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October 20, 2006 |
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KING ABDULLAH: PRAISE BE TO ALLAH, I HERALD THAT ISLAM REMAINS AND WILL REMAIN DEAR FOREVER HOWEVER IT MIGHT BE FOUGHT OR ATTACKED BY SEVERAL COUNTRIES. CROWN PRINCE SULTAN: SERVICE TO MUSLIMS IS THE DUTY OF THE KINGDOM AND WE EXERT ALL EFFORTS TO SERVE THE GUESTS OF GOD. PRINCE FAHD IBN SALMAN CHARITABLE SOCIETY FOR THE CARE OF KIDNEY PATIENTS SIGNS AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL COMPANY FOR COOPERATIVE INSURANCE (NCCI) TO PROVIDE FREE KIDNEY TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE COST. THE PUBLIC SECURITY DEPARTMENT DEPLOYS ABOUT 15,000 MEN IN MAKKAH AND MADINAH TO ENSURE THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE GUESTS OF GOD. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz held a bilateral meeting with visiting Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Bin Hajj Ahmed Badawi at Al Safa palace in Makkah Al Mukarramah. At the outset of the meeting, the monarch welcomed Malaysia's Prime Minister, wishing him and his accompanying delegation good stay in the kingdom. On his part, Badawi thanked the king for warm welcome and generous hospitality. During the meeting, overall developments at the Islamic and international arenas notably the situations in Palestine and Iraq were discussed. Later, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received President Ahmed Abdullah Samvi of the United Comoro Islands and his accompanying delegation. During the audiences, overall developments at the Islamic and international arenas in addition to aspects of cooperation between the kingdom and each of the two countries were discussed. Then the senior guests and their accompanying delegations had Iftar (breaking of fasting) with the king. The two events were attended by Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, special advisor to the king; Prince Abdul-Ilah Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, chief of general intelligence; other princes, and a number of officials. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Al-Safa Palace the Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah. The King also received a delegation of Sunni Muslim scholars commission in Iraq led by the Commission's Secretary General Sheikh Harith Al-Dhari. The Monarch also received Prince Dr. Bandar Bin Salman Bin Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor to the King and Chairman of National Committee for Muslim call in Africa; members of the committee and 31 Muslim scholars from 29 African countries participating in the committee's 15th forum entitled Ifta (religious edict) due to be concluded in Makkah. In his speech, King Abdullah welcomed them, wishing them all success. The Monarch said, ''Praise be to Allah, I herald that Islam remains and will remain dear forever however it might be fought or attacked by several countries. '' The King added, '' here we have brothers from Iraq and they are struggling faithfully, manly and humanly. They prove that Islam, however it might be fought, will be very dear in spite of all human beings.'' I wish you peace and calm in your countries. Now we need patience, peace and calm to know each other. You are blessed to unify the ranks of your citizens in peace and tranquillity. I wish you all success and many happy returns, the king said. The audiences were attended by Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, Special Advisor to the King, a number of princes; ministers and senior officials. They all had Iftar (breaking fast) at the king's banquet. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz received at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah Dr. Fouad Bin Abul Salam Al Farsi, Minister of Hajj, ministry of Hajj senior officials and private sector Hajj-related officials. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Al Farsi lauded the supervision and interest of the king for pilgrims in the last ten days of Ramadan. On his part, the monarch thanked them, wishing them every success in their mission. Then the guests had Ramadan Iftar with the king. Later, Al Farsi gave away a memorial gift to the king. The audience and the function were attended by Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdullah Al Saud; Prince Abdul-Ilah Bin Abdul Aziz; Prince Miqren Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence, other princes and a number of senior officials. On the other hand Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Economic Council, has authorized the private sector participation in the third phase of Yanbu desalination plant's expansion. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Minister of Water and Electricity Abdullah Al-Husayen, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), said the King's consent is aimed at meeting the requirements of Madinah region for desalinated water until the year 2029. The production capacity of the plant will reach 400,000 cubic meters of water a day by the end of the third expansion phase. Husayen has expressed his appreciation to the King and Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz for the personal care they give to water projects all over the Kingdom in general and Makkah and Madinah in particular, which enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. On the other hand Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General donated SR 3 million as an Eid gift to the families of martyrs who were killed while fulfilling their duties. