My Kingdom will survive only insofar as it remains a country difficult to access, where the foreigner will have no other aim, with his task fullfilled, but to get out. -- King Abdul Aziz bin Saud, c. 1930
Saudi Arabia has some of the most restrictive travel policies in the world, and advance visas are required for all foreigners desiring to enter. The only important exception are residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations. Nationals of Israel and those with evidence of visiting Israel will be denied visas, although in theory merely being Jewish in and of itself is not a disqualifying factor. Saudis prefer not to grant visas to unaccompanied women, but work permits are common in some fields (esp. nurses, teachers, maids) and possible for anyone if your sponsor has enough connections.
However, things have loosened up a little compared to the past. Tourist visas, long near-impossible without a Saudi sponsor, are now available but only for guided tours. Transit visas are limited to some long-distance truck drivers. Hajj (pilgrimage) visas are issued by the Saudi government through Saudi embassies around the world in cooperation with local mosques. Hajjis, and those on transit visas are prohibited from traveling freely throughout the kingdom. Most short-term Western visitors to Saudi arrive on business visas, which require an invitation from a local sponsor which has been approved by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. Once this invitation is secured and certified, the actual process of issuing the visa is relatively fast and painless (usually under a week, sometimes even on the same day). Getting a work visa is considerably more complex, but usually your employer will handle most of the paperwork.
The fun doesn't end when you get the visa, since visas do not state their exact expiry date. While the validity is noted in months, these are not Western months but lunar months, and you need to use the Islamic calendar to figure out the length: a three-month visa issued on "29/02/22" (22 Safar 1429, 1 March 2008) is valid until 29/05/22 (22 Jumada al-Awwal 1429, 28 May 2008), not until 1 June 2008! Depending on visa type, the validity can start from the date of issue or the date of first entry, and multiple-entry visas may also have restrictions regarding how many days at a time are allowed (usually 28 days per visit) and/or how many days total are allowed during the validity period. This all results in fantastic confusion, and it's not uncommon to get different answers from an embassy, from your employer and from Immigration!
If you have a work visa, exit visas are required to leave the country. (Business, tourism or Hajj visas do not require exit permits.) You cannot get an exit visa without a signature from your employer, and there have been cases of people unable to leave because of controversy with employers or even customers. For example, if a foreign company is sued in Saudi for non-payment of debts and you are considered its representative, an exit visa may be denied until the court case is sorted out.
Saudi Arabia has very strict rules for what may be imported: alcoholic beverages, pork, non-Islamic religious materials and pornography (very widely defined) are all prohibited. Computers, VCR tapes and DVDs have all been seized from time to time for inspection by the authorities. In general, though, inspections aren't quite as thorough as they used to be and while bags are still x-rayed, minute searches are the exception rather than the rule.
By plane
Saudi Arabia has 3 international airports at Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The airport at Dhahran is now closed to civil traffic, so passengers to the Eastern Region now fly into Dammam.
Saudi Arabia is served by the national airline Saudi Arabian Airlines , often referred to by its Arabic name Saudia. Saudia has a reasonable safety record, but many of their planes are on the old side and the quality of service, inflight entertainment etc tends to be low. Foreign carriers serving the country include Gulf Air, Alitalia, Air France, Lufthansa, PIA, Air India, KLM, Qatar Airways, Swiss and SriLankan. British Airways stopped service to the kingdom in March, 2005, but BMI now flies directly from London to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. During the Hajj, numerous charter flights supplement the scheduled airlines.
For access to eastern Saudi Arabia (eg. Dammam, Dhahran), a popular option is to fly into nearby Bahrain and then cross into Saudi Arabia by car.
Foreigners living in Saudi Arabia can often get sensational discounts on outbound flights during the Hajj. Airlines from Muslim countries are flying in many loads of pilgrims, and do not not want to go back empty.
By bus
SAPTCO operates cross-border bus services to most of Saudi Arabia's neighbors and even beyond to eg. Cairo.
Probably the most popular service is between Dammam/Khobar and Bahrain, operated by the separate Saudi-Bahraini Transport Company (SABTCO). There are five services daily at a cost of SR50/BD5 and the trip across the King Fahd Causeway takes around two hours on a good day; see Bahrain for details.
By car
Automobile crossings exist on all the borders, although those into Iraq are currently closed. The eastern crossings to Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE are heavily used, all others rather less so.
By train
There are no railroads connecting Saudi Arabia with other countries, although in the North, you can still find bits and pieces of the Hejaz Railway that once led to Damascus.
By boat
Infrequent passenger ferries run once a week or less from Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea to ports in western Saudi Arabia. Slow, uncomfortable and not particularly cheap, these are of interest primarily if you absolutely need to take your car across.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Holidays In Saudi Arabia...
The Saudi interpretation of Islam views all non-Muslim holidays as smacking of idolatry, and the public observance of Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, Halloween etc is prohibited. In fact, public holidays are granted only for two events: Eid ul-Fitr, the feast at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, commemorating Abharam's willingness to sacrifice his son, some 70 days after Ramadan. Even the Prophet's birthday is not observed.
During Ramadan itself, visitors are required to abide by the restrictions of the fasting month, at least in public: no eating, drinking or smoking during the daylight hours. Some better hotels will be able to quietly supply room service during the day, but otherwise you'll have to do your preparations. All restaurants in the Kingdom are closed during the day, the pace of business slows down to a torpor, and quite frankly, this is a time of year best avoided.
There is also one secular holiday: Unification of the Kingdom Day, on September 23rd. Strictly speaking, it's not a public holiday or a festival, but it's treated rather like one anyway
Ramadan dates
o 2008 (1429): Sep 1 - Sep 29
o 2009 (1430): Aug 21 - Sep 19
o 2010 (1431): Aug 11 - Sep 9
The festival of Eid ul-Fitr is held after the end of Ramadan and may last several days. Exact dates depend on astronomical observations and may vary from country to country.
During Ramadan itself, visitors are required to abide by the restrictions of the fasting month, at least in public: no eating, drinking or smoking during the daylight hours. Some better hotels will be able to quietly supply room service during the day, but otherwise you'll have to do your preparations. All restaurants in the Kingdom are closed during the day, the pace of business slows down to a torpor, and quite frankly, this is a time of year best avoided.
There is also one secular holiday: Unification of the Kingdom Day, on September 23rd. Strictly speaking, it's not a public holiday or a festival, but it's treated rather like one anyway
Ramadan dates
o 2008 (1429): Sep 1 - Sep 29
o 2009 (1430): Aug 21 - Sep 19
o 2010 (1431): Aug 11 - Sep 9
The festival of Eid ul-Fitr is held after the end of Ramadan and may last several days. Exact dates depend on astronomical observations and may vary from country to country.
Saudi Arabia Prayer Timing....
Everything — everything — in Saudi is regulated by the five daily prayers. All shops and offices close during each prayer for a period of 30-40 minutes, and the religious police patrol the streets and pack loiterers off to the mosque. However, shopping malls do stay open (but with all shops inside closed) and taxis and other public transport continue to run normally.
The first prayer is fajr, early in the morning before the first glint of light at dawn, and the call to prayer for fajr will be your wake-up call in the Kingdom. After fajr, people eat breakfast and head to work, with shops opening up.
The second prayer is dhuhr, held after true noon in the middle of the day. The Friday noon prayer (jummah) is the most important one of the week, when even less observant Muslims usually make the effort to go to the mosque. After dhuhr, people head for lunch, while many shops choose to stay closed and snooze away the heat of the day.
Asr prayers are in the late afternoon (1:30-2 hours before sunset), with many shops opening again afterward. Maghrib prayers are held at sunset and mark the end of the work day in much of the private sector. The last prayer is isha'a, held around 2 hours after sunset, after which locals head for dinner. Expats refer to the time between maghrib and isha'a as the "prayer window", during which you can hit the supermarket and buy your groceries if you time it right.
Prayer times change daily according to the seasons and your exact location in the Kingdom. You can find the day's times in any newspaper, and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs maintains a handy online prayer time service
The first prayer is fajr, early in the morning before the first glint of light at dawn, and the call to prayer for fajr will be your wake-up call in the Kingdom. After fajr, people eat breakfast and head to work, with shops opening up.
The second prayer is dhuhr, held after true noon in the middle of the day. The Friday noon prayer (jummah) is the most important one of the week, when even less observant Muslims usually make the effort to go to the mosque. After dhuhr, people head for lunch, while many shops choose to stay closed and snooze away the heat of the day.
Asr prayers are in the late afternoon (1:30-2 hours before sunset), with many shops opening again afterward. Maghrib prayers are held at sunset and mark the end of the work day in much of the private sector. The last prayer is isha'a, held around 2 hours after sunset, after which locals head for dinner. Expats refer to the time between maghrib and isha'a as the "prayer window", during which you can hit the supermarket and buy your groceries if you time it right.
Prayer times change daily according to the seasons and your exact location in the Kingdom. You can find the day's times in any newspaper, and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs maintains a handy online prayer time service
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Expatriate Living in KSA
Located five miles (8 km) from the center of the city of Riyadh, lies the Diplomatic Quarter. This unique complex of diplomatic buildings and facilities, housing the embassies and consulates of many countries, occupies an area of 8.4 million square yards (7 million square meters). www.saudinf.com/main/a8121.htm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Inside the Diplomatic Quarter) Each house outdoes the next in architecture and design. So many rooms, so many designs. One was a replica of the White House in Washington, DC. www.saudiembassy.net/publications/Magazine-Winter-01/wonders.htm A very nice travel-log!!
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A good description of living in Saudi
Life in Jeddah:Chris moved to Jeddah in November 1997 and we followed in January 1998, the vagaries of the visa system causing the delay. The wait was worth it though and we loved our life there - expat life definitely suits us for the moment. http://www.sealeyfamily.com/livinginjeddah.htm
Ex-pat compounds in Saudi are very modern and with many provided 'extras', swimming pools, satellite TV, game rooms and shopping excursions are available at most compounds.
Picture: www.smolander.net/ninnu.htm
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The construction of the Quarter has involved the building of not only the essential infrastructure but also full residential and recreational facilities. These include an international schools complex, sports fields and recreation centers, Arabic language schools, a diplomatic club. www.saudinf.com/main/c6k.htm
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Saudi Arabia is like a mini United Nations, with expats from all over the world. We all rely on the internet to keep in touch with family and friends. http://exmss.massey.ac.nz/Offcampus/November2001/Overseas.htm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are many compounds for foreigners living in Saudi who want a touch of home.
