A huge number of Pilgrims began moving towards plains of Arafat since Sunrise this morning in a spiritual atmosphere, surrounded by the Divine Providence praying to Almighty Allah to bestow mercy and forgiveness upon them.
The Government of The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his honest Crown Prince has provided all facilities to ensure that Pilgrims will perform their Hajj rituals in peace and tranquility.
Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Central Higher Hajj Committee along with Prince Khalid Al-faisal, the Governor of Makkah Region followed up the Pilgrims' ascent process to the Mount of Arafat and issued their directives to the concerned quarters in charge of Hajj affairs to provide the best services to pilgrims to ensure their safety and tranquility.
Assistant Minister of Culture and Information lauds Saudi Radio performance in Hajj
Arafat, 18 Dec 07
Prince Turki bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Culture and Information, lauded today the operational plan for the Saudi Radio.
"The efforts of Saudi Radio to cover this year's Hajj season in the holy sites and Makkah are distinct and different from the previous years. There will be a link between the Kingdom's broadcasting stations and Arab Radios so that these Radios will be able to cover Hajj," he said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Director of the Public Security lieutenant General Saed bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani said that the pilgrims entry to Arafat was completed at 10 o'clock this morning.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), he said that the security and traffic situation at Arafat is well and good.
"No incidents violating security were reported by the Command and Control affiliated to Hajj Security Forces," he said.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal affirms smooth ascent of pilgrims on Mount of Arafat
Arafat, 18 Dec 07
Prince Khalid al-Faisal, the Governor of Makkah region, and Head of the Hajj central committee, followed up today the ascendance of the pilgrims to the Mount of Arafat.
He said in a statement that the ascendance of the pilgrims to Arafat was completed, adding that all pilgrims felt comfortable and stable in an atmosphere of strong faith and security.
He noted that the Saudi Government has exerted intensive efforts to enable the pilgrims perform their rituals in comfort and ease.
Prince Khalid attributed the success of the ascendance of the pilgrims to Arafat to the grace of Allah Almighty and to the efforts exerted by the concerned authorities to ensure the success of the ascendance plan.
Prince Khalid reiterated that all the services and facilities needed by the pilgrims are available in ample quantities notably the food stuffs and medical supplies.
The people in this country are recruited for the service of the pilgrims since their arrival until their departure after performing Hajj rituals, he said.
The administration of public security has made all required arrangements for this year's Hajj season.
Lt. Saeed al-Qahtani, the director of the public security, said the arrangements were made in line with the directives of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister and Head of the Hajj higher committee.
In a statement to SPA, he said the public security has set up a traffic and security plan for the transportation of the pilgrims in the Holy Places and Makkah .
The director of the public security urged the companies concerned with the transportation of the pilgrims to honor their commitments and to get sure of the maintenance of the buses which will transport the pilgrims.
He reiterated the readiness of the public security to solve any traffic problem through the command and control center at the command of the Hajj security forces in coordination with the other concerned authorities.
Public security makes all required arrangements for Hajj
Mina, 17 Dec 07
The administration of public security has made all required arrangements for this year's Hajj season.
Lt. Saeed al-Qahtani, the director of the public security, said the arrangements were made in line with the directives of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister and Head of the Hajj higher committee.
In a statement to SPA, he said the public security has set up a traffic and security plan for the transportation of the pilgrims in the Holy Places and Makkah .
The director of the public security urged the companies concerned with the transportation of the pilgrims to honor their commitments and to get sure of the maintenance of the buses which will transport the pilgrims.
He reiterated the readiness of the public security to solve any traffic problem through the command and control center at the command of the Hajj security forces in coordination with the other concerned authorities.
Assistant Minister of Culture and Information receives Ministry's guests
Arafat, 17 Dec 07
Prince Turki bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Culture and Information, received at the Ministry's headquarters in Arafat today the Ministry's guests, including Islamic and Arab intellectual and literary figures as well as media persons who are performing this year's Hajj.
During the meeting, Prince Turki welcomed the guests, wishing them accepted Hajj.
The number of persons who arrived in the Kingdom for performing Hajj up to yesterday amounted to 1,685,637.
33716 pilgrims arrived via King Abdulaziz International Airport, 2257 via Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, 3777 via Halat-ammar entry point, 947 via al-Bat'ha entry point and 1732 via the other entry points.
The daily reports of the Hajj central committee said the arriving flights to King Abdulaziz International Airport amounted to 4534.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has been following up the movements of the pilgrims between Makkah and Madinah, and the services being extended to them notably in the health and security fields.
SPA has been highlighting through its daily reports the services and regulations that enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in comfort and ease.
SPA's Director General Abdulaziz bin Saad al-Ghamidi said SPA has been telecasting the reports trough three bulletins around the clock in Arabic, English and French.
He noted that the website of SPA on the internet can reached by all, and a special page has been allocated for the reports of Hajj.
Al-Ghamidi noted that there is a special page for the photographs.
Al-Ghamidi said SPA has been following up the movements of the pilgrims since their arrival via the land, sea or air entry points as well as their movements in Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Places.
He said the reports of SPA constitute a basic source for the media inside and outside the Kingdom, and SPA has made the required information and photographs available through its transmission and the information centers established by the ministry of culture and information in Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Places.
SPA sends every Hajj season a team including journalists, photographers and technicians to the Holy Places for the coverage of this great event, he said adding that SPA follows up the guests of God effective from 15.11 up to their return to their countries.
Minister of Hajj receives Egyptian, Yemeni officials
Jeddah, 16 Dec 07
The Minister of Hajj Dr. Fouad bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsy received here today the Minister of Economic Development Dr. Othman Mohamed Othman, who is also Head of the Egyptian Hajj Mission.
During the meeting, they discussed Egyptian pilgrims affairs and the importance of complying with regulations and programs set up by the ministry.
Also, Dr. Al-Farsy received Yemen's Minister of Endowments and Guidance, Hamoud Abdulhamid Al-Heitar, who is also Head of Yemeni Hajj Mission, and the accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, they discussed Yemeni pilgrims affairs and the services provided by the Ministry of Hajj to the pilgrims in addition to the importance of adhering to the instructions set up by the ministry to achieve security and safety of pilgrims.
The two officials praised the efforts made by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince to facilitate Hajj for pilgrims.
The meetings were attended by a number of officials.
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