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of the Interior also donated SR 20 thousand to each family with a total of SR 7 million. This was disclosed by Prince Noura Bint Mohamed Al Saud wife of the Governor of Qassim and head of the women committee. She also said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz has donated SR 50,000 to each family. Members of the charitable committee delivered the gifts to each family. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace at Al Azizia neighbourhood in Makkah the Minister of Hajj Dr. Fouad Bin Abdul Salam Al Farsi who was accompanied by a number of Hajj officials. Crown prince sultan stressed that services to Muslims is the duty of the kingdom and that the government exert all efforts to serve the guest of God. Crown Prince Sultan also received Ummul Qura University President Dr. Nasser Bin Abdullah Al Saleh and a group of citizens who came to greet him and congratulate him on the holy month of Ramadan to mark the last ten days of the ritual. The guests then had Ramadan Iftar party with Crown Prince Sultan. a number of princes attended the two events. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace at Al Azizia district in Makkah Iraq's Chief Muslims Ulema Commission Sheikh Hareth Al Dhari and accompanying delegation. Crown Prince Sultan welcomed Al Dhari, wishing him and accompanying delegation good stay in the kingdom. On his part, Al Dhari briefed Crown Prince Sultan on the latest developments at the Iraqi arena. The audience was attended by Prince Miqren Ibn Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence and senior protocol officials. Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace at Al Azizia district in Makkah before sunset visiting Prince Rasheed Bin Al Hasan ii of morocco and accompanying delegation. During the audience, Prince Rasheed conveyed to Crown Prince Sultan the greetings of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. In turn, Crown Prince Sultan sent his greetings to the Moroccan king. Then Prince Rasheed had Ramadan Iftar (breaking the fasting) party with the Crown Prince. The audience and the function were attended by Prince Khalid Bin Fahd Bin Khalid, prince khalid bin sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, other princes and a number of senior officials. Meanwhile Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, has received a thanking letter from Mustafa Al Natsha, Chief of Al Khalil Municipality in the Palestinian territories, expressing gratitude for the approval of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz to finance the building of 100 residential units and other productive projects serving poor women in the city of Al Khalil. In a statement, Al Natsha said the project will cost $6.3 million, wishing the kingdom steady progress and prosperity. On the other hand Fresh hope has been given to the Kingdom's kidney failure patients. From early next year, a new program will make available free treatment that includes everything from the medical costs of blood cleansing to prescribed medication and even transportation to and from the hospital. Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Salman, supervisor of the Prince Fahd Ibn Salman Charitable Society for the Care of Kidney Patients, signed an agreement early with the National Company for Cooperative Insurance (NCCI) in order to provide free kidney treatment for patients who are unable to afford the cost. The agreement was signed by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Salman and NCCI Chairman Suleiman Al-Humaid. The program, "The Welfare of Needy Kidney Failure Patients," is scheduled to begin next year in the Kingdom. Thousands of patients are expected to benefit from it; it will be available initially in Riyadh and Jeddah. Speaking to reporters, Prince Abdul Aziz said the program would cover the complete costs of blood cleansing in private hospitals or clinics, including all necessary medication needed during the cleansing sessions. He said the program would also provide free transportation for patients to and from the private hospitals or clinics. This is aimed at making attendance for patients both easy and regular. "The society has contacted all kidney treatment centers in the Kingdom," the prince explained. "NCCI will coordinate with the hospitals to receive the best prices which include diagnosis, the cleansing session, the prescribed medication and transportation." Asked how the society would pay the bills, Prince Abdul Aziz said that funding would come from charitable donations received by the society in addition to individual donations. He said that people could pay their zakah to the society which is performing a humanitarian mission. As for patients who apply to the program, Prince Abdul Aziz said that a special committee had been organized to list the names of those who fulfill the conditions. "In the preliminary stage, 400 patients will receive treatment from this program," he said. He pointed out that according to social and medical studies, a kidney patient's treatment costs about SR93,600 per year and that the establishment of the program in its first stage would cost approximately SR37 million. Prince Abdul Aziz said that the society welcomed all donations from individuals or companies and said a special bank account had been established for this purpose. He also explained that a donor could sponsor the treatment for a specific patient. He said the program would have a positive effect by not only providing free treatment to patients but also by reducing pressure on government hospitals as well as on kidney centers. The society reported that 8,551 patients suffer from kidney failure in the Kingdom and that they were unable to receive treatment due to limited financial means or because government kidney treatment centers were unable to treat them because of the large number of patients. A recent fatwa from Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh made it permissible for people to pay zakah to the society since its receivers would be people who are eligible for zakah. According to the society, the number of kidney failure patients in the Kingdom is expected to increase to 10,000 by the year 2010. In Makkah with over three million pilgrims amalgamating at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, authorities in the holy city have a mammoth task in ensuring a safe environment for pilgrims. Most pilgrims and visitors to the massive prayer complex have little idea of the lengths authorities go to in order to ensure pilgrims have a pleasant stay. Brig. Gen. Saad Al-Ghamdi, head of the fire department in Makkah, spoke to Arab News to give readers an insight into the work of the fire brigade in the holy city. "The safety of pilgrims is my main focus during the holy month," he said, adding, "In the last 10 days of Ramadan, a fire safety plan has been established especially for the central area. Firemen are working round the clock and are on duty 24-hours-a-day. There are units that start at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Another unit starts at 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. As you can see, we are working very hard to ensure pilgrims and visitors have a pleasant and safe stay in Makkah." Al-Ghamdi says his men work tirelessly day and night. "We have more than 200 firemen on motorbikes. They are divided into different groups and their main task is to attend to incidents as soon as they happen before the fire brigades get there. It takes a few minutes for fire brigades to reach places because they end up having to negotiate massive crowds," he said. The motorbike firemen are mainly required to clear people from incident sites, especially when there is a fire. "We need to make sure the roads are empty for the fire engines to get through and so that people are safe from danger," he added. "The motorbike units are equipped with basic firefighting equipment. Each motorbike fireman is equipped with an oxygen tank and a fire resistant uniform in case he has to enter a building on fire," he said, adding, "We have other units on foot and their main job is to inspect buildings to ensure safety regulations are followed. So far 50 buildings have been emptied." The fire chief said that teams are located in 16 locations in the central area of Makkah in and around the massive prayer complex. "In each location there are eight units. If an accident happens then the unit closest to the place will go to the location. If that unit needs more support, then the second unit closest to the location will attend the site," he said. Capt. Saad Ali Al-Qahtani, head of the Al-Shumaisi Support Unit, said that there were a total of 53 rescue vehicles in the area. "We have 14 water trucks, five rescue cars, seven ambulances, 18 jeeps carrying lighting to provide power at disaster locations in case of an electricity cut, one tractor and three regular cars," said Al-Qahtani. The support unit is divided into five teams with each team consisting of a water truck, a rescue car and an ambulance. According to Al-Qahtani, there are 117 officers in the Al-Shumaisi support unit. "This force is a support force in the Western Region. The location was chosen because it is in the central area and it would be easy to answer any call that is either coming from Makkah, Taif or Jeddah," he said, adding that the support unit also covers the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. "We attend most accidents on the road if we are asked to. If we are asked for support in Makkah, then we will provide the needed support and the same thing if we were asked from Jeddah or Taif," he said. More than two million pilgrims visit the Grand Mosque in Makkah these days (the last 10 days of Ramadan) to perform Umrah and attend Taraweeh and Qiyamullail prayers. Saudi authorities have called in additional security forces from around the Kingdom to control the heavy influx of pilgrims. In an official statement, the public security department said it had deployed about 15,000 men in Makkah and Madinah to ensure the security and safety of the guests of God. Millions of Muslim faithful thronged the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah to offer special prayers seeking the blessings of Lailat Al-Qadr (the Night of Power). The imams implored the Almighty to strengthen Islamic unity and improve the condition of Muslims around the world. The Grand Mosque in Makkah, which can hold nearly a million people, overflowed with worshippers as thousands stood in the streets leading to the mosque to join Taraweeh and Qiyamullail prayers. Many had come to perform Umrah as an Umrah in Ramadan, according to a saying of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), is equal to a Hajj in reward. A large number of faithful stay inside the mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan for the etikaf ritual following in the footsteps of the Prophet. Saudi security authorities said they have deployed more than 15,000 men in both Makkah and Madinah to control the heavy influx of worshippers. Maj. Gen. Yousuf Matar, commander of the Haram Security Forces in Makkah, said all gates of the mosque would be kept open to facilitate movement of pilgrims. Col. Ahmed Al-Otaibi, director of Makkah traffic, said all roads leading to the Haram have been cleared of vehicles to ensure smooth flow of pilgrims. "We'll stop vehicles entering the central region of Makkah four hours before the beginning of taraweeh prayers as many people pray on the roads," he said. He said about two million cars and buses, most of them carrying pilgrims, have entered Makkah during this Ramadan. |
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