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 […]
Extraordinary photos show millions of joyful Muslims descending on Mecca’s Grand Mosque for start of Islam’s annual haj pilgrimage
Saudi authorities warn they will stop any disruptive protests at annual pilgrimage in Mecca over the conflict in Syria Grand Mosque teeming with joyful pilgrims at dawn yesterday, wearing simple […]
World’s Muslims speak with signs, gestures in Mecca
MECCA — Nods, smiles, frowns, and hand gestures speak volumes in the holy city of Mecca where Muslims gathered from across the world for the annual pilgrimage manage to communicate […]
Kiswa handed to Sheikh Al-Shaibi
JASSIM ABUZAID ARABNEWS Thursday 18 October 2012 JEDDAH: The General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs handed in the new Kiswa (Kaaba’s cover) to the senior gatekeeper of the […]
Haj guides visited pilgrims’ countries in past centuries
JEDDAH: NADIM AL-HAMID ARABNEWS The tasks carried out by members of the Tawafa Chiefs’ Organization — a body that encompasses the heads of three main pilgrim serving guides including Haj […]
Pilgrims free of diseases
RIYADH: MD RASOOLDEEN ARABNEWS Tuesday 2 October 2012 Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said yesterday that all Haj pilgrims are safe and his ministry has not detected any epidemic diseases […]
Makkah-Madinah train set to roll by January 2014
ARAB NEWS Friday 24 August 2012 JEDDAH: Construction is under way on the first high-speed passenger railway line between Makkah and Madinah and is expected to be complete by January 2014. Transport […]
Al-Sudais: Uphold Harams’ sanctity
MAKKAH: ARAB NEWS Friday 10 August 2012 Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for Two Holy Mosques, has called on all pilgrims and worshippers to uphold the sanctity of the two holy mosques. He reminded women worshippers at the mosque that it is better for them to stay […]
50-year Makkah plan to be executed in phases
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Thursday 9 August 2012 Interior Minister Prince Ahmed yesterday highlighted the new 50-year plan for the comprehensive development of Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, saying it would bring about massive improvement in services to pilgrims. Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting […]
Acquisition of houses for Haram expansion approved
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Friday 3 August 2012 Government approval has been given for the expropriation of 2,000 properties in Makkah for the expansion project of the Grand Mosque’s northern courtyards. […]
Saudi woman offers helpful man her daughter in marriage
Young man’s character impressed the woman so much she wanted him to marry her only daughter By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief GULF NEWS Manama: A Saudi mother was so impressed with the character of a young man that she wanted him to marry her only daughter. Halima, 70, was performing […]
2.5 million throng Two Holy Mosques
MAKKAH: ARAB NEWS Sunday 22 July 2012 More than 2.5 million people attended prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Friday, the first […]
Two Holy Mosques ready for Ramadan
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Sunday 15 July 2012 Preparations for the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to receive millions of pilgrims and visitors are in place. Head […]
Ministry OKs emergency plan for holy cities
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Wednesday 11 July 2012 Interior Minister Prince Ahmed approved the Civil Defense plan to tackle emergency situations in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan […]
Credit for biggest expansion of Haram goes to the king
BY: JEDDAH: BADR AL-QAHTANI ARABNEWS The biggest expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah was carried out during the reign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. In […]
Six cable car routes planned for Makkah
By MAKKAH: ARAB NEWS The Center of Excellence for Haj and Umrah Research at Umm Al-Qura University has recommended the introduction of cable cars linking the Grand Mosque with three […]