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"Makkah and Madinah News and Updates"

Statistics of the Haj season 1435/2014

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10 Dhu-AlHijjah 1435 - 4 October 2014

Total Number of Pilgrims of Hajj Season:

*2,085,238*

Total Number of International Pilgrims:

1,389,053
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Statistics from General Department of Statistics and Information

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Pilgrims' total number

Muzdalifah, Dhu-AlHijjah 10, 1435, October 04, 2014, SPA

The total number of pilgrims for this year 1435 H amounted to 2,085,238 pilgrims, including 1,389,053 pilgrims from abroad, and the rest arrived from KSA.
This statement was issued by the General Department of Statistics and Information.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/english/print.php?id=1281196

Later I will report about the two 420 meter tall (!) minarets that will be built as part of the expansion project of Al-Masjid Al-Haram. Otherwise that's it for now.:-)

Anyone interested to see what is going on in terms of projects in Makkah and Madinah and what went on during Haj can take a look at page 8 in this thread. I covered most of the important events.:enjoy:
 
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Makkah women invite female pilgrims as a yearly tradition

HOLY SITES — A number of Saudi families have invited Syrian female pilgrims to their houses to spend some time together and get to know each other. The practice has been in use for quite some years during which Makkah women invite female pilgrims from different nationalities every year to their homes and offer them food. It is a good opportunity to build relationships with pilgrims and introduce them to the hospitality of Makkah people.

The hosts coordinate with the Arab Pilgrim Establishment’s women committee to have the pilgrims over for lunch or dinner and introduce the pilgrims to the lifestyle, culture, traditions, and customs of prevalent in Makkah.

The committee’s Chairwoman Samirah Al-Banani is in charge of coordination between the hosts and the pilgrims She says a prominent Makkah lady has recently invited some female pilgrims to her house and showered them with her hospitality. The host welcomed the pilgrims with a shower of rose petals.

Omaima Gazaz, executive assistant of chairwoman, is also in charge of coordination between Haj delegations and host families. “Every year Makkah ladies compete with one another to host female pilgrims at their houses and shower them with gifts and generosity,” Gazaz said.

A Syrian pilgrim thought it was difficult to meet women from Makkah in their houses. However, when Gazaz told her it was easy, she was happy. Gazaz fixed her a meeting with a Saudi woman who invited her to her home.

Another Syrian female pilgrim who spent time with a Saudi woman in her house said she was impressed with how smart, generous, tidy Makkah ladies were. She praised the host program run by the establishment.

Another Syrian pilgrim described her experience with Makkah women as enriching and eye-opener. “Generosity is an innate trait in women here. I’m speechless. I don’t think I can't thank the host family enough for their kindness,” she said.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141008220565

They served guests of Allah selflessly

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Members of the Women’s Faternity Forum in action​

Wednesday, 08 October 2014 - 14 Thul-Hijjah 1435

MINA — There were thousands of volunteers, including women and teenagers, in action to render help to Haj pilgrims at the holy sites of Mina and Arafat during Haj. Pilgrims from all over the world were the beneficiaries of their selfless, untiring and dedicated service. What prompted them to set out for the Holy Sites from various cities and regions of the Kingdom was nothing other than winning Allah’s pleasure through serving His guests. They are fully aware of the reward for social service in Islam, which is a religion that deems serving people as worship to God. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said that those who are keen to alleviate the suffering of people are very dearer to Allah. Needless to say then about the rewards for serving the guests of God.

Saudi Gazette saw volunteers everywhere in Mina where they have proved to be a great help and support to mainly sick and elderly pilgrims and those who had lost their way or got separated from their mahrams (blood relatives). They also served food to pilgrims and were busy engaged in offering a wide variety of services.

These volunteers belong to different Indian social, cultural and religious forums, such as the Jeddah Haj Welfare Forum, India Fraternity Forum (IFF), the Indian Pilgrim Welfare Forum (IPWF), Haj Cells of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC) and Risala Study Circle. Scores of students from various schools have also joined them.

