are close to the Haj terminal to speed up procedures.

It is the first facility in the world outside America to abide by the standards for energy use stipulated by the United States Green Building Council.

The city’s massive facelift is expected to cost around SR500 billion over the coming few years, according to economists. An estimated 2.6 million people would live in the city within the next 25 years, with 12.2 million expected to visit annually, they said.

Yousuf Al-Maimani, a member of the Shoura Council and the Investment Council of Madinah, said the city had the most diversified and attractive investment initiatives in Saudi Arabia.He said the Namaa Al-Munawara project has helped to launch the businesses of many young Saudi entrepreneurs, with loans worth over SR700 million through the Saudi Credit and Savings Bank.

Mohammad Faraj Khatrawi, chairman of the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a member of the investment council, praised King Salman for approving the projects, which he said would ensure unprecedented development in the city.

Khatrawi said one of the Kingdom’s largest projects, the Madinah Economic City, was started in 2006, which ensured that “land was allocated and large amounts of funds were invested in constructing the infrastructure for Madinah and real estate development projects.”

SR500-billion Madinah projects on track | Arab News

The new face of Madinah

The Darb Al-Sunnah Project is set to change the landscape of Madinah​

Sunday 5 July 2015

Huge projects change the faces of cities and great ambitions help create such projects. Madinah had its date with a quantum leap to usher in a new era of urban development. Such huge projects help achieve formidable civilization advancements and significant progress.

The Darb Al-Sunnah Project is one of the mega-projects which will open up a new enormous atmosphere for the development of Madinah between the Prophet’s Mosque and the Quba Mosque. This is a road which is 3 km-long. It will also have land development projects for hotels and residential towers. It will be connected with the urban heritage of Madinah. Once completed it will be the lifeline of the holy city.

During his visit, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman inaugurated Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Airport which is considered a major architectural masterpiece. This airport will cater to visitors of the Prophet’s Mosque whether they come from within the country or abroad.

The government has enough will to make these projects a reality without keeping these ideas locked inside drawers. The supervision of King Salman and the launch of these projects by him personally has sent a strong message of how much the Saudi leadership is concerned about development in Madinah. The kind of importance Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman is giving to these projects actually determines the fixed time frame for execution of the plan and it makes clear that he has a clear vision of the city’s development. It will also help achieve interests of the visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque.

The Darb Al-Sunnah Project is a stepping stone in the development of Madinah along with the projects of the Madinah Development Authority. The first phase includes a university, a project of green and renewable energy, Madinah Specialty Hospital and King Abdul Aziz Complex of Libraries.

Madinah is ushering in a new era. The government has made massive investments in expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque. It is clear that after the completion of these projects, opportunities for major developments will open.

This will positively reflect on the social and economic condition of the people of Madinah. Prince Faisal bin Salman has plunged into this developmental project as head of the Supreme Authority of Development of Madinah. He has successfully made integration between various ideas and visions from different sides, putting them together to achieve development for the happiness of mankind.

The new face of Madinah | Arab News

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Ongoing expansion work at Masjid an-Nabawi

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[Bilad al-Haramayn]

Progress report in Jabal Omar Development set

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Apr 27, 2016

MANAMA — Jabal Omar Development will be the main topic of Gulf Projects.me’s analysis program, offering the latest developments surrounding the project. As part of Gulf Projects and Tenders, the analysis of Jabal Omar Development seminar will take place on April 28 and runs between 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center.

Gulf Projects.me is the virtual home of Gulf Projects and Tenders, the GCC’s project knowledge database. The Gulf Project Information service draws on the accumulated market knowledge of the Al Hilal Group, one of the GCC’s most respected trade publishers with over 40 years’ of experience across construction, infrastructure, oil and gas, industrial and other key sectors.

“Saudi Arabia is currently home to the GCC’s largest construction industry. And with Bahrain as an international gateway to Saudi, we experience a traffic of companies all over the world seeking business opportunities starting in Bahrain. Gulf Projects analysis program of project updates helps companies and investors review their business development strategies,” said Ahmed Suleiman, Director of HCE.

The $3.2 billion project by Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC) from Saudi Arabia is located in Makkah around the Grand Mosque and compromises of 5 phases.

“The objective of the seminar is to provide companies with leads to meet their needs and demands in the industry. Our team will provide a detailed insight on specific products and services, who to contact including project updates,” said Abdul Muneer, Senior Analyst of Gulf Projects.me.

The Jabal Omar Development project includes 40 residential towers that accommodates up to 160,000 pilgrims and a large prayer to hold 200,000 worshippers.

