Saleh Al-Shaibi, senior caretaker of the Kaaba
Saleh bin Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi is the senior caretaker of the Kaaba, coming from a family that has been in charge of caring for the holy structure for centuries.
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New Kaaba kiswa handed over to Al-Shaibi
On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Emir of Makkah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has handed over the new kiswa (dress) of the Kaaba to its keeper Saleh Bin Zain Al-Abideen Al-Shaibi.
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Hotline established to respond to Hajj-related queries
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has allocated a 24-hour hotline (8002451000) during the Hajj season, to answer religious inquiries of pilgrims and others. As many as 128 preachers, 81 in Makkah and 47 in Madinah, will be available to answer pilgrims’ queries around the clock. The preachers will be available to provide information on different Hajj procedures
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Saudi transport minister checks preparations ahead of Hajj
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s transport minister Nabil bin Mohammad Al-Amoudi is following on the Transport ministry’s preparations in Makkah and Jeddah for this Hajj season. The minister held tours to ensure that all transport sectors are prepared to serve the pilgrims and the smoothness of their transport between from one place to another.
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FaceOf: Saleh Al-Shaibi, senior caretaker of the Kaaba
Saleh bin Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi is the senior caretaker of the Kaaba, coming from a family that has been in charge of caring for the holy structure for centuries. Al-Shaibi received the new Kiswa for the Kaaba from Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Sunday, which will be placed on the Kaaba on the day of Arafat. The Kiswa preparation takes several months, and it took
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Makkah deputy governor reviews Hajj facilities at Miqat Qarn Al-Kabir
JEDDAH: Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Abdullah bin Bandar visited Miqat Qarn Al-Kabir north of Taif and Al-Bahaita Security Center on Monday. The deputy governor reviewed the services provided at Miqat Qarn Al-Kabir. The area has a mosque with a capacity for more than 3,000 people and has about 370 lavatories with 160 employees working around the clock to take care of the
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Zil-Hajj moon sighted in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court announced that Sunday August 12 marks the start of Zil-Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
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Shaza Makkah opens doors in holy city
Shaza Hotels, a luxury hotel brand that embraces the cultures of the Middle East, is making its debut in the holy city of Makkah with the opening of Shaza Makkah. The hotel is located within the precincts of Al-Masjid Al-Haram and the new Jabal Ka’aba district. “Respectful luxury, serenity that soothes the soul and a contemporary interpretation of the Arabian motifs form the
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72 phony Haj service companies booked
There are 35 transport companies operating as many as 18,400 buses to transport about 1.8 million pilgrims between Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites. The Mashaer Train will transport more than 375,000 pilgrims between Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat on the actual days of Haj.
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18 judicial panels, six mobile notaries to serve Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: The Saudi Justice Ministry has announced that it has set up 18 judicial panels and six mobile notaries across Makkah, Mina, and Arafat, as part of its preparation to serve pilgrims in this year’s Hajj season. “The ministry uses all its resources to provide legal services during the pilgrimage season, to which the Kingdom attaches great importance. We are privileged to
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Makkah governor hands over new Kaaba cover to senior caretaker
The Kiswa consists of five pieces; four of them cover the four sides of Kaaba, while the fifth one is hung as a curtain above the door of Kaaba. Preparing the Kiswa takes several months and needs large amounts of precious metals and pure silk. Around 170 craftsmen are involved in the process, which passes through various stages until the Kiswa is ready. The Kiswa is usually
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Over 1.3m pilgrims to arrive in KSA for Hajj
JEDDAH: More than 1.3 million pilgrims are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj season, and more than 200,000 “domestic pilgrims” have also registered for services including the “low-cost Hajj,” “affordable Hajj,” and “general program,” the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Sunday. The number of pilgrims registered for the general program is 160,221,
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