The recently announced expansion works on the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will begin after the Haj season this year, a reliable source said. Compensation payment to the owners of the expropriated properties for the project will also be completed by that time, the source told a local daily. Compensation per
General News
Madinah visitors complain about high rents
Madinah: Yousuf Muhammad Thursday 21 June 2012 Visitors who come to Madinah to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque have been complaining about the exceptional high rates of hotels and furnished apartments, especially in the area around the mosque. They have urged the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) to
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, washed the holy Ka’ba
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, washed the holy Ka’ba with Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais. — SG/SPA On behalf of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, washed the holy Ka’ba, Thursday. The Emir is seen doing the Tawaf along with Sheikh Abdul
Jeddah's Hajj Terminal – a thing of beauty
Travel guide producer Frommer’s has ranked Jeddah-King Abduaziz International Airport’s Hajj Terminal as one of the world’s top 10 most beautiful terminals. Frommer’s – which notes that it becomes one of the world’s busiest terminals during the Hajj pigrimage when millions of pilgrims make their way to the Muslim holy
No accommodation crisis in Makkah, says MCCI
Nada Al-Maddah Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has denied rumors about an artificial accommodation crisis created by tourism service providers in the holy city. The MCCI said Umrah companies have not been harmed by the high occupancy rates in accommodation facilities in the
Umrah and tourist visas may be linked in future
JEDDAH — Crown Prince Naif has given the ministries of Haj and Foreign Affairs the go-ahead to work on an integrated system to link Umrah and tourist visas, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), announced Tuesday. Addressing a debate organized by Okaz
Six cable car routes planned for Makkah
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 areas of the holy city. The recommendation is part of the center’s study on the feasibility of introducing technology such as cable cars to
Bawabat Makkah Project – Makkah Gate
Bawabat Makkah is a visionary new city to be built on the western edge of the Makkah Holy Region straddling the Heal boundary line along Jeddah – Makkah Highway. The area of the City covers approximately 86 square kilometers of land and will house an estimated population of approximately 690,000
Umrah tourism gets big boost
Prince-Sultan-bin-Salman Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), yesterday estimated the total value of tourism projects in the Kingdom at SR 290 billion, including railway projects. Addressing a joint responsibility forum organized by Okaz, he said Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and
Makkah Gate project launched
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal laid the foundation stone yesterday for the western suburbs of the Makkah Gate project along the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. Covering an area of 1.5 million sq. meters, it is the first project of Makkah Gate Company (MGC). Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar, chairman of MGC, thanked Prince