The development will be divided into two areas, the northern area includes fourteen 6-storey buildings, a 6-storey prayer building and southern area with includes the other towers. Construction is scheduled for completion in the year 2020.

gulfBID takes place along-side two other major Exhibitions- gulf Interiors and Gulf Property Show thus ensuring the continued success of the biggest integrated business-to-business showcase for the construction, interiors and property sectors ever to be staged in the Northern Gulf.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/...velopment-set/

Satellite photos of Makkah​

The temporary mataf has been fully removed​

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Truely Khadim Ul Haramain Sharifain, tremendous amount of work to make infrastructure for visitors accommodating

 

[Bilad al-Haramayn]

Express Highway between Jeddah and Makkah​

Dar al-Hijra Towers Project Location in Madinah

Hajj City Hotel

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Medina, Saudi Arabia
Completion Date: 2018
Square Footage: 4.5 million
Number of Rooms: 2,584

Inspired by the unique context of Medina and the Hajj pilgrimage Muslims undertake, the Hajj City Hotels creates a new gateway for the city. Four towers rise over podiums to mark a central destination that connects new retail and transportation nodes. A rich program delivers exceptional amenities for visitors and pilgrims alike, enhancing a sense of hospitality within the community.

From an urban perspective, the four gateway towers strengthen the link between retail and the train station. Within the site, the pedestrian plazas create arrival nodes as urban oasis. At the ground level, arcaded walkways and drop-off plazas interconnect the complex’s four hotels to stimulate pedestrian connectivity. Retail and three distinct restaurants, among other public amenities, extend over all four levels of the podium, the bridge, and the garden terraces.

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http://perkinswill.com/work/hajj-city-hotel

The "West Gate" Project in Makkah

 

[Bilad al-Haramayn]

Shabanah: 58 years in the service of pilgrims

May 4, 2016

MAKKAH — Rahmah Shabanah, one of the first female mutawifs (Haj guides) in the Kingdom, has spent about 58 years in the service of pilgrims. She has turned 80 and is now confined to King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah for treatment from old-age ailments.

Shabanah has built herself a big name even among men for serving the guests of God. She has been in the tuwafa business since it was provided on requests until six tuwafa establishments were especially established to serve pilgrims from all over the world.

When she was young, Shabanah used to travel abroad to conclude agreements with pilgrims looking for tuwafa services. She would welcome them upon arrival and provide them with services until the end of the Haj season.

Her daughter Janbi, who herself is a mutawif for the Southeast Asian pilgrims, said her mother was among the few mutawifs who provided on the field service to the pilgrims.

She said her mother also helped other women mutawifs by resolving heir problems and forwarding their demands to the concerned authorities.

“About a month ago, my mother met with a number of Makkawi women mutawifs at her home and discussed with them ways and means of further promoting the tuwafa services for the welfare of pilgrims,” she said.

The daughter said her mother was the first to ask for women mutawifs to enter into the elections for the membership of the boards of directors of the tuwafa establishments. “Previously, this was the sole right of men,” she added.

Janbi said even at her hospital bed, her mother was very much occupied with the tuwafa business. She said her mother is currently studying the social status of a number of women mutawifs to resolve them.

“My mother is now looking for women social workers to establish special divisions for social services in each tuwafa establishment,” she said. In the name of her mother, Janbi called on all the six tuwafa establishments to establish special women committees to look after the affairs of the women pilgrims.

She said her mother was also calling for the appointment of women mutawifs on their own personal merits and not to give them this job as inheritance from their fathers or husbands.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-ara...vice-pilgrims/

Temporary mataf bridge to be completely removed by May 17 ​

May 4, 2016

MAKKAH — The technical committee of the project of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to expand the Grand Mosque has rescheduled its program to complete the removal of the temporary mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) on May 17 instead of the previous date of May 27.

Wail Saleh Al-Halabi, a committee member, said the progress made by the company involved in the dismantling of the temporary mataf has necessitated the rescheduling.

“No pilgrim or visitor was hurt or injured during the process to dismantle the structure,” he said.

Halabi said work on the project was going on 24/7 under the supervision of about 80 highly-qualified Saudi engineers.

Meanwhile, the Haj Ministry has allotted the locations in Mina and Arafat to tawafa establishments for external pilgrims.

The ministry’s undersecretary Hussain Al-Sharif said they have specified the tent locations so that each tawafa establishment is aware in advance of its exact place so as to formulate its operational plans.

Work on demolition of the suspended mataf began last month.

The temporary bridge was erected in August 2013 to reduce congestion in the Grand Mosque due to the implementation of the third phase of its expansion.

