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MADINA – An official at the Prophets Mosque has rejected accusations that Zamzam here is being mixed with normal water. He said the reports to that affect are completely “unfounded.”

Ibrahim Bin Mayed Al-Harbi, Director of Maintenance and Water at the Prophets Mosque, was reacting to rumors that water is being added to shipments coming to Madina from Makkah.

He said it was not possible for this to happen. Zamzam water passes through a number of stages to make it fit for human consumption, before being shipped to the Prophets Mosque.

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JEDDAH – The first-ever higher education institute for students with hearing disabilities, offering recognized university degree courses, will be established soon.

The institute will be set up in cooperation with the Saudi Society for Hearing Disability, Makkah branch, the General Establishment for Technical and Vocational Training and the private sector, Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily reported on Thursday.

Dr. Abdul Moniem Bin Hassan Al-Sheikh, Director General of the society, announced the establishment of the institution at a function to launch the national campaign for the eradication of illiteracy and the promotion of sign language in Makkah.

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MAKKAH – A total of 952 student graduates from the Quran Memorization Charitable Society in Makkah, along with its former chairman, the late Ahmad Muhammad Salaah Jamjoum, and teachers of more than 25 years, were honored at the Grand Mosque, Tuesday.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khudairi, Undersecretary of the Makkah Emirs Office, who attended the event, said the Central Haj Committee is currently studying plans to ensure that the recitation of the Holy Quran during Taraweeh starts and finishes at the same time at all mosques in the country. He said this study is taking place with the cooperation of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance.

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JEDDAH – Nazir Chughtai arrived in the Kingdom from his hometown in Pakistan in early 1977. Having spent more than three decades with his family in the Kingdom, he reminisces about the time when the souq hadnt been replaced by malls, the Saudi nationality was up for grabs, and performing Umrah in Ramadan took less than an hour.

He begins his story of yore by mentioning the insignificant proportion of expatriates in the Kingdom and the even more negligible number of malls and hypermarkets in the cities. Times were so different that the Saudi nationals would address Pakistanis as “doctors and engineers” as a mark of respect.

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SO, what news of our tourists abroad? It has so happened that in recent times Ive had the chance to go to a fair few of the countries and cities popular with Saudi tourists, particularly in Europe, so, if youll permit me, Id like to offer you the following report on what they are getting up to in three popular locations in Europe.

In Paris:

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KARACHI – In implementation of the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and under direct supervision of Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, who is also Supervisor of Campaign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Relief of Pakistani people, the first cargo plane donated by the campaign arrived at Karachi International Airport on Thursday.
The plane laden with dates and milk was received by Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdulaziz Bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer and a number officials.
The Saudi leadership, the ambassador said, has been keen on supporting the Pakistani people, and it continues sending various kinds of aid since the start of floods disaster in Pakistan. – SPA

JEDDAH – James Smith, the United States’ Ambassador to the Kingdom, has praised the Saudi people, describing them as loving and friendly.
The ambassador made the comment during an Iftar party hosted recently by the American Consulate in Jeddah. He said he has many Saudi friends in Jeddah and Riyadh despite the short time he has been working in the Kingdom.
He also stressed the historical links between the two countries.
Present at the party were the consul-generals of Gulf, Arab and foreign countries, businessmen, press representatives, and Thomas Daffy, the American consul. – Okaz/SG

RIYADH – A plan has been designed to tackle any potential risk from dangerous viruses during this year’s Haj, according to Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Minister of Health.
He said the Kingdom succeeded last year in tackling the H1N1 pandemic, Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily reported on Thursday.
He added that an international forum will be held in October, under the patronage of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to showcase the Saudi experience in crowd and health management.
A study on the management of crowds and human gatherings will also be presented to delegates.
He said the Kingdom was able to control the swine flu virus at all sites last year. He said the preventive health measures adopted by the Kingdom have drawn the world’s attention to the country. – Okaz/SG

RIYADH – Some health institutes meet high standards, but most others do not, Abdullah Al-Zuhayan, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Saudi Commission for Health Specializations, has said.

“There are excellent institutes that produce highly qualified Saudi youths every year, but there are others that have not reached our aspirations,” said Al-Zuhayan, who added that there is a strategic plan to upgrade the sector.

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JEDDAH – Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, performed Umrah on Tuesday. At Jeddah Airport, he was received by Prince Miteb Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Executive Affairs, and senior officials. – SPA