World’s Biggest Cooling Stations at Two Holy Mosques

With a record number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims visiting the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, this year’s Ramadan and Haj seasons saw unprecedented success that proved Saudi Arabia’s unparalleled capabilities for the service of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims — the Guests of Allah. For some 5.8 million Umrah visas were issued, 5.5 million Umrah pilgrims arrived into the Kingdom, along with a total 1.8 million Haj pilgrims.

Al Salem Johnson Controls “YORK” is proud of its leading role in providing prominent landmarks at the two Holy Cities with cooling and maintenance services. The company owns the world’s largest cooling station at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, as well as a one of the world’s largest cooling plants at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and providing comprehensive maintenance services to the two Holy Mosques, in addition to Zamzam water-cooling station.

It also plays a great role in cooling and providing maintenance services to some of the Two Holy Cities’ prominent hotel chains that accommodate countless Umrah performers and pilgrims around the year, including the Clock Tower and Makkah Hilton, as well as cooling and maintaining Muzdalifah Hospital.

The company’s 1,200-workforce of qualified engineers and technicians is the Middle East’s largest after sales and maintenance team, helping the company remain a major contributor to the success of the Haj and Umrah seasons, during which the company redoubles its efforts, resources and manpower to ensure speedy responses to any emergencies that might arise anywhere at any time. Quick, effective, and innovative solutions ensure that pilgrims can perform their rites safely in the comfort of a cool, breezy environment.

During this year’s Haj season, Al Salem Johnson Controls “YORK” maintenance and service teams saw all of their projects through with minimal delays, and lowest possible costs. The teams guaranteed an uninterrupted flow of a staggering 200,000 refrigeration tons in various HVAC&R service contracts in and around the mosque. Another achievement recorded was the operation of 1OM Centrifugal chiller in the New Ajyad Plant.

“Al Salem Johnson Controls is proud to have a leading role in cooling, air conditioning, and maintaining the two Holy Mosques, Zamzam water cooling station, and other major locations year-round,” said Dr. Mohannad Alshaikh, chief executive officer of Al Salem Johnson Controls. “We take great pride in being a key cooling and service provider to ensure the comfort and safety of the Holy Cities’ visitors during Haj & Umrah seasons. Our technical team is the largest in the Middle East, and is more than capable of responding to emergencies in record time.”World’s Biggest Cooling Stations at Two Holy Mosques

With Jeddah being the gateway to the Holy Sites, the company’s aftermarket team has been achieving phenomenal success over the past 6 years in serving the Haj Terminal with an excellent emergency action plan, whilst maintaining continuous operation of a 15,000TR chilled water plant, including a 12-megawatt back up power reserve for contingencies.

World’s Biggest Cooling Stations at Two Holy Mosques

No Backing Off on Umrah Fee Change

No backing off on Umrah fee, says Saudi Ministry of Haj

The Ministry of Haj and Umrah have denied rumors published in the Pakistani media and spread on social media that the ministry removed Umrah fees that were placed by the Kingdom on the second or additional Umrah visits.

New amendments were introduced to visa fees in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of 1438, when the government announced that the fees are fully paid by the Saudi government for all first-time pilgrims coming for either Haj or Umrah. The first entry of Haj and Umrah pilgrims will be free, but for the second and subsequent entries, they will be charged SR2,000.

Usama Khan, from the Ministry of Haj, Call and Guidance information center, confirmed to Arab News that no such information or announcement was made by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah that they removed the SR2,000 fee, and that whatever was published in the Pakistani media and on social media is false news or rumors.

Tahir Mahmood, chief executive of Global Haj and Umrah Private Service Ltd. from Pakistan also confirmed to Arab News that there has been no such instruction or announcement made by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah that the Umrah fees have been abolished.

On inquiry of the news published in the Pakistani media and spread on social media about the removal of Umrah fees, he said that it was not from an authentic source and was a rumor. However the Pakistani public are requesting that the Kingdom and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman remove the extra charges, because a number of Pakistani families and people who want to come for Umrah would not be able to make it because of the fee.

“Many people from Pakistan will not be able to make their Umrah trip because they don’t have enough funds to pay this extra charges of SR2,000. It’s a request from the Pakistani people to the Kingdom to remove these charges so they can make their journey to perform Umrah,” he said.

The Pakistan Umrah Agent Association urged people not to spread rumors on social media, since there has been no announcement made by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah on the removal of Umrah fees.