The demolition began on the western side of the King Fahd Expansion Project as the area was ready to receive pilgrims and visitors.

The contractor of the expansion project is carrying out the demolition process in collaboration with the security forces of the Grand Mosque, the Civil Defense and the technical committee to ensure the highest degree of safety for pilgrims.

Trucks to remove the debris enter the mataf area through Al-Shabakiyah area.

The first floor of the mataf has been dedicated for pilgrims using hand-pushed wheelchairs while the mezzanine floor will be used by pilgrims on electric chairs.

The entire third phase of the expansion project from Al-Shamiyah area, all mataf floors and the ceiling will be ready for use during Ramadan.

The new mataf area will allow about 107,000 pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in an hour.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-ara...emoved-may-17/

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What we see today from Makkah and Madinah is "a work in progress" on almost every front so the current photos seen here will by no means do any justice to the "finished product". Both expansion projects are a few years away from completion. Let alone the dozens of other infrastructural projects in Makkah and Madinah. The two holy cities are undergoing constant change and that has always been the case. We can only guess how Makkah and Madinah will look like in say 50 years time. I imagine that in such a timespan alone several similar expansion projects would have taken place due to the steady and constant increase of pilgrims. In fact we can be quite sure of that.

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In other news the Saudi BinLadin Group has been "put back to life" again. This means that several halted projects across the country, including the expansion project in Madinah, will resume. I just hope that they will sort their problems out ASAP.

http://www.ajel.sa/local/1740376

In other news in 14 years time (2030) the number of Umrah pilgrims is expected to number 35 million (each year) from the current 8 million. Hajj pilgrims will number around 8 million from the current around 2 million. That's a HUGE number when we are only talking about 2 cities. No wonder that the government wants to invest heavily in the tourism sector and give pilgrims the opportunity to combine their Umrah, Hajj with a tourist visit that would allow them to travel freely across the country. Hijaz has a tremendous potential when it comes to tourism. The whole country in fact.

 

[Bilad al-Haramayn]

Mataf bridge removed

EASE OF PRAYER: The Mataf around the Kaaba is now completely free of the temporary bridge, providing more space for worshippers to perform tawaf (circumanbulate around the House of God) and say their prayers.​

Saturday 14 May 2016

MAKKAH: The temporary mataf has been completely dismantled and removed, providing much more space for worshippers to perform the congregational prayers near the Kaaba on Friday.

“A total of 10,489 pieces of the mataf and connecting bridges were removed within 35 days,” Wael Al-Halabi, a member of the technical committee for projects of the Two Holy Mosques, was quoted as saying by local media.

More than 580 individuals from the group participated in the removal of the bridge in addition to 80 engineers from the technical committee, he said.

He appreciated the efforts of the committee’s employees in removing the temporary mataf quickly, and also thanked the Ministry of Finance, Special Command Force of the Grand Mosque,Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Makkah Civil Defense and the Binladen Group.

Al-Halabi said work was stopped during Fridays so as not to disturb worshippers and provide more space. He said that work hours exceeded 200,000 with no registered injuries, “thanks to God and those committed to implementing safety requirements and professional health.”

He said the Special Command Force of the Grand Mosque exerted remarkable efforts in controlling overcrowding in the mataf. The General Presidency provided awareness services to worshipers and the Civil Defense kept a watch on the weather that might affect the workflow. It also kept an emergency plan ready for rain or strong winds.

Al-Halabi said the removal of the temporary bridge was done according to a scheduled plan by the Binladin Group over eight stages.

“It was also amended according to the workflow in order to provide the utmost comfort and more space for the visitors to the Grand Mosque.”

http://www.arabnews.com/news/mataf-bridge-removed

They were slightly ahead of schedule. Good to see.

Lucky children washing the Kaaba







World’s largest umbrella being installed in Makkah Haram​

MAKKAH — Work started on Thursday for the installation of the world’s largest folding umbrella in the northern courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

This is the first of the eight high-tech giant umbrellas and 54 small ones to be installed in the Grand Mosque in the coming six months.

Being manufactured in Germany, each canopy will consist of a giant clock, screens of guidelines for worshippers, air-conditioners, and surveillance cameras. Each umbrella will have a height of 45 meters and weigh 16 tons. It will give shade to an area of 2,400 square meters when open.

Some 25 engineers, specialist technicians, and safety experts from Germany will supervise the installation process and electronic operating mechanism. Another 54 small umbrellas will also be installed in the northern courtyard, covering a total area of 19,200 square meters. As part of the project, 122 benches for worshippers to take rest as well as service buildings will be built. The infrastructure work for the installation of canopies have already started.

