RIYADH, 21 February — The Ajyad Fort on Makkah's Bulbul Mountain, valued at SR2 billion, has been endowed to the Haram Mosque. Saleh Al-Sheikh, minister of Islamic affairs, endowments, propagation and guidance, said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd has approved the move. He estimated the fort's total area at over 23,000 square meters.
Al-Sheikh said Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, had issued directives to carry out a study on the endowment project and use the facility in the service of the Grand Mosque and the growing number of pilgrims.
Meanwhile, Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday inspected the preparations made by the various government agencies in Makkah and the holy ritual sites for the upcoming Haj. He announced after the tour that "arrangements for this Haj season are in place."
During the tour, Prince Abdul Majeed was accompanied by Makkah Mayor Dr. Fuad Ghazzali and members of the Central Haj Committee. His inspection tour covered the newly implemented projects including the electricity operation room near the King Fahd tunnel in Mina and the water reservoirs in Arafat.
The governor said a number of new projects including the third phase of the fireproof tents had been implemented to enhance comfort and security of the guests of God. "The leaders and people of this country deem the service to pilgrims as a great honor," he added.
Prince Abdul Majeed said the newly formed Makkah Development Authority would study projects in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa to organize the annual pilgrimage in the best possible manner.
He said a fire-fighting network built in Arafat would cover the entire plain and reduce dependence on civil defense vehicles in the event of any fires. "There are 1,500 pumps ready in Arafat," he added.
The Kingdom has dug in the mountains near Mina two huge water storage tunnels with a capacity of 100,000 cubic meters to help put out any fires. The fire-fighting project in Arafat was carried out at a cost of SR250 million.
Referring to a ban on vehicles, he said such measures were necessary for the better organization of Haj. He said deterrent action would be taken against Haj operators who violate terms of the contract.
On Monday, addressing a meeting of the Makkah Provincial Council, the governor said projects worth SR3.428 billion would be carried out in the Makkah region during this fiscal year.
He said out of the budget allocations for the new projects, SR1.09 billion would be spent on the development of government hospitals and health colleges in the region and SR747.77 million on civic projects in Jeddah.
