JEDDAH, 27 December 2006 — Saudi authorities have arranged a variety of programs including visits to important places for the nearly 1,000 Muslim leaders, directors of Islamic centers and organizations and new Muslims who have come from different parts of the world to perform Haj as guests of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Abdullah Al-Laheedan, executive director of programs for the king’s guests, said the Ministry of Islamic Affairs is the official agency in charge supervising services to these guest pilgrims who have come from 37 countries. The largest number of these pilgrims came from Albania (100), followed by Indonesia (78), Senegal (60), India (51), Pakistan (50), Canada (43), Cameroon (40) and Bulgaria (40).
“King Abdullah will bear all the expenses of these pilgrims,” Al-Laheedan said. “We meet all their requirements since their departure from their respective countries until they return, including air ticket, food, housing, transportation, ihram dress and medical kit. We also organize Islamic lectures and seminars to enhance their Haj awareness,” he added.
He said outstanding and influential Islamic personalities as well as new converts and students not below 18 years are selected to perform Haj as the king’s guests. “We have received good support from agencies within and outside the Kingdom,” he added.
The royal guests visited the Kaaba Cover Factory in Makkah where they were briefed on the various stages of making the cover.
STC Distributing Handbook on Haj
RIYADH, 27 December 2006 — Saudi Telecom is distributing half a million copies of a handbook on Haj titled “Do It Without Being Sinful” by Sheikh Salman ibn Fahad Al-Audah. About 100,000 of them are in English.
Currently, these books are being distributed among foreign pilgrims at all entry points to the Kingdom. It is also distributed among local pilgrims.
The book narrates traditions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his Haj. The publication highlights the Haj rituals such as stoning at Jamrat, the sacrifice of animals, standing at Arafat, staying at Mina and the manner and order in which the rituals are to be performed.
The publication is formally approved and recommended for distribution by scholars like Abdullah ibn Jibreen. (Mohammed Rasooldeen)