According to the information, the news was published in Pakistani media and rumors were spread on social media that after boycott of Egypt on Umrah fees, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah removed the extra SR2,000 fees from the second or additional Umrah visits, and that the Saudi government informed their embassies in all countries about this, which was totally false, confirmed the Pakistan Umrah Agent Association.

No Backing Off on Umrah Fee Change

Virtues of Umrah in Ramadhan

O visit the Holy Lands in Saudi Arabia in the month of Ramadhān is praiseworthy. 

 The Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam said, “Umrah in Ramadhan is equivalent to Hajj (in reward).” (Ibn Hibbān)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then told her: “When the month or Ramadan arrives, go for ‘umrah, because `umrah in Ramadan is like accompanying me on Hajj.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1764)]

It is Sunnah to perform ‘Umrah at least once in a lifetime for a person capable (physically and financially) to do so while performing more than once remains a desirable act (mustahabb). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came to perform ‘Umrah four times during the Madinan period. A number of virtues have been reported from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in several narrations of which two are as follows:

• “An ‘Umrah to another ‘Umrah will be redemption of sins (minor)for whatever occurs between them and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
• “Frequently perform Hajj and ‘Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold and silver.” (Reported by Tirmidhi and IbneMajah).
• Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) narrated that when the Prophet (PBUH) returned after performing his Hajj, he asked Umm Sinan Al-Ansari, "What did forbid you to perform Hajj?" She replied, "Father of so-and-so (i.e. her husband) had two camels and he performed Hajj on one of them, and the second is used for the irrigation of our land." The Prophet said (to her), "Perform 'Umrah in the month of Ramadan, as it is equivalent to Hajj (in reward)."The hadith has been reported by Bukhari. Muslim also reported the same and it says in the end “It is equivalent to a Hajj performed with me (in reward).”

Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman from among the Ansaar – Ibn ‘Abbaas mentioned her name but I forgot it – “What kept you from performing Hajj with us?” She said: We only have two camels and the father of her son and her son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left us the other camel so that we could carry water on it. He said: “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in (that month) is equivalent to Hajj.” 

‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.” 

We must understand that going for `umrah in Ramadan is Sunnah. It is not an obligation and should not be treated as one. 

Indeed, the majority of scholars hold the opinion that performing `umrah in one’s lifetime is not a religious obligation at all. This is the view of the Hanafî and Mâlikî schools of though. It is also one of the views expressed by Ahmad b. Hanbal. Al-Shâfî also one time held this view, and it seems to have been his older opinion, The official position of the Shâfi`î school of law is that `umrah is obligatory upon a Muslim, just like Hajj, once in a lifetime. 

The stronger of the two opinions – and Allah knows best – is that `umrah is not an obligation. The Qur’ân clearly mentions the obligation of the Hajj without once indicating anything similar for `umrah. 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) further emphasized this by saying: “O people! Allah has enjoined the Hajj upon you, so go for Hajj.” [Sahîh Muslim (1337)] 

And by saying: “Islam is built upon five things: the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the establishment of prayer, the payment of Zakâh, the pilgrimage to the House, and the fast during the month of Ramadan.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (8) and Sahîh Muslim (16)] 

Umrah in Ramadan is the same as regular Umrah only more rewarding

Hazrat Umar Bin Abdul Aziz

A great umayyad caliph, ruling an empire stretching from the shores of the Atlantic to the highlands of Pamir, was indulged in examining a pile of state documents. A dim light of a lamp is the only source of illumination in his private chamber. Mean while, the caliph is visited by his wife Famita. Completely unaware of arrival of his wife, he was busy in his job untill she said “Sire! Will you spare a few moments for me? I want to discuss a private matter with you.” “Of course”, replied the pious Caliph, raising his head from the papers, “But, please put off this State lamp and light your own, as I do not want to burn the State oil for private talk.” This great caliph was Umar bin Abdul Aziz.

He was the son of Abdul Aziz bin Marwan, the governor of Egypt while his mother, Umm-i-Aasim was the granddaughter of Caliph Umar Ibn Al Khattab. 

