''4 million pilgrims'' performed Haj this year

Monday 29 October 2012

Nearly four million pilgrims have performed Haj this year, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal announced yesterday.

“This year’s pilgrimage was a resounding success,” he said.

Addressing a press conference here, Prince Khaled urged the international media to highlight the great Haj message that Muslims are a peace-loving people can coexist peacefully with others.

“Islam is a religion of moderation and service to humanity. It is a religion of peace and love and calls for peaceful coexistence with others,” the governor said. “Unfortunately only negative things about Islam and Muslims are highlighted by the media.”

Haj is a unifying factor, he added.

“Pilgrims wear the same form of dress, live in the same areas, move through the same places and perform the same rituals. They give a good message to the world that the unity of Muslims is not a danger to the world but it will be beneficial to the world.”

Referring to media criticisms, he said: “We welcome constructive criticisms from the traditional and social media. If we want reforms we have to begin it from ourselves.”

Speaking about measures to stop illegal pilgrims, he said: “There is a plan to construct a wall around the holy sites. It has been passed by the Cabinet last Ramadan.”

The Cabinet has approved three projects: A comprehensive development plan for Makkah, the public transport plan for the city and the development plan for holy sites.

Prince Khaled, who is chairman of the Central Haj Committee, said the entry of illegals through the main entrances of the holy sites would be prevented. “If we can prevent undocumented pilgrims coming through Arafat we can reduce their number to a great extent.”

He emphasized the possibility of promoting low-cost Haj services to reduce illegal pilgrims. “We have got a number of proposals to get rid of squatters in the holy sites. We have to be very strict in dealing with illegals,” he added.
He attributed the increase in undocumented pilgrims to a lack of punishment. “We have to set out punishments and implement them strictly next year. We should not allow them to abuse Haj and the regular pilgrims.”

According to the General Statistics Department, 3.16 million performed Haj this year. “But the latest report from Jamrat said that on the first day of Eid more than 3.65 million performed the stoning ritual. So about 4 million pilgrims have performed Haj this year,” he added.

“Unfortunately, there were a large number of undocumented pilgrims who created many problems and the majority of them are non-Saudis,” he said and estimated the number of undocumented pilgrims at 1.4 million.

Prince Khaled said the government had not made preparations for the undocumented pilgrims. “By the Grace of God, everything went well without any problems. And it is one of the most successful pilgrimages in recent years.”

He said more than 120,000 security officers were deployed on Haj duty.
He said the expansion project for the holy sites should be carried out in coordination with all related departments and should cover housing, transport and services.

Prince Khaled emphasized that pilgrims should obtain a high degree of civilization. They should respect and support one another, follow regulations,” he added.

“The Haj congregation is a unique incident in the world,” he said and commended all those who have participated for its success, including volunteers and scouts.

“This is not a political or economic meeting. It is a gathering to worship Allah. It brings together Muslims from all over the world, despite their race, language and color,” he said. He said he was not aware of any anti-regime rally carried out by Syrian pilgrims near Jamrat.

The prince emphasized the need to educate pilgrims before they come to the Kingdom in order to have better results.

“Awareness programs inside the Kingdom will have little effect if pilgrims did not receive proper Haj awareness in their countries,” he said.
Haj gives Muslims a big lesson. “If Muslims perform their Haj rituals with sincerity to receive the pleasure and reward of God, get rid of their differences and unite, they will become a strong nation and can achieve success.”

Speaking about problems faced by pilgrims at the Mashair Railway, he said it would take some time until we reach perfection in operating this transport system. He said action would be taken against those responsible for the delay in transporting pilgrims through the railway.

http://www.arabnews.com/four-million...ormed-haj-year

Pilgrims rush to complete final Haj rituals

Sunday 28 October 2012

MINA: Pilgrims rushed to complete the final rituals of the annual Haj on Sunday, thronging a devil-stoning site on the penultimate day of the pilgrimage.

Most pilgrims will hurl rocks at three pillars representing Satan between noon and sunset, leaving the holy city of Mina before dusk.

But others will stay on in Mina until Monday when they will perform the stoning ritual one final time.

Worshippers living outside Makkah will have to perform the farewell circumambulation around the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure in Makkah toward which Muslims worldwide pray.

The Haj officially ends on Monday but pilgrims who are in a hurry to conclude their journey can do so on Sunday.

“I hope I will be able to perform the Haj again in the future,” said Um Hassan, an Iraqi pilgrim. “It was a great experience.”

Able-bodied Muslims must perform the Haj at least once in their lifetime.
The devil-stoning in Mina, once the most dangerous phase of the Haj marred by deadly stampedes and fires in tent camps, has passed without incident this year.

Most tents are now fire-proof and gas canisters and cooking are banned. The stoning area has also been expanded to avoid overcrowding.
Saudi authorities have built a five-level structure around the stoning site, allowing for the smooth flow of pilgrims.

Over three million registered pilgrims took part in this year’s Haj, based on official figures. But many others also performed the pilgrimage without permits camping on roads and walking on foot between the holy sites.

http://www.arabnews.com/pilgrims-rus...al-haj-rituals

Millions of Muslim pilgrims stone devil for second day

video inside: http://english.alarabiya.net/article...27/246181.html

27 October 2012

Millions of Muslim pilgrims from all over the world, grouped by nationality, stoned the devil in Saudi Arabia's Mina valley on Saturday, as the hajj reached its final stages.

After stoning three walls symbolizing Satan in a rejection of sin and temptation, male pilgrims changed out of the seamless terrycloth robes of pilgrimage and shaved their heads, as a sign of renewal. Women - and those men who prefer not to undergo a complete shave - had a lock of hair clipped.

Security forces were heavily deployed in the stoning area and first aid teams remained on high alert around the three adjacent pillars representing Satan.

Men, women and children from 189 countries moved easily from one pillar to the next shouting "Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest)" as they hurled pebbles at the stone walls.

They walked in groups carrying their national flags so no members would get lost in the massive crowds.

As many prayed after and during the stoning, others were taking pictures on their mobile phones of themselves next to the pillars.

The photographing was criticized by members of the security forces who said through loudspeakers: "How are you people stoning Satan and taking pictures with him at the same time?"

Though pilgrims will repeat the stoning ritual for at least two more days, they could now call themselves "hajjis," referring to those who have done the pilgrimage.

Malik Evangelatos, from Ukiah, Calif., said the experience felt "wonderful, satisfying and humbling," according to AP.

Evangelatos, who converted to Islam six years ago, said the simple pilgrim's garment that he had worn the past few days helped him "see the bigger picture in life and go back changed, happy and appreciative." For him, the hajj brought a chance to be truly equal regardless of ethnicity or race.

"It has probably been the highlight of my life outside of getting married and having a baby," he said. "You feel an emotional release. It is something that is not recreated anywhere else in the world."


The ritual, which takes place in the kingdom's usually-deserted Mina valley and comes to life only during the annual hajj pilgrimage, began on Friday with the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday as the faithful began by stoning the largest pillar, Jamrat al-Aqaba.

Mina used to be the most dangerous phase of the hajj and the most problematic for the Saudi authorities, marred by deadly stampedes in the past as well as by fires in tent camps.

In the past few years, however, tents have been fire-proofed and gas canisters and cooking are now banned.

The stoning area has also been expanded to avoid overcrowding.

The Saudi authorities have built a five-level structure around the three stoning sites, allowing for a smooth flow of pilgrims who are only permitted to move in one direction throughout the area to prevent congestion.

The ritual is an emulation of Abraham's stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade the biblical patriarch from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son, Ishmael.

According to the authorities, 168,000 police officers and civil defense personnel were mobilized for this year's hajj. For the stoning, they organized specific times of day for groups of pilgrims to perform the ritual.

Over three million registered pilgrims are taking part in the rituals which will be over on Monday. Many pilgrims, however, conclude the pilgrimage on Sunday.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...27/246181.html

Pilgrims stone Jamrat Al-Aqaba with remarkable ease, praise Saudi efforts

Saturday 27 October 2012

Nearly three million pilgrims performed the symbolic act of stoning the devil yesterday in a very orderly fashion.

Masses of faithful, still clad in a two-piece seamless white cloth or ihram, completed the largest human movement on earth and flocked to the Mina Valley from Muzdalifah where they spent the night praying and collecting small rocks for the stoning of devil.

Pilgrims began the journey of faith on Wednesday, moving from Makkah to Mina, and on Thursday they moved to Mount Arafat for the Haj climax, before returning to Mina where three giant structures symbolizing “Satan” stand.

The faithful threw only seven small stones at the first pillar known as the “Big Satan” (Jamarat Al-Aqaba) on Friday.

“I am very proud that God has given me the opportunity to perform Haj,” said Ikramuddin Farooqui, from Allahabad, India. “May God accept our Haj.”
“I am so moved, I can't describe the happiness inside me,” a Syrian pilgrim said, tears streaming down his cheeks. “It is a dream come true.”
The Saudi leadership and its people came in for fulsome praise for the wonderful arrangements at the Jamarat complex.

"I was here some seven years ago and there were many deaths while performing this ritual," recalled Ibrahim Mohammad Kutty, an Indian pilgrim. "This place used to be like an ordinary pedestrian bridge and stampedes were a regular occurrence."

