Ministry of Commerce measures to resolve the supply crisis in the domestic cement industry appear to have backfired. By limiting cement sales to those in possession of building permits, the ministry has created a black market in cement, especially in Makkah and Jeddah.
According to a local newspaper, black marketers are presenting more than 10 permits daily to the ministry in Makkah. The permits allegedly belong to contractors who are licensed to buy one bag of cement for SR 14.5 and resell it for SR 18. There are reports, however, that a bag of cement can fetch as much as SR 23 when demand is high and lines are long to supply Makkah construction sites.
A representative of the Makkah branch of the Ministry of Commerce said that the ministry had taken steps to resolve the imbalance in supply and demand, contracting with a trucking company to use its 300 trucks to transport cement directly from the factory to the distribution centers. This would sidestep black market middlemen and break their monopoly on the product and prices.
Most observers, however, dismissed any ministry claims about solving the problem, saying that as long as demand exceeds supply, the current situation will perpetuate itself.
“The Ministry is incapable of providing a successful solution to the problem,” said Abdullah Al-Salem.
In Jeddah, the price of a bag of cement on the black market spiked to SR 25 recently in reaction to high demand. The ministry allowed 20,000 bags of cement to be distributed in Jeddah last week but has designated a new contractor who has guaranteed to deliver 30,000 bags daily for Jeddah only, correcting any shortage and rationale for high prices.
Enforcement efforts have also been stepped up, resulting in a number of black marketers forced to sell their bags at the mandated price of SR 14.5.
Bader Al-Asmary, another cement consumer, said: “The worst thing about this crisis is pursuing the places where cement is found, and the long queues for taking your quota, only to find, in the end, that your quota isn’t enough to finish the job.”
According to Al-Asmary, the blame for the crisis falls on the cement plants and the black marketers.
Ministry of Commerce blamed for creating cement black market
Ministry of Commerce blamed for creating cement black market
Guidance heroes of Hajj help pilgrims find their way
- Scouts can be found in all pilgrimage areas wearing blue caps, brown vests and green neckerchiefs, helping pilgrims
RIYADH: The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation trained scouts to serve during the Hajj season to provide guidance and advice to pilgrims.
These scouts can be found in all pilgrimage areas wearing blue caps, brown vests and green neckerchiefs, helping pilgrims.
Hajj scout Ramadan Swailek says that his duty is to serve and assist the pilgrims at various locations in Makkah.
“We are roaming scouts, and we have specialists from various fields present in the holy sites, such as guidance, health, and safety. The mission of a guidance scout involves guiding lost pilgrims. If a pilgrim is lost, we use maps to help them find their way.”
Swailek said that pilgrims can get cold refreshments and take a rest at the guidance stations.
“This is the first year we are working as roaming guides. In the past, we always provided stationary guidance, helping lost pilgrims who might have been wandering for three or four hours, often frustrated. Guiding them to their destination brings immense relief, and it is a highly rewarding experience. People truly compete for this role because it offers a profound sense of fulfilment,” he said.
Abdulrahim Saad Al-Maliki is another scout helping pilgrims this Hajj season.
“We come here with the intention of serving the pilgrims, as my colleague Ramadan mentioned, and we cover five areas in Mina. There is a lot of roaming, guiding and assisting in various aspects. We thank God for the blessings of Islam, our faith, and the security and safety we enjoy. We are always at the service of the pilgrims. This is my first year, and I hope to continue serving the pilgrims in the coming years, God willing.”
The Scout Commission from the TVTC in the Madinah region won the best headquarters at the camp level this year.
The TVTC was established in 1990 and has 283 training facilities covering all parts of the Kingdom.
KSrelief distribute food aid as Muslims start Eid celebrations
- The program is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen food security in Yemen
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed nearly 1,600 food baskets across Yemen, benefiting more than 11,000 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The aid was sent to the districts of Al-Mawasit, Al-Ma’afer and Ash Shamayatayn in Taiz, as well as Al-Hawtah district in Lahij, and Al-Ghaydah district in Al-Mahra Governorate on Sunday.
The program is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen food security in Yemen.
Also in Yemen KSrelief launched a project on Sunday to distribute adahi meat in Aden Governorate.
The meat of 300 sacrificial animals was distributed on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, in Al-Mansoura city, benefiting 2,800 people who are vulnerable, disabled, displaced and those with chronic diseases.
The project aims to distribute the meat of 2,330 adahi animals to 32,620 families in the governorates of Aden, Marib, Hadhramaut, Al-Mahrah, and Lahij.