Birth of Hazrat Umar Bin Abdul Aziz

Umar bin Abdul Aziz was born in 63 A.H. (682 A.D.) in Halwan, Egypt, but he received his education in Madinah from his mother’s uncle, the celebrated scholar Abdullah Ibn Umar. He stayed in Madinah till his father’s death in 704 A.D., when he was called by his uncle Caliph Abdul Malik and was married to his daughter Fatima. He was appointed governor of Madinah in 706 A.D. succeeding Caliph Waleed bin Abdul Malik.

umar bin abdul aziz One of the brightest shining start of islam after the four rightly guided caliphs and other companions of prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) is Hazrat Umar bin abdul aziz. A unique ruler from every point of view. And why not ! after all he had blood of Umer Farooq running through his veins ! His mother, Umm-i-Aasim was the grand daughter of the Caliph Umar bin khattab.

Imam Abu Yusuf (d. 182 AH / 798 AD) quotes the memory of Caliph ‘ Umar bin Abdul Aziz by his Wife Fatima. When ‘ Umar ibn Abdul Aziz died, the learned men came to his wife to express sympathy and say how great a calamity had struck the people of Islam by his death. And they said to her, ‘Tell us about him – for the one who knows best about a man is his wife’.

And she said: “Indeed he never used to pray or fast more than the rest of you, but I never saw a servant of God who feared Him more than Umar bin abdul aziz. He devoted his body and his soul to the people. All day he would sit tending to their affairs, and when night came he would sit up while business remained. One evening when he had finished everything, he called for his lamp – from which he used to buy the oil from his own money – and prayed two prostrations. Then he sat back on his folded legs, with his chin in his hands, and the tears ran down from his cheeks, and this didn’t stop until dawn, when he rose for a day of fasting.

I said to him, ‘Commander of the Believers, was there some matter that troubled you this night?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I saw how I was occupied while governing the affairs of the community, all its black sheep and its white sheep, and I remembered the stranger, beggared and straying, and the poor and the needy, and the prisoners in captivity, and all like them in the far places of the earth, and I realised that ALLAH most high would ask me about all of them, and Muhammad would testify about them, and I feared that I should find no excuse when I was with ALLAH, and no defence with Muhammad.’

And even when ‘Umar was with me in bed, where a man usually find some pleasure with his wife, if he remembered some affair of God’s (people), he would be upset as a bird that had fallen into the water. Then his weeping would rise until I would throw off the blankets in kindness to him. ‘By God’ he would say, ‘How I wish that there was between me and this office the distance of the East from the West!’

Detail About Hazrat Umar Bin Abdul Aziz

There are a few rulers in the world who have left indelible impressions in history. Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz tops that list. He is considered one of the finest rulers in Muslim history, second only to the four rightly guided caliphs — Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali (RA). In fact, in some circles, he is affectionately referred to as the fifth and the last caliph of Islam. 

The Roman emperor, when heard about his death, said: "A virtuous person has passed away... I am hardly surprised to see an ascetic who renounced the world and give himself to the prayers of Allah. But I am certainly surprised at a person who had all the pleasures of the world at his feet and yet he shut his eyes against them and lived a life of piety and renunciation."

Umar bin Abdul Aziz ruled as a caliph for only 30 months but during this short period he changed the world. His tenure was the brightest period in the 92-year history of the Umayyad Caliphate.

He was the son of Abdul Aziz bin Marwan, the governor of Egypt while his mother, Umm-i-Aasim was the granddaughter of Caliph Umar Ibn Al Khattab. 

Umar bin Abdul Aziz was born in 63 A.H. (682 A.D.) in Halwan, Egypt, but he received his education in Madinah from his mother’s uncle, the celebrated scholar Abdullah Ibn Umar. 

He stayed in Madinah till his father’s death in 704 A.D., when he was called by his uncle Caliph Abdul Malik and was married to his daughter Fatima. He was appointed governor of Madinah in 706 A.D. succeeding Caliph Waleed bin Abdul Malik.

Umar remained governor of Madinah throughout the reigns of Caliph Walid and Caliph Suleiman. But when Suleiman fell seriously ill, he wanted to appoint heir, as his sons were still minors. Reja ibn Haiwah, the adviser, proposed to him to appoint his cousin Umar bin Abdul Aziz as his successor. Suleiman accepted the suggestion. 

After being nominated caliph, Umar addressed the people from the pulpit saying: “O people, I have been nominated your caliph despite my unwillingness and without your consent. So here I am, I relieve you of your pledge (baiyat) that you have taken for my allegiance. Elect whomsoever you find suitable as your caliph." People shouted: "O Umar, we have full faith in you and we want you as our caliph." Umar continued, “O people, obey me as long as I obey Allah; and if I disobey Allah, you are not duty-bound to obey me."

