From the holy places...
The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud said on several occasions, " I have given all attention so that Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah would be among the most beautiful cities in the world. This applies to the Holy Mosque and the Mosque of the Prophet (peace be upon him)". By the grace of the Almighty Allah the blessed efforts of the custodian are crowned with tremendous success. I performed Hajj this year and during my stay there I was simply overwhelmed to see the magnitude of progress and development that took place particularly in Makkah and Madinah. I am told King Fahd undertook a $11 billion project to extend and improve the quality of facilities at the two holy sites. The overall size of the Masjid Al Haram, the sanctified Mosque in Makkah, has been doubled to 3.5 million square feet with space for one million devotees. The total size of the Al- Masjid Al- Nabawi, the Prophet's mosque in Madinah, has been expanded ten times to accommodate half a million devotees. Spectacular achievements have also been made in various sectors, namely, roads, highways, airport buildings, water supplies, transports and health facilities. Bottled water, milk, juice and boxed lunches were distributed before, during and after the pilgrimage period. Makeshift dispensaries were established, ambulances with first aid items were kept in strategic places. Health education videos were shown and posters were displayed.
It was my long cherished desire to see the illustrious Islamic University of Al- Madinah Al-Munawarah, but I could not do so due to shortage of time. Although I am far away still I can hear the sonorous voices of the Imams leading the congregations in the two holy mosques. In my lonely moments whenever I close my eyes the memories of the two holy sites flash through my mind. The Mina tragedy, however, saddens me. I pray to the Almighty Allah for those who died so that their soul may rest in peace. I returned home from the holy cities with a mind full of love, calm, quiet and tranquillity.
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