Government | Thursday 24 September, 2015 3:28 am

17 bus drivers barred from serving pilgrims

Undersecretary to the Ministry of Health for laboratories and blood banks Dr. Ibrahim Al-Omar revealed that 17 bus drivers were removed from pilgrim transport operations after their medical tests showed positive signs of taking banned substances.  The Health Ministry, with the participation...

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Government | Thursday 24 September, 2015 3:25 am

Civil Defense personnel to use electric scooters in Jamrat

Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Nahari, Commander of the Civil Defense forces in Jamarat, has revealed that electric scooters will be used by Civil Defense Personnel during the Haj season in order to ensure the fast movement of all Haj pilgrims in the Jamrat area for their safety and security, according to...

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Government | Thursday 24 September, 2015 3:22 am

Our success best reply for campaign against Kingdom — Makkah emir

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah, advisor of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the Central Haj Committee, greeted the Haj pilgrims on their successful completion of standing at Arafat, the most important ritual of Haj. Speaking to reporters in Arafat on Wednesday, he also...

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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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