Al romaizan compound - has about 80 villas, 3 pools, 4 tennis courts, squash court, gym, restaurant, recreation center, library with video rentals, nice wide streets and good security.http://members.tripod.com/~Bob_Savage/rom.html
Al romaizan compound - has about 80 villas, 3 pools, 4 tennis courts, squash court, gym, restaurant, recreation center, library with video rentals, nice wide streets and good security.http://members.tripod.com/~Bob_Savage/rom.html
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Saudi Arabia by Cristy Trembly I can't believe I just got back 2 weeks ago from Saudi Arabia. It is the most interesting, and confusing place I have ever visited. Jobs are separate, so with the thousands of well-educated Saudi women, there are women's hospitals, banks, schools, universities and so on, so women do have employment opportunities, and it is growing, but not every field is open to women, so it is very restrictive. www.cristytrembly.com/saudi.htmlTuesday, May 27, 2008
King Helps Celebrate 75th...
Author: Saudi Aramco Week (Ahmad Dialdin and Sara Bassam)Released 23 May 2008
From : aramcoexpats
DHAHRAN, May 21, 2008 - Under the patronage of King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Aramco kicked off its 75th Anniversary celebration May 20 as government officials, company executives, employees and invited guests gathered to welcome the King and GCC leaders at enormous tents near the Saudi Aramco Exhibit in Dhahran.
The program began with a tour through an exhibition showcasing Saudi Aramco’s story in historic images, detailed timelines and innovative displays of the company’s key operations.
Among the sensory barrage of sights and sounds of the past 75 years, the highlight of the exhibit was a simple yet monumental document - the original signed concession agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Standard Oil of California, displayed in a glass case.
Following the tour, guests were ushered into a newly erected tent-like structure created for the main celebration as King Abdullah welcomed everyone to the historic event and set the tone of pride and gratitude for everything that Saudi Aramco has accomplished for the Kingdom and its people.
“On this occasion, we celebrate the passing of 75 years of national growth,” said King Abdullah, “so thank you very much to the men and women of Saudi Aramco.
King Abdullah and guests wait for the 75th Anniversary celebration to begin. On the left is HH the Amir of Kuwait, Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. To the right are HM the King of Bahrain, Shaikh Hammad ibn Isa Al-Khalifah, and HE Fahd ibn Mahmood Al-Saeed, Deputy Premier of Oman.Photograph by Abdullah Y. Al-Dobais
“The country has given Saudi Aramco what it needs
to become successful and exceptional,” the King said. “It gave the company flexibility with which it nationalized technologies and gained from international experience in the necessary fields and industries.”
King Abdullah praised Saudi Aramco not only for its role in national development but also for its role in supporting the Kingdom’s international relations by providing energy to the world and effectively dealing with global energy crises whenever they happen.
In his speech, Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, talked about Saudi Aramco’s long history from the time of King Abdulaziz, the Kingdom’s founder, to the present and how much it has propelled this country to where it stands today.
He also emphasized the pivotal role of King Abdullah in the past decade in supporting and guiding several key megaprojects and energizing Saudi Arabia’s economic and industrial capabilities, all for the sake of the people and the Kingdom.
“Today, our employees, both Saudi and expat, recall 75 years of dedication and hard work to build and develop Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, an industry that has spread its wealth and prosperity throughout the Kingdom, from north to south and east to west,” said Al-Naimi.
“While I realize there are no words to convey how much this event means to the Kingdom and to Saudi Aramco,” Al-Naimi said, “I want to, through this speech, highlight the sense of appreciation and pride for all who have left their mark through-out our history of oil production. This industry will continue to bring progress and advancements in the future, thanks in no small part to the support of our country’s leadership, as well as to the dedication, hard work and innovation of this company’s valued employees.”
President & CEO Speaks
The proposed King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture, shown here in an architectural image, was announced May 20 in Dhahran by Abdallah S. Jum‘ah as part of the 75th Anniversary celebration.
“As proud as we are of our past and present, we see an even brighter future ahead of us,” Jum’ah said. “The work and projects we have now will make us better prepared for the next 75 years; they cement Saudi Aramco’s status as a fully integrated company, one of a kind in terms of its expertise, its size and its fundamental role nationally and globally.”
Jum’ah introduced Saudi Aramco’s latest gift to the Kingdom, the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture, to be erected in that very spot near the Saudi Aramco Exhibit. A short film outlined the center’s purpose and all that it would offer to the people of the country.
After the speeches, 75 children came on stage to entertain the guests, dancing to Arabic songs written specially for Saudi Aramco and its 75th Anniversary, followed by gifts given to King Abdullah and the GCC leaders.
King and Families
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali I. Al-Naimi and a young Saudi performer present a gift from Saudi Aramco to King Abdullah at the 75th Anniversary celebrations.Photograph by Abdullah Y. Al-Dobais.
From there, the anniversary celebration moved to the King’s Road complex in Dhahran, where a representative group of families welcomed King Abdullah and the GCC leaders in a re-creation of King Abdulaziz’s historic second visit in 1947.
This celebration was, in part, a re-enactment of that visit, from the setup of the tents down to the visitors, dressed as they would have been in the 1940s. Costumes included women’s white gloves and hats.
Miles Snyder, who was one of the children who shook hands with King Abdulaziz in 1947, said a few words about both momentous occasions, then and now.
“What was the 1947 event like? It was wonderful,” said Snyder. “We American kids were able to shake the hand of a real king! We all remember the event well. We remember the sight of the King, seated in a large easy chair atop a colorful carpet, with a little table with cookies on it beside him. He was surrounded by his colorful retinue, including many of his sons.
“Today, we join not as children but as adults; many of us are grandparents,” Snyder said. “When we were young, that sense of magic was everywhere, living as we did in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Snyder said of his experiences. “Each of us regards ourselves richer, wiser, more tolerant and understanding because of this great adventure.”
Snyder concluded his remarks with a request: “Just as we had the honor of being photographed with your father, King Abdulaziz, may we please have the honor of being photographed with you?”
Soon afterwards, King Abdullah and his guests watched a series of international folklore performances. Children performed dances from “The Phantom of the Opera,” along with a Latino segment and a khaliji dance. The performances concluded with the ardah, a traditional sword dance performed by Saudi Aramco employees and expats.
Lydia Fitzmorris, speaking on behalf of employees and families, addressed the King in Arabic, saying, “Your visit makes the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Saudi Aramco an unforgettable event in our lives and those of our children.”
From : aramcoexpats
DHAHRAN, May 21, 2008 - Under the patronage of King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Aramco kicked off its 75th Anniversary celebration May 20 as government officials, company executives, employees and invited guests gathered to welcome the King and GCC leaders at enormous tents near the Saudi Aramco Exhibit in Dhahran.
The program began with a tour through an exhibition showcasing Saudi Aramco’s story in historic images, detailed timelines and innovative displays of the company’s key operations.
Among the sensory barrage of sights and sounds of the past 75 years, the highlight of the exhibit was a simple yet monumental document - the original signed concession agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Standard Oil of California, displayed in a glass case.
Following the tour, guests were ushered into a newly erected tent-like structure created for the main celebration as King Abdullah welcomed everyone to the historic event and set the tone of pride and gratitude for everything that Saudi Aramco has accomplished for the Kingdom and its people.
“On this occasion, we celebrate the passing of 75 years of national growth,” said King Abdullah, “so thank you very much to the men and women of Saudi Aramco.
King Abdullah and guests wait for the 75th Anniversary celebration to begin. On the left is HH the Amir of Kuwait, Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. To the right are HM the King of Bahrain, Shaikh Hammad ibn Isa Al-Khalifah, and HE Fahd ibn Mahmood Al-Saeed, Deputy Premier of Oman.Photograph by Abdullah Y. Al-Dobais“The country has given Saudi Aramco what it needs
to become successful and exceptional,” the King said. “It gave the company flexibility with which it nationalized technologies and gained from international experience in the necessary fields and industries.”King Abdullah praised Saudi Aramco not only for its role in national development but also for its role in supporting the Kingdom’s international relations by providing energy to the world and effectively dealing with global energy crises whenever they happen.
In his speech, Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, talked about Saudi Aramco’s long history from the time of King Abdulaziz, the Kingdom’s founder, to the present and how much it has propelled this country to where it stands today.
He also emphasized the pivotal role of King Abdullah in the past decade in supporting and guiding several key megaprojects and energizing Saudi Arabia’s economic and industrial capabilities, all for the sake of the people and the Kingdom.
“Today, our employees, both Saudi and expat, recall 75 years of dedication and hard work to build and develop Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, an industry that has spread its wealth and prosperity throughout the Kingdom, from north to south and east to west,” said Al-Naimi.
“While I realize there are no words to convey how much this event means to the Kingdom and to Saudi Aramco,” Al-Naimi said, “I want to, through this speech, highlight the sense of appreciation and pride for all who have left their mark through-out our history of oil production. This industry will continue to bring progress and advancements in the future, thanks in no small part to the support of our country’s leadership, as well as to the dedication, hard work and innovation of this company’s valued employees.”
President & CEO Speaks
The proposed King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture, shown here in an architectural image, was announced May 20 in Dhahran by Abdallah S. Jum‘ah as part of the 75th Anniversary celebration. Jum’ah spoke next, reflecting upon the company’s successful past and promising future, and expressing on behalf of Saudi Aramco’s employees their pride for being part of this historic moment and for working in the home of the Saudi oil industry.
“We are proud to have inherited a strong tradition of devotion and dedication to our work,” said Jum‘ah, “as well as a culture that we call the culture of Saudi Aramco, built on the discipline, commitment, reliability and accountability of each and every employee. Under the guidance of our country, the company has been allowed to work independently and on pure business acumen — two key elements in the success of Saudi Aramco and its competitive prowess.
“We are proud to have inherited a strong tradition of devotion and dedication to our work,” said Jum‘ah, “as well as a culture that we call the culture of Saudi Aramco, built on the discipline, commitment, reliability and accountability of each and every employee. Under the guidance of our country, the company has been allowed to work independently and on pure business acumen — two key elements in the success of Saudi Aramco and its competitive prowess.
“As proud as we are of our past and present, we see an even brighter future ahead of us,” Jum’ah said. “The work and projects we have now will make us better prepared for the next 75 years; they cement Saudi Aramco’s status as a fully integrated company, one of a kind in terms of its expertise, its size and its fundamental role nationally and globally.”
Jum’ah introduced Saudi Aramco’s latest gift to the Kingdom, the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture, to be erected in that very spot near the Saudi Aramco Exhibit. A short film outlined the center’s purpose and all that it would offer to the people of the country.
