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 […]
Mataf expansion work in full swing
JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Friday 4 January 2013 Works on mataf (circumambulation area around the Kabaa) expansion is being stepped up, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported. The second floor of the eastern side […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
25-year strategic plan aims to improve pilgrims’ service
By MAKKAH: ARAB NEWS Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar said ongoing efforts to work out a 25-year strategic plan for Haj and Umrah operations reflect the top priority given by the […]