Hajj News

[islamirama]

Fatwa centers deployed in Holy Sites

By Abdullah Al-Dani


Over 800 religious guides and 180 interpreters have been deployed in the holy sites and at pilgrim entry points in Jeddah and Madina to assist pilgrims with their language needs and religion-related questions, said Tawfiq Al-Sudairi, deputy minister at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Daw’a, and Guidance. The services of the Ministry have been extended to provide 123 field centers for fatwa throughout Makkah and Madina to answer all Haj-related questions, in addition to 18 main centers in the city of Makkah and 44 across the holy sites of Muzdalifah, Arafat, and Mina, he said.

The Ministry has also provided a toll free number 8002451000 to answer Haj-related questions.

As the devotees from all over the world have now started heading to Makkah for their pilgrimage, the Haram central area has been turned into a spiritual center for sermons and instructions on Haj performance and its true spirit, he said.

The Islamic ministry, in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank, has been tasked with supervising the Saudi Project for Utilization of Sacrificial Animals, Al-Sudairi said.

The Project acts as the agent of pilgrims in carrying out on their behalf the slaughtering of all types of offerings they make and the transport and distribution of the meat, all in accordance with the principles of Shariah.

The Ministry has also participated in enforcing the “No Permit, No Haj” law and educating the public about the Haj through a media blitz launched on over 20 satellite TV channels and in-flight TVs on Saudi Arabian Airlines, the major carrier of pilgrims, Al-Sudairi said. Upon their arrival in the Kingdom, the Ministry provides pilgrims with pamphlets in different languages containing all the instructions they need to perform a valid Haj, he said. – Okaz/SG

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...=2008120523748

[islamirama]

Pebble bags, another first

Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH – During this year’s Haj, pilgrims will, for the first time, be provided with pebbles for stoning of the Jamrat thanks to a project supervised by Al-Siqaya and Rifada (Watering and Assistance) Committee in Makkah Governorate and carried out by Al-Amoudi Charity (Mabarrah).

The project aims to prepare pebbles for over 1.5 million pilgrims. Over 500,000 pebble bags manufactured from carpet material have been distributed at different places in Muzdalifa. Each bag contains enough pebbles for three pilgrims for the three days of stoning (Ramy) in Mina.

Dr. Muhammad Bin Aboud Al-Amoudi, member of the Siqaya and Rifada Committee, said the idea of the project is in line with the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz to provide everything necessary to enable the pilgrims to perform their Haj rituals with ease, comfort, security and safety, SPA said on Saturday.

He added that the idea of the project was encouraged and supported by members of the Siqaya and Rifada Committee after obtaining a ruling (Fatwa) approving the project.
Al-Amoudi also lauded the great support provided by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region.

He said the project for preparing the pebbles for stoning ritual aimed to facilitate matters for the pilgrims especially the old among them, who reach Muzdalifa exhausted after the attendance in Arafat. Pilgrims will be provided with sterilized pebbles in attractive bags made of carpet material.

Al-Amoudi said the first step in the project starts with collection of pebbles, which the Makkah Mayoralty transports to Muzdalifa after ensuring that the pebbles have been cut to a certain size. The preparation process includes cleaning by washing seven times, drying under the sun and removing pebbles that are unfit for throwing at the Jamrat. After confirming that the pebbles are ready, skilled workers place them in bags made of carpet material to be distributed at the gathering points of pilgrims and in buses during their stay in Muzdalifa so as to enable them to devote their time to prayer and supplication.

Al-Amoudi stressed that the project is being implemented for the first time this Haj. It is a pioneering charitable project aimed at serving the pilgrims, he said

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20081206237 92

[islamirama]

Virtue Cops assigned to guide pilgrims

By Abdullah Al-Dani

Over 450 members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have been assigned to serve as pilgrim guides inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Haj.

They have been deployed throughout the area of Tawaf, corridors and roofs of the Grand Mosque, mainly to guide pilgrims towards areas that may be relatively less crowded and convenient, said Dr. Khaled Bin Muhammed Al-Subai, supervisor of the Commission at the Grand Mosque, Makkah.

In collaboration with the Holy Mosque’s Security and Women’s Affairs Unit, the members will monitor the flow of pilgrims. They will also monitor the yards surrounding the Mosque to prevent smoking and possible harassment of women.

They will also help pilgrims to perform proper rituals, manage crowds in the area of Tawaf to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims, guide pilgrims to health and Fatawa services at the Mosque, and advise them to refrain from acts that violate Islamic teachings, Al-Subai added. – Okaz/SG

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20081205237 43

[BlissfullyJaded]

:sl:

They're doing such an amazing job...seems each year is becoming smoother alhamdulillah! :thumbs_up

I also heard on the news that there are 3 hospitals in 'Arafat and about 30 emergency medical centers spread out throughout 'Arafat. :thumbs_up

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[islamirama]

Pebble bags, another first

Saudi Gazette report



JEDDAH – During this year’s Haj, pilgrims will, for the first time, be provided with pebbles for stoning of the Jamrat thanks to a project supervised by Al-Siqaya and Rifada (Watering and Assistance) Committee in Makkah Governorate and carried out by Al-Amoudi Charity (Mabarrah).

The project aims to prepare pebbles for over 1.5 million pilgrims. Over 500,000 pebble bags manufactured from carpet material have been distributed at different places in Muzdalifa. Each bag contains enough pebbles for three pilgrims for the three days of stoning (Ramy) in Mina.

Dr. Muhammad Bin Aboud Al-Amoudi, member of the Siqaya and Rifada Committee, said the idea of the project is in line with the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz to provide everything necessary to enable the pilgrims to perform their Haj rituals with ease, comfort, security and safety, SPA said on Saturday.

He added that the idea of the project was encouraged and supported by members of the Siqaya and Rifada Committee after obtaining a ruling (Fatwa) approving the project.
Al-Amoudi also lauded the great support provided by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region.

He said the project for preparing the pebbles for stoning ritual aimed to facilitate matters for the pilgrims especially the old among them, who reach Muzdalifa exhausted after the attendance in Arafat. Pilgrims will be provided with sterilized pebbles in attractive bags made of carpet material.

Al-Amoudi said the first step in the project starts with collection of pebbles, which the Makkah Mayoralty transports to Muzdalifa after ensuring that the pebbles have been cut to a certain size. The preparation process includes cleaning by washing seven times, drying under the sun and removing pebbles that are unfit for throwing at the Jamrat. After confirming that the pebbles are ready, skilled workers place them in bags made of carpet material to be distributed at the gathering points of pilgrims and in buses during their stay in Muzdalifa so as to enable them to devote their time to prayer and supplication.

Al-Amoudi stressed that the project is being implemented for the first time this Haj. It is a pioneering charitable project aimed at serving the pilgrims, he said

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20081206237 92