After the speeches, 75 children came on stage to entertain the guests, dancing to Arabic songs written specially for Saudi Aramco and its 75th Anniversary, followed by gifts given to King Abdullah and the GCC leaders.
King and Families
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali I. Al-Naimi and a young Saudi performer present a gift from Saudi Aramco to King Abdullah at the 75th Anniversary celebrations.Photograph by Abdullah Y. Al-Dobais.From there, the anniversary celebration moved to the King’s Road complex in Dhahran, where a representative group of families welcomed King Abdullah and the GCC leaders in a re-creation of King Abdulaziz’s historic second visit in 1947.
This celebration was, in part, a re-enactment of that visit, from the setup of the tents down to the visitors, dressed as they would have been in the 1940s. Costumes included women’s white gloves and hats.
Miles Snyder, who was one of the children who shook hands with King Abdulaziz in 1947, said a few words about both momentous occasions, then and now.
“What was the 1947 event like? It was wonderful,” said Snyder. “We American kids were able to shake the hand of a real king! We all remember the event well. We remember the sight of the King, seated in a large easy chair atop a colorful carpet, with a little table with cookies on it beside him. He was surrounded by his colorful retinue, including many of his sons.
“Today, we join not as children but as adults; many of us are grandparents,” Snyder said. “When we were young, that sense of magic was everywhere, living as we did in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Snyder said of his experiences. “Each of us regards ourselves richer, wiser, more tolerant and understanding because of this great adventure.”
Snyder concluded his remarks with a request: “Just as we had the honor of being photographed with your father, King Abdulaziz, may we please have the honor of being photographed with you?”
He 75th Anniversary celebration was a sensory barrage of sights and sounds.
Photograph by Abdullah Y. Al-Dobais
Soon afterwards, King Abdullah and his guests watched a series of international folklore performances. Children performed dances from “The Phantom of the Opera,” along with a Latino segment and a khaliji dance. The performances concluded with the ardah, a traditional sword dance performed by Saudi Aramco employees and expats.
Lydia Fitzmorris, speaking on behalf of employees and families, addressed the King in Arabic, saying, “Your visit makes the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Saudi Aramco an unforgettable event in our lives and those of our children.”
King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Visits Saudi Aramco
Saudi Aramco celebrates 75 Years of Excellence at the Grand Event Tuesday, May 21st. Saudi Arabia's beloved King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the sixth king of Saudi Arabia, visited Dhahran to take part in Saudi Aramco’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
As part of the 75th celebration, Saudi Aramco invited the children of Aramco employees who shook hands with King Abdul Aziz ibn Abdur Rahman ibn Faisal al Saud on his visit to Aramco in 1947. Thirty children, along with their spouses, siblings and children attended the festivities as honored guests of Saudi Aramco.
A reenactment of the original event was conducted with current employees, wives and children living and working in Dhahran. The children were seated on a large carpeted stage in front of an enormously enlarged photograph of the actual 1947 Children.
As the celebrated 1947 young residents walked by the photograph, many stopped for another look at their youthful appearance 61 years ago.
The admired King Abdullah was cheered by the crowd as he waved, blew a kiss to the multitudes and danced the traditional sword dance with the troupe.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tourism in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia lifts the veil -- Conservative kingdom opening door to foreign tourists, BOTTOM LINE: VISAS: Saudi Arabia is by no means opening up to individual tourists. In fact, tourist visas are still non-existent. But small "educational groups" from universities, alumni organizations and museums are getting special travel permits through Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier. www.canoe.ca/TravelWorld/saudi_9905.html
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A new tourist attraction, Al Nawaras Island on the Corneish, rooms are rented out like a hotel. This was built on filled in land!
www.hotels-europe.com
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During each of the school breaks and summer vacation, Jeddah fills to capacity with visitors from within Saudi and from the neighboring Arab countries. It's easy to spot the visitor to Jeddah either they drive 'differently' or the women are wearing very traditional abaya's. We normally go out at 5 PM and don't get too much of the evening traffic but once the sunset prayers are over, the streets fill with cars and every walking space available (including all the malls and shopping areas) are filled to overflowing. Most of this traffic is simply the people out 'for a drive' as they call it, actually it means getting out to anywhere, driving and walking.
With the promotion of tourism in Jeddah the visitors increase during each break.
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One of the most wanted places to visit is Madain Saleh with it's majestic homes carved into the rock mountains.
See the page Tabouk for more information and pictures.
http://www.adumatu.com/madan.htm
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Prince Sultan Bin Salman has what might seem an impossible job: getting tourists to visit a place where the temperature hits 115 degrees, you can't buy a beer and the two most famous cities are barred to non-Muslims.www.sptimes.com/2002/webspecials02/saudiarabia/day1/story2.shtml
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The Kingdom is committed to developing tourism as part of its overall economic diversification strategy. The Tourism Higher Authority has been given the task of overseeing a massive expansion in the Kingdom’s tourist facilities and services.Amongst the various tourist expansion projects is “Al-Hada Resort, Cable Car and Al-Kar Tourist Village” project in Taif Governorate, the first phase of which was launched in 2001. The SR 70 million- project, in its first phase, includes the 4,200 meters-long cable car route that connects the high altitude area of Al-Hada with the low altitude area of Al-Kar village. It includes hotels, restaurants, family parks and playgrounds.Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz predicted that there would be 45.3 million tourists in the year 2020, and a tourist expenditure of 80 billion riyals.www.saudinf.com/main/e9.htm
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Carol and Ray Whitney visited Saudi Arabia in October 2000 as part of a two-week study tour
sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution.
www.saudiembassy.net/publications/Magazine-Winter-01/wonders.htm
Welcome to the website of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabiawww.sauditourism.gov.sa/sct/indexb.php
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These are areas which have sea fronts such as Jeddah in the Western Region and Dammam in the East. Areas of natural beauty: such as Taif, Al Baha and Abha. Historical sites: such as Mada'in Salih in Diriyah which are renown for thier antiquity. www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/tourism.htm
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Ancient Rock Art can be found in many locations throughout Saudi Arabia.Early written historyAncient Rock Art in Saudi Arabia is a rich source of information about the lives of the people who inhabited the peninsula in the Neolithic period and later. http://www.toursaudiarabia.com/graffiti.html
Another picture and link here.
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Leisure & Tourism Market in Saudi ArabiaVery few recreational projects were available in the past,and Saudis have always had to go abroad to satisfy their demands for entertainment. This cost the economy some U$8 billion every year (according to a recent estimate). In order to retain part of this huge amount of hard currency spent outside,the government started encouraging local investment in recreational projects.
Also, Saudi Arabia has had a history of discouraging foreign tourists from visiting the country, but this policy is now changing. Visa regulations are being relaxed to encourage tourists to visit the Kingdom's cultural, historic and archaelogical sites.
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/recreation/saudi_arabia/profile/overview.shtml
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Saudis drive considerably faster and more unpredictably than American drivers. One must learn to drive by " instinct" and make much more effort to judge the intentions of other drivers and pedestrians. The surface of any vehicle will sustain considerable wear because of the environment--scorching sun, blowing sand, high humidity along the coasts, and debris from construction and uncovered trucks on the highway. http://wrc.lingnet.org/sauditip.htm
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A new tourist attraction, Al Nawaras Island on the Corneish, rooms are rented out like a hotel. This was built on filled in land!www.hotels-europe.com
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During each of the school breaks and summer vacation, Jeddah fills to capacity with visitors from within Saudi and from the neighboring Arab countries. It's easy to spot the visitor to Jeddah either they drive 'differently' or the women are wearing very traditional abaya's. We normally go out at 5 PM and don't get too much of the evening traffic but once the sunset prayers are over, the streets fill with cars and every walking space available (including all the malls and shopping areas) are filled to overflowing. Most of this traffic is simply the people out 'for a drive' as they call it, actually it means getting out to anywhere, driving and walking.
With the promotion of tourism in Jeddah the visitors increase during each break.
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One of the most wanted places to visit is Madain Saleh with it's majestic homes carved into the rock mountains.See the page Tabouk for more information and pictures.
http://www.adumatu.com/madan.htm
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Prince Sultan Bin Salman has what might seem an impossible job: getting tourists to visit a place where the temperature hits 115 degrees, you can't buy a beer and the two most famous cities are barred to non-Muslims.www.sptimes.com/2002/webspecials02/saudiarabia/day1/story2.shtml
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The Kingdom is committed to developing tourism as part of its overall economic diversification strategy. The Tourism Higher Authority has been given the task of overseeing a massive expansion in the Kingdom’s tourist facilities and services.Amongst the various tourist expansion projects is “Al-Hada Resort, Cable Car and Al-Kar Tourist Village” project in Taif Governorate, the first phase of which was launched in 2001. The SR 70 million- project, in its first phase, includes the 4,200 meters-long cable car route that connects the high altitude area of Al-Hada with the low altitude area of Al-Kar village. It includes hotels, restaurants, family parks and playgrounds.Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz predicted that there would be 45.3 million tourists in the year 2020, and a tourist expenditure of 80 billion riyals.www.saudinf.com/main/e9.htm
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Carol and Ray Whitney visited Saudi Arabia in October 2000 as part of a two-week study tour
sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution.www.saudiembassy.net/publications/Magazine-Winter-01/wonders.htm
Welcome to the website of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabiawww.sauditourism.gov.sa/sct/indexb.php
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These are areas which have sea fronts such as Jeddah in the Western Region and Dammam in the East. Areas of natural beauty: such as Taif, Al Baha and Abha. Historical sites: such as Mada'in Salih in Diriyah which are renown for thier antiquity. www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/tourism.htm
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Ancient Rock Art can be found in many locations throughout Saudi Arabia.Early written historyAncient Rock Art in Saudi Arabia is a rich source of information about the lives of the people who inhabited the peninsula in the Neolithic period and later. http://www.toursaudiarabia.com/graffiti.htmlAnother picture and link here.
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Leisure & Tourism Market in Saudi ArabiaVery few recreational projects were available in the past,and Saudis have always had to go abroad to satisfy their demands for entertainment. This cost the economy some U$8 billion every year (according to a recent estimate). In order to retain part of this huge amount of hard currency spent outside,the government started encouraging local investment in recreational projects.
Also, Saudi Arabia has had a history of discouraging foreign tourists from visiting the country, but this policy is now changing. Visa regulations are being relaxed to encourage tourists to visit the Kingdom's cultural, historic and archaelogical sites.
