Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Encyclopaedia 'is biggest research project on Haj'
Riyadh Governor Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz launched a massive project on Saturday to develop an encyclopaedia on Haj and the Two Holy Mosques.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 00:08 March 31, 2008
Riyadh: The Riyadh Governor has launched a scientific and research project to compile an encyclopaedia on Haj and the two holy mosques.
Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz said on Saturday the encyclopaedia would document the history of Haj and detail the location and the situation of main cities and pilgrim routes.
It will also detail the history of the Haram Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah and the expansion works underwent over the ages.
The encyclopaedia, to be illustrated with photographs, paintings and maps, will also include input from historians and researchers, historical documents from Saudi Arabia and abroad, discourse on terminology, and the experiences of pilgrims.
The project is being undertaken by the King Abdul Aziz Museum, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj Research in Makkah, the Ministry of Haj, the General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education and Bin Laden Group.
It will document the history of the Haj from pre-Islamic times to the present day and detail the location and situation of main cities and pilgrim routes. It will also detail the history of the Haram Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosques in Madinah and the massive expansion work witnessed by them over the ages.
In a ceremony held at Ummul Qura University in the holy city, Prince Salman also inaugurated an exhibition on the life of King Abdul Aziz and the history of Makkah, prepared by the King Abdul Aziz Museum in cooperation with Ummul Qura University. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Salman highlighted the leading role being played by Saudi Arabia in serving Islam and Muslims.
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He also highlighted the great achievements made by his father King Abdul Aziz, founder of Saudi Arabia, especially his selfless services to the Holy Mosques as well as improving the services and facilities for Haj pilgrims.
"King Abdul Aziz had attached great care and concern for the Two Holy Mosques."
Ummul Qura University Rector Adnan Bin Mohammad Wazan announced the decision to confer on Prince Salman an honorary doctorate on the occasion.
The gigantic encyclopaedia project is being undertaken by the King Abdul Aziz Museum, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj Research in Makkah, the Ministry of Haj, the General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Saudi Bin Laden group.
It will be the biggest research project ever on the Two Holy Mosques and the annual pilgrimage of Haj. Fahd Al Simari, secretary-general of the King Abdul Aziz Museum, who is heading the project, said it would shed light on the Haj from religious, social, cultural and economic perspectives.
"It will also include material on the way services provided to pilgrims throughout the years have developed, and will become an important source for research," he added.
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