Well-known trainer Dr. Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University was in Mina as a field coordinator of volunteers. He told Saudi Gazette that the volunteers, with their selfless service, have made a lasting impression in the minds of Hajis from all corners of the globe. “Linguistic barriers and other material factors did not stand in the way of rendering services to pilgrims. Their dedication and commitment have made an electrifying impact on most of the Saudi muallims,” he said while citing names of muallims like Dr. Waleed Yousuf and Ghazzali.

The credit for fielding the largest number of volunteers goes to the KMCC and India Fraternity Forum, with each mobilizing more than 1,000 volunteers.

Ashraf Vengatt, general secretary of KMCC Saudi national committee, told Saudi Gazette that there was an overwhelming response from members of KMCC who poured into the Holy Sites from all parts of the Kingdom. “We have expected around 1,000 but a total of 1,884 volunteers turned out to serve the pilgrims,” he said. Ahmed Palayatt, president of KMCC Jeddah Central Committee and treasurer of the Haj Cell, said around 800 volunteers from Jeddah were on duty in Makkah and the Holy Sites.

“Muallims of four maktabs have allowed us to prepare rice soup and pickles at the common kitchen of their camps. Tens of thousands of pilgrims have benefited from this. In addition to this, we rendered various other services like first aid, and guiding lost pilgrims to their tents.”

Naser Edavanakkad, acting general secretary of Jeddah KMCC, said that the sharp decline in the number of domestic pilgrims has made things easier for the volunteers.

Tipped as the most organized among volunteers groups, IFF this time fielded more than 100 women and students also. These expatriate volunteers, who belonged to different states of India, come from various corners of Saudi Arabia after getting the best ever training in field voluntary work. It rendered services to pilgrims in Makkah and the Holy Sites and the services include guiding pilgrims to their accommodation, taking sick pilgrims to hospitals and clinics, and distributing drinking water, said Iqbal Tirur of IFF. Our women volunteers helped many sick women pilgrims in need of medical assistance at their camps and some of them were taken to intensive care units. About 50 members of the Students Fraternity were stationed mainly at Mashair train stations in order to guide pilgrims to their tents and assisting them to get on wheel chairs. The Holy Sites Location Map designed by IFF was widely used in Mina. Volunteer service was managed by a committee with Mudassar Naser as convener, Abdul Raoof joint convener and Mohammed Ali as volunteer captain.

The Jeddah Haj Welfare Forum, which is an umbrella organization of around 21 social and cultural organizations, deployed 500 volunteers at the Holy Sites. “We have so far distributed 15,000 packed rice soup to pilgrims, of which 5,500 on Monday. This year, we extended our services to Jeddah Haj terminal also, said Abbas Chemban, chairman of the forum. The forum rendered various types of services, including helping lost pilgrims to find their accommodation. Haj Welfare Forum branch committees in Makkah and Madinah also offered services to pilgrims who started flocking to the holy cities from all over the world.

The Care and Share wing of the Saudi Risala Study Circle (RSC) has mobilized 625 volunteers from various region of the Kingdom, according to Khaleelu Rahman Vettiyadan, spokesperson of RSC. “Our volunteers were mainly engaged in attending to sick pilgrims and ensure that they were getting the best medical care and treatment on time. We offered emergency nursing to several sick pilgrims, besides offering services for completing burial procedures of deceased pilgrims.” RSC has been in the forefront of serving the pilgrims over the last six years, Vettiyadan added.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141008220575

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Muslims will understand that great gesture above.
I would like to see users from all over the Muslim world post photos of their pilgrims from this years Haj if they have such information out there. It is always nice to see.
 
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Saudi Arabians retrace route of Abraha’s army that came to destroy Kaaba

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Thursday 9 October 2014

A group of young Saudi history enthusiasts has retraced the path of the People of the Elephant who tried to destroy the Holy Kaaba centuries ago.