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/recreation/saudi_arabia/profile/overview.shtml
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Saudis drive considerably faster and more unpredictably than American drivers. One must learn to drive by " instinct" and make much more effort to judge the intentions of other drivers and pedestrians. The surface of any vehicle will sustain considerable wear because of the environment--scorching sun, blowing sand, high humidity along the coasts, and debris from construction and uncovered trucks on the highway. http://wrc.lingnet.org/sauditip.htm
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Big vacancies in Construction Firm.-Engineers, supervisor, secretaries.
IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED by A Leading Contracting Company In Saudi Arabia for the following positions:
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER (1 position) • Masters or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with minimum 15 years work experience as Construction Manager in Mechanical / Piping activities. • Contracts management with Team leadership ability, sound reasoning ability, good communication skills, high level of motivation and initiative, strong desire to acquire new knowledge and skills. • Prior experience in Aramco Mechanical Projects is a plus.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER (2 positions) • Masters or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with minimum 5 years work experience in review and implementation of design drawings and specifications, site works, follow up and supervision of related activities, Reporting and preparation of snag lists etc. • Quantity take-off, planning & designing of mechanical systems. Able to supervise the execution of the mechanical works, testing and commissioning. Experience in Structural Steel/Piping projects is a plus.
MECHANICAL SUPERVISOR PIPING (2 positions) • Diploma in Mechanical or equivalent with minimum 5 years work experience in piping projects. • Ability to understand technical specifications and interpretation of drawings.
OFFICE SECRETARY (2 positions - Male / Female) • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 3 years work experience as office secretary. Good in writing self-correspondence and communication skills. Well conversant with Microsoft programs. Good typing speed. Good package with Excellent Competitive Salary and other benefits, Candidates with transferable Iqama are preferred. In addition to the above, all candidates should be fluent in written and spoken English. Please apply by email only with complete Cv’s (in strictest confidence). Indicating the position applied for the in the subject to : Job2ksa@gmail.com
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER (1 position) • Masters or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with minimum 15 years work experience as Construction Manager in Mechanical / Piping activities. • Contracts management with Team leadership ability, sound reasoning ability, good communication skills, high level of motivation and initiative, strong desire to acquire new knowledge and skills. • Prior experience in Aramco Mechanical Projects is a plus.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER (2 positions) • Masters or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with minimum 5 years work experience in review and implementation of design drawings and specifications, site works, follow up and supervision of related activities, Reporting and preparation of snag lists etc. • Quantity take-off, planning & designing of mechanical systems. Able to supervise the execution of the mechanical works, testing and commissioning. Experience in Structural Steel/Piping projects is a plus.
MECHANICAL SUPERVISOR PIPING (2 positions) • Diploma in Mechanical or equivalent with minimum 5 years work experience in piping projects. • Ability to understand technical specifications and interpretation of drawings.
OFFICE SECRETARY (2 positions - Male / Female) • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 3 years work experience as office secretary. Good in writing self-correspondence and communication skills. Well conversant with Microsoft programs. Good typing speed. Good package with Excellent Competitive Salary and other benefits, Candidates with transferable Iqama are preferred. In addition to the above, all candidates should be fluent in written and spoken English. Please apply by email only with complete Cv’s (in strictest confidence). Indicating the position applied for the in the subject to : Job2ksa@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hajj
Labayk Allahuma Labayk
(Here I am at your service, oh Lord, here I am - here I
am. No partner do you have. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the favor are yours, and the dominion. No partner do you have.)
These are the words chanted by some two million people from across Saudi Arabia and throughout the world heading, as if pulled by a magnet, to one single spot on Earth. As has happened every year for 14 centuries, Muslim pilgrims gather in Makkah to perform rituals based on those conducted by the Prophet Muhammad during his last visit to the city.
Performing these rituals, known as the Hajj, is the fifth pillar of Islam and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. Undertaking the Hajj at least once is a duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah. The emphasis on financial ability is meant to ensure that a Muslim takes care of his family first. The requirement that a Muslim be healthy and physically capable of undertaking the pilgrimage is intended to exempt those who cannot endure the rigors of extended travel.
In the past, and as late as the early decades of this century, few people were able to "make their way" to Makkah for the pilgrimage. This was because of the hardships encountered, the length of time the journey took and the expense associated with it. Pilgrims coming from the far corners of the Islamic world sometimes dedicated a year or more to the journey, and many perished during it due in part to the lack of facilities on the routes to Makkah and also in the city itself
The circumstances of the Hajj began to improve during the time of King Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Saud, the founder of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Major programs were introduced to ensure the security and safety of the pilgrims, as well as their well-being and comfort. Steps were also taken to establish facilities and services aimed at improving housing, health care, sanitation and transportation.
Saudi Arabia considers serving the guests of God an honor, and dedicates vast manpower and financial resources to the proper conduct of the pilgrimage. Over the past four decades, it has spent billions of dollars to expand the Holy Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, as well as establishing modern airports, seaports, roads, lodging, and other amenities and services for the pilgrims.
Planning for each year's pilgrimage generally starts at the conclusion of the previous one and involves evaluating various programs and, if necessary, introducing steps to improve any service that is deemed below par. Once plans for the next Hajj are approved, they are sent to the appropriate government agency, which immediately sets out to implement them. The progress of these plans is reviewed by the committee throughout the year and, once in place, the project is inspected several weeks before the pilgrimage starts.
While waiting to be processed through the arrival hall, the pilgrim begins to shed his identity as he stands amidst a sea of people in Ihram, the two seamless pieces of white cotton that men wear and the simple, generally white, attire that women wear. Here no one can tell a person's social or economic status, or his national origin based on the clothes he wears. Suddenly the pilgrim is simply, and above all else, a Muslim, and the realization slowly sets in that he is now focusing more than ever on other people's faces rather than their clothes. These faces represent almost every race or nationality on Earth. As energetic young Saudis move the pilgrims rapidly through customs, he notices Arabs, Indians, Bosnians, Chinese, Spaniards, Africans, Laotians, French, Americans and many others.
Arriving in MakkahBefore heading toward Makkah, the pilgrims are already dressed in Ihram or may change at Miqat, where special facilities are set up for this purpose. By donning the Ihram, the pilgrim enters a state of spirituality and purity.
Approaching Arafat by midmorning, the pilgrim is amazed to find the vast plain covered by what appears to be a thick fog, even though the temperature hovers around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This optical illusion is created by thousands of sprinklers placed atop 30-foot poles and spaced some 50 feet apart, which spread a fine mist of water to provide coolness. Millions of containers of chilled water are distributed from refrigerated trucks located along the pilgrim route.
Despite these precautions, the wail of sirens is ever present as hundreds of ambulances pick up pilgrims suffering from heat exhaustion and transport them to special clinics for treatment. The more serious cases are evacuated by helicopter to hospitals.
The pilgrims then walk some four miles along pedestrian walkways to reach Makkah, where they perform the tawaf, circling the Ka'abah in the Holy Mosque seven times counter clockwise. They then perform sa'ay, the running between Safa and Marwa in an enclosed, air-conditioned structure. Male pilgrims are then required to shave their heads, although cutting a lock of hair is acceptable for both men and women. At this point the pilgrims sacrifice an animal, donating its meat to the needy. Each year, over 600,000 animals are sacrificed, in modern abattoirs that complete the processing of the meat over the three days of the Eid. Distribution of this sacrificial meat goes to those in need in some 30 countries.
The rites of the pilgrimage are now completed. Pilgrims come out of Ihram and wear their normal clothes, but remain at Mina for the Eid Al-Adha, the festival that signals the culmination of the Hajj. Over the next two days, they stone the three pillars in the Jamarat, before performing the Tawaf Al-Wida', the Farewell Circumambulation of the Ka'abah before their departure from the city.
A spiritual JourneyThroughout the Hajj, the largest annual gathering of people on Earth, the pilgrimage is marked by a total absence of any disagreements or altercations among the pilgrims. Courtesy and helping others are the norm. Peace, serenity and piety pervade the entire pilgrimage and the pilgrims.
Labayk. La shareeka laka Labayk.
Innal hamda wannimata laka wal mulk
La shareeka Lak
(Here I am at your service, oh Lord, here I am - here I
am. No partner do you have. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the favor are yours, and the dominion. No partner do you have.)These are the words chanted by some two million people from across Saudi Arabia and throughout the world heading, as if pulled by a magnet, to one single spot on Earth. As has happened every year for 14 centuries, Muslim pilgrims gather in Makkah to perform rituals based on those conducted by the Prophet Muhammad during his last visit to the city.
Performing these rituals, known as the Hajj, is the fifth pillar of Islam and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. Undertaking the Hajj at least once is a duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah. The emphasis on financial ability is meant to ensure that a Muslim takes care of his family first. The requirement that a Muslim be healthy and physically capable of undertaking the pilgrimage is intended to exempt those who cannot endure the rigors of extended travel.
The pilgrimage is the religious high point of a Muslim's life and an event that every Muslim dreams of undertaking. Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, can be undertaken at any time of the year; Hajj, however, is performed during a five-day period from the ninth through the thirteenth of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.
In the past, and as late as the early decades of this century, few people were able to "make their way" to Makkah for the pilgrimage. This was because of the hardships encountered, the length of time the journey took and the expense associated with it. Pilgrims coming from the far corners of the Islamic world sometimes dedicated a year or more to the journey, and many perished during it due in part to the lack of facilities on the routes to Makkah and also in the city itself
The circumstances of the Hajj began to improve during the time of King Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Saud, the founder of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Major programs were introduced to ensure the security and safety of the pilgrims, as well as their well-being and comfort. Steps were also taken to establish facilities and services aimed at improving housing, health care, sanitation and transportation.
Today, though the rituals at the holy sites in and near Makkah have remained unchanged from the time of the Prophet, the setting for the pilgrimage and the facilities available to the pilgrims are a far cry from those that existed at any time in history. Hardship was once expected and endured as part of the pilgrimage, and Muslims who embarked on this undertaking traditionally assigned a relative or trusted member of the community as the executor of their wills in case they did not return from the journey.
Muslims today undertake the pilgrimage in ease, receive a warm welcome on their arrival in Saudi Arabia, and are provided with the most modern facilities and efficient services possible. Without the distractions that their forebears had to contend with, today's pilgrims are free to focus solely on the spiritual aspect of the Hajj.