Umar was extremely pious and averse to worldly luxuries. He preferred simplicity to extravagance. He deposited all assets and wealth meant for the ruling caliph into the Bait Al Maal. He even abandoned the royal palace and preferred to live in a modest house. He wore rough clothes instead of royal robes and often went unrecognized in public like his great grandfather Caliph Umar ibn Al Khattab.

After his appointment as caliph he discarded all the pompous appendages of princely life-servants, slaves, maids, horses, palaces, golden robes and real estates and returned them to Bait Al Maal. He also asked his wife Fatima to return the jewelry she had received from her father Caliph Abdul Malik. The faithful wife complied with his bidding and deposited all of it in the Bait Al Maal. Later, he got his articles of luxury auctioned for 23,000 dinars and spent the amount for charitable purposes." 

He never built a house of his own. Allama Suyuti in his historical work "Taarikh Al Khulafaa" records that Umar spent only two dirhams a day when he was caliph. He received lesser salary than his subordinates. His private properties yielded an income of 50,000 dinars annually before his nomination, but when he returned all his properties to the Bait Al Maal, his private income was reduced to 200 dinars per annum. This was his wealth when he was commanding the vast Caliphate from the borders of France in the West to the borders of China in the East.

Once his wife found him weeping after prayers. She asked what had happened. He replied: "I have been made the ruler over the Muslims and I was thinking of the poor who are starving, and the sick who are destitute, and the naked who are in distress, and the oppressed that are stricken, and the stranger that is in prison, and the venerable elder, and him that hath a large family and small means, and the like of them in countries of the earth and the distant provinces, and I felt that my Lord would ask me about them on the Day of Resurrection, and I feared that no defense would avail me (at that time), and I wept." 

He was very considerate to his subjects. 

His generous reforms and leniency led the people to deposit their taxes willingly. Ibn Kathir writes that thanks to the reforms undertaken by Umar, the annual revenue from Persia alone increased from 28 million dirham to 124 million dirham.

He undertook extensive public works in Persia, Khorasan and North Africa, including the construction of canals, roads, rest houses for travelers and medical dispensaries. 

The result was that during his short reign of two and half years, people had become so prosperous and contented that one could hardly find a person who would accept alms. 

Umar is credited with having ordered the first collection of Hadith, in an official manner, fearing that some of it might be lost. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Hazm and Ibn Shihab Al-Zuhri, were among those who compiled Hadith at Umar’s behest. 

Following the example of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), Umar sent out emissaries to China and Tibet, inviting their rulers to embrace Islam. It was during the time of Umar that Islam took roots and was accepted by a large segment of the population of Persia and Egypt. When the officials complained that because of conversions, the jizya revenues of the state had experienced a steep decline, Umar wrote back saying that “Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as a prophet (to invite the people to Islam) and not as a tax collector." He abolished home tax, marriage tax, stamp tax and many other taxes as well. When many of his agents wrote that his fiscal reforms in favor of new converts would deplete the Treasury, he replied, "Glad would I be, by Allah, to see everybody become Muslim so that you and I would have to till the soil with our own hands to earn a living." 

Once a Muslim murdered a non-Muslim of Hira. Caliph Umar, when informed of the event, ordered the governor to do justice in the case. The Muslim was surrendered to the relations of the murdered person who killed him.

The general princely class of that time could not digest these policies of justice, simplicity and equality. A slave of the caliph was bribed to administer the deadly poison to him. The caliph having felt the effect of the poison sent for the slave and asked him why he had poisoned him. The slave replied that he was given 1,000 dinars for the job. The caliph took the amount from him and deposited it in Bait Al Maal. Freeing the slave he asked him to leave the place immediately, lest anyone might kill him. This was his last deposit in the Bait Al-Maal for the welfare of Muslims.

Umar died in Rajab 101 AH at the age of 38 in a rented house at the place called Dair Sim’aan near Homs. He was buried in Dair Sim’aan on a piece of land he had purchased from a Christian. He reportedly left behind only 17 dinars with a will that out of this amount the rent of the house in which he died and the price of the land in which he was buried would be paid. And thus departed the great soul from the world. 


May Almighty Allah rest his soul in peace and award him the best place in Paradise.

About Hazrat Umar Bin Abdul Aziz