The Holy Qur’an, in a short chapter, briefly refers to the story of the army of elephants led by Abraha Al-Ashram, who was a governor of Yemen. God destroyed Abraha and his army that included 13 elephants, by sending flocks of birds that dropped small stones on them.

“There never fell a stone on a soldier except it dissolved his flesh and burst it into pieces … Abraha Al-Ashram fled while his flesh was bursting into pieces and died on the way back to Yemen,” said the 14th century scholar Ibn Kathir, an authentic Qur’an commentator.

During their tiring journey across mountains and rough terrain, the young Saudi men took photographs of important landmarks, beginning from north of Najran, to the east of Asir, and then east of Baha.

Some of the most important historical sites along the way included inscriptions of elephants on rocks in the Al-Qahr Mountain, southeast of Tathlith; an old well in Hafaer, east of Asir; and a paved road near Kara in Aqeeq principality in the Baha region.

Mohammed Al-Amry, head of the geology department at King Saud University, said he had seen the path of Abraha and his army in Tathlith and Baha. “The army had passed the Arabian shield region comprising rocks and there were writings in the Humairiya language on some mountains,” he said.

According to historical Islamic sources, Abraha, who was a Christian, had thought of building a church similar to the Kaaba in Sanaa. He wanted the Arabs to perform the pilgrimage in Sanaa instead of Makkah, with the intention of diverting trade and benefits to Yemen. He presented the idea to the then king of Ethiopia who agreed to it.

Abraha built the church but the Arabs refused to come for pilgrimage in Sanaa. This infuriated him, prompting him to form an army to invade Makkah and demolish the Kaaba. He defeated all Arab armies on the way until he reached Makkah where he was attacked by the flocks of birds sent by the Almighty.

Saudis retrace route of Abraha’s army that came to destroy Kaaba | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

@ebray @Belew_Kelew
 
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Saudi Arabians retrace route of Abraha’s army that came to destroy Kaaba

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Thursday 9 October 2014

A group of young Saudi history enthusiasts has retraced the path of the People of the Elephant who tried to destroy the Holy Kaaba centuries ago.

The Holy Qur’an, in a short chapter, briefly refers to the story of the army of elephants led by Abraha Al-Ashram, who was a governor of Yemen. God destroyed Abraha and his army that included 13 elephants, by sending flocks of birds that dropped small stones on them.

“There never fell a stone on a soldier except it dissolved his flesh and burst it into pieces … Abraha Al-Ashram fled while his flesh was bursting into pieces and died on the way back to Yemen,” said the 14th century scholar Ibn Kathir, an authentic Qur’an commentator.

During their tiring journey across mountains and rough terrain, the young Saudi men took photographs of important landmarks, beginning from north of Najran, to the east of Asir, and then east of Baha.

Some of the most important historical sites along the way included inscriptions of elephants on rocks in the Al-Qahr Mountain, southeast of Tathlith; an old well in Hafaer, east of Asir; and a paved road near Kara in Aqeeq principality in the Baha region.

Mohammed Al-Amry, head of the geology department at King Saud University, said he had seen the path of Abraha and his army in Tathlith and Baha. “The army had passed the Arabian shield region comprising rocks and there were writings in the Humairiya language on some mountains,” he said.

According to historical Islamic sources, Abraha, who was a Christian, had thought of building a church similar to the Kaaba in Sanaa. He wanted the Arabs to perform the pilgrimage in Sanaa instead of Makkah, with the intention of diverting trade and benefits to Yemen. He presented the idea to the then king of Ethiopia who agreed to it.

Abraha built the church but the Arabs refused to come for pilgrimage in Sanaa. This infuriated him, prompting him to form an army to invade Makkah and demolish the Kaaba. He defeated all Arab armies on the way until he reached Makkah where he was attacked by the flocks of birds sent by the Almighty.