Preparing to welcome the Guests of God"It is truly amazing," said Rajeeb Razul, a journalist from the Philippines, as he stood on the roof of the Ministry of Information building near the Nimera Mosque in Arafat watching a column of pilgrims that stretched to Mina almost eight miles in the distance make their way past the mosque toward the Mount of Mercy. "To organize a gathering of humans this large, for housing them, for feeding them and for meeting their every need year after year must be a monumental task," he observed.
Saudi Arabia considers serving the guests of God an honor, and dedicates vast manpower and financial resources to the proper conduct of the pilgrimage. Over the past four decades, it has spent billions of dollars to expand the Holy Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, as well as establishing modern airports, seaports, roads, lodging, and other amenities and services for the pilgrims.
The establishment of these facilities by itself does not ensure a successful Hajj. To do so, the Kingdom has put into place a vast organization supervised by the Supreme Hajj Committee, which reports to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, who traditionally is in Makkah during the pilgrimage. The committee seeks to coordinate the activities of various government ministries and agencies and prevent redundancy. Each of these organizations assumes responsibility for projects in its sphere of expertise. For example, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance issues special booklets on the rites of the Hajj in many languages for distribution among the pilgrims. The Ministry of Health oversees medical services while the Ministry of Information hosts journalists and members of the media from other countries to cover the pilgrimage, while at the same time arranging for live transmissions of the rituals by satellite throughout the world.
Planning for each year's pilgrimage generally starts at the conclusion of the previous one and involves evaluating various programs and, if necessary, introducing steps to improve any service that is deemed below par. Once plans for the next Hajj are approved, they are sent to the appropriate government agency, which immediately sets out to implement them. The progress of these plans is reviewed by the committee throughout the year and, once in place, the project is inspected several weeks before the pilgrimage starts.
A vast brotherhoodPerforming the Hajj is the spiritual apex of a Muslim's life, one that provides a clear understanding of his relationship with God and his place on Earth. It imparts in a Muslim not only the assurance that he has performed the fifth pillar of Islam by following in the footsteps of the Prophet, but also the realization that he is part of an ummah (nation) that is more than one billion strong and spreads across the globe.
This feeling is brought home upon the pilgrim's arrival in the Kingdom. Most pilgrims arrive by air, and as their planes taxi toward the impressive Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, they pass jetliners with familiar names, but also ones that bear exotic markings such as "Southern China Airlines" and "Daghestan Airlines" and others from every part of the world.
While waiting to be processed through the arrival hall, the pilgrim begins to shed his identity as he stands amidst a sea of people in Ihram, the two seamless pieces of white cotton that men wear and the simple, generally white, attire that women wear. Here no one can tell a person's social or economic status, or his national origin based on the clothes he wears. Suddenly the pilgrim is simply, and above all else, a Muslim, and the realization slowly sets in that he is now focusing more than ever on other people's faces rather than their clothes. These faces represent almost every race or nationality on Earth. As energetic young Saudis move the pilgrims rapidly through customs, he notices Arabs, Indians, Bosnians, Chinese, Spaniards, Africans, Laotians, French, Americans and many others.
Contact with people from such diverse races and nationalities over the days and weeks spent in the Kingdom engenders in the pilgrims a sense of understanding of and trust in total strangers simply because they are performing the Hajj together.
Arriving in MakkahBefore heading toward Makkah, the pilgrims are already dressed in Ihram or may change at Miqat, where special facilities are set up for this purpose. By donning the Ihram, the pilgrim enters a state of spirituality and purity.
On the way from Jeddah to Makkah along the modern superhighway, pilgrims board one of the fleet of 15,000 buses assigned to the Hajj. This vast concourse of vehicles approaches Mina, some four miles to the northwest of Makkah, where most of the pilgrims are housed in the thousands of air-conditioned tents that stretch to the limits of Mina Valley.
Walking through this vast city that has been established for use for only a few days a year, the pilgrim is struck by the orderliness of the place. Food is prepared in hundreds of kitchens spread throughout Mina and distributed among the tents. Thousands of drinking fountains and wash areas are located throughout the tent city. There are hundreds of medical clinics that supplement the hospitals in Makkah and Arafat. Security personnel and traffic police guide and help pilgrims. Despite the clear signs and numbered rows, some pilgrims, particularly the elderly, tend to get lost and need assistance finding their tents or groups. Banks of telephones are located in all the pilgrimage sites, allowing pilgrims to make direct international calls.
The rites of pilgrimageAfter sunrise on the ninth of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hajjah, this vast crowd of nearly two million begins to walk some eight miles to the Plain of Arafat, passing Muzdalifah on the way. Many perform the noon and afternoon prayers at the Nimerah Mosque, a tradition set by the Prophet.
The rites of pilgrimageAfter sunrise on the ninth of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hajjah, this vast crowd of nearly two million begins to walk some eight miles to the Plain of Arafat, passing Muzdalifah on the way. Many perform the noon and afternoon prayers at the Nimerah Mosque, a tradition set by the Prophet.
Approaching Arafat by midmorning, the pilgrim is amazed to find the vast plain covered by what appears to be a thick fog, even though the temperature hovers around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This optical illusion is created by thousands of sprinklers placed atop 30-foot poles and spaced some 50 feet apart, which spread a fine mist of water to provide coolness. Millions of containers of chilled water are distributed from refrigerated trucks located along the pilgrim route.
Despite these precautions, the wail of sirens is ever present as hundreds of ambulances pick up pilgrims suffering from heat exhaustion and transport them to special clinics for treatment. The more serious cases are evacuated by helicopter to hospitals.
Pilgrims are required to spend the day in the plain, performing what is called the Standing at Arafat. Here they also visit the Mount of Mercy and ask for God's forgiveness for any sins committed and for blessings. Facilities have also been set up here to feed the pilgrims and meet any requirement they may have.
After the sun has set this river of humanity retraces its steps back toward Makkah, but stops at Muzdalifah until the brightness of day appears on the eastern horizon. Here the pilgrims collect seven pebbles and carry them to Mina. As they arrive in the valley, they trek along a two-level pedestrian walkway some 100-yards wide toward the three stone pillars called the Jamarat, which are meant to represent Satan. The pilgrims are required to cast the pebbles they have collected at the Stone Pillar of Aqabah while praising God, in a symbolic rejection of Satan. As the pilgrims approach along the walkway, they join those already at the pillar and, after hurling their pebbles circle toward the exit ramp in the direction of Makkah. Signs in various major languages direct the crowds along the route.
The pilgrims then walk some four miles along pedestrian walkways to reach Makkah, where they perform the tawaf, circling the Ka'abah in the Holy Mosque seven times counter clockwise. They then perform sa'ay, the running between Safa and Marwa in an enclosed, air-conditioned structure. Male pilgrims are then required to shave their heads, although cutting a lock of hair is acceptable for both men and women. At this point the pilgrims sacrifice an animal, donating its meat to the needy. Each year, over 600,000 animals are sacrificed, in modern abattoirs that complete the processing of the meat over the three days of the Eid. Distribution of this sacrificial meat goes to those in need in some 30 countries.
The rites of the pilgrimage are now completed. Pilgrims come out of Ihram and wear their normal clothes, but remain at Mina for the Eid Al-Adha, the festival that signals the culmination of the Hajj. Over the next two days, they stone the three pillars in the Jamarat, before performing the Tawaf Al-Wida', the Farewell Circumambulation of the Ka'abah before their departure from the city.
While not required as part of the Hajj, most pilgrims visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during their visit to the Kingdom.
A spiritual JourneyThroughout the Hajj, the largest annual gathering of people on Earth, the pilgrimage is marked by a total absence of any disagreements or altercations among the pilgrims. Courtesy and helping others are the norm. Peace, serenity and piety pervade the entire pilgrimage and the pilgrims.
At the conclusion of the Hajj, the pilgrim has a profound feeling of having gone through a life-transforming spiritual experience. He comes away with pride in having successfully performed a ritual dedicated to God and in belonging to a huge family of people that shares the same religious beliefs. And he has acquired a sense of humility, inner calm, brotherhood and strength that lasts a lifetime.
Related Information: Hajj
RecentNews:
12/21/2007
Pilgrims stone the devil at Jamarat for the second day without incident
12/20/2007
King Abdullah hosts distinguished Hajj guests in Mina
12/20/2007
Pilgrims stone the devil at Jamarat
12/19/2007
King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan address Muslims on the Eid Al-Adha
Related Information: Hajj
RecentNews:
12/21/2007
Pilgrims stone the devil at Jamarat for the second day without incident
12/20/2007
King Abdullah hosts distinguished Hajj guests in Mina
12/20/2007
Pilgrims stone the devil at Jamarat
12/19/2007
King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan address Muslims on the Eid Al-Adha
Foreign Relations
"In dealing with various matters and practices, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia adheres to well-
known inviolate principles from which it has never swerved, and will never swerve, God willing. The positions it takes, whether they have to do with foreign relations or any other matter, are built on the rules and principles of religion. Such an approach, being derived from heavenly teachings as its source of inspiration, admits of no falsehood."
known inviolate principles from which it has never swerved, and will never swerve, God willing. The positions it takes, whether they have to do with foreign relations or any other matter, are built on the rules and principles of religion. Such an approach, being derived from heavenly teachings as its source of inspiration, admits of no falsehood." Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince AbdullahAddress from Mina on Eid Al-Adha 1423 (February 10, 2003)
Geographically located at the crossroads of the world, an economic power with a stable government and thriving society, Saudi Arabia has come to be at the center of world affairs because the Kingdom has not restricted its role to defending and promoting its own national interests. As the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of the one billion Muslims scattered across the globe. Guided by principles espoused by Islam and rooted in its rich Arab heritage, Saudi Arabia has, over the decades, successfully assumed the growing responsibility associated with that status.
For a nation built on Islamic principles, upholding Islam and protecting Islamic interests was the cornerstone of Saudi foreign policy under King Abdulaziz. Today, Saudi Arabia is a nation whose views are actively sought by global powers looking for a better understanding of Islamic and Arab issues. The Kingdom's diplomacy is considered a central factor in averting crises. Its mediation is solicited to resolve disputes that, if unchecked, could have reverberations far beyond the region.
Out of such concerns, Saudi Arabia began to assume an active role in international organizations. As a founding member of the United Nations, Saudi Arabia has steadily increased its participation in that organization.
During the 20th century, Saudi Arabia emerged as a unified nation and became a socioeconomic and political world leader. Guided by a foreign policy that focuses on Arab unity, Islamic solidarity and peaceful coexistence, Saudi Arabia is in the new millennium a strong advocate of peace, security and constructive cooperation throughout the world.
