MAKKAH, 11 February — Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, who led the ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba yesterday, said pilgrims coming for Haj this year would receive services of high standard.
Speaking to reporters after washing the Kaaba on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, he said all facilities had been readied for pilgrims at Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa.
"We have completed a number of Haj projects including the third phase of the fire-proof tent project in Mina and the fire-fighting project in Arafat," the governor said.
Prince Abdul Majeed expressed his hope that Saudi Arabia would become a front-runner in all areas. "We are a nation blessed by Islam and we should live up to this level," he said, adding that Islam is a religion of progress and civilization.
In the Kaaba washing, Prince Abdul Majeed was assisted by Prince Faisal ibn Thamer, undersecretary for security affairs at the Makkah governorate, Prince Abdullah ibn Fahd, assistant undersecretary, and Dr. Saleh ibn Abdullah Humaid, head of the Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs.
Other dignitaries who took part in the rite were Information Minister Dr. Fuad Al-Farsi, Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi, Haj Minister Iyad Madani, Lt. Gen. Asaad Abdul Kareem Al-Fareeh, director of public security, and ambassadors of Islamic countries.
The Holy Kaaba is washed twice a year -- before the holy month of Ramadan and before the Haj. The Kaaba cover (kiswa) is changed on 9th of Dul Hijjah when the pilgrims stand in prayer on Mount Arafat at the climax of the holy pilgrimage.
The kiswa, which is made at a special factory in Makkah, is estimated to cost about SR17 million ($4.5 million). The cost includes the value of silk and salaries of employees. Some 450 kg of silk and 15 kg of gold thread are used to make the 658 square meter kiswa.
The cover, made up of five pieces, has a height of 14 meters. At the upper quarter, there is a belt decorated with embroidery using golden threads. The belt, with a width of 95 centimeters and a length of 47 meters, is made of 16 pieces. Qur'anic verses are written on this belt.
More than two million pilgrims are expected to take part in this year's Haj scheduled to start on March 3. All Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the five pillars of Islam, at least once in their lifetime, if they have the means to do so.
According to Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Sajeeni, director general of the Passports Department, 282,899 pilgrims have so far arrived from abroad. The largest number of pilgrims, 282,496, came by air, 274 by land and 129 by ship, he pointed out.
Also yesterday, Prince Abdul Majeed opened the first scientific seminar on Haj research at Ummul Qura University. "Scientific research is the way to development and progress," the prince said in his opening address.
The governor said the government established the King Fahd Haj Research Institute, organizer of the seminar, to conduct studies and research on improving services to the guests of God and helping them perform their religious duties with ease and comfort.
Prince Abdul Majeed also opened an exhibition of old photographs of the Kingdom taken from 1298H to 1320H. The photos include shots of Makkah, Madinah, the holy sites, Jeddah and Yanbu.
Meanwhile, the Charitable Warehouse in Makkah will distribute five million meals of dry food among pilgrims during this Haj season, it was announced yesterday.
