ALMISKEENAH

 

Three construction projects plus one analysis….

Firstly the new Al-Saba’a Masaajid Masjid, that has been standing completed but idle for almost two years will officially be opened by the Amir of Madinah next week, Alhumdulilah. This one large Masjid symbolically represents the original seven places the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and various Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum established strategic command points during the digging of the ditch and the subsequent battle of Khandaq.

Only three other Masaajid remain that mark the location of this historic battle, Masjid Fath, below, atop the rock where our Beloved Prophet supplicated for victory… 

 

…interior of Masjid Fath, below, interior of Masjid Salman Farsi. The third place still marked with a building is Masjid S’ad (see link above) The places where Ali ibn Abu Talib and Umar ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anha had their camps are no longer left for the Ummah to recognize as such. Many are apprehensive that once the new Masjid is opened the fate of these three remaining sites may be dealt with like the others and be demolished. Insha’Allah, Du’a for this not to happen. Ameen.

 

Secondly, plans for further extensions to the north of Haram in Makkah have been launched. The coming expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will facilitate the accommodation of an additional 500,000 worshippers.

A lengthy article appeared in the Arabic Al Watan today. In addtion to the one diagram accompanying the online edition, I have scanned the pictures and graphs that appeared in the print edition. This project is in addition to others previously posted here.

 

A model showing how it is envisaged looking northward from Haram.  

 

Artists impression of the exit elevators from one area of the courtyard.

 

Diagram above indicats the eight areas to be extended, the number of refer to square meters that will be added. The red bar in the graph below corresponds to  each of the eight areas above. The first bar represents the new Sa’i at 2,381.32 square meters, while the blue bar indicates the potential number of people able to pray in that area. So by linking the information from the two diagrams, a sense of the increase in numbers can be comprehended. The concern with this project is the fate of the Mubarak birth place of our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam which presently borders on the green, orange area to the right. More Du’a for this to be preserved, Ameen.

 

I scanned the following graph in two section so the figures could be read. This gives the number who performed Umrah in each Umrah season from 1986-2004. A gradual increase over the years. I have  read that they hope to bring the projected number to near the ten million mark within the next few years! Some days ago an article complaining about the governments lack of current data in most of its ministries was published, hence no figures beyond 2004. I feel that unless massive inprovements to the infrastructure and transport in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and all the sites associated with the Hajj are  made then the problems already faced will be compounded beyond the level of safety for all pilgrims. Discussions are under way regarding a monorail system to cater for some of the major times and places of congestion, but how long that may be before it is a reality is an unknown.

 

 

And thirdly…the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. 

"It is a great time to be alive, for we are today in the presence of history. Right under our eyes a dramatic historic process is taking place, transforming Saudi Arabia from an oil-rich country to a knowledge-rich one, with the former readily coming to the aid of the latter. Oil is a daily necessity, but there is a price tag attached to it. Knowledge is a value and it is priceless. Knowledge gives power, invincible and for all time."

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has called a new house of wisdom (bayt al-hikma) — “a forum for science and research, and a beacon of knowledge for future generations.” At the heart of KAUST is an enlightened Islamic spirit, a spirit that loves knowledge not only for its own sake but also for its promise to better the human condition…..this new house of wisdom will “be a source of knowledge and serve as a bridge between people and cultures … delivering its humane and noble message … with the help of God and the minds and the ideas of enlightened people, who will participate in this educational mission without discrimination.”

The following are impressions of some of the various features of this complex!

 

 

And finally, a team will be conducting an analysis of the Zamzam water, so the pumping of Zamzam will be terminated for a two week period while various tests are conducted.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.