Related Information: Foreign Relations
RecentNews:
05/18/2008
King Abdullah meets with Japanese official
05/18/2008
AGFUND to establish bank for the impoverished in Sierra Leone
05/18/2008
Shura Council dicusses agreements with Yemen, Turkey and the UK
05/17/2008
Foreign Minister highlights Palestinians’ legitimate rights, Saudi-US relations
For a nation built on Islamic principles, upholding Islam and protecting Islamic interests was the cornerstone of Saudi foreign policy under King Abdulaziz. Today, Saudi Arabia is a nation whose views are actively sought by global powers looking for a better understanding of Islamic and Arab issues. The Kingdom's diplomacy is considered a central factor in averting crises. Its mediation is solicited to resolve disputes that, if unchecked, could have reverberations far beyond the region.
Out of such concerns, Saudi Arabia began to assume an active role in international organizations. As a founding member of the United Nations, Saudi Arabia has steadily increased its participation in that organization.
During the 20th century, Saudi Arabia emerged as a unified nation and became a socioeconomic and political world leader. Guided by a foreign policy that focuses on Arab unity, Islamic solidarity and peaceful coexistence, Saudi Arabia is in the new millennium a strong advocate of peace, security and constructive cooperation throughout the world.
Related Information: Foreign Relations
RecentNews:
05/18/2008
King Abdullah meets with Japanese official
05/18/2008
AGFUND to establish bank for the impoverished in Sierra Leone
05/18/2008
Shura Council dicusses agreements with Yemen, Turkey and the UK
05/17/2008
Foreign Minister highlights Palestinians’ legitimate rights, Saudi-US relations
Understanding Saudi Arabia and the Saudi People
Over recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been confronted with what many consider its greatest challenge: achieving modernity without surrendering its heritage, faith, or culture. Examining the metrics of the Kingdom, from GDP to literacy rates, one finds ever-present success. Seventy-five years ago, Saudi Arabia did not exist; today, it is a nation marked by sophisticated political, legal, and financial systems, with a culture rich in history and deep in faith.
But there is still much to be done. Since September 11, 2001, when the world was thrown in flux, Saudi Arabia has recognized the need for greater reform - economic, social, and political. As such, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has embarked upon a comprehensive reform agenda to promote a vibrant economy, a civil society, and broader political participation by Saudi citizens. In addition, Saudi Arabia has amplified its efforts to reveal its domestic progress to the international community, so that mutual understanding between the Kingdom and the nations of the world can be achieved.
To fully understand any nation in the modern era, it is important to examine the characteristics of its society and culture. Vital to this effort is the availability of accurate and timely information about relevant issues, ranging from the nation's efforts in the global War on Terrorism, to its relationship to the international community, to its internal structure. This section of the website seeks to impart this information and offer people across the United States a closer look at the unique characteristics that create the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a desert Kingdom rooted in history and propelled by faith, forging a place for itself in the modern global community.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The History of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia traces its roots back to the earliest civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula. Over the centuries, the peninsula has played an important role in history as an ancient trade center and as the birthplace of Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions.
Since King Abdulaziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, its transformation has been astonishing.
This climate change forced humans to move into the lush mountain valleys and oases. No longer able to survive as hunter-gatherers, they had to develop another means of survival. As a result, agriculture developed – first in Mesopotamia, then the Nile River Valley, and eventually spreading across the Middle East.
The people of the peninsula developed a complex network of trade routes to transport agricultural goods highly sought after in Mesopotamia, the Nile Valley and the Mediterranean Basin. These items included almonds from Taif, dates from the many oases, and aromatics such as frankincense and myrrh from the Tihama plain.
Spices were also important trade items. They were shipped across the Arabian Sea from India and then transported by caravan.
Within the next few years, several battles took place between the followers of the Prophet Muhammad and the pagans of Makkah. By 628, when Madinah was entirely in the hands of the Muslims, the Prophet had unified the tribes so successfully that he and his followers reentered Makkah without bloodshed.
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab and Muhammad bin Saud formed an agreement to dedicate themselves to restoring the pure teachings of Islam to the Muslim community. In that spirit, bin Saud established the First Saudi State, which prospered under the spiritual guidance of bin Abdul Wahhab, known simply as the Shaikh.
In the international arena, King Fahd worked actively to resolve regional and global crises. These crises included the Arab-Palestinian conflict, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the Lebanese civil war in addition to conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Somalia and Kashmir.
King Fahd also dedicated years of diplomacy to resolving the civil war in Lebanon. He hosted a meeting of Lebanese members of parliament in Taif, Saudi Arabia in 1989. The meeting resulted in a national reconciliation accord signed in Taif that ended the fighting and opened the way for reconstruction with help from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.
King Abdullah has been unwavering in his condemnation of terrorism. At the International Counterterrorism Conference in Riyadh in February, 2005, he called for greater international cooperation to fight this global problem.
Prince Sultan was born in Riyadh in 1928, and, like his brothers, received his early education in religion, modern culture and diplomacy at the royal court. After serving as Governor of Riyadh Province from 1947 to 1953, he became the Kingdom’s first Minister of Agriculture. In 1955, he became Minister of Communications, and contributed greatly to the development of the Kingdom’s road, rail and telecommunications networks. He has been Minister of Defense and Aviation since 1963.
Since King Abdulaziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, its transformation has been astonishing. In a few short decades, the Kingdom has turned itself from a desert nation to a modern, sophisticated state and a major player on the international stage.
Early History
The first concrete evidence of human presence in the Arabian Peninsula dates back 15,000 to 20,000 years. Bands of hunter-gatherers roamed the land, living off wild animals and plants.
As the European ice cap melted during the last Ice Age, some 15,000 years ago, the climate in the peninsula became dry. Vast plains once covered with lush grasslands gave way to scrubland and deserts, and wild animals vanished. River systems also disappeared, leaving in their wake the dry river beds (wadis) that are found in the peninsula today.
As the European ice cap melted during the last Ice Age, some 15,000 years ago, the climate in the peninsula became dry. Vast plains once covered with lush grasslands gave way to scrubland and deserts, and wild animals vanished. River systems also disappeared, leaving in their wake the dry river beds (wadis) that are found in the peninsula today.
This climate change forced humans to move into the lush mountain valleys and oases. No longer able to survive as hunter-gatherers, they had to develop another means of survival. As a result, agriculture developed – first in Mesopotamia, then the Nile River Valley, and eventually spreading across the Middle East.
The development of agriculture brought other advances. Pottery allowed farmers to store food. Animals, including goats, cattle, sheep, horses and camels, were domesticated, and people abandoned hunting altogether. These advances made intensive farming possible. In turn, settlements became more permanent, leading to the foundations of what we call civilization – language, writing, political systems, art and architecture.
An Ancient Trade Center
Located between the two great centers of civilization, the Nile River Valley and Mesopotamia, the Arabian Peninsula was the crossroads of the ancient world. Trade was crucial to the area’s development; caravan routes became trade arteries that made life possible in the sparsely populated peninsula.
The people of the peninsula developed a complex network of trade routes to transport agricultural goods highly sought after in Mesopotamia, the Nile Valley and the Mediterranean Basin. These items included almonds from Taif, dates from the many oases, and aromatics such as frankincense and myrrh from the Tihama plain.Spices were also important trade items. They were shipped across the Arabian Sea from India and then transported by caravan.
The huge caravans traveled from what is now Oman and Yemen, along the great trade routes running through Saudi Arabia’s Asir Province and then through Makkah and Madinah, eventually arriving at the urban centers of the north and west.
The people of the Arabian Peninsula remained largely untouched by the political turmoil in Mesopotamia, the Nile Valley and the eastern Mediterranean. Their goods and services were in great demand regardless of which power was dominant at the moment – Babylon, Egypt, Persia, Greece or Rome. In addition, the peninsula’s great expanse of desert formed a natural barrier that protected it from invasion by powerful neighbors.
The Birth of IslamAround the year 610, Muhammad, a native of the thriving commercial center of Makkah, received a message from God (in Arabic, Allah) through the Angel Gabriel. As more revelations bid him to proclaim the oneness of God universally, the Prophet Muhammad’s following grew.
In 622, learning of an assassination plot against him, the Prophet led his followers to the town of Yathrib, which was later named Madinat Al-Nabi (City of the Prophet) and now known simply as Madinah. This was the Hijrah, or migration, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Within the next few years, several battles took place between the followers of the Prophet Muhammad and the pagans of Makkah. By 628, when Madinah was entirely in the hands of the Muslims, the Prophet had unified the tribes so successfully that he and his followers reentered Makkah without bloodshed.
The Islamic EmpireLess than 100 years after the birth of Islam, the Islamic Empire extended from Spain to parts of India and China. Although the political centers of power had moved out of the Arabian Peninsula, trade flourished in the area.
Also, a large number of pilgrims began regularly visiting the peninsula, with some settling in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. These pilgrims facilitated the exchange of ideas and cultures between the people of the peninsula and other civilizations of the Arab and Muslim worlds.
The emergence of Arabic as the language of international learning was another major factor in the cultural development of the Arabian Peninsula. The Muslim world became a center for learning and scientific advances during what is known as the “Golden Age.” Muslim scholars made major contributions in many fields, including medicine, biology, philosophy, astronomy, arts and literature. Many of the ideas and methods pioneered by Muslim scholars became the foundation of modern sciences.
The Islamic Empire thrived well into the 17th century, when it broke up into smaller Muslim kingdoms. The Arabian Peninsula gradually entered a period of relative isolation, although Makkah and Madinah remained the spiritual heart of the Islamic world and continued to attract pilgrims from many countries.
The First Saudi State
In the early 18th century, a Muslim scholar and reformer named Shaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab began advocating a return to the original form of Islam. Abdul Wahhab was initially persecuted by local religious scholars and leaders who viewed his teachings as a threat to their power bases. He sought protection in the town of Diriyah, which was ruled by Muhammad bin Saud.
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab and Muhammad bin Saud formed an agreement to dedicate themselves to restoring the pure teachings of Islam to the Muslim community. In that spirit, bin Saud established the First Saudi State, which prospered under the spiritual guidance of bin Abdul Wahhab, known simply as the Shaikh. By 1788, the Saudi State ruled over the entire central plateau known as the Najd. By the early 19th century, its rule extended to most of the Arabian Peninsula, including Makkah and Madinah.
