JEDDAH, 26 January 2004 — Muslims must undergo comprehensive reforms in order to make progress and overcome challenges, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd said in an address to the Makkah conference organized by the Muslim World League.

In his opening address, read out by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, King Fahd urged Muslim youth to shun extremism and uphold the Islamic values of kindness and benevolence.

King Fahd attributed the weakness of the Ummah to Muslim countries’ reluctance to implement the Shariah. He urged Muslims to strengthen their relationship with God and fellow humans.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, the league’s secretary-general, said it was time for Muslims to discard reactionary attitudes. “We should instead work out strategies and plans to confront challenges,” he said.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti, highlighted the league’s role in projecting the correct picture of Islam to the outside world. He also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to unify the Muslim ranks.

Two Million Meals

King Fahd has ordered the distribution of more than two million food packets in Makkah and other holy sites during this Haj season, Al-Nadwah Arabic daily reported yesterday quoting Dr. Amin Fatany, secretary of the executive committee for the charitable food program.

King Abdul Aziz Endowment

Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday signed an SR49.79 million contract with Al-Anqari Company to build a tower for King Abdul Aziz Endowment for the Ain Al-Aziziya water project in Jeddah. He said the revenue from the tower, estimated at SR7 million annually, would be used in the service of pilgrims. The four-story building will be constructed close to the Pilgrims’ City on the Seaport Road. He also disclosed plans to establish a charitable hospital to treat chronic diseases under the endowment.

Health of Pilgrims

Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie has said that his ministry had made all preparations to provide the best possible services to the guests of God. He said the ministry officials had taken into consideration the possibility of heavy rains during this Haj season when preparing the plan for health services. The minister disclosed plans to establish a new hospital in place of the Ajyad General Hospital for the service of pilgrims throughout the year. “We have already presented the project to higher authorities for approval,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted him as saying. Hospitals and health centers in Makkah have provided treatment to more than 12,000 pilgrims over the past weeks.

Hanging Bridges

Plans are under way to establish hanging bridges and pedestrian tunnels at the holy sites to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims, said Brig. Fahd ibn Saud Al-Bishr, director of the traffic department. Speaking to Al-Nadwah daily, he said it was important to separate pedestrian pilgrims from those traveling in buses and other vehicles. He said only licensed vehicles, which can carry more than 25 pilgrims, would be allowed to enter the holy sites.

Iraqi Pilgrims

More than 30,000 Iraqi pilgrims have arrived and another 3,000 could follow, a Haj Ministry official said. “As of Sunday about 16,000 Iraqi pilgrims had arrived at Jeddah airport and more than 14,000 have been registered crossing by land through Arar,” the official said. The Haj Ministry has agreed with Iraqi Governing Council member Ibrahim Al-Jaafari to admit 33,000 Iraqi pilgrims this year, of whom 29,000 will travel by air and 4,000 by land, he said.