Ministry of Hajj official tours 112 Field Service Groups
Holy City of Makkah, 02 Dec 07
Holy City of Makkah, 02 Dec 07
The Ministry of Hajj Under Secretary Hatim bin Hasan Qadi along with some of the Ministry's officials conducted here today an inspection tour of 112 Field Service Groups, which are affiliated to the Establishment of guides for Arab Countries' Pilgrims in this Hajj season.
During the tour, the official got acquainted with preparations for more than 350,000 pilgrims from 22 Arab states and listened to a detailed briefing of the tasked duties and services provided by these groups, as well as all other necessary facilities.
The tour comes within the framework of series of inspection tours carried by The Ministry's officials to make sure that all approved operational plans are being implemented well, Qadi said at the end of his inspection tour.
Al-Noor Specialist Hospital gears up for Hajj Season
Holy City of Makkah, 02 Dec 07
The Makkah-based Al-Noor specialist Hospital has geared up its medical equipments and manpower in preparation for Hajj Season.
The medical equipments, which are worth SR 17 Million includes most sophisticated digital X-Rays, Magnetic Resonance, Citi-Scan and other state-of-the-arts medical devices.
The Hospital has also expanded its clinical wards for Kidney diseases, blood pressure and dialysis equipments with a total cost of SR. One and a-half-Million as well as it is actively engaged in establishing a new unit for Endoscopy worth SR. 650,000 and many other facilities for patients.
570,480 pilgrims arrive so far in Kingdom for Hajj
Jeddah, 01 Dec 07
As many as 570,480 pilgrims from abroad arrived here ever since the beginning of the pilgrims arrival program until last night (At the end of the day of the 20 Dhual Qadah, 1428 AH), Director General of Passports Department Major General Salem bin Mohamed Al-belaiheed said in a statement today to Saudi Press Agency(SPA).
Of these pilgrims, 557, 858 came by air, 7,438 by land and
The Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) are expected to transport more than 1.1 million pilgrims from 80 stations around the world in addition to the various regions of the Kingdom during this year's pilgrimage season . This figure constitutes an increase of 207,000 pilgrims compared to the number of the pilgrims last year.
The pilgrims will be transported from 26 stations in the Middle East and the Gulf, 20 stations in Asia, 16 stations in Africa and 18 stations in Europe and America.
SAA's director general Eng. Khalid al-Mulhim said the plan of SAA for the transportation of the pilgrims was prepared in line with a careful study for the experiences of the previous pilgrimage seasons.
Eng. al-Mulhim noted that the directives of the Hajj central committee and the Hajj higher committee include coordination with the concerned governmental authorities for extending the best possible services to the pilgrims.
He pointed out that SAA have formed specialized working teams from all concerned administrations to work around the clock so as to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.
Al-Mulhim said SAA provide the pilgrims with meals that suit their tastes.
He added that the members of SAA's crew can speak various languages which are understood by the pilgrims.
Expansion Projects of Two Holy Mosques serve Islam and Muslims
Riyadh, 28 Nov 07
The expansion projects at the Two Holy Mosques come at the top of the [list of] projects implemented by the Saudi Government for the service of Islam and Muslims.
The implementation of the expansion projects at the Two Holy Mosques [is] aimed at enabling pilgrims, Umrah (minor Hajj) performers and visitors of the Holy Places to perform their rituals in comfort and ease.
The Saudi Government has spent more than SR 70 billion on these expansion projects.
The total area of the expansion project at the Holy Mosque in Makkah was 76,000 square meters.
Following the implementation of the expansion project at the Holy Mosque, the total area of the Haram has increased to 356,000 square meters.
Arrangements are underway to implement important projects at Al-Haram area.
The expansion project at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah was implemented on an area of 82,000 square meters.
After the implementation of the expansion project, the area of the Prophet's Mosque increased to 98,500 square meters.
The Prophet's Mosque has the capacity [to accommodate] 730,000 worshippers, and this capacity increases to more than one million during special occasions like the blessed month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has ordered the completion of the remaining expansion project at the Prophet's Mosque at a total cost of SR 4.7 billion.
