MAKKAH: Al-Masjid Al-Haram, or as translated, the Grand Mosque, is the most sacred site in Islam and located in the heart of Makkah in Saudi Arabia.
The Grand Mosque is a key part of the Hajj pilgrimage, which every Muslim must do at least once in their lives if able, during a specific time of the year, or Umrah, which Muslims can undertake any time of the year.
The Grand Mosque has significant sites, including the Kaabah, Black Stone, Zamzam well, Maqam Ibrahim and the hills of Safa and Marwa. The Grand Mosque has 13 minarets, making it the mosque with the highest number of minarets.
Many renovations have been undertaken to expand the Grand Mosque to increase the capacity of pilgrims and visitors. Many of these took place before the establishment of the Kingdom, and three major expansions occurred after the establishment of the Kingdom.
The first Saudi expansion was undertaken between 1955 and 1973; four minarets were added, the ceiling was refurnished and the floor was replaced with artificial stone and marble. The Mas’a gallery was included in the mosque, via roofing and enclosures.
The second expansion was done under King Fahd, between 1982 and 1988. He added an outdoor prayer area to the mosque and a new wing that is reached through the King Fahd Gate. Between 1988 and 2005, the expansion included 18 more gates, three domes corresponding in position to each gate, the installation of nearly 500 marble columns, heated floors, air-conditioning, escalators and a drainage system.
The third major expansion took place during King Abdullah’s reign. In 2008, the king announced that the expansion would involve the expropriation of land to the north and northwest of the mosque, covering 300,000 square meters. In 2011, further details about the expansion were announced, covering an area of 400,000 square meters, which would raise the mosque’s capacity from 770,000 to more than 2.5 million worshippers after completion.
In July 2015, King Salman launched five megaprojects as part of the King Abdullah Expansion Project, covering an area of 456,000 square meters. The project was carried out by the Saudi Binladin Group.
After the outbreak of COVID-19, and for the first time in history, on March 5, 2020 the Grand Mosque began to close at night with restricted and limited attendance time for worshippers. On Oct. 4, 2020, the Umrah resumed gradually in three phases.
The first phase was limited to Saudi citizens and expatriates from within the Kingdom to cover only 30 percent of the mosque’s capacity, allowing only 6,000 worshipers to perform Umrah and prayers wearing masks and maintaining social distance.
The second phase was also limited to locals, with a capacity coverage of 75 percent, allowing 15,000 pilgrims and 40,000 worshipers to enter the Grand Mosque a day.
The final phase opened the door to pilgrims and worshipers from outside the Kingdom to perform Umrah, covering 100 percent of the mosque’s capacity, meaning 20,000 pilgrims, 60,000 worshipers and 19,500 visitors were allowed inside the mosque each day, with precautionary measures in place.
Makkah Grand Mosque: The most sacred site in Islam
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Makkah Grand Mosque: The most sacred site in Islam
- The Grand Mosque has significant sites, including the Kaabah, Black Stone, Zamzam well, Maqam Ibrahim and the hills of Safa and Marwa
Training program in Asir focuses on traditional wall decoration
RIYADH: The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, known as Wrth, in collaboration with Soudah Development Co., has opened registration for a specialized training program on Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art.
This centuries-old art form, traditionally painted by women on the walls of homes in the Asir region, features murals with straight lines, triangles, circles, and squares.
Al-Qatt Al-Asiri gained international recognition in 2017 when it was added to UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Scheduled for July 27-31 in Asir, the program lets participants explore the history and aesthetics of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, learning the traditional methods with geometric patterns and engravings inspired by the local environment.
It also offers hands-on training in creating natural colors and mastering traditional techniques, the SPA added.
The Arabic term “qatt” means lines, carvings, or cuttings, and represents the detailed interior work done by women. Colors flow gracefully from their hands in a style known as qattatah, forming patterns based on the nature of the surface.
Drawing inspiration from local culture, it showcases intricate geometric patterns reflecting the landscape and the vibrant colors of nature.
Artisans use colors derived from limestone, clays, plants, or powders, prepared with stabilizers and gloss agents. Primary red, yellow, and blue are complemented by green, orange, white, and black.
Biotech deal to enhance poultry safety, quality
Riyadh: The National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program has partnered with global biotech firm PhageGuard and Saudi poultry producer Tanmiah Food Co. to introduce advanced solutions promoting sustainable livestock production.
The memorandum of understanding, signed in the presence of Vice Minister Mansour Al-Mushaiti, supports Saudi Arabia’s goal to improve product quality and competitiveness locally and globally.
The deal aims to enhance the quality and safety of local products by adopting innovative solutions that reduce health and environmental risks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Under the MoU, PhageGuard will provide its biotechnology solutions through its local agent, Portalis Capital, to Tanmiah Food Co., which will implement and localize these technologies in the Saudi market.
The deal supports poultry sector development, boosts operational and production efficiency, and fosters a knowledge- and innovation-driven livestock industry, the SPA reported.
It focuses on bacteriophage technology as a biological alternative to traditional antibiotics, addressing concerns over antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These phages target Salmonella bacteria, helping reduce its spread, lower antibiotic use and promote safer food production.
Applying this technology will help mitigate foodborne illness risks from salmonella in poultry and eggs, enhancing product quality and safety and strengthening competitiveness in local and global markets.
Kingdom arrests 23,167 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 23,167 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 14,525 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,511 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,131 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,593 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 69 percent were Ethiopian, 30 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 41 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 22 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia to support education for Yemeni children
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has signed a cooperation agreement to support education for children affected by conflict in the Al-Hawtah and Tuban districts of Yemen’s Lahij governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The project, in partnership with a local civil society organization, will directly benefit 6,833 people and indirectly reach 16,000 others, according to the report.
The agreement was signed via video conference by Ahmed Al-Baiz, KSrelief’s assistant supervisor-general for operations and programs.
The project will include awareness campaigns promoting education — with a particular focus on encouraging school attendance among girls; the distribution of school bags, uniforms, and hygiene kits; the provision of psychological and social support, child protection services, and referral mechanisms; teacher training for volunteers; and the provision of materials for classrooms.
Selected classrooms will also be refurbished “to improve the learning environment,” the SPA stated.
The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian efforts through KSrelief, with the aim of supporting education and protecting children in crisis areas, ensuring access to a safe and sustainable learning environment.
Saudi Arabia suspends seven Umrah companies for housing pilgrims in unlicensed accommodations
- The violations came as part of the Hajj and Umrah ministry’s oversight efforts to improve quality of services
- The ministry called on all Umrah companies, institutions to fully comply with approved regulations, instructions
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended seven Umrah companies over violations of regulatory controls, including housing pilgrims in unlicensed accommodations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported this week.
The violations were identified as part of the ministry’s ongoing oversight efforts to improve the quality of services provided to the ‘Guests of God,’ according to the SPA report.
“The Ministry explained that these violations constitute serious transgressions that affect the safety and comfort of pilgrims,” it said.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it had immediately begun taking legal measures against the violating companies in preparation for the implementation of the penalties stipulated by the law, according to the report.
“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah affirmed its keenness to ensure that pilgrims receive their full rights, in accordance with the highest standards of quality and efficiency, stressing that it will not be lenient with any party that fails to fulfill its contractual obligations or endangers the safety of pilgrims,” the report read further.
The ministry called on all Umrah companies and institutions to fully comply with the approved regulations and instructions, and to ensure the provision of agreed-upon services within the specified timetables to contribute to enhancing the experience of pilgrims and achieving their satisfaction during their stay in the Kingdom.
