RIYADH, 4 January 2006 — The Interior Ministry has extended the deadline for the issuance of Haj permits for Saudis and expatriates intending to perform Haj this year. The deadline was extended from Thursday to Saturday to give domestic pilgrims and their agents more time to get the permits. Passport officials will not allow pilgrims without permits to enter the holy sites.
Charitable Housing
JEDDAH, 4 January 2006 — The charitable housing project for pilgrims in Makkah, which is supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, will provide free accommodation to 700 pilgrims from Myanmar, the Indian city of Bhagalpur, Eastern Turkistan and China, according to Saad Al-Yahya, director of endowments at the ministry. The project has readied a building close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the purpose.
Haj Seminar
MAKKAH, 4 January 2006 — Haj Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy opened a seminar titled “Islamic etiquette of Haj” at the Islamic Solidarity Hall here yesterday. The annual seminar, organized by the Haj Ministry, aims at discussing major issues concerning Muslims and will be attended by scholars from different parts of the Islamic world.