He prayed for the long life of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and other princes, governors and government officials for pouring billions of riyals into the Jamarat project and turning it into a massive multistory complex. "Stoning the devil has now become the easiest and most organized ritual ... God bless Saudi Arabia and its people," said an emotional Ibrahim Mohammad Kutty.

Pilgrims threw the small stones to cries of “Allahu Akbar,” or God is Greatest. According to tradition, the stoning ritual takes place at the site where Satan appeared to Prophet Abraham, to his son Prophet Ismael, and to Abraham's wife Hajera.

Prophet Abraham and his family each threw seven stones at Satan. The gesture has been perpetuated, and Muslims must perform it to complete the Haj.

Helicopters hovered constantly overhead to monitor the huge crowds with the help of thousands of high-tech cameras, all connected to a control room run by top security authorities.

After the stoning, pilgrims offered sacrificial meat, normally by slaughtering a sheep and even camels. Most of the sacrifices were slaughtered at a number of state-of-the-art abattoirs run by the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The meat is sent to poor countries.

Also on Friday, the pilgrims visited the Grand Mosque in Makkah to circumambulate the Holy Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure, seven times; it is called as Tawaf Al-Ifada. Some of the pilgrims also walked the 500 meters between Safa and Marwa seven times to commemorate Hajera’s run between the hillocks in search of water, before they take off ihram and don normal dress.

Delivering the Eid sermon in Makkah, Imam-e-Haram Sheikh Saleh Mohammed Al-Taleb called on Arabs and Muslims to take “practical and urgent” steps to stop bloodshed in Syria that has killed some 30,000 people, and urged world states to assume their moral responsibility towards the conflict.

“The world should bear responsibility for this prolonged and painful disaster (in Syria) and the responsibility is greater for the Arabs and Muslims who should call on each other to support the oppressed against the oppressor,” said Sheikh Al-Taleb.

"The solution should be practical and urgent because the oppressor becomes even more fierce as the days pass," he said.

“The world should take moral and legal responsibility against the massacres and the oppression that the Syrian people are subjected to as well as the continuing violations in Palestine,” Sheikh Al-Taleb, one of the most senior religious scholar in the Saudi Arabia, said.

“The war and destruction should be stopped and the higher interests should be ahead of personal interests in order to stop the spill of the Muslims' blood,” he added.

The stoning ritual continues over the next two days during which pilgrims will hurl seven stones every day at each of the three massive structures. They used to be mere pillars in the past.

http://www.arabnews.com/pilgrims-sto...-saudi-efforts

Beacon: The clock tower of the Grand Mosque looms above above the city of Mecca in this stunning view from the top of Noor Mountain

Millions of pilgrims head to Mina as hajj 2012 officially kicks off

Muslim pilgrims circle the Holy Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque during the annual Hajj in the holy city of Mecca.
(Info-graphic design by Farwa Rizwan)

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Millions of pilgrims arrived this week in Mecca for Islam’s annual Hajj (pilgrimage), which officially starts on Wednesday. Around four million pilgrims were heading to Mina, where they will spend their night before heading to the Mount of Arafat in the early hours of Thursday.

Many pilgrims began leaving for Mina on Tuesday night after circumambulating the Holy Kaaba, the first house of worship on Earth, built by Adam. Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail rebuilt it some 5,000 years ago. Most Hajj rituals are related to Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hager and his son Prophet Ismail, and thus reflect the unity of humanity.

The Saudi government has given top priority to the security and safety of pilgrims and has deployed thousands of security forces in Mecca, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, all cities within a radius of 10 kilometers, to ensure a safe and secure Hajj.

A statement by the Saudi Interior Ministry on Tuesday said that pilgrims were being transported to Mina smoothly without any obstacles, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Grand Mosque, the focal point of the Islamic faith, was already teeming with joyful pilgrims at dawn on Monday, wearing the simple white folds of cloth prescribed for Hajj, many of them having slept on the white marble paving outside.

“I feel proud to be here because it’s a visual message that Muslims are united. People speaking in all kind of languages pray to the one God,” said Fahmi Mohammed al-Nemr, 52, from Egypt.

Hajj must be performed at least once in their lifetime by all Muslims capable of making the expensive, difficult journey, a duty that applies equally to Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Saudi leaders have emphasized it is a strictly religious occasion and they are prepared to deal with any troublemaking.

Last year nearly 3 million pilgrims performed the Hajj, with roughly a third from inside the conservative kingdom. The Saudi authorities said there have so far been 1.7 million arrivals from abroad and about 200,000 from inside Saudi Arabia.

Mecca’s merchants, famed across the Arab world, are already doing a thriving trade as pilgrims stock up on souvenirs such as prayer beads and mats, Qurans, dates, gold and Zamzam water, pumped from a holy well.

“The first time I saw the Kaaba I cried with joy. I prayed for myself and all Muslims,” said Nafisa Rangrez, 36, from Gujarat in India, who had waited five years for a Hajj visa, according to Reuters.

All Muslims must face towards the Kaaba, the huge black cube at the center of the Grand Mosque, five times a day for prayer, making a visit to the sanctuary a powerful experience. Pilgrims must circle it seven times when they arrive in Mecca.

Wednesday is the first official day of the pilgrimage, with Muslims following a set form of rites laid out by the Prophet Mohammed and culminating on Friday with the Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), a holiday across the Islamic world.

“I would love to live here for the rest of my life. There’s no such place in the entire world. This is a blessed country,” said Ziad Adam, 23, a theology student from Kenya.

“It’s my first time in Mecca for pilgrimage. I can’t wait to pray in Arafat,” 32-year-old Koara Abdul Rahman, a businessman from Burkina Faso, told AFP.

“Right now, I’ve got all the good feelings you can think of,” said an Iranian pilgrim, her voice quivering and tears welling.

Saudi Arabia’s king is formally titled Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the ruling family has long reigned on its guardianship of Islam’s birthplace.

Over the past decade it has spent billions of dollars expanding the Grand Mosque and building new infrastructure to avert the stampedes and tent fires that marred past pilgrimages with hundreds of deaths.

In 2011, Saudi Arabia began the biggest expansion yet of the Grand Mosque, to increase its capacity to 2 million. A new railway will link the holy sites around Mecca.

This year alone, the kingdom spent more than 1.1 billion riyals ($293.3 million) on development projects in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, all outside Mecca, according to AFP.

http://english.alarabiya.net/article...24/245606.html

Al Arabiya goes inside the basement of al-Jamarat Bridge

The basement houses automated collection and sorting machines
for the pebbles used in the stoning ritual

24 October 2012

The basement of al-Jamarat Bridge lies 15 meters underground, and Al Arabiya got the opportunity to see the automated method of gathering, storing and sorting the pebbles used by pilgrims in the stoning ritual that takes place above the three basins.

“This system works according to electric gates. It removes all the pebbles that have been gathered in al-Jamarat’s basin.”

Each of the basins of al-Jamarat has two machine systems that transfer the pebbles from the bottom of the bridge at different speeds. This system has gates that are electronically controlled to m`nage the pebbles course, quantity and destination. It also features sorting censors that filter and isolate everything that is thrown into the pit.

“The quantities of pebbles, when reached 1000 tons, are relocated after the Hajj period and after the pilgrims have departed from Mashaal. These quantities are sent to special locations.”

The remainders at al-Jamarat Bridge reach 300 tones according to official statistics that have been recorded from previous years’ experiences. The electronic system, which works through electronic gates located in each floor of al-Jamarat Bridge, simplified the process of redirecting the pebbles towards compressors at the bottom of the bridge.

Each corner of the facility shows the quick development that occurred from the top to the bottom of the bridge. The basement houses meticulous organization of surveillance cameras and general safety measures. The routes of the bridge’s vehicles also demonstrate the modernization of al-Jamarat Bridge.

video inside: http://english.alarabiya.net/article...24/245709.html

Makkah al Mukarromah

Panduan Haji dan Umroh Dalam Bahasa Arab

kunjungi selengkapnya di : 

http://hajjmabror.com/

King to lay foundation stone for biggest expansion of Prophet’s Mosque

24 September 2012 - 08 Thul-Qedah 1433 H

MADINAH — King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the biggest expansion project for the Prophet’s Mosque, apart from more than 10 mega-development projects, during his visit to Madinah, Monday.

Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majed, Emir of Madinah Region, said that King Abdullah’s visit was in line with the monarch’s concern for the conditions of the citizens and his desire to see to their needs, as well as his keenness to develop Madinah and complete the mega-development projects in different fields.

This expansion is considered to be the biggest following King Fahd's expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque. The project will accommodate huge numbers of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque, besides worshipers at peak hours during the Haj and Umrah seasons. The expansion is designed to help the huge number of worshipers to perform their prayers with ease, comfort and peace of mind.

The expansion project is set to commence immediately after the Haj season this year. The demolitions will start after the contractor cuts off all the services to the buildings to be demolished. This will be done after all financial entitlements are handed over for expropriation of properties.

The number of properties to be demolished has reached 100, distributed in the eastern and western sides. The total compensation for an area estimated at 12.5 hectares has reached SR25 billion.

King Abdul Aziz Library will be the most prominent structure to be demolished west of the Prophet’s Mosque, apart from the new Haram markets and several well-known hotels.

