"Makkah and Madinah News and Updates"

[al-Hasani]

Al-Masjid al-Nabawi expansion from air

Holy city of Madinah

 

[al-Hasani]

Al-Masjid al-Nabawi expansion from air

‫الكاميرة الطائرة داخل المسجد النبوي‬‎ - YouTube

Holy city of Madinah

 

[al-Hasani]

Umrah + Tourism = Growth

In this file photo, Prince Sultan bin Salman speaks during an interview in Houston.​

Sunday 18 January 2015

Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), says his organization plans to launch the “Umrah-Plus Tourism” program shortly, allowing foreign pilgrims to visit the Kingdom’s tourist resorts, historical sites and museums.

“The SCTA will coordinate with the Foreign, Interior and Haj Ministries to implement the program,” the prince said, adding that it would have a big impact in changing the perception of Haj and Umrah pilgrims about historical sites in the country while boosting the Kingdom’s economy.

Prince Sultan made this comment after signing an agreement with the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques to enhance cooperation between the two organizations to preserve Islamic artifacts and take care of Islamic historical sites.

“Our efforts are aimed at serving Islam and Muslims and highlighting Islamic culture and heritage,” said the SCTA chief. “We’ll develop Islamic historical sites with our partners, open them to visitors and appoint trained guides to provide tourists with correct information in light of the Islamic faith,” he said.

Prince Sultan stressed the significance of relics found in different parts of the Kingdom, adding that they show great Saudi Arabian heritage and its contribution to human civilization over the past centuries.

In a previous statement, Prince Sultan said the Umrah-Plus Tourism would benefit pilgrims from 65 countries, creating thousands of job opportunities for Saudis.

“We will work with Saudi universities to develop academic programs to meet manpower requirements in the travel and tourism sector,” the prince said.

Abdul Shukoor Ali, a tourism business executive, said the Umrah-Plus program would increase the number of pilgrims visiting the Kingdom and strengthen the country’s economy, since more than six million foreign pilgrims visit the Kingdom annually.

“At present pilgrims are able to visit only Makkah and Madinah. The new program will allow them to visit places like Madain Saleh, Madain Shuaib, Haqel, Abha and Taif. We hope this service would be available to pilgrims from all countries,” he said.

Tourism has the potential to become the second largest revenue-earning sector after oil, Ali said.

“The new move is significant at a time when oil prices are falling in the international market,” he added.

Umrah + Tourism = Growth | Arab News

New Madinah Airport

Not fully ready yet as can be seen.

Airport mosque

 

[al-Hasani]

King’s initiative to expand two holy mosques hailed

Algerian pilgrims pose for a picture in Madinah.​

Monday 19 January 2015

Most Umrah pilgrims, who come from different parts of the world, visit Madinah as part of their spiritual journey to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque and visit historical places in the holy city.

Arab News met with a group of Algerian pilgrims to get their impressions. “I am very happy to visit Madinah, the city of the Prophet,” said Abdul Aziz Khattab. “It gave me an opportunity to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque,” he said.

Khattab said there are millions of Muslims around the world who want to visit this holy place. “I am thankful to Allah for blessing me to be here and I pray that other faithful also get this golden opportunity.”

Ahmed Abul Qassim, also an Algerian, said he was overjoyed for having gotten the chance to visit Makkah and Madinah.

Abul Qassim highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by Madinah during the past few years. “I have visited this holy city several times in the past when I came to Saudi Arabia for Haj and Umrah. The streets have become wider; there are several five-star hotels near the mosque; and new malls have been established.”

He praised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for giving his instructions to expand the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah in order to create space for the growing numbers of pilgrims and worshippers.

Khaled Abdul Monem, another Algerian, said Muslims in his country love Saudi Arabia and its generous people. “We appreciate the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting countries and people at times of difficulty,” he said.

King’s initiative to expand two holy mosques hailed | Arab News

Ongoing Mataf Expansion

New 3 km long pedestrian road to Arafat

 

[al-Hasani]

Mataf expansion continued

​

 

[Rakan.SA]

basically king abdullah rebuilt the masjid.except for one part. he started with the mataf then the rest. nothing is from the old masjid except one part. all the masjid was demolished and rebuilt

 

[elszADaQ]

 

[al-Hasani]

Very nice video, brother.

 

[elszADaQ]

Very nice video, brother.

The harmain sharifain is such an amazing historic place that I really can't wait to visit brother.

 

[al-Hasani]

The harmain sharifain is such an amazing historic place that I really can't wait to visit brother.

Insha'Allah you will get this opportunity soon. Preferably after the expansion projects are finished.

Portico columns of Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah

They will be restored again once the expansion work is finished.

Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi​

Expansion work in full swing

​

 

[al-Hasani]

Mataf expansion ongoing

​

Notice that the King Abdulaziz Gate is no longer there. Razed to rumble. The difference in capacity will be huge.

Madinah Airport​

As part of preparations for starting operation, Faisal Al-Sugair, Vice President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), made on Wednesday an inspection tour to the new airport facilities.

His tour covered passenger terminals, check-in-counters, reservation and immigration counters, baggage handling system, passenger boarding bridges, and other facilities.

Currently, the new Prince Muhammad International Airport can accommodate 8 million passengers annually, after the second phase this capacity will be increased to accommodate 11 million passengers, and with the completion of the final phase, this capacity will be increased to 27 million passengers annually.

The airport will have a total area of over four million square meters, of which the arrival and departure terminals will have 153,000 square meters.

There will be 16 gates connected with 32 passenger boarding bridges, in addition to 64 check-in-counters, and 24 self-service kiosks. There will be 12 special counters and six waiting lounges for pilgrims during the Haj season on a total area of 10,500 square meters, besides a parking a lot for 200 buses for pilgrims.

It is the Kingdom’s first airport project being implemented wholly by the private sector on build-transfer-operate (BTO) basis. Similarly, it is the first Eco-friendly airport in MENA region that has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This award makes Madinah Airport home to the first LEED Gold certified commercial airport terminal in MENA region, demonstrating Madinah Airport’s commitment to environment, sustainability, passenger comfort, and efficiency.

 

[elszADaQ]

Amazing night view of Medina and Mecca from the ISS

 

[Rakan.SA]

madina up makka down
thanks

 

[al-Hasani]

@ebray

Fantastic photos. Where did you find them? The International Space Station? Do they have more such photos of Makkah and Madinah? Let alone KSA and the Arab world?
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[Rakan.SA]

@ebray

Fantastic photos. Where did you find them? The International Space Station? Do they have more such photos of Makkah and Madinah? Let alone KSA and the Arab world?
​

Instagram here are some of their pics