"Makkah and Madinah News and Updates"

[al-Hasani]

New initiatives to make Madinah eternal capital of Islamic culture

CULTURAL OASIS: Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman with Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja at the opening of a conference of OIC culture ministers in the city. (SPA)

MADINAH: ARAB NEWS

Published — Wednesday 22 January 2014

Last update 22 January 2014 12:40 am

Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman on Tuesday announced 13 initiatives aimed at making Madinah the eternal capital of Islamic culture. He said the initiatives have won the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The announcement comes at the conclusion of activities marking the selection of Madinah as the Islamic Cultural Capital.
Initiatives include the establishment of an oasis for Quranic learning to make Madinah an Islamic cultural center. The oasis will have halls for Quranic recitation, discussions and scientific research.
The Quba Cultural Center is another important project, which includes museums, libraries and parks, in addition to a center to welcome pilgrims and visitors. The King Abdul Aziz Library and the Haram Library will also be developed as part of the new initiatives.
A permanent exhibition will be established for the life and teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Another exhibition center will be established to showcase the Prophet’s battles.
There will be a center for Madinah’s written heritage, the governor said, adding that an old Madinah district would be created inside the King Fahd Park. A center for Islamic architecture in Madinah, the expansion of Hejaz Railway Museum and the development of a Madinah research and studies center are other major initiatives announced by the governor.
Meanwhile, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja launched a conference for OIC culture ministers in Madinah in the presence of Prince Faisal bin Salman. “Promotion of Cultural Rights in the Muslim World in the Service of Dialogue and Peace” was the conference’s title.
“Muslim countries should be armed with cultural content to promote the principles of Islam and deepen the bonds of brotherhood, harmony and understanding,” Khoja told the ministers.
He appreciated the efforts being made by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). He also noted Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s initiative for interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
The last conference in Algiers had called for coming up with a draft plan of action to activate the king’s initiative. He urged the ministers to support King Abdullah’s initiative.
“This conference comes within the programs marking Madinah as the capital of Islamic culture. During the last year, numerous activities and programs have been held in the city under the leadership of Prince Faisal,” Khoja said.

New initiatives to make Madinah eternal capital of Islamic culture | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

 

[al-Hasani]

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Madinah Museum typifies cultural façade of the city​

Madinah Museum is located at the Hejaz Railway Station in Madinah

Saudi Gazette report
20 January 2014

Opened in December 2013, the Madinah Museum is located at the refurbished Hejaz Railway Station in Madinah.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) completed the first phase of the museum at the station, and this represents a cultural façade of Madinah region, which abounds in archeological and Islamic historical sites. “The SCTA has refurbished the buildings of the old Hejaz Railway Station and transformed them into a museum to showcase the rich history of Madinah through the ages ever since the pre-historic period until the present day. The commission had earlier established another museum at the train repair shed to highlight the history of the Hejaz Railway.

The museum’s first phase consists of 14 halls to showcase exhibits, and they include the lobby of the museum, halls for Madinah’s environment and history of its nature, Madinah before Islam, Madinah during the Prophet’s period, halls of the Prophet’s wives and children, Al-Ansar and Muhajireen, the Prophet’s Mosque, Madinah during the period of Caliphs, Madinah through Islamic ages, Madinah in the period of first Saudi state, Madinah in the second Saudi state, Madinah during the period of King Abdul Aziz, and Madinah heritage.

The second phase of the museum would include construction of building on an area covering 12,000 sq. meters. It will house five halls to showcase artifacts from King Abdul Aziz Library of Madinah, and the Prophet’s Mosque, as well as those related to Madinah through the ages, in addition to a hall for children, and another for Saudi life. There will be digital display of artistic and archeological artifacts representing the history of Madinah and its urban heritage through the ages.

Saudi Gazette - Madinah Museum typifies cultural façade of the city

Madinah Museum visiting hours:

Saturday to Thursday from 9:00am to 9:00pm
Friday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

 

[al-Hasani]

Umrah propels Makkah hotel occupancy to 90%

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21 January 2014

Makkah’s hotel occupancy has risen to more than 90 percent around the central area of the Grand Mosque, raising hopes among investors that they will recoup some of their losses from last year.