The project will be carried out in three stages. The first stage will have a sufficient area for 800,000 worshipers, while in the second and third stages, the eastern and western courtyards of the Haram will be expanded so as to accommodate 800,000 more worshipers. The Central Area in the vicinity of the Prophet’s Mosque will be redeveloped almost fully. It will be provided with new services supporting the Prophet’s Mosque.

A comprehensive plan has been laid down toward reducing the increasing pressure by raising the current capacity of 550,000 worshipers to a future capacity of 780,000 worshipers. This will be done through the expansion of the Haram’s eastern and western courtyards, taking into consideration the flow of pedestrians that requires further expansions.

According to the project plan, the general and social courtyards surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque will be improved. The hotels included in the expansion can continue to operate until the site is readied for the expansion projects. The hotels will then be demolished due to the need for 12.5 hectares of land for facilitating the northern expansion.

The canopies project of the Prophet’s Mosque is one of the mega-projects that King Abdullah has issued directives for. The number of canopies has reached 182, and 68 more canopies will be added in the eastern courtyards. These will cover an area of 143,000 square meters surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque from all four directions. About 800 worshipers can pray under each canopy.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120924137344

King Abdullah urges the faithful to defend Islam and Prophet

ARAB NEWS

Wednesday 26 September 2012

MADINAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday urged wise people all over the world to confront those who try to abuse divine religions and prophets of God.

Addressing princes, ministers, religious scholars and other citizens who came to greet him at Taiba Palace, King Abdullah urged Muslims to defend their Islamic faith and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

He congratulated all Saudis on the occasion of the National Day, marking the unification of the Kingdom by King Abdul Aziz and emphasized the unity and solidarity of Saudi people.

In his brief speech, King Abdullah described Islam as a religion that promotes tolerance, mercy and equality. Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, attended the reception.

King Abdullah arrived here Monday from Casablanca after spending a month-long vacation in the Moroccan city. He laid the foundation for the largest expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque soon after his arrival.

http://www.arabnews.com/king-abdulla...am-and-prophet

Laporan dari New York: Indonesia Dorong Protokol Internasional Cegah Penistaan Agama

New York, Indonesia mendorong pemberlakuan protokol internasional mencegah penistaan agama. Insiden film Innocence of Muslims dan pemuatan kartun nabi harus bisa dicegah.

"Kita akan bekerjasama dengan negara lain di PBB," kata Menlu Marty Natalegawa di sela-sela sidang umum PBB di New York, AS, Selasa (25/9/2012) sore.

Marty menerangkan, sesuai pidato Presiden SBY dalam sidang umum PBB ditegaskan bahwa penistaan atas agama, menciptakan benih konflik.

"Prinsip menyampaikan pandangan atau pendapat tidak absolut, ada moralitas," terangnya.

Namun diakui Marty, ada perbedaan pandangan dalam tafsiran kebebasan berekspresi. Tapi disepakati untuk perlunya toleransi melawan suara-suara intoleran.

"Esensinya, sekeras apapun pandangan, kita suarakan secara damai. Di saat yang sama kita tidak dapat menolerir aksi kekerasan," tegasnya.

Dalam pidato di Debat Umum Sidang Majelis Umum ke-67 PBB di Markas PBB, Presiden SBY menyuarakan konsensus internasional untuk mencegah permusuhan berlatar agama seperti kasus Innocence of Muslims yang menggemparkan dunia.

SBY menekankan mengenai budaya universal saling toleransi dan menghargai keyakinan beragama satu sama lain. Sebagai bangsa yang menjunjung tinggi keragaman budaya dan agama, Indonesia menyerukan saling menghormati dan pengertian di antara orang-orang yang memiliki keyakinan berbeda-beda.

(ndr/fdn)

10 Ribu Jamaah Indonesia Mulai Masuki Madinah

Madinah Sekitar 10 ribu lebih jamaah haji Indonesia mulai memasuki Madinah. Mereka masuk Madinah melalui Bandara King Abdul Aziz Jeddah dan Bandara Amir Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Madinah.

Saat ini mereka sudah berada di Madinah untuk melakukan ziarah dan salat di Masjid Nabawi, Masjid Quba dan Masjid Qibltain.

Sekitar 10 ribu lebih jamaah itu berasal dari beberapa kloter yang mendarat di Jeddah dan Madinah. Kloter yang tiba melalui Jeddah antara lain kloter Medan Sumatera Utara, Palembang Sumatera Selatan, Solo Jawa Tengah, Balikpapan Kaltim, Lombok, dan Aceh. Sedangkan kloter yang tiba melalui Madinah yaitu Batam Provinsi Kepri, Jawa Timur, Bekasi Jawa Barat, Padang Sumatera Barat, Makasar Sulawesi Selatan, Banten dan Lombok.

"Yang mendarat di Madinah sebanyak 4.859 jamaah," kata Kepala Daerah Kerja (Kadaker) Madinah, Ahmad Jauhari, di kantor Daker Madinah, Minggu (23/9/2012).

Sementara itu berdasarkan pantauan detikcom di Terminal Hijrah Madinah, jamaah yang tiba dari Jeddah langsung didata di tempat itu sebelum memasuki pemondokan. Di tempat itu terdapat petugas haji Indonesia, Muasasah Adila dan Majmuah yang mengurus pemondokan jamaah selama di Madinah.

"Setelah didata dan dihitung, mereka baru diarahkan menuju pemondokan," kata Jauhari.

Salah satu Kloter yang tiba di terminal hijrah antara lain Kloter SOC 3, rombongan asal Boyolali, Jawa Tengah. Di tempat tersebut, rombongan didata ulang dan beristirahat sejenak sebelum menuju pemondokan.

"Alhamdulillah sudah sampai Madinah setelah mendarat di Jeddah kemudian disambung menggunakan bus. Perjalanan dari Bandara Solo sampai Jeddah sekitar 8 jam. Di bandara juga agak lama," kata Junaidi Imam Gozali (69) warga Boyolali yang berangkat haji bersama istrinya.

(bgs/vit)
http://news.detik.com/read/2012/09/23/140022/2031423/10/10-ribu-jamaah-indonesia-mulai-masuki-madinah?9911012

Jangan Lupa Banyak Minum dan Matikan Listrik

Bagus Kurniawan - detikNews

Madinah Kesehatan harus dijaga saat menjalankan ibadah haji. Oleh karena itu, jamaah haji Indonesia diminta untuk minum air putih sebanyak-banyak agar tidak dehidrasi.

Pesan tersebut disampaikan Konsul Jenderal RI, Zakaria Anshar saat menyambut kedatangan jamaah haji Indonesia Kloter I di Bandara Amir Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz, Madinah, Sabtu (22/9/2012).

"Banyak-banyak mengkonsumsi air minum untuk menjaga kesehatan selama beribadah di Makkah selesai," kata Zakaria.

Selain itu dia berpesan selama tamu di negeri lain (Arab Saudi-red) agar jamaah menghormati kebiasaan-kebiasaan setempat. Petunjuk dari para pembimbing haji hendaknya juga diikuti dengan baik.

"Selama di sini, konsentrasi untuk beribadah. Jangan lupa matikan listrik saat akan keluar dari pondokan," pintanya.

Dia menambahkan sistem pelayanan jamaah di Bandara Madinah juga lebih baik dibandingkan dengan tahun lalu. Pada tahun sebelumnya, jamaah yang selesai proses pemeriksaan dokumen imigrasi langsung dibawa menuju bis untuk di antar ke pondokan. Sedangkan tahun ini, sebelum menuju bis dan pondokan, jamaah bisa transit beristirahat sejenak di hall berukuran 2 ribu meter persegi yang sejuk.

"Kami berterimakasih pada pemerintah Arab Saudi dengan adanya tempat transit ini," kata Zakaria.

Sementara itu berdasarkan data di Siskohat, 4 Kloter I yang telah tiba di Madinah diantaranya Kloter I (JKS 1) asal Bekasi Karawang, Jawa Barat dan Kloter I (JKG 1) asal Banten, SUB 1 asal Jawa Timur dan BTH 1 Batam.

Rombongan JKS 1 dari 445 jamaah hanya 443 jamaah yang masuk. Sebanyak 2 jamaah gagal berangkat. Sedangkan JKG 1 dari 450 jamaah ada satu orang yang gagal berangkat karena alasan sakit sehingga hanya 449 orang.

Untuk embarkasi Surabaya, SUB 1, seluruh jamaah yang terdaftar sebanyak 444 tiba dengan selamat. Demikian pula dengan embarkasi Batam sebanyak 441 jemaah masuk ke Madinah. Sementara 10 Kloter I lainnya mendarat di Bandara King Abdul Aziz Jeddah di antaranya jamaah asal Palembang, Solo Jawa Tengah, Medan, Aceh, Makasar, Balikpapan dan Lombok.

(bgs/mok)

Jamaah Indonesia Terbesar dari Kawasan Asia Tenggara

Bagus Kurniawan - detikNews


Jeddah Sekitar 85 persen dari 300 ribu jamaah asal Asia Tenggara didominasi oleh jamaah asal Indonesia. Ini merupakan jamaah terbesar dibandingkan negara lain di Asia Tenggara seperti Malaysia, Brunei maupun Thailand.