The popularity and success of the Al-Saud rulers aroused the suspicion of the Ottoman Empire, the dominant power in the Middle East and North Africa at the time. In 1818, the Ottomans dispatched a large expeditionary force armed with modern artillery to the western region of Arabia. The Ottoman army besieged Diriyah, which by now had grown into one of the largest cities in the peninsula. Ottoman forces leveled the city with field guns and made it permanently uninhabitable by ruining the wells and uprooting date palms.
The Second Saudi State
By 1824, the Al-Saud family had regained political control of central Arabia. The Saudi ruler Turki bin Abdullah Al-Saud transferred his capital to Riyadh, some 20 miles south of Diriyah, and established the Second Saudi State. During his 11-year rule, Turki succeeded in retaking most of the lands lost to the Ottomans. As he expanded his rule, he took steps to ensure that his people enjoyed rights, and he saw to their well-being.
Under Turki and his son, Faisal, the Second Saudi State enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity, and trade and agriculture flourished. The calm was shattered in 1865 by a renewed Ottoman campaign to extend its Middle Eastern empire into the Arabian Peninsula. Ottoman armies captured parts of the Saudi State, which was ruled at the time by Faisal’s son, Abdulrahman. With the support of the Ottomans, the Al-Rashid family of Hail made a concerted effort to overthrow the Saudi State.
Faced with a much larger and better equipped army, Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al-Saud was forced to abandon his struggle in 1891. He sought refuge with the Bedouin tribes in the vast sand desert of eastern Arabia known as the Rub’ Al-Khali, or ‘Empty Quarter.’ From there, Abdulrahman and his family traveled to Kuwait, where they stayed until 1902. With him was his young son Abdulaziz, who was already making his mark as a natural leader and a fierce warrior for the cause of Islam.
The Modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The young Abdulaziz was determined to regain his patrimony from the Al-Rashid family, which had taken over Riyadh and established a governor and garrison there. In 1902, Abdulaziz, – accompanied by only 40 followers – staged a daring night march into Riyadh to retake the city garrison, known as the Masmak Fortress. This legendary event marks the beginning of the formation of the modern Saudi state.
After establishing Riyadh as his headquarters, Abdulaziz captured all of the Hijaz, including Makkah and Madinah, in 1924 to 1925. In the process, he united warring tribes into one nation.
On September 23, 1932, the country was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an Islamic state with Arabic as its national language and the Holy Qur’an as its constitution.
On September 23, 1932, the country was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an Islamic state with Arabic as its national language and the Holy Qur’an as its constitution.
King Abdulaziz (1932-1953)
The legendary King Abdulaziz was a remarkable leader of imagination and vision who set Saudi Arabia on the road to modernization. During his rule, King Abdulaziz started building the country’s infrastructure. He established roads and basic communications systems, introduced modern technology, and improved education, health care and agriculture.
Although King Abdulaziz never traveled beyond the Arab world, he was a highly sophisticated statesman. Foreign leaders and diplomats who met with him came away impressed by his integrity and honesty. He was famous for dispensing with diplomatic niceties in favor of frank and candid discussion. He was just as well known for keeping his promises, whether given to a simple Bedouin or to a world leader. These qualities enhanced his stature as a reliable and responsible leader dedicated to peace and justice.
King Saud (1953-1964)
Abdulaziz’ eldest son Saud acceded to the throne upon his father’s death in 1953. He continued King Abdulaziz’s legacy, creating the Council of Ministers and establishing the Ministries of Health, Education and Commerce. One of King Saud’s greatest successes was the development of education – under his rule many schools were established in the Kingdom, including its first institute of higher education, King Saud University, in 1957.
King Saud also made his mark globally. In 1957, he became the first Saudi monarch to visit the United States. In 1962 he sponsored an international Islamic conference that would become the Muslim World League, headquartered in Makkah.
King Saud also made his mark globally. In 1957, he became the first Saudi monarch to visit the United States. In 1962 he sponsored an international Islamic conference that would become the Muslim World League, headquartered in Makkah.
King Faisal (1964-1975)
King Faisal bin Abdulaziz was a visionary innovator with a great respect for tradition. He initiated the first of a series of economic and social development plans that would transform Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, especially industry, and set the Kingdom on a path of rapid growth. He also established the first public schools for girls.
In foreign policy, King Faisal showed a firm commitment to the Islamic world. He was a central force behind the establishment in Jeddah in 1971 of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), a group of 56 Islamic countries that promotes Islamic unity and cooperation.
Throughout the turbulent period of the 1960s and 1970s, which included two Arab-Israeli wars and the oil crisis of 1973, King Faisal was a voice for moderation, peace and stability.
Throughout the turbulent period of the 1960s and 1970s, which included two Arab-Israeli wars and the oil crisis of 1973, King Faisal was a voice for moderation, peace and stability.
King Khalid (1975-1982)
Khalid bin Abdulaziz succeeded King Faisal in 1975. King Khalid also emphasized development, and his reign was marked by an almost explosive growth in the country’s physical infrastructure. It was a period of enormous wealth and prosperity for Saudi Arabia.
On the international stage, King Khalid was a prime mover in forming the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 1981, an organization that promotes economic and security cooperation among its six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
King Fahd (1982-2005)
Under King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, who adopted the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi Arabia continued its tremendous socioeconomic development and emerged as a leading political and economic force.
King Fahd was central to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy and promote private enterprise and investment. He restructured the Saudi government and approved the first nationwide municipal elections, which took place in 2005.
One of King Fahd’s greatest accomplishments in Saudi Arabia was a series of projects to expand the Kingdom’s facilities to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who come to the country each year. These projects involved major expansions of Islam’s two holiest sites, the Holy Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, as well as airports and ports.
In the international arena, King Fahd worked actively to resolve regional and global crises. These crises included the Arab-Palestinian conflict, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the Lebanese civil war in addition to conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Somalia and Kashmir.
As Crown Prince in 1981, he proposed an eight-point plan to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict and give the Palestinians an independent state. The plan was considered one of the first attempts to find a just and lasting settlement that took into consideration the needs of both the Arabs and Israel. It was unanimously adopted by the Arab League at a summit in Fez, Morocco in 1982.
King Fahd also dedicated years of diplomacy to resolving the civil war in Lebanon. He hosted a meeting of Lebanese members of parliament in Taif, Saudi Arabia in 1989. The meeting resulted in a national reconciliation accord signed in Taif that ended the fighting and opened the way for reconstruction with help from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.
Perhaps the greatest international crisis of King Fahd’s rule occurred when Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. The King played a key role in putting together the international coalition that drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.
King Fahd was also concerned with humanitarian issues. Under his rule, Saudi Arabia provided emergency humanitarian assistance to numerous countries, including Somalia, Bosnia and Afghanistan, as well as countries suffering from natural disasters, such as earthquakes (Turkey in 1999, Iran in 2003) and the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia in December 2004.
King Abdullah (2005 - )
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz acceded to the throne after the death of King Fahd on August 1, 2005. He is also Commander of the National Guard, a position he has held since 1962.
King Abdullah was born in Riyadh in 1924, and received his early education at the royal court. Influenced by his father King Abdulaziz, he developed a profound respect for religion, history and Arab heritage. His years spent living in the desert with Bedouin tribes taught him their values of honor, simplicity, generosity and bravery, and instilled in him the desire to assist in the development of his people.
As Crown Prince, he traveled widely in the Kingdom and inaugurated a number of projects throughout the country. In 2005 he closely monitored the election process for the country’s municipal councils.
The Prince’s first official visit to the United States was in 1976 when he met with President Gerald Ford. Since then, he has made a number of visits to the United States, including his most recent on April 25, 2005 to President George W. Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas.
His international diplomacy reflects Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in defense of Arab and Islamic issues and for the achievement of world peace, stability and security. Peace in the Middle East and the plight of the Palestinians are of particular concern to King Abdullah. His proposal for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, presented at the Beirut Arab Summit in 2002, has been adopted by the League of Arab States and is known as the Arab Peace Initiative.
His international diplomacy reflects Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in defense of Arab and Islamic issues and for the achievement of world peace, stability and security. Peace in the Middle East and the plight of the Palestinians are of particular concern to King Abdullah. His proposal for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, presented at the Beirut Arab Summit in 2002, has been adopted by the League of Arab States and is known as the Arab Peace Initiative.
King Abdullah has been unwavering in his condemnation of terrorism. At the International Counterterrorism Conference in Riyadh in February, 2005, he called for greater international cooperation to fight this global problem.
Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz
When he became King in August 2005, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah appointed his brother Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz as Crown Prince. Crown Prince Sultan is also Minister of Defense and Aviation, and the Kingdom’s Inspector-General.
Prince Sultan was born in Riyadh in 1928, and, like his brothers, received his early education in religion, modern culture and diplomacy at the royal court. After serving as Governor of Riyadh Province from 1947 to 1953, he became the Kingdom’s first Minister of Agriculture. In 1955, he became Minister of Communications, and contributed greatly to the development of the Kingdom’s road, rail and telecommunications networks. He has been Minister of Defense and Aviation since 1963.
Prince Sultan serves as chairman of a number of organizations, including the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD), the Saudi Arabian Railways Organization (SRO), the Higher Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Charity Foundation. He has made a number of official visits overseas, and led the Saudi delegation to the 40th, 50th and 60th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, 1995 and 2005.
During official visits to the United States in October 1995, February 1997, and November 1999 Prince Sultan met with President Bill Clinton and a number of US officials.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
THE SEARCH FOR REAL MT. SINAI
The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai, DVD, Reel Productions, 50 minutes. Available at http://www.explorationfilms.com.
As every Sunday school teacher and student knows, Mount Sinai, the mountain on which God in flame and smoke delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses, is located in the southern portion of the Sinai peninsula. At least, that’s what Bible maps show, and they can’t be wrong, can they?Two amateur archaeologists have created a DVD that answers that question in the affirmative. Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb) isn’t where these maps show it to be; in fact, it isn’t even on the Sinai peninsula. Mt. Sinai, they say, is likely located in modern day Saudi Arabia!
