Makkah governor stresses Saudi rejection of exploiting Hajj

The governor of Makkah province, Prince Khalid Al Faisal, on Sunday asked global media to convey a message from the two million pilgrims who attended Hajj that Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance.

In remarks reported by the official Saudi Press Agency, he stressed the kingdom's "absolute rejection" of exploiting the Hajj for political or economic purposes and said Saudi Arabia strived to provide "all possible assistance" to meet the religious needs of pilgrims.

He said some Iranian pilgrims had "[attempted] to raise sectarian and political slogans in the Grand Mosque".

"We beg everybody [who comes] to come for Hajj and worship only because this is a land of worship," the prince added.

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It came a day after Saudi officials said they were satisfied that this year's Hajj had passed without any security incidents or accidents.

Prince Khalid said the numbers attending this year's Hajj had risen by 30 per cent and announced plans for the development of Makkah's holy sites in order to accommodate increasing numbers of pilgrims. More information about this would be announced in a timely manner, he added.

Why the Tourist Club?

Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.

In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.

It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.

Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.

Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.

Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.