JEDDAH: A comprehensive study has been prepared for the expansion of the mataf (the circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) to reduce congestion. Col. Yahya Al-Zahrani, commander of the security force at the Grand Mosque in Makkah told Al-Watan Arabic daily that the mataf expansion would be carried out on
General News
Protecting the country’s growing tourism industry
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) is taking the right action by issuing a fresh warning to some owners of hotels and furnished apartments to abide by recently introduced regulations, including the mandatory display of prices and services offered by their establishments. This comes in the wake of
Unprecedented hotel occupancy in Makkah
Pilgrims are seen strolling under the scorching sun near hotels in the Central Area around the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Sunday. – Okaz photo MAKKAH – With Ramadan’s advent in the summer season this year, hotels here have reached an unprecedented occupancy rates. The majority of hotels are now closed
Ramadan plan ensures ease and comfort for worshippers
The Grand Mosque is already full of worshippers and Umrah pilgrims. Over 4.5 million Umrah visas have been issued for this year’s Ramadan starting Monday. Authorities have devised elaborate plans to provide all comfort to visitors to the holy cty. MAKKAH – The General Presidency of the Affairs of the
Saudi expects five million pilgrims during Ramadan
Pilgrimage visas are 1.1 million up on 2010 making for an unprecedented rise in one of the Kingdom’s most important sources of non-oil revenue Saudi Arabia expects to receive a record five million pilgrims during Ramadan this year. According to figures released by the Agency for Umrah Affairs at the
King, crown prince greet Muslims on Ramadan
King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, greeted Muslims in the Kingdom and the rest of the world Sunday on the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan.
Workers recruited to hand out Ramadan meals in Grand Mosque
Workers seal off portions of the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Sunday in preparation for the first day of fasting. (AN photo) JEDDAH: New workers have been recruited to hand out Ramadan meals at the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. “Close to 500 new officials including supervisors are
Saudi Arabia, Most Arab Nations To Begin Ramadan Monday
RIYADH (Zawya Dow Jones)–Saudi Arabia will start the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on Monday along with most other Arab countries, state media news agencies reported Saturday.
Special Ramadan plan in place for holy mosques
JEDDAH: A comprehensive plan is in place to serve the large number of pilgrims and visitors arriving in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan, an official of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques’ Affairs has said. Source:Arab News
IIROSA in new bid to build Waqf hotel tower in Makkah
MAKKAH: The International Islamic Relief Organization of Saudi Arabia (IIROSA) signed a contract on Sunday with a national construction company to build a residential hotel tower in Ajyad area in Makkah. Its returns will be used to finance social programs sponsoring orphans inside the Kingdom and abroad. Speaking to press