The entire northern plaza stretching from King Fahd Expansion structure to the King Abdullah Expansion structure of the mosque will have canopies when the project is completed. The shaded area will have the capacity to accommodate around 400,000 worshippers.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques is supervising the project, in cooperation with specialists from the Ministry of Education and the contracting company, which is implementing the largest ever expansion of Islam’s holiest site.

In December 2014, a few weeks before his death, King Abdullah ordered the installation of umbrellas in the courtyards surrounding the Grand Mosque.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, announced then that the King’s order came to provide shading for external plazas, in addition to the areas approved in the King Abdullah Expansion project, with an additional area estimated at 275,000 square meters. More than 300 canopies will provide shade from the sun to the visitors of the Grand Mosque, he said.

Nearly 250 similar umbrellas have been installed on the plazas around the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah earlier. Like blooming flowers, the umbrellas are programmed to fold and unfold in minutely delayed sequence to avoid collision between their moving parts. Their near-silent operation is automatically aligned with changes in the daily temperature. They open each morning, creating a translucent ceiling, and retract each evening in less than three minutes.

In summer, the open umbrellas provide daytime shade and reflect away much of the sun’s radiant energy. When closed at night, they allow residual heat absorbed by the stone floors and walls to escape back into the atmosphere. The process is reversed in winter. When temperatures are relatively low, umbrellas are closed during the day to allow the winter sun to warm the site, and opened at night to retain heat near ground level.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-ara...-makkah-haram/

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Very good news as Makkah is the hottest city in KSA (by some distance) and hot almost all-year round. The city lying in a valley is not helping either.

 

[Arabian Stallion]

More than 5m arrive for Umrah​

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MAKKAH — As many as 5,047,088 Umrah pilgrims have so far arrived in the Kingdom since the start of the season early November, local daily Al-Madina reported on Wednesday quoting official data.

According to the data, the number of Umrah pilgrims is five percent more than their number in the same period last year.

As many as 1,207,891 Umrah visas were issued to Egyptian pilgrims, of whom 1,077,761 have arrived.

A total of 864,409 visas were issued in Pakistan. So far 782,988 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived.

Some 611,238 Turkish pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom marking a six percent increase over their number the same time last year. A total of 661,079 Umrah visas were issued in Turkey.

The revenues to be generated by the Umrah season are expected to rise to more than SR200 billion by the year 2020, according to an official.

The expansion of the Haj and Umrah services within the Saudi 2030 Vision will provide job opportunities for more than 30,000 young Saudi men and women.

At present there are about 50 Umrah companies but the Ministry of Haj and Umrah will license about 100 new companies after this year’s Haj season to cater to the increasing service demands.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-ara...-arrive-umrah/

5m free meals this Ramadan
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Saturday 28 May 2016

JEDDAH: The Makkah governorate announced Thursday that it plans to hand out 5 million free meals and bottles of water this Ramadan in Makkah and parts of Jeddah. This was announced by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who attended the signing of the pact with the Education Ministry. There would also be 250 boy scouts and 20 male teachers helping with the distribution. The agreement was signed between Hisham Al-Falih, adviser to the governor and president of the water and food commission, and Mohammed Mahdi Al-Harthy, director general of education in Makkah Province.

Al-Falih said the meals would be distributed at the Grand Mosque, roundabouts, checkpoints, hospitals and King Abdulaziz International Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port for pilgrims to break their fast.

Al-Falih said there were 6 million meals distributed last year during Ramadan and Haj only at the Grand Mosque. There were 17 million bottles of water distributed and more than 3,000 ihrams handed out to pilgrims. He said there distribution would take place with various charities.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/930921/saudi-arabia

Mosques to stay open all day in Ramadan

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Saleh Al-Asheikh​

Tuesday 31 May 2016

JEDDAH: Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Saleh Al-Asheikh has approved a plan to ensure that all mosques stay open all day in Ramadan.

Ali Al-Abdali, general manager of the ministry in Makkah, said the plan includes ensuring all mosques are prepared at the miqaats — the places where pilgrims don the ihram, two unstitched pieces of clothing in the case of men, before entering Makkah to perform Umrah, a local publication reported.

Al-Abdali said that the preparation including cleaning carpets, providing copies of the Holy Qur’an, and the maintenance of sound, light, ablution and air conditioning systems. The aim is to ensure pilgrims can carry out their rituals peacefully while fasting.