Saudis retrace route of Abraha’s army that came to destroy Kaaba | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

@ebray @Belew_Kelew
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@al-Hasani Akhi post thousands of pictures of Roza e Rasool SAW like the ones I have posted taken from different angles even 1000 pictures will not be enough so keep posting akhi
@Arabian Legend @Yzd Khalifa @JUBA @waz @JonAsad @Altamimi @Full Moon and others
Brothers and Sisters if pictures are in digital or HD form it would be better
 
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@al-Hasani Akhi post thousands of pictures of Roza e Rasool SAW like the ones I have posted taken from different angles even 1000 pictures will not be enough so keep posting akhi
@Arabian Legend @Yzd Khalifa @JUBA @waz @JonAsad @Altamimi @Full Moon and others
Brothers and Sisters if pictures are in digital or HD form it would be better

Well, I will try and do my best brother. I have posted a lot of photos from Madinah in this thread if you take a look. It's an old thread. 1.5 years old now. I have just not always updated it regularly.

I hope you will like those aerial photos of Madinah from this very month.


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Dear @Indos and @Wahhab2701 this thread might interest you. Please post photos of Indonesian pilgrims if you have any photos of pilgrims from Indonesian media. Thank you.
 
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Lightning kills 1 atop Mount Noor

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Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Al-Noor in Makkah during the annual Haj pilgrimage September 30, 2014. Police said a pilgrim was struck by lightning on top of a mountain in Makkah amid rain on Sunday night. REUTERS/ Muhammad Hamed)

JEDDAH: IRFAN MOHAMMED

Published — Tuesday 14 October 2014

Last update 14 October 2014 3:11 am


One person was killed after being struck by lightning on top of a Makkah mountain amid rains on Sunday night.
The victim had reportedly been capturing snapshots of the thunderstorm atop Mount Noor.
Rescue teams found the victim dead upon arrival at the scene. The body was transferred to a nearby hospital.
Col. Saleh Al-Olayani, Civil Defense spokesman in Makkah, has advised pilgrims to exercise caution while climbing mountains and moving into other areas in Makkah.
The Met Office has warned that rainclouds would move through the region, causing thunderstorms and rains, along with sandstorms in some parts of the Kingdom, including Madinah.

Lightning kills 1 atop Mount Noor | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.


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Half a million pilgrims received medical treatment during Haj

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COMMENDABLE: Deputy Health Minister for Health Affairs Mansour Al-Hawasi speaks at the Eid party as Shoura member Abdul Rahman Al-Sweilem looks on.

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Muslim pilgrims wait in front of the emergency department at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital in Makkah on Sept. 30, 2014. Nearly half a million pilgrims made use of medical facilities that were available in Makkah and Madinah during Haj this year, according to Mansour Al-Hawasi, deputy health minister for health affairs. (Reuters/ Muhammad Hamed)