Control and Investigation Board prepares for pilgrims' service
Riyadh, 28 Nov 07
Control and Investigation Board has completed all preparations for this year's Hajj to post a number of its employees starting from today at their field work sites at land, sea and air entry-points to monitor the performance of the governmental agencies concerned with service of pilgrims at these points in cooperation with other control and security agencies of the government.
The number of employees to be posted at the sites will exceed 370 personnel and will work under the supervision of head of the board Dr. Salih bin Saud Al Ali.
Minister of Health speaks on Pilgrims' medical and preventive services
Riyadh, 27 Nov 07
Health Minister Dr Hamad al-Mani said Monday that all the required arrangements for extending preventive and medical treatment services to the pilgrims have been completed for this year's Hajj season.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, he noted that the number of the working force for this year's pilgrimage season will increase to 10, 094 personnel.
Dr Al-Mani, who was speaking at a press conference here today, said the health ministry has been coordinating with the other concerned governmental authorities for the service of the guests of God.
He ordered the emergency and medical teams to work around the clock at the Haram.
He pointed out that the health centers and hospitals at the Holy Places have been provided with the required medical equipment and cadres.
Dr al-Mani said 99 percent of the work at the hospital of Jabel -al-Rahma has been completed and added that the hospital will soon be opened by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior.
On arrangements for facing bird flu during hajj season, he said the ministry has an integrated plan in this respect and against any other infectious disease.
He noted that for the first time physicians from Turkey will participate at the expense of the Saudi ministry of health besides other physicians from some Muslim countries like Pakistan in the field of emergency and anesthesia and other rare specializations.
The minister inaugurated the website of the Health ministry on the internet.
The 11th session of the Hajj committees, which was held here today under the chairmanship of the Health Minister, dealt with a number of topics on the agenda pertaining to Hajj activities.
The non- governmental establishment for Hajj guides in Madinah launched successfully last night its plan for pilgrims' land departure from their residences in Madinah en route to Makkah through Al-Miqat.
The establishment, under instructions of Hajj Minister Dr. Fouad Abdul-salam Al-Farsy, has monitored carefully an experiment for this plan which showed positive results and attracted great satisfaction especially from pilgrims who noticed its speed and accuracy in finishing all their procedures, said Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Establishment, Dr.Yousif Ahmed Hwala.
The Jeddah Islamic Port is set to receive today the "Magador" ferry that carries 900 pilgrims from Sudan, the first group of pilgrims to arrive by sea this year.
The second set of pilgrims to arrive by sea next Saturday will be composed of 1,300 Egyptians, the Saudi Gazette reported.
Capt. Sahir Tahlawi, Director of Jeddah Islamic Port, said they are ready to receive all incoming pilgrims, estimated at 35,000 this year.
He said the process of arrival for the pilgrims has been simplified, with arrival stations improved and updated with the latest technologies.
Fahd Al-Idwani, Director of the HajJ department in the Port, said that a total of 26 ships from Sudan and Egypt will be arriving at the port until December 14.
He added that the Pilgrims City in the port is ready to host 8,000 pilgrims at a time, providing them with services from international communications to accommodations in the city prior to their departure for Madina in air conditioned busses.
Work in the city for the pilgrims has been divided into three shifts to assure continuous service through the season.
Col. Awad Al-Qarni, Director of the Port's Passport Department's Bureau, said that 26 counters in the passengers' terminals are equipped with advanced computer systems to assure fast processing of pilgrim's documents. The use of the electronic fingerprint system and taking of pictures of all the pilgrims to verify their documents will be implemented.
The Health Surveillance Department in the port will also put on stand by newly obtained ambulances equipped with advanced devices. A vaccination plan to immunize all pilgrims against possible health hazards will be enforced.
Some seven hospitals and more than 84 health centers in all the regions that will be visited by pilgrims have been prepared for the pilgrims. An additional 9,000 health workers were recruited in these facilities to augment the workforce.
To meet the increased demand for water in advance of the arrival of the pilgrims, the Ministry of Water has upped Makkah's daily share of water during the season to reach 315,000 cubic meters.
The three Ashiab centers in Makkah will also be operational to assure the continuous supply of water tanks.
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