He said the mosques would remain open all day long to allow the worshipers to stay and perform worship and prayer until the end of the optional night prayers. He urged cleaners to redouble their efforts and the muezzins to call people to prayer at the correct times.

Al-Abdali said the plan includes an order for the imams of mosques to hold lessons for the people after Asr prayers. In addition, they should not raise the sound levels of their amplifiers beyond level four, to avoid disturbing prayers at other mosques.

He said that the imams of mosques must ensure that worshipers do not to sleep inside mosques, and that everyone is on alert for any suspicious activities. In addition, those wishing to make donations must do so through approved charitable associations.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/932396/saudi-arabia

Aisha Al Rajhi Mosque, Makkah​

Madinah from air​

Medina by Tim Peake, on Flickr​

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[Arabian Stallion]

Dome [iPhone HDR] by haroon_sheikh, on Flickr

020 by ArabianLens.com, on Flickr

inside-haram_2 by ArabianLens.com, on Flickr

 

[Arabian Stallion]

6.2m Umrah visas issued​

Saturday 11 June 2016

JEDDAH: The Kingdom has issued this season over 6.28 million visas for Umrah pilgrims, with an estimated 900,000 expected in Makkah this Ramadan, according to a media report on Friday.

The figures till June 9 show that over 5.47 million pilgrims have already entered the country. Most visas were issued to Egypt at 1.296 million, Pakistan at 968,550, Turkey at 470,944, and Jordan fourth at 426,326, most of which were issued to Iraqi citizens.

Khalid Al-Shamsan, executive director of an Umrah company, said that there has been a decline in Umrah visas issued to some countries because of poor economic conditions in the region and globally. The Ministry of Haj and Umrah only issues new visas once pilgrims who are in the country leave, he said.

Waleed Abu Sabaa’, an investor in the Umrah sector, said this year has seen more Umrah pilgrims than last year, but there has been a general decline in visa applications over the previous years. Most pilgrims applied during Shabaan and confirmed their bookings. Applications close on Ramadan 15, he said.

Meanwhile, authorities are implementing a major health and safety plan. Hmour Al-Ayadah, director for safety at the Grand Mosque, said there are measures in place to help elderly and sick people, with emergency exits ready for quick evacuation. There are also areas to store property and equipment.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/937861/saudi-arabia

30% increase in Umrah pilgrims seen by 2020​

JEDDAH: The National Transformation Program of 2020, one of the initiatives of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision, stated that the annual increase of Haj pilgrims to the Kingdom stands at 13 percent. However, annually increasing in Umrah visitors will be 30 percent.

According to the National Transformation Program, whose details were announced Tuesday at a news conference, the number of Haj pilgrims from both inside and outside the Kingdom, is expected to go up by 2020 to 2.5 million, an annual increase of up to 13 percent. The number of pilgrims last year, was estimated at 1.5 million.

The spokesman of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, Hatem Alqadi, said the annual increase in pilgrims will be open to all Muslims from all over the globe, adding that the work will be the same, and the mechanism of housing and feeding the pilgrims will be pursued by the ministry based on contracts with companies and institutions that provide pilgrim services, including transportation.

He said the ministry will be working throughout the year and has much experience in supporting pilgrims and those visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

He added that by 2020, 15 million Umrah visitors will reach the Kingdom, a 30 percent increase over the current 6 million, according to Al-Watan.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/936801/saudi-arabia

 

[bsruzm]

Ottoman era, Kaaba from state archives:

 

[Arabian Stallion]

Ottoman era, Kaaba from state archives:
View attachment 311489

I once saw a beautiful photo series showing the development of Makkah and Al-Masjid Al-Haram beginning from the Rashidun Caliphate and spanning across the Umayyad Caliphate, Abbasid Caliphate, Fatimid Caliphate, Ottoman Caliphate, Kingdom of Hijaz and ending with modern-day KSA. I will see if I can find it again. Anyway the constant was the constant change that occurred and which keeps occurring to this very day.

However it is worth noticing that regardless of those dynasties above (5 of which were of Hijazi Arab origin themselves - Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid and the Kingdom of Hijaz) it was the local Sharif of Makkah, Madinah and Hijaz and his family (Hashemites) who were de facto the safe keepers and rulers of Hijaz alongside with the local Hijazi population who always and to this very day take care and host pilgrims. Of course less so in this day and age where infrastructure has improved heavily and numerous hotels have been built. Regardless of what will happen in the future this will not change.

Hijazis, especially us Hashemites, feel a very special bond and connection to the land and we see it as our foremost duty to protect and care for the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and the well-being of pilgrims.