"Ada sekitar 300 ribu jamaah yang akan dilayani Muasasah Asia Tenggara. Yang terbesar berasal dari Indonesia sekitar 85 persen," kata Muasasah Asia Tenggara, Zuher Abdul Hamid Sedayu, saat menyambut kedatangan jamaah haji Indonesia di Jeddah.

Menurut dia, seluruh badan-badan yang menangani pelayanan jamaaah haji di Arab Saudi telah siap menerima kedatangan jamaah haji. Sampai saat ini tidak ditemukan hambatan dalam melayani jamaah haji Indonesia karena Muasasah Asia Tenggara.

"Kami sangat memahami keinginan-keinginan jamaah haji Indonesia maupun dari seluruh Asia Tenggara. Jamaah haji Indonesia tidak sulit dilayani," katanya.

Sementara itu Duta Besar RI untuk Arab Saudi, Gatot Abdullah Mansyur menambahkan sampai saat ini pemerintah Arab Saudi belum bisa memenuhi tambahan kuota haji tahun 2012 untuk pemerintah Indonesia. Hal itu dilakukan karena belum selesainya pembangunan pemondokan di sekitar kota Mekkah. Pemerintah Arab Saudi lebih mempertimbangkan faktor kenyamanan jamaah saat beribadah. Ada sekitar 40 negara yang tidak dipenuhi kuota haji untuk tahun ini.

(bgs/mok)

Cegah Kriminalitas, Jamaah Haji Diminta Waspadai Orang yang Baru Dikenal

Bagus Kurniawan - detikNews
Madinah Selama menunaikan ibadah haji di tanah suci, jamaah Indonesia diminta waspada terhadap orang baru dikenalnya. Oleh karena itu, jamaah harus pandai menjaga keamanan diri sendiri maupun keluarga saat beribadah.

"Meski sudah ada pengamanan dari petugas di Madinah tetap harus pandai menjaga keamanan diri sendiri. Sebab jumlah petugas tidak sebanding," kata Kepala Daerah Kerja (Daker) Madinah, Ahmad Jauhari kepada wartawan di Kantor Misi Haji Indonesia di Madinah, Kamis (20/9/2012).

Menurut dia, jumlah petugas pengamanan sebanyak 17 orang dari TNI dan Polri. Mereka akan mengawasi sekitar 211 ribu jamaah. Sedangkan area Masjid Nabawi juga luas.

"Jumlah tenaga pengamanan itu sudah termasuk tambahan 5 orang dari Polwan untuk mengawasi jamaah wanita yang paling rawan terhadap aksi kriminalitas," katanya.

Jauhari mengingatkan semua petugas PPIH mengenakan seragam biru, ada badge bendera merah putih dan memakai kartu identitas. Bila ada yang mengaku sebagai petugas harus bisa menunjukkan kartu identitasnya.

"Jadi jangan asal percaya sama orang yang baru saja dikenal, meski mereka mengaku satu daerah, satu kampung dari Indonesia," katanya.

Jauhari kemudian memberikan tips kepada jamaah agar mengenali lebih dulu lokasi pemondokan sebelum bepergian baik untuk ibadah atau keperluan lain. Bila akan bepergian jangan pergi sendiri

"Bila akan pergi dari pemondokan, mintalah kartu nama pemondokan kepada resepsionis. Kartu tersebut ada nama alamat, nomor telepon dan denah hotel. Bila tersesat bisa ditunjukkan kepada polisi atau petugas sehingga bisa diantar," katanya.

Selanjutnya, kata Jauhari, bepergian dengan membawa barang-barang berharga sangat tidak dianjurkan. Barang berharga bisa disimpan safety box yang telah disediakan hotel.

Dia menambahkan berdasarkan pengalaman tahun lalu, beberapa kasus kriminalitas sempat terjadi seperti perampasan dan penipuan. Kasus penipuan yang pernah terjadi, diantaranya terhadap jamaah wanita yang sudah lansia ketika kebingungan mencari lokasi pemondokan atau saat hendak menitipkan tas sebelum masuk masjid.

"Mereka tampak sudah akrab dan mengaku satu daerah. Janji mau membantu menitipkan tas atau barang bawaan tapi malah dibawa kabur. Jadi jangan jangan terlalu percaya dan harus waspada," tegas Jauhari.

(bgs/try)

Hindari Makanan Basi, Petugas Katering Diminta Hidupkan Heater

Bagus Kurniawan - detikNews
Madinah - Kasus makanan basi untuk jamaah haji Indonesia tidak boleh terulang dalam pelaksanaan ibadah haji 1433 H/2012 M. Oleh karena itu, petugas harus bisa menyalakan heater atau alat pemanas makanan saat mendistribusikan makanan ke pemondokan.

Sebanyak 12 untuk daker Madinah ada sebanyak 12 perusahaan katering yang ditunjuk untuk melayani jamaah. Perusahaan Al Andalus yang akan melayani jamaah terbesar dengan jumlah sekitar 50 ribuan. Sedangkan perusahaan lain diantaranya Al Ahmadi, Patani, Golden Fox dan lain-lain yang akan melayani masing-masing berkisar 20 ribu hingga 7.500 jamaah.

"Saat ini harus dipastikan bila makanan dan pemondokan jamaah siap," kata Direktur Pelayanan Haji, Kementerian Agama RI, Sri Ilham Lubis, Lc disela-sela meninjau pemondokan haji dan perusahaan katering di Madinah, Rabu (19/9/2012).

Dia mengatakan, makanan mulai dari perusahaan hingga didistribusikan kepada jamaah harus benar-benar baik kondisinya. Tidak boleh ada makanan yang basi karena ada petugas saat mendistribusikan ke pemondokan tidak bisa menyalakan heater, alat pemanas makanan.

Menurut dia, beberapa kasus sebelumnya karena heater tidak menyala karena ada petugas yang tidak bisa menyalakan alat dan di pemondokan tidak ada stop kontak listrik untuk heater.

"Petugas harus bisa aktifkan heater yang ada di hotel, bila tidak ada jangan diam saja. Demikian juga hotel juga harus menyediakan colokan listrik. Bila tidak ada langsung lapor sehingga bisa langsung ditangani," katanya.

Menurut dia, kasus seperti itu tidak boleh terjadi lagi dan diminimalkkan. Makanan yang telah selesai pengemasannya langsung masuk heater kemudian dibawa menuju pemondokan jamaah. waktu pendistribusian makanan ke pemondokan makanan berkisar 30 menit hingga 1,5 jam.

"Tergantung kondisi situasi di Madinah, bila lancar akan cepat sampai, namun bila terjadi kemacetan bisa lama," katanya.

Tahun lalu, tepatnya Selasa (8/11/2011), saat melakukan kunjungan kerja ke Mina, DPR menemukan ratusan jamaah diare karena diduga memakan sate basi. Sebagian kecil diantaranya terpaksa dirawat di rumah sakit.

(bgs/try)
http://news.detik.com/read/2012/09/19/151826/2026169/10/hindari-makanan-basi-petugas-katering-diminta-hidupkan-heater?9922032

Besok, 2.597 Calon Jamaah Haji Asal Surabaya Masuk Asrama

Rabu, 19/09/2012 14:02 WIB
Rois Jajeli - detikSurabaya

Surabaya - Jamaah calon haji asal Kota Surabaya pada musim haji tahun ini mencapai sebanyak 2.957 orang. Mereka akan mulai masuk ke asrama haji Sukolilo Surabaya, Kamis (20/9/2012).

"Paspor untuk jamaah calon haji Kota Surabaya sudah diselesaikan 2.597 paspor dan sekarang dalam proses penyelesaian visa di Jakarta," kata Plt Kemenag Kota Surabaya, Fachrur Rozi kepada wartawan usai acara pelepasan dan manasik haji Kota Surabaya di Masjid Al Akbar Surabaya, Rabu (19/9/2012).

Data dari Kementerian Agama (Kemenag) Kota Surabaya, dari jumlah tersebut, jumlah calon haji perempuan lebih banyak dibandingkan dengan laki-laki yakni sebanyak 1.361 orang, sedangkan laki-laki sebanyak 1.236 orang.

Sebanyak 2.513 orang belum pernah menjalankan ibadah haji dan sisanya 84 orang pernah menunaikan haji. Dari jumlah tersebut, jika dikelompokkan umur, untuk umur termudah 18 tahun hingga 20 tahun sebanyak 26 orang. Umur 21-30 tahun sebanyak 135 orang. Umur 31-40 tahun sebanyak 403 orang. Umur 41-50 tahun sebanyak 786 orang.

Kelompok umur 51-60 tahun sebanyak 819 orang. Umur 61-70 tahun sebanyak 347 orang. Umur 71-80 tahun sebanyak 75 orang. Umur 81-90 tahun sebanyak 4 orang dan jamaah calon haji yang umurnya diatas 91 tahun sebanyak 2 orang.

"Jamaah haji tertua dengan usia 92 tahun adalah pasangan suami istri Bapak Rubidin dan Ny Businten dari Pogot Surabaya," ujarnya.