RIYADH: MD RASOOLDEEN

Published — Tuesday 14 October 2014

Last update 14 October 2014 3:10 am

Nearly half a million pilgrims made use of medical facilities that were available in Makkah and Madinah during Haj this year. Nineteen open heart surgeries were performed, Mansour Al-Hawasi, deputy health minister for Health Affairs, said here Sunday.
Al-Hawasi was addressing health officials here during an Eid party hosted by the Ministry of Health to thank health officials who were affiliated with the Haj program in both cities.
Some 22,000 health officials were deployed in the holy cities this year, as well as at 14 ports of entry.
Offering his congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, for their unwavering cooperation in making the health program a success, the deputy minister said health officials did their part to offer the very best of services to pilgrims.
He also expressed gratitude to the World Health Organization (WHO) for its assistance in the prevention of infectious diseases.
Shoura Council member Abdul Rahman Al-Sweilem was present during the function.
Al-Hawasi said some 472,000 pilgrims availed themselves of the medical facilities at the holy sites and at the ports of entry.
He said that 329,000 pilgrims had visited medical centers in the holy sites and 111,000 had sought outpatient treatment at these clinics.
"A total of 28,000 pilgrims have sought emergency treatment, while 3,700 were admitted to various hospitals in Makkah and Madinah," he added.
Al-Hawasi pointed out that 19,000 units of blood were used to treat patients at the holy sites so far.
Some 19,000 pilgrims were given on-the-spot medical treatment at various points throughout the holy city.
According to statistics provided by the deputy minister, 988 pilgrims received dialysis treatment, while 330 underwent catheterization and 55 were given endoscopic treatment.
A comprehensive Haj health program was implemented under the leadership of the acting Health Minister Adel Fakeih this year in cooperation with the WHO.
The Health Ministry took preventive measures to combat the spread of the Ebola and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) with the help of local and international medical experts, including officials from the WHO.
This year, the Ministry of Health fielded a total of 22,000 medics and paramedics to look after the welfare of the local and foreign Haj pilgrims in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
In addition to a fleet of 100 ambulances, the ministry has also deployed some 50 mini-ambulances to be able to infiltrate crowded areas to ferry patients to nearby hospitals.
There are 141 primary health care centers, which includes 100 primary health care centers and 17 emergency centers near the Jamrat bridge.
The ministry also set up a central command center to monitor and coordinate with the health officials to serve the pilgrims who fall ill or need medical treatments during their stay in the holy cities.
The center focused on the Ebola virus and MERS-CoV during the pilgrimage.
There are 25 hospitals in the holy cities, including seven in Makkah, nine in Madinah, four in Mina and four in Arafat, in addition to King Abdullah Medical City.
There are a total of 5,250 beds in the holy cities, including 500 beds for ICU patients.

Half a million pilgrims received medical treatment during Haj | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.
 
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SubhanALLAH
nice pics @al-Hasani brother
May ALLAH give us oppurtunity to perform Hajj.
Ameen

It's my pleasure brother. I have been lucky enough to perform Haj dozens of times so I wish for those that are yet to experience this to try it instead of me.

I hope that you especially liked the aerial photos of Madinah. I think that they are great and I rarely see such photos. They are brand new. From October this very year!

Women end men’s monopoly of serving pilgrims

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JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS

Published — Monday 13 October 2014

Last update 13 October 2014 3:54 am

The women of Makkah broke into the male bastion of Zamazemah this Haj season to provide pilgrims with Zamzam water and other facilities right at their doorstep through an elegant and sophisticated work system bringing to an end men’s decades-old monopoly of the profession.

The women performed a significant role through the formation of women’s committees that were established at the offices of the Zamazemah United Office. Besides offering Zamzam water, they also arranged hospital visits for women pilgrims undergoing treatment in the holy city.

Nawak Kappli, head of the women’s committee at the United Office said that the women were working on implementing the objectives of the office.

“Zamazemah United Office aims to provide Zamzam water to the pilgrim at his doorstep without his needing to go anywhere. Women pilgrims will now no longer have to crowd at Zamzam water outlets to get water. This will also help us to eliminate the black market in the sales of Zamzam water by female violators,” said Kappli.

The Zamazemah United Office is one of many sectors set up to serve pilgrims. Its mission involves serving the guests of God from the moment they set foot in the Kingdom until they leave according to modern technological plans and mechanisms.

The office receives pilgrims at the awareness centers where they are offered a 320mm plastic bottle of cool fresh water. The office also sends one liter of water to the pilgrims’ lodging, and offers them the same volume of bottled water as a gift when they leave.

Zamazemah is a traditional profession handed down the generations and inherited by 120 families of Makkah keen on offering Zamzam water to pilgrims free of charge.

Women end men’s monopoly of serving pilgrims | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.
 
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It's my pleasure brother. I have been lucky enough to perform Haj dozens of times so I wish for those that are yet to experience this to try it instead of me.