The ExplorersThe two men are Larry Williams, a commodities trader by profession, and Bob Cornuke, a southern California police investigator. They became interested in searching for the famed mountain after the late Jim Irwin, the astronaut and Noah’s Ark hunter, gave Williams a letter from a man claiming to have been in Saudi Arabia and seen what could have been Mt. Sinai.Irwin warned the two would-be explorers of the dangers of snooping around in Saudi Arabia, but, inspired by Irwin’s own courage as well as the excitement of possibly making a major discovery, Williams and Cornuke made plans for an expedition to that country.The Traditional Mt. Sinai SiteWilliams and Cornuke contend that no archaeological evidence has ever been found suggesting anyone ever camped in the area of the traditional site, and archaeologists have thoroughly examined this mountain. This Mt. Sinai, they claim, was named by a fortune teller in or about the third century A.D. Furthermore, they point out that Galatians 4:25 says plainly that Mt. Sinai is in “Arabia.” (However, my NIV map of the area when Galatians was written shows that “Arabia” included the Sinai peninsula. wk.)More telling might be a reference to Midian in Exodus 18:1 which occurred before the Israelites reached Mt. Sinai, and Midian according to Bible maps was located in present-day Saudi Arabia.Williams says the phrase “out of Egypt” occurs 72 times in the Bible in describing the Exodus. The Sinai peninsula at that time was in control of the Egyptian army, he says, with a significant military presence. It would seem logical God would have led His people out of this peninsula.Planning the ExpeditionWilliams and Cornuke may have been encouraged by reports they had heard of people seeing a mountain with a scorched top in Saudi Arabia, but these people had been arrested and their film confiscated before they were sent out of the country.
So, using the Bible and old maps as guides, they concluded that a mountain in Arabia called Jabal Al Lawz might be the Mt. Sinai for which they were looking.Their ambitious plans included trying to find the following features: the exodus route; the Red Sea crossing; the Bitter springs of Marah; the 70 palms; the 12 springs of Elam; the cave of Elijah; boundary markers around the mountain; the golden calf altar; an altar at the foot of the mountain; 12 stone pillars representing the 12 tribes of Israel; a rock from which water gushed; and, of course, the mountain itself.Getting Into Saudi ArabiaEyebrows will surely be raised at the admission by Williams and Cornuke of how they got into Saudi Arabia. They somehow managed to get their hands on a letter from the king of Saudi Arabia, a promotional letter of some kind they think. Then using the letterhead and the king’s signature, they devised a fake letter supposedly from the king giving them permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Williams seems to express some regret as to this method of gaining entry into the country, but he said they did what they had to do to find out the truth.The Red Sea Crossing PointScholars often point to three possible places at which the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. (See map.)The two northern points (1. & 2.) Williams and Cornuke rule out because Pharaoh could easily have sent part of his army around to the other side to cut off the Israelites.
At the southern point (3.) the sea bottom is like a canyon. With the sea parted, it would have been almost impossible for the elderly, children, and the animals to have climbed down one side and up the other. But the archaeologists say there is an interesting feature in the Gulf of Akabar that runs from the tip of the Sinai peninsula across the straits to Saudi Arabia—a land bridge. Cornuke feels this bridge which rises from the depths of the sea to within a few feet of the surface was especially created by God to allow the Israelites to escape. A wind following the parting of the sea could have dried out this land bridge so it wasn’t slimy or soggy. At the western end of the land bridge is nothing but wilderness and a mountain range so that the Israelites could have felt “hemmed in” as suggested by Exodus 14:3.
1. Sea of Reeds(Bitter Lakes) >>>
2. Tip of Suez >>>
3. Gulf of Suez >>>
<<< www.explorationfilms.com website and click on the Search for the Real Mt. Sinai link.
As every Sunday school teacher and student knows, Mount Sinai, the mountain on which God in flame and smoke delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses, is located in the southern portion of the Sinai peninsula. At least, that’s what Bible maps show, and they can’t be wrong, can they?Two amateur archaeologists have created a DVD that answers that question in the affirmative. Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb) isn’t where these maps show it to be; in fact, it isn’t even on the Sinai peninsula. Mt. Sinai, they say, is likely located in modern day Saudi Arabia!
The ExplorersThe two men are Larry Williams, a commodities trader by profession, and Bob Cornuke, a southern California police investigator. They became interested in searching for the famed mountain after the late Jim Irwin, the astronaut and Noah’s Ark hunter, gave Williams a letter from a man claiming to have been in Saudi Arabia and seen what could have been Mt. Sinai.Irwin warned the two would-be explorers of the dangers of snooping around in Saudi Arabia, but, inspired by Irwin’s own courage as well as the excitement of possibly making a major discovery, Williams and Cornuke made plans for an expedition to that country.The Traditional Mt. Sinai SiteWilliams and Cornuke contend that no archaeological evidence has ever been found suggesting anyone ever camped in the area of the traditional site, and archaeologists have thoroughly examined this mountain. This Mt. Sinai, they claim, was named by a fortune teller in or about the third century A.D. Furthermore, they point out that Galatians 4:25 says plainly that Mt. Sinai is in “Arabia.” (However, my NIV map of the area when Galatians was written shows that “Arabia” included the Sinai peninsula. wk.)More telling might be a reference to Midian in Exodus 18:1 which occurred before the Israelites reached Mt. Sinai, and Midian according to Bible maps was located in present-day Saudi Arabia.Williams says the phrase “out of Egypt” occurs 72 times in the Bible in describing the Exodus. The Sinai peninsula at that time was in control of the Egyptian army, he says, with a significant military presence. It would seem logical God would have led His people out of this peninsula.Planning the ExpeditionWilliams and Cornuke may have been encouraged by reports they had heard of people seeing a mountain with a scorched top in Saudi Arabia, but these people had been arrested and their film confiscated before they were sent out of the country.
So, using the Bible and old maps as guides, they concluded that a mountain in Arabia called Jabal Al Lawz might be the Mt. Sinai for which they were looking.Their ambitious plans included trying to find the following features: the exodus route; the Red Sea crossing; the Bitter springs of Marah; the 70 palms; the 12 springs of Elam; the cave of Elijah; boundary markers around the mountain; the golden calf altar; an altar at the foot of the mountain; 12 stone pillars representing the 12 tribes of Israel; a rock from which water gushed; and, of course, the mountain itself.Getting Into Saudi ArabiaEyebrows will surely be raised at the admission by Williams and Cornuke of how they got into Saudi Arabia. They somehow managed to get their hands on a letter from the king of Saudi Arabia, a promotional letter of some kind they think. Then using the letterhead and the king’s signature, they devised a fake letter supposedly from the king giving them permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Williams seems to express some regret as to this method of gaining entry into the country, but he said they did what they had to do to find out the truth.The Red Sea Crossing PointScholars often point to three possible places at which the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. (See map.)The two northern points (1. & 2.) Williams and Cornuke rule out because Pharaoh could easily have sent part of his army around to the other side to cut off the Israelites.
At the southern point (3.) the sea bottom is like a canyon. With the sea parted, it would have been almost impossible for the elderly, children, and the animals to have climbed down one side and up the other. But the archaeologists say there is an interesting feature in the Gulf of Akabar that runs from the tip of the Sinai peninsula across the straits to Saudi Arabia—a land bridge. Cornuke feels this bridge which rises from the depths of the sea to within a few feet of the surface was especially created by God to allow the Israelites to escape. A wind following the parting of the sea could have dried out this land bridge so it wasn’t slimy or soggy. At the western end of the land bridge is nothing but wilderness and a mountain range so that the Israelites could have felt “hemmed in” as suggested by Exodus 14:3.
1. Sea of Reeds(Bitter Lakes) >>>
2. Tip of Suez >>>
3. Gulf of Suez >>>
<<< www.explorationfilms.com website and click on the Search for the Real Mt. Sinai link.
Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions....
Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions would surely feature at the top, in any Saudi Arabia Travel Guide. The Things to See in Saudi Arabia in Asia are many and diverse, and are sure to keep you enchanted, during your visit in this ancient desert land.
Some of the most important attractions of Saudi Arabia highlight the history of the Islamic Religion of Saudi Arabia, the rich Culture of Saudi Arabia as well as the traditional Architecture of Saudi Arabia. You could also journey into the country's exciting, multi-faceted past, while touring the lost cities and archaeological wonders scattered throughout the country.
Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Saudi Arabia, Masjid al-Qiblatain in Saudi Arabia, Quba Mosque in Saudi Arabia and Jawatha Mosque in Saudi Arabia are known as some of the holiest mosques in the world of Islam. The two holiest places in Islam, Macca and Madina also count as Saudi Arabia Popular Destinations, for Muslims world wide.
For lovers of the past, there's nothing quite like an adventurous tour to the ancient ruined cities and sites of extinct and exotic civilizations in Saudi Arabia. Visit the ruined city of Dumat al Jundal in Saudi Arabia to know more about interesting aspects of the Sumerian civilization, that forms a part of the ages-old History of Saudi Arabia. Don't miss out on touring the Historical Attractions of Saudi Arabia that include Tayma in Saudi Arabia, Medain Saleh in Saudi Arabia and Rock Carving Site in Saudi Arabia.
The land of glorious deserts and Mediterranean coastlines features places of natural beauty as well as other popular Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions, that include:
- Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia
- Jamarat Bridge in Saudi Arabia
- Jannat al-Baqi in Saudi Arabia
- Jabal al-Lawz in Saudi Arabia
- Mount Uhud in Saudi Arabia
- National Parks of Asir in Saudi Arabia
So, come and enjoy exploring the fascinating Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions!
Some of the most important attractions of Saudi Arabia highlight the history of the Islamic Religion of Saudi Arabia, the rich Culture of Saudi Arabia as well as the traditional Architecture of Saudi Arabia. You could also journey into the country's exciting, multi-faceted past, while touring the lost cities and archaeological wonders scattered throughout the country.
Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Saudi Arabia, Masjid al-Qiblatain in Saudi Arabia, Quba Mosque in Saudi Arabia and Jawatha Mosque in Saudi Arabia are known as some of the holiest mosques in the world of Islam. The two holiest places in Islam, Macca and Madina also count as Saudi Arabia Popular Destinations, for Muslims world wide.
For lovers of the past, there's nothing quite like an adventurous tour to the ancient ruined cities and sites of extinct and exotic civilizations in Saudi Arabia. Visit the ruined city of Dumat al Jundal in Saudi Arabia to know more about interesting aspects of the Sumerian civilization, that forms a part of the ages-old History of Saudi Arabia. Don't miss out on touring the Historical Attractions of Saudi Arabia that include Tayma in Saudi Arabia, Medain Saleh in Saudi Arabia and Rock Carving Site in Saudi Arabia.
The land of glorious deserts and Mediterranean coastlines features places of natural beauty as well as other popular Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions, that include:
- Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia
- Jamarat Bridge in Saudi Arabia
- Jannat al-Baqi in Saudi Arabia
- Jabal al-Lawz in Saudi Arabia
- Mount Uhud in Saudi Arabia
- National Parks of Asir in Saudi Arabia
So, come and enjoy exploring the fascinating Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions!
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