| |
|
|
Over Two
Million Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
|
|
|
 "..Pilgrims
braved chilly weather conditions yesterday busying
themselves in prayers and contemplation in the tent city of
Mina on the first day of the five-day journey of a lifetime.
The valley was reverberating with verses from the Holy
Qur’an. Pilgrims from nearly 170 countries were in the
city. The Haj will climax today on the Plains of Arafat
where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave his last
sermon more than 14 centuries ago. Traffic from all
around the Kingdom flowed smoothly into the city but there
were huge queues at the entrance to Mina until late
afternoon yesterday. Security forces checked every vehicle
to keep pilgrims without permits away.."
|
|
|
|
|
The
Hajj in Perspective - David Long
|
|
|
 "..The
Hajj is one of the five pillars or the foundation of Islam
and therefore it is the obligation of everyone who is
physically and financially able to do so to make the Hajj
once in their lifetimes. Pilgrimages to Makkah actually
predate Islam, but the Hajj is considered by all Muslims to
be divinely inspired by God as set down in the Qur'an and
the Sunna. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the
others being: the profession of faith - "there is no
God but God and Mohammed is the messenger of God"; Zakat
or charity; prayer five times a day, and fasting during
Ramadan. The rites are based on the instructions Muhammad
gave in his Farewell Hajj just before he died. They have
remained virtually unchanged to this day.."
|
|
|
|
|
The
Hajj and Its Impact on Saudi Arabia
|
|
|
 "..Each
year, 2 million Muslims perform the Hajj, or Great
Pilgrimage to Makkah. One of the Five Pillars of Islam, the
Hajj is required of all believers once in their lifetimes
provided they are physically, mentally and financially able. For
the duration of the Hajj and the traditional visit to al-Madinah
afterward, the Saudi government must insure that the Hajjis
are provided with adequate housing (mainly in tents), food,
water, health and sanitation, ground transportation, and
public safety and security. The government has spent
billions of dollars on Hajj infrastructure from the two
special Hajj air terminals which are the largest structures
under a single roof in the world, to the extensive
preventative and curative health and sanitation facilities
at all the major Hajj locations. The Saudi government has
also maintained a strict policy banning political activity
so that militants do not desecrate this peaceful and joyous
occasion. It is a task of almost unimaginable proportions.."
|
|
|
|
| In
the News
|
|
|
Ambassador
Wendy Chamberlain Named New President of the Middle East
Institute  "..Washington, DC, December 18, 2006:
The Middle East Institute announced today that Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin has been named President of MEI, following the retirement of Ambassador Edward S. Walker. Ambassador Chamberlin will assume her new position on March 1, 2007. Wendy Chamberlin is currently Deputy High Commissioner for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) where she has spearheaded humanitarian missions during several emergencies, including the crisis in Darfur and South Sudan. Ms Chamberlin was Assistant Administrator in the Asia-Near East Bureau for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2002 to 2004, where she led USAID reconstruction projects in Iraq and pioneered private/public sector partnerships to support Islamic education in the Middle East and East
Asia.."
|
|
|
|
| On
the Web
|
|
|
What
Price Freedom? Assessing the Bush Administration's Freedom
Agenda - Analysis Paper - The Saban Center for Middle East
Policy at the Brookings Institution
"Three
years ago, in response to the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, the Bush Administration launched what is now known
as the Freedom Agenda, an ambitious policy to improve the
long-term stability of Arab states and reduce the appear of
extremist ideology by advancing democratic transformation in
the region. This new strategy represented a major
shift in the traditional U.S. foreign policy approach to the
Middle East, and has evoked varied reactions ranging from
enthusiasm to ambivalence to outright hostility. Only
three years on, the Freedom Agenda is facing a backlash from
critics concerned that Arab democratization might not work
out in the United States' favor. Elections in Egypt,
Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories in 2005 and
2006 brought success to groups with radical and -- in some
cases -- anti-American views, evoking responses from the
U.S. government that called America's commitment to
democratization in question. Can President George W.