A total of 1.7 million people have come on Umrah since the season opened in December.

The government reduced the number of pilgrims last year because of the expansion taking place at the Grand Mosque.

Hotel investor Fahd Al-Withinani told Arab News that the season got off to a strong start this year probably because Umrah firms and individuals were more aware of the limits on pilgrim numbers.

Another investor Mazen Drar agreed with this view and said investors now hope to make up for last year’s losses.

Al-Withinani said pilgrims came from inside the Kingdom, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria and Sudan. There were fewer pilgrims from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.

Another investor, Awaid Al-Fahmi, said many Saudis opted to spend the midterm school vacation with their families in Makkah this year.

A room overlooking the Grand Mosque costs SR1,000 a day, while rooms without a view are about SR700 to SR850 a day. Prices in areas around Mahbas Al-Jin and Al-Azizia ranged between SR400 and SR600 for a room a day.

Umrah propels Makkah hotel occupancy to 90% | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

 

[al-Hasani]

Mataf expansion update
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Al-Masjid Al-Haram before the Mataf expansion​

Library of Al-Masjid Al-Haram
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Dear @WebMaster @Aeronaut @Jungibaaz etc.

Is it possible for one of you to change the title of this thread to "Makkah and Madinah pilgrimage news"

Thank you.

 

[al-Hasani]

So far over 3.2 million pilgrims have arrived for Umrah.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140328200073


Makkah Emir: King Abdullah expansion project to provide 4000 jobs​

Last updated: Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:50 PM

JEDDAH – Emir of Makkah region Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah said the King Abdullah expansion project for the Grand Mosque in Makkah will provide 4,000 new sustainable jobs for the Saudi youth after completion of the expansion, SPA said.

During his meeting at his office in Jeddah, Prince Mishal received a number of men of letters, writers and journalists. He said the expansion project is forging ahead as planned with follow up and supervision by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

Prince Mishal said that the Ministry of Finance is working to create the new sustainable job opportunities in the project, aside from the jobs that will be created by the companies operating and maintaining the Grand Mosque.

He confirmed that King Abdullah is keen that the development projects being witnessed by the holy capital will reflect on the citizens.

Prince Mishal listened to several ideas presented by the men of letters, writers and journalists. He expressed his readiness to discuss the ideas with the authorities concerned.

The King Abdullah expansion project of the Grand Mosque includes the development of the northern courtyards on an area estimated at 400,000 square meters.

Makkah Emir: King Abdullah expansion project to provide 4000 jobs | Kingdom | Saudi Gazette​

Metro Station For The Future In Saudi Arabia

March - 26 - 2014

Widely known, award-winning architectural practice Snøhetta has designed The Makkah Metro C-Line Stations for Saudi Arabia. The exciting design envisions the unique fusion between the ultra-modern technology of the metro system and the historical richness of Makkah, therefore architecture acts as a framework – both for understanding and enriching the places it meets along the metro line – and for projecting the future vision and goals of the city.

The station – a sleek skin of the future, hovers delicately above the rising urban landscape of the city, creating a new public arena in the space between the ground and the sky. Linking again with tradition, the wrap is a unique ceramic tile with varying degrees of textures and signatures developed in cooperation with local artists.

The hard shell of the station on the inside is revealed to have a soft and ornamented interior consisting of a complex yet contextual mashrabiya screen. The screen links history and technology, consisting of traditional patterns applied through the latest of computer and fabrication technologies – symbolizing the duality between the future and the past. From station to station the mashrabiya screen changes again in color and material offering each station a personal signature whilst retaining a coherent identity throughout the line.

The meeting point, suspended between these two moments, as the plaza rises and the station reaches down, represents the common link between these two distinct elements within the public realm. Creating a bold yet elegant icon for each station – the design defines the network as a coherent unit changing slightly from station to station, because of the different city pattern.

Due to using a highly adaptable strategy for the demands and constraints of the site on the landscape, the new urban plaza connects, orients and safely manages both large and small groups of commuters and pilgrims from all parts of the city and the world – whether departing and arriving on a daily basis or for the first time.