KSrelief also distributed 25 tonnes of dates sent to Kazakhstan as a gift.
The aid was handed over in Astana on Sunday by the Saudi ambassador to Kazakhstan, Faisal bin Hanif Al-Qahtani, to the deputy head of the religious administration of the Muslims of Kazakhstan in the presence of a team from KSrelief.
Pilgrims perform final rites of Hajj as Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha
- More than 850,000 pilgrims had performed Tawaf Al-Ifadah by Sunday night in Makkah
- The stoning is among the final rites of the Hajj, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam
MINA: More than 850,000 pilgrims had performed Tawaf Al-Ifadah by Sunday night in Makkah, the ritual marking the final days of the Hajj and the start of the Eid Al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world.
The long day started with masses of pilgrims embarking on a symbolic stoning of the devil in Muzdalifah under the soaring summer heat. The stoning is among the final rites of the Hajj, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
It came a day after more than 1.8 million pilgrims congregated at a sacred hill, known as Mount Arafat, outside the holy city of Makkah, which Muslim pilgrims visit to perform the annual five-day rituals of Hajj. The Tawaf Al Ifadah is performed by Hajj pilgrims after the returning from Mina.
In a press conference on Sunday night, Col. Talal bin Abdulmohsen Al-Shalhoub, spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Interior, said that all pilgrims safely returned to their tents in Mina after departing from Muzdalifah.
He emphasized that security forces are continuing their operations to ensure the security and safety of the Guests of Allah throughout their stay in Mina, including their rituals at the Jamarat Bridge and within the Grand Mosque.“These services encompass crowd control and management on all routes connecting their accommodations in tents, the bridge, and the Grand Mosque, as well as during their tawaf. I urge all guests to adhere strictly to the instructions governing their ritual performances,” he stated.
The spokesperson also advised pilgrims not to carry personal belongings when heading to the Jamarat Bridge or the Holy Mosque.
“Furthermore, I urge those intending to leave Mina on the second day of Tashreeq to follow the specified guidelines,” he added.
The days of Tashreeq are the three days that follow the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, Eid al-Adha, and are known for the ritual of stoning the three pillars in Mina, symbolizing the rejection of temptation and evil.
However, it is permissible for pilgrims to leave Makkah before sunset on the 12th day of Dhul Hijjah.Al-Shalhoub further reported that the 911 center in the Makkah region had received a total of 78,872 calls on the 10th of Thul Hijjah, covering security reports and service inquiries, all of which were promptly addressed.
He highlighted the close monitoring by Saudi leadership of all security sectors, noting continuous enhancements in their performance each year.“Our security personnel serve as exemplary role models in fulfilling their duties and facilitating the Hajj journey for pilgrims,” he concluded.
For his part, Ayedh Al-Ghuwainem, deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj affairs said that the organizational plans and efforts were implemented in harmony with all the participating Hajj agencies.
“The stoning process occurred safely and tranquilly within just ten hours, achieving a compliance rate of 95 percent with the instructions,” he said.
He further added that the plans were designed to accommodate the diverse jurisprudential preferences of pilgrims using modern technology and preplanned schedules for grouping the pilgrims.Al-Ghuwainem stated that more than 800,000 pilgrims had arrived in Mina before dawn on Sunday, and by 8 a.m., all pilgrims had reached Mina.
On their arrival at the Jamarat Bridge, some 70 percent of the pilgrims used the first and fourth floors, while the rest of them went through the second and third floors, according to the deputy minister.
“Moreover, more than 850,000 worshippers have so far performed the Ifadah tawaf since midnight using shuttle bus services from and to the Grand Mosque,” he said.
The deputy minister added that the challenge they faced along with the concerned authorities was that most of the pilgrims preferred to go on foot, despite all the awareness campaigns and the availability of all means of transportation. He also urged the pilgrims to follow the instructions.
Saudi crown prince receives phone call from president of European Council
- They reviewed Saudi-EU cooperation and ways to strengthen in various areas
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received telephone call from the president of the European Council Charles Michel on Sunday.
During the conversation, they reviewed Saudi-EU cooperation and ways to strengthen in various areas.
A number of regional and international issues were also discussed as well as efforts made to achieve security and stability in the region, SPA reported.
Saudi king, crown prince congratulate South African president on re-election
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent separate cables of congratulations on Sunday to South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election for a new term.
King Salman expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for success to Ramaphosa and for the progress and prosperity of his country, SPA reported.
Saudi Arabia has enjoyed excellent relations with South Africa, which have been strengthened and developed in every aspect.