Untuk kelompok pekerjaan jamaah calon haji ini, status pegawai negeri sipil (PNS) sebanyak 401 orang. TNI/Polri 37 orang. Pedagang 94 orang. Petani atau nelayan 7 orang. Ibu rumah tangga 538 orang. Pelajar atau mahasiswa 75 orang. Pegawai BUMN/BUMD 12 orang dan pensiunan PNS atau TNI/Polri sebanyak 111 orang. Sedangkan pegawai atau wiraswasta sebanyak 1.014 orang.

"Kelompok terbang (kloter) Kota Surabaya masih tetap ditunjuk dan ditetapkan sebagai daerah penyangga embarkasi Juanda Surabaya, sehingga jamaah asal Kota Surabaya, harus mengisi kloter-kloter daerah lain yang tidak penuh," terangnya.

Rencana pemberangkatan dan pemulangan jamaah haji 2012 embarkasi Surabaya, untuk kloter 01 SUB (kloter awal masuk asrama haji) per 20 September 2012 pukul 10.00 wib dan take off di Bandara Juanda pada 21 September 2012 pukul 10.05 wib. Sedangkan kloter 80 SUB (kloter akhir) masuk asrama haji pada 19 Oktober pukul 12.00 wib dan take off pada 20 Oktober pukul 22.00 wib.

"Ini terbagi dua gelombang. Gelombang pertama kloter 01-37 landing di Madinah, sedangkan kepulangan take off dari Jeddah. Gelombang II kloter 38-80 landing di Jeddah, sedangkan kepulangan take off dari Madinah," ujarnya, sambil menambahkan, kloter 01 diperkirakan tiba di tanah air pada 01 November 2012 pukul 13.25 wib dan kloter terkahir tiba pada 30 November pukul 07.55 wib.

(roi/fat)

2012 Haj Quotas list

 Big quotas:

Indonesia = 211 000
Pakistan = 180 000
India = 170 000
Bangladesh = 112 515
Nigeria = 100 000

- 100 000:

Egypt = 90 000 (not conf.)
Turkey = 74 000

- 50 000:

Algeria = 36 000
Marocco = 32 000
Malaysia = 28 000
Kuwait = 14 000
Tunisia = 10 860
Senegal = 10 500

- 10 000:

Uganda = 9 000
Mali = 8 000
Libya = 7 000
Ivory Coast = 5000
Qatar = 1 500
Île Maurice = 1 300

- 1 000:

Brunei = 400

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1237079&page=125
(jazaahullahu khair li-Roukaya19)

Haj Season 1433/2012 : 1.8 million foreign pilgrims expected

Sunday 16 September 2012

JEDDAH: More than 1.8 million foreign pilgrims were expected to perform Haj this year, Haj Minister Bandar Hajar announced recently.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the headquarters of the Tawafa Organization for South Asian Pilgrims, Hajar said there was no plan to reduce the number of Umrah pilgrims for the mataf (circumambulation area around the Kaaba) expansion project.

The minister said this year’s was the most successful Umrah season. An estimated 5.5 million foreign pilgrims came to the Kingdom. “We issued 5.8 million Umrah visas this year. Most of the 5.5 million pilgrims came for Umrah have already left the Kingdom. Only 10,000 pilgrims are now remaining in the country,” he said.

“This is a big success compared to the Umrah season of 2005, when 2.5 million foreign pilgrims came and about half of them remained in the country, overstaying their Umrah visas,” he explained.

Hajar said despite the convening of an emergency Islamic summit in Makkah, the Umrah pilgrims who came from different parts of the world were able to leave the Kingdom without any difficulty. He commended the efforts of all government departments for the success of the Umrah season.

Hajar said he is ready to meet the Shoura Council if he gets an invitation from the consultative body. “I have not yet received any invitation and I am ready to accept the invitation at any time,” he said.

Hajar met with chairman and members of the organization’s board of directors and discussed its preparations for the Haj season. He urged the organization to make use of the huge facilities being provided by the government in the service of pilgrims.

The ministry has set out a plan for sending pilgrims of various Tawafa organizations to the Jamrat and the Haram Mosque in coordination with the Public Security and Civil Defense Department.

Adnan Katib, president of the Tawafa Organization of South Asian Pilgrims, said they had discussed with Hajar the organization’s operation plan for the Haj season.

“We have discussed various aspects to improve services for pilgrims including housing, transport and general planning,” Katib said, adding that the organization would mobilize all its resources to extend the best possible services to the guests of God.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...grims-expected

The Jamarat Bridge Project An exceptional achievement of Crowd Control

The Jamarat are three sites located close to each other on a straight line in Mina. Pilgrims stone the Jamarat as a sign of obedience to God. Stoning of the Jamarat is one of the duties of the Hajj and follows the example of the Father of Prophets Ibrahim Peace Be Upon Him.

In response to the huge increase in the numbers of pilgrims year after year, the Saudi authorities sought ways to remove the obstacles created by the increasing crowds at the Jamarat and thereby enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and in a safe way.

The first Jamarat Bridge was built in 1975 in order to facilitate the stoning ritual by providing two levels for pilgrims carrying out the ritual, one beneath the bridge and another on the bridge itself. However, as pilgrim numbers continued to increase, this bridge became incapable of handling the huge numbers of pilgrims. Consequently, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to demolish it after the Hajj season of 2006 and to replace it with a new multilevel structure capable of accommodating greater numbers of pilgrims and thereby facilitating stoning of the pillars in a safe and effective manner.

The new Jamarat Bridge is 950 meters long and 80 meters in width and consists of five levels, each of which is 12 meters high. To facilitate movement, the bridge has 12 entrances and 12 exits, distributed among all four directions, in addition to emergency exits. This will enable authorities to accommodate 300,000 pilgrims an hour for stoning. The structure is equipped with surveillance cameras throughout which are in constant operation, and which are used to pinpoint areas where fast intervention and provision of emergency medical assistance is necessary. Finally, the Jamarat Bridge facility also includes two helicopter pads for emergency use.

In order to provide a more pleasant environment for pilgrims, the Jamarat Bridge project also includes an air conditioning system accompanied by water sprinklers, capable of lowering the air temperature to around 29 degrees Celsius.

On the fifth floor of the bridge, huge awnings have been constructed which cover all three Jamarat areas, thereby enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals easily and to protect them from the oftentimes fierce sunlight.

Construction of the Jamarat Bridge took several years, and all precautions were taken so that work did not interfere with the rituals performed every year by the pilgrims.

It is worthy of note that the Jamarat Bridge project was designed with future needs in mind also, as it can be expanded to a total of 12 levels capable of accommodating more than 5 million pilgrims. In 2008, it was awarded the Makkah al-Mukarramah Prize for the best project serving the needs of pilgrims.

www.kapl-hajj.org

Official Key Dates for Hajj 2012

24th April 2012

- First day of arrival in the Kingdom for pilgrims is 1/11/1433 H (27th September, 2012).

- Last date for arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom by air, at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, or at the Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah is 4/12/1433 H (20th October, 2012).

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Jeddah to Madinah by bus is 25/11/1433 H (11th October, 2012)

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Jeddah to Madinah by air is 2/12/1433 H (18th October, 2012).

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Madinah to Makkah by bus (before Hajj) is 5/12/1433 H (21st October, 2012)

- Last date for pilgrims to travel from Madinah to Jeddah by air (before Hajj) is 6/12/1433 H (22nd October, 2012).

- Final date for departure (return trip) is 15/1/1434 H (29th November, 2012)

Saudi Arabian Ministry of Haj

http://www.hajinformation.com/display_news.php?id=3184

Prophet's Mosque New Expansion: '' Multistory buildings and 4 Minarets planned ''

Info from article 7 July 2012:

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, described the new expansion work of the Prophet’s Mosque as unprecedented.

He said the first phase of the expansion would cover construction of multistory buildings within the periphery of the existing northern courtyard, and the flat roof of the entire mosque structure after the expansion would have a total area of about 1.1 million square meters.

There will be a main gate for the new building with two main minarets and two side minarets at the corners of the building.

The first phase will add prayer space with a capacity to accommodate 800,000 worshippers.

In the second and third phases, the eastern and western courtyards will be added to the mosque and thus increasing the capacity by another 800,000 to add the capacity of the mosque to accommodate another 1.6 million.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...rea-be-tripled

Possible render for the new expansion
multistory buildings + 2 main minarets + 2 side minarets

Semangat perintis haji Indonesia 500 tahun lalu

Jumat, 10 Agustus 2012 03:00:00
Jauh sebelum kedatangan kapal dagang Portugis di perairan Nusantara, tercatat pada tahun 1503, sudah ada kapal pribumi yang berlayar mengarungi lautan luas hingga akhirnya berlabuh di Jazirah Arab untuk menunaikan ibadah Haji.

Sejarawan M Shaleh Putuhena dalam bukunya Historiografi Haji Indonesia mengatakan, kedatangan pribumi Nusantara di Mekkah itu, besar kemungkinan menjadi orang-orang pertama yang melaksanakan haji.

"Mereka yang datang dengan kapalnya sendiri, bukan jamaah haji yang sengaja berangkat dari Nusantara untuk melaksanakan ibadah haji. Mereka adalah pedagang dan pelayar yang berlabuh di Jeddah, dan berkesempatan untuk berkunjung ke Mekkah," kata Shaleh.