Metro Station For The Future In Saudi Arabia - eVolo | Architecture Magazine

 

[al-Hasani]

Albaia Mosque: Calling for attention

29 March 2014 - 28 Jumada Al-Awwal 1435

Albaia mosque lies around half a kilometer from Jamrat al-Kubra. It is visible from a distance with its bright brown color. It represents a perfect balance between sustainable architecture and a historical landmark and still stands in its Islamic glory, depicting a heavenly sight symbolizing eternity and longevity.

Pilgrims, throughout the 270-day Pilgrimage season, come together to witness the miracles of the fifth pillar in Islam: The Haj. As constant renovations and developments happen, pilgrims pass by taking pictures and marveling at the sights before them. Many pilgrims visit Albaia historical mosque to perform their prayers and take memorable photos as this is the mosque where the first bay’ah in Islam (oath of allegiance to a leader) was made before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Madinah.

Before 2007, Albaia mosque was surrounded by high mountains making it the perfect hideaway, in fact, the Prophet used to hide from non-believers here. He would also preach Islam behind the safety and serenity of these high mountains. After 12 years of prophecy, the Prophet sealed the bay’ah here under the witness of 12 men from Yathrib (the historical name of Madinah). The second bay’ah in Islamic history happened at the exact same location with the witness of 73 men and two women from Yathrib. This bay’ah was the beginning of the Islamic State. The then Abbasid Caliphate Abu Jafar Almansour built a mosque at the location in commemoration of the Prophet’s uncle Abbas Bin Abd Almutalib who signed the bay’ah both times.

Exterior and Interior

With a capacity of around 500 square meters, the mosque still stands in good shape. One of its unique features is the tilted Mihrab. In pilgrimage season, all of the mosques in the area are closed except for Albaia mosque. According to a historical study conducted in 1988 by Dr. Naser Abdullah Albarakati from the Culture and History Department at Umm Al-Qura University along with his colleague Dr. Mohammad Naisan Sulaiman Mana, the measurements of the mosque are as follows: the north wall of the mosque stands 27.90 meters tall and the west wall of the mosque measures 17 meters wide and 4 meters tall. The mosque has only one door on the north wall and its floor is furnished with red carpet. The mosque itself is surrounded by a steel fence. The mosque does not have any restrooms for performing Wudu.

Maintaining the mosque

For many years, Albaia mosque was only remembered by few. According to scholar Ali Bin Abd Alqader Altabri, the last renovation the mosque received was during the rule of Sultan Ahmad Bin Mohammad Khan by the Pasha Hassan Almimar. It underwent minor renovations in 2007.

The expansion plans in the area had initially slated the mosque for demolition to make way for a parking lot for buses that ferry pilgrims. Many citizens of Makkah gathered to defend the location and the historical monument. They called the municipality in Riyadh to exclude the mosque from the demolition plans. They also brought to light the importance of the monument to our history and Islamic culture. The protest went up to the Ministry of Civil and Rural Affairs where it was discussed and considered. Eventually, the citizens won and more attention was drawn to the mosque and its maintenance and renovation to preserve our prophetic history.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20140329200180

 

[Leader]

Emirati man who walked 2000 km on foot to reach Makkah.

Walk To Makkah : Emirati walks 2000km To Makkah from Abu Dhabi - YouTube

Bosnian man who walked 5700 km on foot to reach Makkah for nearly 1 year.



Senad Hadzic Walks 6,000 Kilometers from Bosnia to Mecca! ~ Frosty Mix

‫



water every where . by oldwolf., on Flickr

I Need Ferrari for this Road . by oldwolf., on Flickr




madinah_masjid nabawi_00004 by ArabianLens.com, on Flickr


madinah_masjid nabawi_00011 by ArabianLens.com, on Flickr


The Quba Mosque (مسجد قبا&#1569 by M. Imran Saeed, on Flickr


Kabah, Masjid Al Haram by Kashmirikhan!, on Flickr


Mekkah by CamelKW, on Flickr

To be continued, Insha'Allah. Please also share similar inspirational hajj pilgrimages.

EDIT:
Any trolling will be reported and I will make sure to contact the owner of this page to delete such posts. This is not the topic for trolling and will not be tolerated.

beautiful..

