A research study on Jabel Al-Noor and Thor in Makkah, and Uhud in Madina stressed the importance of linking these areas with cable cars to transport Umrah pilgrims and visitors to these areas, Dr Abdul Aziz Serouji, dean of the Haj Research Center in Makkah, said Wednesday at a press conference. He pointed out that, Jabel Al-Noor, which is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, lies to the east of the Holy Ka'aba and is the location of the Hira cave where the Prophet (peace be upon him) received the first revelation through Angel Jibreel and prayed. It has become an unplanned visitor attraction for pilgrims, he said. The Hira cave is 270 meters up the mountain and at the height of pilgrimage, up to 50,000 people a day have climbed up to see it, he added. Jabel Thor, on the outskirts of Makkah, marks the start of the journey of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr Al-Sadeeq from Makkah to Madina. It is the mountain where the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr Al-Sadeeq hid from the people of Quraish before his Hijra to Madina. Mt. Uhud (Jabal Uhud), the mountain where the Battle of Uhud took place, is in the northern part of Madina, four kilometers from the Prophet's Mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) felt releved when he saw it, and the people of Madina also loved it very much. On March 19, 625, (3 Shawwal 3 AH), it was the scene of the famous Battle of Uhud, in the area between the southwestern base of Mount of Uhud and Mount Anyayan, which covers about one kilometer. The study stressed the importance of the cable cars because they would protect the pilgrims from falling on the mountains' slopes, Dr. Serouji said. It also suggests building service facilities at the base of the mountains to extend guidance and enlightenment services to visitors to explain the religious aspects of visiting the sites; the information would prevent visitors from religious activities that have nothing to do with Shariah, he said. Some pilgrims mistakenly believe that these areas are holy sites and accordingly worship Allah, he added. The study also proposes setting up cultural centers at the foot of the mountains; the centers would display documentary films, in several different languages, covering their history, Dr. Serouji said. He said the Haj Research Center conducted studies last year on a number of people who visit tunnels leading to the Holy Haram; he pointed out that they showed that the percentage of pollution is within the normal range and does not pose any risk for pilgrims. A study about the management of large crowds in the Holy Haram is not finished, he said. The two-part study is related to the management of the masses and designing plans to address it, which requires creating an operational plan for the central area of the Holy Haram, he added. A study is also being carried out on the Mutaf Area to determine how to deal with emergencies there that may result from the steady increase in number of pilgrims, Dr. Serouji said. __