Arus pelayaran perdagangan orang-orang pribumi ke Jeddah, terus berlangsung hingga tahun-tahun berikutnya. Bahkan ketika bangsa Portugis berlabuh di Nusantara pada tahun 1512 dan menjajah serta menjarah hasil alam, bangsa pribumi masih bisa berlayar mengarungi samudera.

Meski perjuangan untuk mengecoh bangsa Portugis tidak mudah, namun dengan segala upaya mereka bisa meloloskan diri untuk berdagang ke Jeddah sambil menyempatkan diri menunaikan ibadah haji.

"Mereka pergi ke Hijaz (Jeddah) dengan maksud untuk berdagang atau melaksanakan tugas dari pemerintahnya, dan mereka memiliki kesempatan untuk melaksanakan ibadah haji. Mereka ini kemudian dianggap sebagai angkatan perintis haji Indonesia," lanjutnya.

Memasuki abad XVII motivasi umat Islam Nusantara melaksanakan haji semakin kuat, sehingga jamaah haji selalu mengalami peningkatan setiap tahunnya. Namun semua terkendala dengan peraturan Portugis yang berusaha mengekang, dan membatasi ruang gerak Muslimin Nusantara berdagang ke luar.

Tetapi tradisi menuntut ilmu yang mulai berkembang, menjadi sebuah pemahaman penting dalam masyarakat Nusantara waktu itu. Menyadarkan mereka untuk memanfaatkan celah tersebut, dengan berpura-pura menjadi pelajar untuk bisa pergi ke Mekkah.

Kesadaran mereka akan pentingnya menuntut ilmu terbentuk, setelah mempelajari hadits Nabi Muhammad SAW yang menetapkan kewajiban untuk setiap muslim menuntut ilmu. Dan pada waktu itu, Mekkah sudah menjelma sebagai pusat studi ilmu Islam terbesar.

Akan tetapi, memasuki abad XVIII sampai XIX, ketika Hindia-Belanda menjajah Nusantara, orang-orang pribumi sudah tidak lagi menggunakan media berdagang atau menuntut ilmu untuk pelaskanaan ibadah haji. Muslimin sudah berani terang-terangan dan leluasa beribadah setiap tahunnya.

Bukan tanpa alasan Hindia-Belanda menerapkan kebijakan pembebasan tersebut, para penjajah memanfaatkan kegiatan tahunan tersebut sebagai komoditas baru meraup untung mengembangkan perekonomian negaranya.

Waktu itu memang transportasi menjadi kendala utama Muslim Nusantara melaksanakan ibadah haji, tidak semuanya memiliki kapal untuk berlayar. Sehingga kesempatan ini yang dimanfaatkan pemerintahan Hindia-Belanda untuk menyediakan alat transportasi.

"Strategi pengembangan perekonomian yang dilakukan oleh Hindia-Belanda melalui pemanfaatan pelaksanaan ibadah haji menjadi momen penting dan berkelanjutan, sebab ibadah haji merupakan kegiatan tahunan yang berlangsung sampai kapanpun," terangnya.
[war]
http://klimg.com/merdeka.com/i/w/news/2012/08/09/77352/540x270/semangat-perintis-haji-indonesia-500-tahun-lalu.jpg

Bersujud di Masjid Terbesar di Dunia

Senin, 30/07/2012 07:35 WIB
Jakarta - Siapa yang tak tahu Masjidil Haram di Makkah Arab Saudi. Masjid ini selalu ramai dikunjungi karena Ka'bah bernaung di dalamnya. Tapi tahukah Anda kalau Masjidil Haram adalah masjid terbesar di dunia?

Berkunjung ke Masjidil Haram di Makkah, Arab Saudi menjadi impian hampir seluruh umat Muslim di dunia. Bersujud langsung di depan Ka'bah, kiblat umat Muslim menjadi angan-angan yang tak terbantahkan. Ya, Masjidil Haram memang identik dengan Ka'bah yang menjadi pusat bersujud umat Muslim seluruh dunia.

Tapi dibalik megahnya Ka'bah, tahukah Anda kalau masjid ini adalah masjid terbesar di dunia? Betapa tidak, Masjidil Haram memiliki luas 99 hektar dan mampu menampung hingga 900.000 orang jamaah. Bahkan, saat musim haji tiba, masjid ini akan penuh sesak karena dipadati 4.000.000 orang jamaah dari seluruh dunia.

Masjidil Haram terdiri tiga tingkat. Seluruh tingkatan masjid dijadikan lokasi salat dan tawaf (mengelilingi Ka'bah) oleh umat muslim. Di lantai 2 dan 3 juga disediakan jalur khusus untuk jamaah yang menggunakan kursi roda.

Masuk ke dalam masjid, suasana syahdu dan rasa dekat dengan Tuhan langsung menyeruak. Ada banyak orang yang sibuk membaca lembar demi lembar Al Quran yang tersedia di ratusan rak.

Tak kalah banyaknya dengan umat Muslim yang membaca Al Quran, ratusan orang yang bersujud di atas karpet tebal nan lembut Masjidil Haram. Mereka semua larut dalam ibadah yang ditujukan hanya untuk Allah semata.

Jalan terus ke tengah masjid, Ka'bah yang menjadi kiblat seluruh pemeluk agama Islam berdiri dengan anggun dan kokohnya. Tak ketinggalan ratusan umat yang berkeliling Ka'bah.

Berbagai ekspresi wajah bisa ditangkap saat berada di sana, mulai dari tersenyum, menangis, hingga terdiam dengan pandangan tak pernah lepas ke Ka'bah ada. Ka'bah di Masjidil Haram memang magnet kuat, hingga setiap orang yang datang tak bisa berhenti untuk memandanginya.

Meski udara di Arab Saudi sangat panas, marmer yang melapisi seluruh lantai masjid justru tidak terasa panas sama sekali, bahkan cenderung dingin. Sebaliknya, saat musim dingin tiba, marmer masjid yang langsung beratapkan langit memberikan kehangatan yang nyata.

Di sisi lain masjid, ada dua bukit yang menjadi lokasi Sa'i atau lari-lari kecil, yaitu Shafa san Marwah. Di sinilah dulu Nabi Ismail dan ibunya yang bernama Hajar tinggal untuk pertama kali di Makkah, dan menemukan sumur zam-zam.

Bicara soal sumur zam-zam, kini sumur itu telah dimodofikasi menjadi puluhan keran yang mengucurkan air zam-zam dingin. Lelah beribadah, memang tepat sekali membasahi tenggorokan dengan menenggak segelas air zam-zam dingin.

http://images.detik.com/content/2012/07/30/1383/073642_18112011003.jpg

Ramadhan Mubarak

Perkembangan Terakhir Perluasan Masjidil Haram

Ini Biaya Haji 2012 Tiap Embarkasi

Rabu, 25/07/2012 14:18 WIB
Jakarta Biaya penyelenggaraan ibadah haji (BPIH) tahun 2012 naik rata-rata US$ 84. Kenaikan itu antara lain dari biaya avtur pesawat dan sewa pesawat (leasing).

"Rata-rata BPIH tahun ini US$ 84 lebih tinggi dari tahun lalu. Yang terendah yaitu Batam US$ 8 kenaikannya, dan yang tertinggi Surabaya US$ 126," ujar Sekjen Kemenag Bahrul Hayat.

Bahrul mengatakan itu dalam jumpa pers tentang BPIH 2012 di kantor Kemenag, Jl MH Thamrin No 6, Jakarta Pusat, Rabu (25/7/2012).

Menurut Bahrul, biaya haji tahun ini rata-rata US$ 3.617. Komponennya adalah biaya penerbangan haji sekitar rata-rata US$ 2.204, biaya akomodasi Makkah dan Madinah rata-rata US$ 1.008, dan living cost US$ 405.

Bahrul menambahkan, dari komponen biaya tersebut, yang mengalami kenaikan adalah biaya penerbangan seperti avtur dan leasing pesawat serta kenaikan operasional di Arab Saudi.

"Untuk leasing pesawat naik karena mendekati summer," ucap Bahrul.

Dari kenaikan ini, lanjut Bahrul pihaknya akan mengusahakan perbaikan akses kesehatan seperti izin akses ambulans dan izin akses RS. Standardisasi akses kesehatan akan lebih tinggi dari tahun lalu. "Kualitas gedung penginapan akan lebih baik," tuturnya.

Sedangkan untuk katering, Bahrul juga akan mengawasi ketat. Kemenag akan bekerjasama dengan pihak Arab Saudi agar pelayanan terhadap jamaah haji terlaksana dengan lebih baik.

Sementara itu untuk kuota haji yang berangkat tahun 2012 ini yakni 194 ribu untuk haji reguler dan 17 ribu untuk haji khusus atau total 211 ribu.