I hope that you especially liked the aerial photos of Madinah. I think that they are great and I rarely see such photos. They are brand new. From October this very year!

Women end men’s monopoly of serving pilgrims

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JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS

Published — Monday 13 October 2014

Last update 13 October 2014 3:54 am

The women of Makkah broke into the male bastion of Zamazemah this Haj season to provide pilgrims with Zamzam water and other facilities right at their doorstep through an elegant and sophisticated work system bringing to an end men’s decades-old monopoly of the profession.

The women performed a significant role through the formation of women’s committees that were established at the offices of the Zamazemah United Office. Besides offering Zamzam water, they also arranged hospital visits for women pilgrims undergoing treatment in the holy city.

Nawak Kappli, head of the women’s committee at the United Office said that the women were working on implementing the objectives of the office.

“Zamazemah United Office aims to provide Zamzam water to the pilgrim at his doorstep without his needing to go anywhere. Women pilgrims will now no longer have to crowd at Zamzam water outlets to get water. This will also help us to eliminate the black market in the sales of Zamzam water by female violators,” said Kappli.

The Zamazemah United Office is one of many sectors set up to serve pilgrims. Its mission involves serving the guests of God from the moment they set foot in the Kingdom until they leave according to modern technological plans and mechanisms.

The office receives pilgrims at the awareness centers where they are offered a 320mm plastic bottle of cool fresh water. The office also sends one liter of water to the pilgrims’ lodging, and offers them the same volume of bottled water as a gift when they leave.

Zamazemah is a traditional profession handed down the generations and inherited by 120 families of Makkah keen on offering Zamzam water to pilgrims free of charge.

Women end men’s monopoly of serving pilgrims | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

MashaALLAH
I haven't yet but soon InshaALLAH :)
 
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100 towers in SR50bn Madinah pilgrim city to house 200,000

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Thursday 9 October 2014

Work on the first phase of the SR50 billion King Abdullah Pilgrim City in Madinah has begun as part of the government’s efforts to further improve services being extended to the guests of God who come for Haj and Umrah every year.

The massive city covering an area of over 1.6 million square meters will accommodate 200,000 people. It is located 3 km to the west of the Prophet’s Mosque, 3 km from Meeqat, and 900 meters from Quba Mosque.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has instructed the Finance Ministry to implement the project,” said Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman, adding that it would boost pilgrim services in the city.

State-owned Public Investment Fund will finance the project, which includes a 400-bed hospital and a railway and bus station.

“A number of hotels and furnished apartments will be constructed as part of the world-class city to accommodate 200,000 pilgrims,” said Prince Faisal while thanking King Abdullah for approving the vital project.

A source at the Ministry of Finance, said the total cost of the giant project is expected to exceed SR50 billion. The first phase will cost SR3.3 billion while the second phase SR2.7 billion. The project will have 100 administrative and residential towers and 30 hotels apart from the Haj Ministry headquarters, the Haj secretariat, and the Madinah governor’s office.

It would help to provide better services for the guests of God, create thousands of local jobs and contribute to the social and economic development of the city.

The source said the project is one of several that are to be undertaken to develop Madinah, which would compensate for the number of properties demolished.

There would also be suites for businesspeople. Each hotel would have large reception halls with unique architectural designs, in addition to restaurants, coffee shops and business centers.

The city will house offices for the Supreme Haj Committee in Madinah, and administrative offices for Haj operators and Tawafa organizations, as well as offices for the General Syndicate of Cars, travel agents and medical missions with a capacity for 31,000 employees.

Lower floors have been allocated for parking. There would also be a big mosque on the southeastern side of the city to house 15,000 worshippers.
The bus station will have the capacity to transport 84,000 pilgrims to and from the Prophet’s Mosque. The commercial center is made up of three floors over 71,000 square meters, the source said.

100 towers in SR50bn Madinah pilgrim city to house 200,000 | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.


