Makkah has a tradition of welcoming Hajis
The people of Makkah have a history of their association with the Haj pilgrimage. This history dates back to the pre-Islamic era, when Qusay bin Kalb provided pilgrims with food […]
Cut in seasonal visas might hit Haj food supplies
Jeddah: Irfan Mohammed ARABNEWS Authorities have drastically reduced the number of seasonal employment visas to bring in temporary workers from abroad into Makkah and Madinah. Several businesses are feeling the […]
SR300bn Makkah projects to expand pilgrim services
JEDDAH: P. K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS STAFF New projects worth more than SR300 billion are being implemented in Makkah to improve services being rendered to millions of pilgrims […]
Trend of sleeping in the Grand Mosque increasing
The trend of people sleeping in the Grand Mosque has been increasing each year, despite religious scholars declaring such an occurrence as a violation of Shariah. It is not merely […]
Hotel investments in Makkah to reach SR500bn by 2015
RIYADH: SHARIF M. TAHA ARABNEWS Monday 22 July 2013 The volume of hotel investments in Makkah is predicted to hit SR500 billion ($133 billion) by 2015 in light of the […]
Mataf bridge ready to ease Umrah for disabled, elderly
JEDDAH: P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR Monday 22 July 2013 The new mataf bridge around the Holy Kaaba opens for pilgrims this week. Only disabled and elderly pilgrims will be allowed to […]
Mecca Clock Tower Photo Shows Kaaba In The Shadow Of Abraj Al-Bait Building
The Huffington Post | Yasmine Hafiz The Masjid Al-Haram is an iconic image for millions of Muslims who dream of making the once-in-a-lifetime Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, but its silhouette […]
New security plan for Grand Mosque in Makkah
JEDDAH: P. K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS STAFF Tuesday 9 July 2013 Security forces are taking additional measures to control crowds and prevent stampedes inside the Grand Mosque in […]
Makkah projects concern Muslims all over the world — Prince Khaled
EDDAH: P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS STAFF Monday 8 July 2013 Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal yesterday urged contactors to implement the SR 62 billion Makkah Mass Rail Transit project following international standards as it serves millions of pilgrims from around the world. “This public transport system is one […]
SR 62 bn Makkah metro project launch in 2014
JEDDAH: P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS STAFF Sunday 7 July 2013 The SR 62 billion new Makkah public transport system, including a metro with four lines and 88 stations […]
Two holy mosques ready for Ramadan
MAKKAH: AHMAD WAHAJ SIDDIQUI ARABNEWS Friday 5 July 2013 Sermons, the distribution of Holy Qur’ans, more cleaning staff and strict security are some of the services available at the two […]
Haj: Fewer numbers ‘in pilgrims’ interest’
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Sunday 23 June 2013 Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, yesterday emphasized the need […]
Kaaba to be washed tomorrow
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Sunday 9 June 2013 The ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba, which is carried out before the beginning of the month of each Ramadan, is set to […]
Grand Mosque columns, calligraphy to be inventoried
MAKKAH: TARIQ ATH THAQAFI ARABNEWS Monday 1 April 2013 A committee has been formed to list the columns and calligraphy of the Makkah Grand Mosque prior to their delivery to […]
SR 60 billion approved for Makkah Metro (16 billion US$)
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Sunday 30 December 2012 The Cabinet approved a SR 60 billion plan for the implementation of a metro rail network in Makkah, which would link the Makkah […]
New Zamzam bottling plant to be ready early next year
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS The Unified Office of Zamzama, suppliers of Zamzam water, signed a SR 20 million contract with the Water Technology Company (WTC) to build a Zamzam bottling plant […]
Mataf expansion to double current capacity
MAKKAH: ARAB NEWS A vast expansion project for the mataf, (the circumambulation space around the Kaaba), is currently under way. The new mataf when completed, after three years, will accommodate […]
Campaign to find overstayers in Makkah launched
MAKKAH: ARAB NEWs The Saudi General Directorate of Passports announced the launch of a comprehensive campaign all over the country to look for overstaying pilgrims, who have no intention in returning home. According to Col. Badr Almalik, directorate spokesman, the number of overstaying pilgrims has recently decreased to a large […]
Work on mataf expansion begins
ARAB NEWS Friday 16 November 2012 MAKKAH: Preliminary work for the expansion of the mataf (the circumambulation area around the Kaaba) started yesterday with the installation of huge cranes at […]
Report evaluates conduct of Haj
ARAB NEWS Monday 12 November 2012 .JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal stressed the need for all departments and agencies serving the Haj pilgrims to review and update their plans […]