Berikut BPIH 2012 berdasar embarkasi:

Aceh US$ 3.328
Medan US$ 3.388
Batam US$ 3.468
Padang US$ 3.404
Palembang US$ 3.456
Jakarta US$ 3.638
Solo US$ 3.617
Surabaya US$ 3.738
Banjarmasin US$ 3.808
Balikpapan US$ 3.819
Makassar US$ 3.882
Lombok US$ 3.857


(nik/nrl)
http://news.detik.com/read/2012/07/25/141432/1974476/10/biaya-haji-tahun-ini-naik-us--84?9922022

Kiat Antisipasi Aksi Kejahatan Saat Berhaji

Kejahatan memang bisa terjadi di mana saja. Jika ada niat dan kesempatan, para pelaku kejahatan tidak merasa segan untuk melakukan kejahatannya, termasuk di tanah suci. Dalam sebuah berita di poskota.co.id, terdapat beberapa modus kejahatan yang dilakukan di tanah suci. Berikut ulasannya.
MADINAH (Pos Kota) – Masih ada saja orang jahat di pusat ibadah seagung Masjid Nabawi, Madinah. Para penjahat, termasuk yang berasal dari Indonesia sendiri, memiliki sejumlah modus operandi kejahatan yang terus “diperbarui”.

Kepala Sektor Khusus Masjid Nabawi bentukan Misi Haji Indonesia di Madinah, Hendra Wirawan, telah mengumpulkan sejumlah modus kejahatan yang terjadi, sehingga seluruh jemaah hendaknya diimbau selalu waspada terhadap aksi kejahatan di tanah suci.

1. Tas bawaan ditaruh di ujung sajadah/tempat sujud digondol maling. Kasus ini menimpa seorang jamaah dari Padang. Tasnya berisi 12 juta rupiah dan 1.500 riyal (living cost) serta kamera digital. Tas hilang pada rakaat ketiga. Pada saat yang sama, jamaah yang sedang salat di belakangnya bawaannya juga raib. Muncul kecurigaan pelakunya adalah anak yang berlarian di pelataran masjid. Polisi Saudi yang dilapori segera menangkap sejumlah anak yang berlarian. Tapi setelah dilihat, tidak ada indikasi mereka pelakunya. "Jadi sebaiknya tas tetap menempel di badan, jangan ditaruh," saran Hendra.

2. Perempuan bercadar dan berbaju hitam menyamar sebagai polisi wanita, menggeledah jamaah yang hendak masuk masjid. Seorang jamaah perempuan RI kehilangan HP akibat penggeledahan ini. Ada juga yang kehilangan dompet berisi 4.000 riyal karena dipepet orang.

3. Modus WNI mengantar jamaah RI tersasar. Setiba di tujuan, mereka minta bayaran. "Ada jamaah yang dimintai 50 riyal (Rp 125 ribu)," katanya.

4. Modus menawarkan membeli kambing untuk membayar dam.

5. Modus peminta-minta yang mengaku mahasiswa Palestina, meminta sumbangan. "Jamaah kita biasanya mudah iba. Kemarin saya nemui jamaah yang juga memberi sumbangan, kami dekati, kami tanya: Bapak tahu tidak apa yang Bapak lakukan'. Itu untuk memastikan Bapak itu tidak diperas," ujar Hendra.

6. Kejahatan riskan terjadi di pasar tumpah, yang berada di gang-gang dan pinggir jalan yang ramai. "Seorang jamaah perempuan yang tasnya nempel di badan, kemarin teriak ada copet. Kami kejar, pelakunya kabur," ujar Hendra.

7. Tas disilet saat berdesak-desakan keluar dari Masjid Nabawi usai salat wajib. Seorang jamaah di Sektor I kehilangan dompet akibat modus ini.Modus di atas melengkapi modus yang telah terjadi sebelumnya yaitu pura-pura membantu jamaah tersesat. Di tengah jalan, pelaku merampas uang jamaah dan meninggalkannya begitu saja.

Atas semua insiden itu, Hendra menyarankan agar jamaah tidak banyak membawa uang saat ke masjid. "Bawalah paling banyak 50 riyal," pesan Hendra. Kalaulah membawa uang banyak untuk berbelanja, sebaiknya pergi berombongan sehingga saling menjaga.

Oknum sebangsa dan setanah air

Miris memang. Jika biasanya ikatan sebangsa-setanah air akan menjadi kuat ketika berada di tanah air orang lain, tetapi suasana itu belakangan ini dirusak oleh sesama pendatang dari tanah air. Di Madinah ada jamaah calon haji Indonesia yang dirampas uangnya. Ironisnya pelakunya diduga kuat masih saudara kita sebangsa.

Petugas haji Indonesia pernah memergoki seseorang yang menyamar sebagai petugas lengkap dengan seragamnya, diduga melakukan penipuan terhadap jemaah haji. Ada pula yang lebih memalukan. Saat tertangkap petugas, orang tersebut menyamar dengan berpakaian ihram, layaknya orang yang akan melaksanakan umrah. Lagi-lagi pelakunya bangsa sendiri.

Tak hanya jamaah, bahkan seorang petugas kesehatan rombongan jamaah haji khusus pun menjadi korban aksi perampasan. Seperti yang dialami Dokter. Pelaku berhasil merampas dompet korban yang berisi uang dalam bentuk rupiah dan riyal, beberapa kartu kredit, serta beberapa surat berharga. Korban mengaku bahwa pelaku bisa berbahasa Indonesia, tapi dia tidak bisa memastikan apa pelaku memang warga Indonesia.

Tips antisipasi kejahatan di tanah suci

Banyaknya modus kejahatan yang terjadi memang tidak seharusnya menjadi halangan untuk menunaikan ibadah haji. Namun, langkah antisipasi sangat perlu dilakukan. Berikut beberapa tips antisipasi kejahatan di tanah suci.

1.Jangan pergi sendiri
Jemaah haji Indonesia diharapkan jangan pergi sendirian untuk menghindari aksi perampasan yang dilakukan orang yang tidak bertanggung jawab. Jamaah hendaknya berangkat berkelompok minimal 4-5 orang. Hal itu diungkapkan Kepala Panitia Penyenggara Ibadah Haji Daerah Kerja Madinah, Akhmad Jauhari di Kantor Misi Haji Indonesia, Madinah, Arab Saudi. “Karena korban kejahatan seringkali sedang sendirian atau kesasar, dan biasanya orang lanjut usia,” katanya.

2.Membawa uang secukupnya
Menyikapi berbagai tindak kejahatan yang menimpa beberapa jamaah haji Indonesia di Madinah, Akhmad menghimbau agar jemaah sebaiknya tidak banyak membawa uang. Ia melihat saat ini ada tren jamaah membawa banyak uang di sakunya.
Ia menuturkan bahwa membawa banyak uang dalam rangka pelaksanaan ibadah haji justru akan membuat ibadah jemaah itu sendiri menjadi terganggu. Jemaah haji yang seharusnya fokus kepada ibadah, tentunya akan terpecah pikirannya karena memikirkan keamanan uangnya itu. Jadi, bawalah bekal secukupnya.

3.Gunakan jasa safety box di hotel tempat menginap
Di bagian lain, menanggapi beberapa aksi kejahatan di Masjidil Haram dan sekitarnya, Akhmad sebenarnya sudah mengusulkan kepada pihak pengamanan di Daker Makkah agar para calon haji saat ke Masjid tidak perlu membawa tas. ’’Yang dibawa hanya gelang identitas dan beberapa riyal secukupnya,’’ jelasnya. “Jika khawatir uangnya hilang, manfaatkan safety box yang ada di hotel,” tegasnya. (RA). Tips haji

http://www.cheria-travel.com/

Makkah Royal Clock Tower

Holy Mosque on prince Naif's salat janazah

Ramadhan Hadir Kembali

Hari Ini 1 Sya'ban 1433 H
Ramadhan insyallah Bulan Depan
bertepatan dengan 20 Juli 2012
(Menunggu Hasil Ru'yatul Hilal Pemerintah)

Makkah 'Isha- 11th June 2012

New Saudi metro to ease Haj traffic

449.2km rail system will reduce congestion caused by about 70,000 buses during pilgrimage

February 2, 2012

Dubai: Saudi Arabia's new metro system will ease traffic congestion during the annual Haj pilgrimage, a top official has said.

The Haramain High Speed Rail project, which is under construction, will be a 449.2km high-speed inter-city system linking Madinah and Makkah.

Each year three million to four million pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj.

During the Haj around two million people come from abroad by air and an estimated one million come by road.

During this period, Makkah, which has a resident population of 1.7 million, experiences high congestion from the 70,000 vehicles that transport the pilgrims between the sites of the pilgrimage.

"The number of pilgrims is increasing. We have about 70,000 buses moving between [three holy places].

"It's very difficult to transport more than three million pilgrims in a very limited time and space," said Salim Al Bosta of the Central Directorate for Development of Projects at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

"The target group of the metro system will be the pilgrims from inside the country, from the Gulf states and pilgrims coming by land by bus," he added.

Shuttle transport from Arafat to Muzdalifah, which is about 12km, can take six to eight hours, and in some cases up to 10 hours because of the congestion.

Long hours

Around 25 per cent of pilgrims move between the holy places on foot to avoid spending long hours in vehicles on the roads. In the past, the high density of worshippers has resulted in some pilgrims being trampled to death.

The capacity of the Makkah metro will be 70,000 to 80,000 persons per hour in each direction, while the shuttle bus services reach a capacity of 10,000 persons per hour in each direction. The electric trains will transport pilgrims at a speed of 320 km/h. The system will have nine stations and will cater to the pilgrimage route along Makkah, Mina, Muzdalifah and Jabal Al Rahmah.