Bush's bold democracy drive in the Middle East be sustained
in the fact of apparent setbacks like those in Egypt and
Lebanon? Will the Freedom Agenda described by its
authors as a generational commitment, survive the end of
Bush's final term in office?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Keeping
Track - Recently
on SUSRIS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rollover
image for info |
 |
Rollover
image for info |
|
Saudi
Criticises Iraq Over Saddam Execution [Dec 30]
"Saudi Arabia criticised Iraq's leaders for executing former
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein during Eid Al Adha, saying his trial
had been politicised.. ..'Leaders of Islamic countries should show
respect for this blessed occasion ... not demean it,' said the
statement, which was attributed to official news agency SPA's
political analyst.." [more]
Hajj Diary:
The Great Migration [Dec 30]
"..We decided early in the day that we needed to capture the
hustle and bustle of the pilgrims' departure -- to give CNN
International viewers a sense of how these millions of people,
from all walks of life, with relative order: proceed on their way
to perform rites that their co-religionists had instructed them in
the seventh century. But with all the crowding in the streets, we
decided we would only brave them at midday, when there was a
teensy-weensy bit less chaos.." [more]
Saudi-French
Group to Build Lounge for Haj Pilgrims [Dec 30]
"The Saudi Bin Laden Group, in partnership with French
Aeroports de Paris, was awarded a $250 million contract to develop
a lounge for Haj pilgrims at the King Abdul Aziz International
Airport (KAIA).. ..The contract includes upgrading service
standards to the passengers, aside from increasing the capacity of
the lounge. The tender included both the technical and financial
aspects. The selection was made after evaluating factors such as
capability, potential for construction, work plan and the quality
of services and designing.." [more]
OPEC Strategy
Seeks to Maintain $60 Barrel Price [Dec 30]
"OPEC has called for a rare heads of state summit to be held
in Riyadh later in 2007. It will be only the third such meeting
since the cartel was formed in 1960. Observers see the move as
indicating a much more prominent role for Saudi Arabia and OPEC in
future international energy discussions. The main worry for oil
producers and consumers alike as they enter the New Year is price
instability that hinders economic and budgetary planning for
all.." [more]
Cautious
Optimism For Stock Markets [Dec 30]
"2006 - a year which the investors of the region will be glad
to erase from their memories as soon as possible. While Tadawul,
Saudi Arabia's stock market, has been the worst performer in the
world in 2006, according to Bloomberg Global Survey of capital
markets, losing more than 50 per cent of its value.. ..Investor
sentiment has been badly damaged, to such an extent that some
analysts feel it will take months, if not years, for them to
regain confidence in the market.." [more]
Saudi Arabia
and India's Bilateral Trade Stronger Than Ever [Dec 29]
"Consul (commercial) at the Consulate General of India said
that the trade relations between Saudi Arabia and India go back to
several centuries, but they have taken a dramatic turn for the
better, following the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Abdullah to India earlier this year, Arab News reported. He
pointed out that India is now the Kingdom's fourth largest trading
partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $8.76 billion including
import of $6.13 billion oil by India in 2004-05.." [more]
Muslim
Pilgrims Pray for Peace at Mount Arafat [Dec 29]
"More than two million Muslim pilgrims crowded onto Mount
Arafat near Mecca on Friday to pray for peace and a safe Haj.
Muslims believe prayers will be easily heard on the mountain plain
— the site of Prophet Mohammad's last sermon 1,400 years ago..
..Authorities said 1.65 million pilgrims have come from abroad –
a six per cent rise from the last Haj. Saudi Arabia has already
deployed more than 50,000 troops to maintain security amid
security fears over an ongoing sectarian strife between Sunni and
Shiite Muslims.." [more]
Adnoc to Enter
Saudi Arabia [Dec 29]
"Adnoc Distribution, the retail arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company (Adnoc), is poised enter the Saudi Arabian market with a
major plan that will see a number of petrol pumps across the
country. Adnoc Distribution signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
in Riyadh this week with Saudi-based Al Olaibi Company to extend
its services in the country.." [more]
Conference
Calls for Legal Commission [Dec 29]
"..the Makkah Seventh Conference concluded yesterday with a
call to form a legal commission to support the Prophet.. ..This
recommendation also called for forming an advisors commission
comprising experts in international law to sue whoever insults or
defames Islam and its sanctuaries in countries where plaintiffs
live or before international courts.." [more]
Saudi
Businesswomen Make Progress But Face Hurdles [Dec 29]
"..The road has not been smooth for Saudi women in business.