Work starts at new city for pilgrims in Madinah

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Thursday, 09 October 2014

MADINAH – Work, at a cost of SR3.3 billion, on the first phase of the project of the new King Abdullah City for Pilgrims here has started.

The project, expected to be up and running in two years, will have a branch for the Ministry of Haj and office for the Haj committee in Madinah as well as an office for the Emir of Madinah. It will also include travel agencies and over 30 hotels.

Ten companies, including three mega ones, are competing to win the second and third phases of the project with offers ranged between SR2.7 billion and SR2.9 billion.

100 residential and business towers

A source in the Ministry of Finance said the total cost of the three phases of the project exceeds SR50 billion, adding that the project will create thousands of job opportunities for Saudis.

This project is one of many that have been proposed to develop Madinah City and enhance its importance as a major destination for visitors and pilgrims, the source said.

The total area of the project, located three kilometers away from the southwest area to the Prophet’s Mosque, is around 1,600,000 square meters. Over 100 residential and commercial towers will be constructed that can accommodate 120,000 persons with four- and five-star hotels and large rooms that can accommodate three families at the same time.

There will be VIP rooms and suites, restaurants, cafes, business centers, and fast elevators that can take guests to the ground in a matter of seconds so that they can perform prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque. There will be offices for the General Car Syndicate, Tawafah establishments, medical missions, and Haj missions with capability to accommodate 31,000 persons.

The ground floors will be used as parking lots while a large area will be dedicated to building a gigantic mosque that can take up to 15,000 persons, a 400-bed hospital, kitchens, washing areas, and luggage transport station. There will be a transport station to provide services to 84,000 pilgrims and visitors who use the train and buses.

A gigantic leap

Dr. Khalid Taher, Madinah Mayor, says the project is one of several strategic projects that Madinah will see in the future. Together with other projects, it seeks to serve pilgrims and visitors alike. Dr. Muhammad Al-Khtrawee, Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman, says the project will definitely reduce crowding in the Central Area surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque and will provide residential units and all necessary services to pilgrims. Farid Al-Maimani, economic expert, said this is King Abdullah’s gift to the guests of Allah.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20141009220654

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The view from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah

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The Quba Mosque of Madinah

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What is needed is to plant much more palm trees, trees etc. again after all those new constructions, expansions etc. in recent decades. Especially in Makkah. Before Makkah and Madinah were full of greenery once and even the Noble Qur'an and several Ahadith confirm this or just 100 year old photos. Madinah is not that bad as can be seen here though.

The Quba Mosque in the past (not more than a few decades ago)


B0NpsWlCIAAndcY.jpg:large
 
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Kaaba’s senior keeper Al-Shaibi passes away


Sheikh Abdul Qadir Bin Taha Al-Shaibi, senior keeper of the Holy Kaaba, receives new key of Kaaba from Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the then emir of Makkah, and Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. — SG photo
HALED AL-HUMAIDI
OKAZ/SAUDI GAZETTE

MAKKAH — Sheikh Abdul Qadir Bin Taha Al-Shaibi, senior keeper of the Holy Kaaba, passed away on Thursday. He was 75.

Al-Shaibi’s body was buried in Makkah’s Al-Moalla Cemetery after offering funeral prayers at the Grand Mosque. A large number of citizens and officials of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques as well as his relatives attended the last rites.

Al-Shaibi died at King Khaled National Guard Hospital in Jeddah on Thursday morning. His death came while preparations were under way for washing of the Holy Kaaba on Nov. 8 (Muharram 15).

Al-Shaibi was named the senior keeper of Kaaba after the death of his paternal uncle Abdul Aziz Al-Shaibi four years ago. Last year, Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency, handed the new lock and key of Kaaba to Al-Shaibi. The lock, which was made 30 years ago, was changed after authorities noticed that it was rusty.