"To solve the transport problem to and from Al Mashaaer we need three train lines from Arafat to Muzdalifah to Mina, and in the future to the Grand Mosque," said Al Bosta.

The line will also be built keeping in mind development projects such as the extension of the Grand Mosque.

http://gulfnews.com/business/general...affic-1.974661

Cuplikan Sholat Isya' dari Baitullah Al Haram, 20 Rajab 1433

King Abdulaziz Road, ‘Gateway to the city’

Saudi Arabia, Mecca

In collaboration with DHV, KuiperCompagnons have studied possibilities for the King Abdulaziz Road Mecca and touched the mystic of the Holy City of Mecca. The plan builds on already developed ideas and designs. The aim is a long-term sustainable development scheme and details, which is geared towards a high quality urban fabric, an urban fabric which can cope with uncertainties and challenges, is adaptive to change, flexible, differentiated and open to a rich urban life to make people proud of their town and say: " Mecca is my city".

The studies and workshops resulted in the presentation ‘'Ingredients for a Master plan and the Design Development''.

A brief summary of concepts.

Social and cultural
Large numbers of pilgrims from all over the world visit Mecca. The master plan embraces diversity providing local centres within a cohesive framework. The design seeks to engage with the local population through education, social improvements and involvement, thereby increasing ownership, job opportunity
and civic pride.
The urban structure relates directly to the context of Mecca with opportunities to develop characteristic areas that reflect the diversity of Islam.

Physical
The physical structure responds to the existing geographical context of built and natural forms to develop identifiable and distinct urban areas.
The connections, visual and physical, aid orientation and enhance the importance and positioning of Al Haram and the Ka'Bah, as the centre of Mecca and the centre of Islam worldwide.
The transport connections respond to the requirements of the city’s wide connectivity and circulation whilst also ensuring a logical hierarchy and movement within and through the project area.
The public transport is considered as a fundamental element in the success of the project. Therefore it is provided with an importance and adaptability that improves the appeal of development plots and also allows the project area to function smoothly and to develop in the course of time.

Economy
The urban structure provides an adaptable framework for the entire project area which seeks to enhance the diversity of the economic base through the provision of a logical sequence of space, building forms and development use opportunities. The primary concept is to expand economic opportunities beyond peak period tourism during Ramadan and the Hajj.
The design seeks to engage and educate the local population to develop a skills base for job opportunity in construction and service industries, thereby establishing a stronger base for the economy of the city.

Religious and Spiritual
The urban structure respectfully places the central great importance on Al Haram and Ka'Bah as the orientation and arrangement tools.
A hierarchy of religious facilities is established to form community centres within the urban framework. Daily Neighbourhood mosques are located to form local centres supported with education, social and community facilities.

Architecture
The urban framework establishes a structure and logic in the arrangement and placement of buildings, scale and mass. The design substantiates in context, with opportunity for architectural style to develop and enhance the identity of Mecca.

Scale
The scale is developed in response to a physical context of built and natural form. It considers the context of projects locally, city-wide and globally, as being the centre of Islam. The scale of development is also influenced by climatic constraints, opportunities, appropriate potential usage and an optimum development of the area. However, the human scale of streets and people’s perceptions is considered a primary design tool.

http://www.kuiper.nl/index.php?section=Projects&id=205

Mecca 2012

مسجد الحرام بمكة بعد توسعة, إنشاالله

Grand Mosque to host 10 million worshippers after largest expansion

3 June 2012 / MÜHENNA KAHVECİ , MECCA

The Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca, where millions of Muslims from around the world convene every year for the annual hajj pilgrimage, will be able to host around 10 million worshippers when the ongoing expansion project, the largest in the mosque’s history, is completed.
There have been many projects to expand the capacity of the Grand Mosque, but the latest one will be the largest. It will increase the size of the mosque to 500,000 square meters, double its current size.

The mosque was first expanded by the Saudis in 1954, increasing its capacity to 300,000 people. The second expansion project took place during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, which increased the capacity to 630,000 people. The latest project is sponsored by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.

Currently, 52,000 Muslims can circumambulate the Kaaba in one hour. This figure is estimated to increase to 130,000 once the expansion project is complete.

The current project is being carried out in two stages. The first, which began in 2009, involved the demolition of 2,350 hotels, offices and other buildings around the mosque, with another 1,900 buildings set to be demolished soon.

The Saudi government is reportedly paying as high as 500,000 Saudi riyals (around $133,000) per square meter to the owners of the buildings close to the mosque in return for the expropriation. This brings the total figure to around $100 billion.

During the second stage, which is currently being carried out, the prayer area will be expanded.

Hotels will be built in the Jabal Omar region near the mosque to provide accommodation for 200,000 pilgrims. There are also ongoing efforts to ease transportation in Mecca, all of which have turned the city into a giant construction site.

To minimize the risk of overcrowding and to lessen congestion on the roads, the Saudi authorities began operating a Chinese-built train in 2010 that stops at hajj sites. Once fully functional, the railway is expected to reduce congestion caused by buses and cars during the hajj. It will also carry pilgrims performing their umrah, or lesser pilgrimage, throughout the year. Once completed, the Saudis estimate that 53,000 buses will disappear from the city’s crowded roads, promising a safer and more comfortable pilgrimage.

Currently, about 3 million pilgrims travel to Mecca every year for the annual hajj. It is estimated that the city will be able to host 10 million pilgrims once the ongoing projects are completed.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-2822...expansion.html

Ottoman Porticos

Holy Mosque - Masjid al Haram

Makkah Haramain station has begun

Sewa Pondokan Haji di Makkah Capai 68 Persen

Jakarta Kementerian Agama terus mempersiapkan penyelenggaraan haji tahun 1433 Hijriah. Salah satunya, pemondokan jamaah haji reguler di Makkah. Dari kebutuhan untuk sekitar 200 ribu orang, telah tercapai 68,22 persen.

"Panitia haji di Arab Saudi sampai saat ini telah memperoleh pemondokan sebanyak 226 rumah atau sebanyak 68,22 persen," kata Menteri Agama Suryadharma Ali dalam rilis yang diterima detikcom, Sabtu (12/5/2012).

Meskipun saat ini dilakukan pembongkaran gedung-gedung di sekitar Masjidil Haram sehingga pencarian rumah bagi jamaah lebih sulit dibanding tahun lalu, kata Suryadharma, panitia haji tetap menargetkan jarak terjauh pemondokan di Makkah 2.500 meter dari masjid ini.

"Demand tinggi, supply terbatas, harga (rumah) melonjak tajam," ungkapnya.

Ditanya tentang target 100 persen, Suryadharma berharap pada akhir bulan Mei kebutuhan pemondokan jamaah telah terpenuhi.

"Akhir Mei, karena kita tidak mau spekulasi. Tidak sedikit negara lain berani bayar mahal," ujar dia.

Suryadharma uga mengungkapkan hasil pertemuan dengan Menteri Haji Kerajaan Arab Saudi DrBandar bin Mohamed Hajjar, antara lain mengenai permintaan tambahan kuota, mengingat daftar tunggu jamaah Indonesia mencapai 1,7 juta orang dengan masa tunggu selama 12 tahun.

"Saya sudah bertemu Menteri Haji Kerajaan Arab Saudi Dr.Bandar bin Mohamed Hajjar, di Kantor Kementerian Haji Arab Saudi, banyak yang sudah kami sampaikan. Bahwa Arab Saudia sebagai negeri kedua, Makkah dan Madinah selalu dirindukan umat Muslim Indonesia, dan pertumbuhan ekonomi sudah makin naik sehingga yang mendaftar haji makin banyak, calon jamaah 1,7 juta orang dengan masa tunggu 12 tahun. Kami tidak bosan meminta kepada Arab Saudi untuk bisa menambah kuota," papar dia.

Namun demikian, lanjutnya, permintaan kuota Indonesia sebanyak 30 ribu orang belum mendapat jawaban dari Arab Saudi.

"Bukan pemerintah Arab Saudi tidak ingin memberi tambahan kuota, tetapi keadaan yang memaksa, area Arafah dan Mina terbatas, di samping itu tidak sedikit permintaan daari pemerintah yang lain," kata Suryadharma.

"Memang dari tahun ke tahun tambahan kuota selalu diberi, jumlahnya 10 ribu orang, tapi kami minta lebih dari itu sehingga bisa menekan jumlah antrean jamaah," lanjutnya.

Menteri Agama Suryadharma meminta agar Bahasa Indonesia dipergunakan dalam papan pengumuman atau rambu-rambu petunjuk bagi jamaah haji yang tersebar di tanah suci seperti di kawasan Arafah, Mina dan Muzdalifah.

"Hal itu mengingat jamaah haji Indonesia sebagai jamaah terbesar di dunia," kata dia.

Suryadharma didampingi Kepala Pusat Informasi dan Humas Kemenag Zubaidi, Sekretaris Ditjen Penyelenggara Haji dan Umrah Cepi Supriatna, Direktur Pelayanan Haji Sri Ilham Lubis, dan sejumlah pejabat lainnya.

(aan/aan)
http://news.detik.com/read/2012/05/12/114311/1915551/10/sewa-pondokan-haji-di-makkah-capai-68-persen