There have been pitfalls, turbulence, pockets of resistance, but
the journey has continued and reached a stage that some cynics
thought was not possible. Still Saudi businesswomen face
obstacles, one of which is having a 'wakil' or a male
representative. Some say it is no longer required under the new
rules and regulations. Others say, it is a necessity only in the
case of particular businesses. But generally it is believed to be
in force and a source of discontent, disappointment, delays and is
said to be outdated.." [more]
Defending
Islam Is Chief Objective of Every Muslim [Dec 28]
"While inaugurating the seventh conference organised by
Muslim World League (MWL) on defending Prophet Mohammad (PBUH),
the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia said defending the Prophet against
the slanderous attacks by enemies of Islam is the chief objective
of every Muslim.. ..Shaikh Al Shaikh said Muslims cannot
prevent unbelievers from attacking Islam but they should keep
defending it by peaceful means.." [more]
MWL Wants
Lawsuits for Abuse of Islam and the Prophet [Dec 28]
"A two-day conference organized by the Makkah-based Muslim
World League yesterday called for a consultative commission in
order to take legal action against those who abuse Islam and its
Prophet Muhammad.. ..MWL plans to launch an international program
to introduce the Prophet and the conference called for setting up
a fund to support the program.." [more]
Saudi Chemical
Major Eyes India [Dec 27]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), the world's
largest chemical company by market value, is looking at setting up
shop in India. The state-controlled firm, with nearly $ 120
billion of market capitalisation, is looking for an Indian partner
to jointly build an ethylene and other chemical-products plant by
2007 in the country. The move is part of SABIC's strategy to hike
its capacity by 50% between 2009 and 2015.." [more]
Real Estate
Development Fund Approves $320 Million in Mortgage Loans [Dec 27]
"The Real Estate Development Fund has approved $320 million
in loans for 4,333 Saudi citizens to build 5,200 residential units
in different parts of the Kingdom, the Riyadh Daily reported
December 24. Director-General Mohamed Al-Harbi said in a statement
that the Fund has financed $3.9 billion in private loans since
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
increased the organization’s capital.." [more]
Saudi
Arabia’s Lead in Economic Growth and Stability Must Continue
[Dec 27]
"Saudi Arabia is riding the wave of a second economic boom
and we must now work hard to ensure that our economy continues to
grow', said Mr Sami Bahrawi, Chairman of the Jeddah Economic
Forum.. ..'How to privatize effectively will be a central subject
in the 2007 Jeddah Economic Forum, when we will be hearing both
from international experts and from our own leaders in the field.'
The 8th Jeddah Economic Forum will be held at the Hilton Hotel
Jeddah from February 24th – 27th 2007.." [more]
Saudi Writer
Fights For Women's Rights [Dec 27]
"Saudi-born writer and journalist Wajeha Al-Huwaider is
campaigning for women's rights in a male-dominated society inn
Saudi Arabia. In August 2003 Al-Huwaider was banned by the Saudi
Interior Ministry from writing in the Saudi press.. ..On the
firsts anniversary marking Saudi King Abdallah bin Abd Al-Aziz's
ascension to the throne on Aug. 4, 2006, Al-Huwaider staged a
public protest. In an unusuasl behavior for women in the kingdom
she stood in the street with a sign saying "Give Women Their
Rights." She was arrested briefly, and police made it clear
that they did not agree with her self-expression.." [more]
Sama Wins
Saudi Air Carrier Licence [Dec 26]
"Sama has been granted a new national air carrier licence by
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to
operate domestic scheduled flights across the kingdom.. ..In
addition to the arrival of the first aircraft, Sama has signed up
several key suppliers to make sure that safety and world class
experience underpin the airline. One of the most important
contracts includes SR Technics, a world class aircraft maintenance
company.." [more]
Ministry Says
9,600 Health Workers Mobilised for Haj [Dec 26]
"The Saudi Ministry of Health announced that it has mobilised
9,600 of its staff including doctors, nurses, technicians, workers
and drivers in the service of Haj pilgrims. In addition to this,
it has prepared 21 hospitals at Makkah and Madinah with a capacity
of 3,932 in-patient beds. The hospitals are provided with latest
medical facilities capable of dealing with all kinds of
emergencies and illnesses.." [more]
Eighteen
Former Gitmo Detainees Freed [Dec 26]
"Saudi Arabia freed 18 former Guantanamo Bay detainees on
Tuesday after they completed their prison sentences, the Saudi
Interior Ministry said.. ..The men were among 28 Saudi nationals
and one resident handed over in 2006 by the United States. Eleven
of the men were released by Saudi Arabia earlier in the month.
Many of the men held at Guantanamo Bay were captured in
Afghanistan in the US-led war to oust the Taliban.." [more]
Saudi Aramco
Ranked No.1 [Dec 26]
"For the 18th year in a row, Saudi Aramco has been named the
No. 1 oil company in the world by Petroleum Intelligence Weekly (PIW).