Dr. Saleh Bin Taha Al-Shaibi, the oldest member of Shaibi family, will be the new keeper of Kaaba. The Shaibi family continues to honor the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by handing down the position of keeper (sadin) of the Kaaba to its oldest member.

The sadin is responsible for opening and closing the Kaaba gate and washing it. When the Prophet (pbuh) entered the Kaaba after conquering Makkah, he smashed all the idols inside it, washed it, closed its gate and then called Othman Bin Talha and gave him the key saying, “These keys will remain with you until the Day of Judgment.”

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Shaibi was the 108th successor of Othman Bin Talha. On an earlier occasion, he had said: “The keeper of the Holy Kaaba is the only one responsible for its affairs. It is a huge honor that no one can take away from us because it was bestowed upon us by the order of Almighty Allah.” — SG


Kaaba’s senior keeper Al-Shaibi passes away | Kingdom | Saudi Gazette

:(

See my post 25 in this thread. I covered the honor bestowed upon the Sheikh last year (November) and now he is dead. A reminder of what awaits us all one day.

الذين اذا اصابتهم مصيبة قالوا انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
 
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Kaaba’s senior keeper Al-Shaibi passes away


Sheikh Abdul Qadir Bin Taha Al-Shaibi, senior keeper of the Holy Kaaba, receives new key of Kaaba from Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the then emir of Makkah, and Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. — SG photo
HALED AL-HUMAIDI
OKAZ/SAUDI GAZETTE

MAKKAH — Sheikh Abdul Qadir Bin Taha Al-Shaibi, senior keeper of the Holy Kaaba, passed away on Thursday. He was 75.

Al-Shaibi’s body was buried in Makkah’s Al-Moalla Cemetery after offering funeral prayers at the Grand Mosque. A large number of citizens and officials of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques as well as his relatives attended the last rites.

Al-Shaibi died at King Khaled National Guard Hospital in Jeddah on Thursday morning. His death came while preparations were under way for washing of the Holy Kaaba on Nov. 8 (Muharram 15).

Al-Shaibi was named the senior keeper of Kaaba after the death of his paternal uncle Abdul Aziz Al-Shaibi four years ago. Last year, Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency, handed the new lock and key of Kaaba to Al-Shaibi. The lock, which was made 30 years ago, was changed after authorities noticed that it was rusty.

Dr. Saleh Bin Taha Al-Shaibi, the oldest member of Shaibi family, will be the new keeper of Kaaba. The Shaibi family continues to honor the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by handing down the position of keeper (sadin) of the Kaaba to its oldest member.

The sadin is responsible for opening and closing the Kaaba gate and washing it. When the Prophet (pbuh) entered the Kaaba after conquering Makkah, he smashed all the idols inside it, washed it, closed its gate and then called Othman Bin Talha and gave him the key saying, “These keys will remain with you until the Day of Judgment.”

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Shaibi was the 108th successor of Othman Bin Talha. On an earlier occasion, he had said: “The keeper of the Holy Kaaba is the only one responsible for its affairs. It is a huge honor that no one can take away from us because it was bestowed upon us by the order of Almighty Allah.” — SG


Kaaba’s senior keeper Al-Shaibi passes away | Kingdom | Saudi Gazette

:(

See my post 25 in this thread. I covered the honor bestowed upon the Sheikh last year (November) and now he is dead. A reminder of what awaits us all one day.

الذين اذا اصابتهم مصيبة قالوا انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
May ALLAH bless him with Jannah
 
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@al-Hasani - Thats one heck of a graveyard; I like it ! :agree:

I don't know why people build huge edifices over their graves here in Pakistan ! :hitwall:

Though ever wondered how tight it could be in a grave ? :o:

I wish Islam allowed us to be disposed off in some other manner because I'm claustrophobic ! :(

And Al-Hasani what kind of a Clan is that ? :what:

You're not from amongst the Quraish are you ? :unsure:
 
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