The Council of Ministers yesterday reviewed the preparations by various departments for the holy month of Ramadan and the measures taken to ensure the security and safety of worshipers and pilgrims at the two holy mosques.
Millions of Muslims, including thousands of foreigners are expected to visit the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform Umrah during the holy month. The ongoing expansion work has reduced the mataf space (the circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) from 48,000 to 22,000 people per hour. The authorities have urged Makkah residents to pray at other mosques in the holy city to reduce the crowd at the Grand Mosque.
The Cabinet congratulated Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on his assumption of the reins of power in Qatar, and hoped that the island nation would achieve greater progress and prosperity under his leadership.
The Cabinet expressed its deep appreciation for Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani for his great efforts in the development of Qatar and his keenness to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and support the region’s causes.
The Cabinet reviewed the developments on the Syrian front and the genocide practiced by the illegitimate regime with the participation of foreign forces in defiance of all laws and international norms.
Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet instructed the Traffic Department to participate in the Preparatory Committee to follow up on the implementation of the Jeddah public transport project.
The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities for the fiscal year (1432/1433 AH).
In other developments, the Cabinet authorized the secretary-general of the Saudi Commission for Wildlife, or his deputy, to discuss with the Bahraini counterparts a draft memorandum of understanding between the two countries for cooperation.
The Cabinet appointed Saad bin Ali Alaudan adviser on military works at the Presidency of the General Staff; Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Aqil ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Saleh bin Abdulaziz Amogheileith undersecretary for information affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Information; Khaled bin Abdullah Sultan minister plenipotentiary; Mansour bin Atiyallah Almazmoumi minister plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ibrahim bin Suwaid Alsuwaid general manager of purchases at the Ministry of the Interior.
The cabinet also discussed a number of topics on its agenda, including the annual report of the Human Resources Development Fund for the Hijri year 1430/1431.
Cabinet hopes Qatar will achieve greater prosperity under Tamim