The energy trade journal also sees the company’s lead
lengthening. “Aramco’s massive upstream and downstream
investment plans dwarf those of any other oil company and mean
that its top spot in the PIW Top 50 seems increasingly
invulnerable,” it said. The core of that investment is the
company’s drive to increase oil-production capacity by 1.5
million barrels per day (bpd) over the next three years in order
to meet ever-increasing world demand.." [more]
I Matter:
Saudi Girl Students Explore New Career Options [Dec 26]
"Architecture student Lama Al-Zoghibi won the “I Matter”
prize in the third and final night of the activities
that took place at the Equestrian Club here recently. The event,
sponsored by MBC4, provided a forum for the Arab women, mostly
students, to discuss the issues that concern them in areas such as
health and career issues. More than 2,500 applications were
received from women who made presentations of ideas that would
help empower Arab women.." [more]
Saudi Readies
for Haj With Safety Measures [Dec 25]
"Over 2mn Muslims begin the Haj in Saudi Arabia this week
amid tight security and increased safety measures.. ..Overcrowding
is a perennial worry but this time, regional tension has
heightened security concerns while authorities remain on the
lookout for Al Qaeda-linked militant violence.. ..Iranian and
other pilgrims have used the Haj for political protests in the
past.." [more]
Saudi Human
Rights Lawyer Takes on Religious Court System [Dec 25]
"Saudi human rights lawyer Abdul-Rahman al-Lahem said he had
been waiting years for a case like this: A woman and her daughter,
both accused of promiscuity, were followed by the morals police as
they left a private residence on the outskirts of the capital. The
police, who enforce adherence to Saudi Arabia's strict religious
laws, beat up the women's driver and drove off with them locked in
the back of the car.. ..The case, which goes to trial this week,
will give al-Lahem a chance to finally confront the powerful
morals police, whom he considers the country's worst human rights
offenders. Al-Lahem, a 35-year-old father of two, contends that
the police oppress people in the name of religion and act as if
the law doesn't apply to them. He wants to prove them
wrong.." [more]
Saudi Budget
Underestimates Oil Hikes [Dec 25]
"Saudi Arabia's budget for 2007 is conservative on revenue
but generous on spending. Yet, actual revenues are expected to
change eventually with developments in the oil market. The new
budget is the biggest ever in Saudi Arabia.. ..But, revenues are
deliberately underestimated due to the unpredictability of oil
prices, the single most important element of the budget.." [more]
Saudi Boy
Scouts Out in Full Force for Haj Duty [Dec 25]
As Haj approaches and millions of pilgrims pour into the holy
cities, around 2,300 Saudi scouts from the Kingdom’s
universities, teachers’ colleges, technical education and
industrial education colleges have stepped into their annual roles
as guides, information officers and to serve as general support
and assistance to the pilgrims. The Kingdom’s high schools are
providing 1,254 of these goodwill ambassadors..." [more]
Saudi Arabia
Cancels Petrol Prices Hike [Dec 24]
"Kingdom of Saudi Arabia cancelled a planned 25 per cent
increase in regular petrol prices on King Abdullah's orders, SPA
reported. The Oil Minister said that this order is the latest of
[King Abdullah's] initiatives which aim to contribute to the
welfare of the Saudi people. In April, the king also issued a
decree slashing petrol and diesel prices by around 30 per
cent.." [more]
Saudi Arabia to Register Madaen Saleh on UNESCO's World
Heritage List [Dec 24]
"Starting February 2007, Saudi Arabia will begin procedures
to register a number of historical sites in the kingdom with
UNESCO (The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural
Organization), beginning with Madaen Saleh, as the first Saudi
historical site to be listed internationally. An official source
revealed to Asharq Al Awsat that as well as Madaen Saleh, the
cities of Old Jeddah and the Tareef district of Al Dariya would
also be presented to UNESCO to be registered as world heritage
sites.." [more]
Saudi Shares
Fall as Investors Struggle to Regain Confidence [Dec 24]
"..Saudi shares fell for a third straight session as
investors in the Arab world’s largest bourse struggle to
regain confidence following a stock market crash this year that
erased 53% of the index’s value.. ..The IPO’s pricing and weak
market sentiment contributed to the decline in Alhokair’s share
price, said Jamil Matar, regional manager for Emaar Financial
Services..." [more]
Saudi-Oman
Summit to Focus on ME [Dec 24]
"..King Abdullah received an unprecedented welcome when he
arrived here yesterday on his first visit since becoming king.
Sultan Qaboos and top Omani officials including Deputy Premier
Fahd ibn Mahmoud Al-Saeed and Foreign Minister Yousuf ibn Alawi
Abdullah were present at the airport to welcome the Saudi leader..
..Prospects of increasing trade exchange will figure high at the
Muscat talks as the present volume of trade between Saudi Arabia
and Oman, amounting to SR2.3 billion according to statistics
issued last year, accounts for only 7.6 percent of the total trade
exchange between the Kingdom and GCC countries.." [more]
Saudis
Consider $5.3b National Water Project [Dec 24]
"Authorities in Saudi Arabia are studying a giant national
water project costing 20 billion riyals ($5.3
billion) according to an expert in hydrology at King Abdul Aziz
University in Jeddah.. ..Several Saudi experts who specialise in
hydrology and water research have worked out all the elements of
the project, which they have called the Saudi Water Bank. The bank
is likely to be carried out in northern Tihama because the region
has a huge water deposit.." [more]
Click
here to read the "News-This Week."
| About
the Saudi-US
Relations Information Service |
|
The SUSRIS
project -- an independent, private-sector information resource -
offers objective, comprehensive news and information on the
history, breadth and depth of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship.
< Read More
About SUSRIS >
|
 |
|
