Government | Wednesday 23 September, 2015 1:18 pm

Pilgrims throng Arafat for peak of Haj

Around two million white-clad Muslims on Wednesday poured into the vast Saudi plain where Prophet Muhammad had given his final sermon, for the peak of the Haj pilgrimage. Many of the faithful from around the globe camped at the foot of Mount Arafat where they slept, exhausted from their journey,...

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Government | Wednesday 23 September, 2015 5:54 am

Patients from Madinah hospitals going on Haj in 34 ambulances

Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman has confirmed the success of plans for the gathering and movement of pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah for the Haj. He also pointed to the success of the transfer of pilgrims from hospitals to the holy sites within a medical convoy which was launched on Monday...

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Government | Wednesday 23 September, 2015 4:59 am

Islam’s holiest mosques witness largest ever expansion in history

SAUDI ARABIA is celebrating its 85th National Day at a time when the largest ever expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah is nearing completion. The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah is also witnessing a similar expansion. This year, the National Day falls on Arafat Day, when nearly two million...

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Government | Wednesday 23 September, 2015 4:53 am

Massive changes in Mina bring cheer to pilgrims

Mina, which comes to life only once a year in Haj, is in fact a small city. As far as the eye can see, tents cover every open space. They are neatly arranged, row after row. In the sea of white, the historic Al-Khaif Mosque stands out with its brick-red minarets. The mosque is the center of...

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Government | Tuesday 22 September, 2015 5:33 am

Journey of faith: Pilgrims begin moving into Mina

As the night wore on Monday, pilgrims started filling into the tent city of Mina. They came in ones and twos, some on foot, some in wheelchairs, many in buses and SUVs arranged by the pilgrim establishments. All roads and highways from Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Dammam, Abha, Jazan and Taif were...

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Government | Tuesday 22 September, 2015 4:37 am

Pilgrims retrace the steps of the Prophet

Muslims performing Haj, the annual pilgrimage, will retrace the steps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who performed the ritual more than 1400 years ago. This year, the Haj officially starts on Monday, Sept. 22, the eighth day of Dul Hijjah. Nearly two million pilgrims from around the world ...

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Government | Sunday 20 September, 2015 4:34 am

100,000 troops to secure Haj 2015

Some 100,000 security personnel have been deployed to oversee the annual Haj pilgrimage that begins on Tuesday, according to the Interior Ministry. Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman for the ministry, said among those securing the massive crowds during Haj are members of an elite...

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Government | Sunday 20 September, 2015 4:32 am

Power capacity at holy sites 18,680MW

The capacity of electricity plants at the holy sites now stands at 18,680MW, according to the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). Ziyad bin Mohammad Al-Sheiha, chief executive officer of the SEC, said that various upgrades and distribution projects have been completed to meet the expected...

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Government | Saturday 19 September, 2015 1:12 pm

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Haj and Umrah

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawah, and Guidance has launched this year a program targeting leading Muslim figures all over the world. The program has so far hosted 500 Umrah pilgrims since the beginning of the Umrah season and intends to host another 500 more by the end of the...

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Government | Thursday 17 September, 2015 4:25 am

King tells officials to provide best services for pilgrims

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said that King Salman’s directions stipulate that all services should be deployed to bring comfort to the guests of God. He said after an inspection tour that this country will deploy all potential to provide services to Haj pilgrims under directives of the ...

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