MAKKAH, 23 December 2006 — Sheikh Saleh Al-Hosain, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, yesterday handed over the new Kaaba kiswa (cover) to Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Shaibi, chief custodian of the Holy Kaaba, at a ceremony attended by top officials. The cover was manufactured at the Kaaba Kiswa Factory in Makkah at a cost of SR20 million. The Kaaba, toward which Muslims all over the world turn in prayer, will be decorated by the new cover on Friday, Dec. 29 (Dul Hijjah 9), when pilgrims stand in prayer on the plain of Arafat at the climax of the annual Haj.
Egyptians Use Yanbu Port
MADINAH, 23 December 2006 — As many as 5,000 Egyptian pilgrims are expected to arrive in Yanbu port on the Red Sea on their way to Makkah to perform Haj. The first group of 700 pilgrims arrived last Wednesday, port officials said. Another ship, carrying 1,024 pilgrims, was scheduled to arrive last night. Meanwhile, more than 612,000 pilgrims left Madinah as of Thursday after visiting the Prophet’s Mosque. Nearly 215,000 pilgrims are still in the holy city.
Luxury Caravans
JEDDAH, 23 December 2006 — A five-member family would pay SR220,000 to join a five-star Haj caravan. This means each member of the family has to pay SR55,000 to perform Haj in the group while the average prices offered by domestic pilgrim agents is SR3,000, Al-Madinah Arabic daily reported. Services offered by five-star tents in Mina and other holy sites include servants, drivers, luxurious dining tables and chairs, posh carpets, fridge with essential items required by pilgrims and continental food. “Our charges are not high compared to our services,” a spokesman of one five-star group said.