 

[Wahhab2701]

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Al-Masjid Al-Haram before the Mataf expansion​

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Dear @WebMaster @Aeronaut @Jungibaaz etc.

Is it possible for one of you to change the title of this thread to "Makkah and Madinah pilgrimage news"

Thank you.

Masha Alloh, a beautiful and sobering picture. Can't wait to visit the holy land.

Btw, welcome back naughty boy and do not get banned again. Otherwise, we gonna miss your pictures.

 

[Leader]

@al-Hasani I heard that people of Madinah speak arabic very politely that it sounds like sugar being poured in ones ears, is it true?

 

[al-Hasani]

Thank you @Wahhab2701

You are welcome @Leader

I have not updated this thread as much as I wanted, nearly not at all, but now I have a few days off so I can update it before the final semester of the year where I will be very busy.

@al-Hasani I heard that people of Madinah speak arabic very politely that it sounds like sugar being poured in ones ears, is it true?

The Arabic spoken in Madinah differ very little from the one spoken in the other big cities of Hijaz such as Makkah, Jeddah, Ta'if, Yanbu etc. The dialect spoken is Urban Hijazi Arabic which is close to Egyptian Arabic and the Arabic spoken in the Levant (Shami). Also influences from Yemeni Arabic. Sudanese Arabic too. Actually the influences have been the other way around but you know what I mean. I think that many of such sayings are bound in romanticism since taste is personal but of course I do find Hijazi Arabic beautiful as an Hijazi but others might prefer other dialects of Arabic.

 

[notsuperstitious]

I'd love to visit Makkah, unfortunately as a non muslim, I'm not allowed.

I do not think there is any religious sanction for this practice? Certainly did not exist during the prophets time?

 

[al-Hasani]

I'd love to visit Makkah, unfortunately as a non muslim, I'm not allowed.

I do not think there is any religious sanction for this practice? Certainly did not exist during the prophets time?

The practice has been enforced since the time earliest times of Islam.

It is said in the Noble Qur'an that non-Muslims should not approach Masjid al-Haram and this has been interpreted as them not being able to enter Makkah and Madinah.

The non-Muslims who visited Makkah and Madinah before the modern age either were recent converts or simply just told that they were Muslims and gained entry this way.

I am not going to recommend you doing this as it will go against Islam but in reality you could "fake" an conversion and this way enter Makkah and Madinah. If you are lucky since it is hard to be admitted for hajj in this age of time where the expansion work is taking place and the numbers of pilgrims are thus reduced. Unless you get invited by someone to KSA. In any case you are welcome to ask those questions in the Arabic Coffee Thread on the Arab Defence section of the forum or elsewhere since I would like to keep this thread on topic.

PS: Maybe converting to Islam would be something of your interest when you learnt what Islam is and this way you could enter legally. This answer should help.

 

[al-Hasani]

Door of the Kaaba

The expansion work from 2 weeks ago

King Abdullah smart city to offer pilgrims best services

26 March 2014

The new full-fledged pilgrim city to be established along the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway will be named after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, said Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar.

“It will be a smart city equipped with the most advanced facilities and systems,” he told Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah while giving a presentation on the project.

Hajjar said the city would be designed to become an outstanding landmark in Makkah, adding that it would provide all services required by pilgrims coming for Haj and Umrah.

“All residential and administrative services will be made available for pilgrims in the city, which will be linked with the Grand Mosque and the center of Makkah with a public transport system,” he added.

“This city was planned to reduce congestion in areas around the Grand Mosque,” the minister said. The city will have government department offices, residential buildings, health facilities, Tawafa, Zamzam and transport offices, shopping centers, exhibitions centers, mosques and a Haj museum.

Hajjar also briefed the newly appointed governor on his ministry’s efforts to improve services to the guests of God.

Prince Mishaal urged the ministry’s officials to double their efforts in the service of pilgrims.

King Abdullah smart city to offer pilgrims best services | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

 

[Jf Thunder]

@Jf Thunder please delete your two off-topic posts/posts of no value. We are deleting our to keep the thread back on track. I have an update I want to post.

ok

 

[Multani]

Thank you.

u welcome. Please post more pics.