King calls for performing Istiska prayers JEDDAH – King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has called for performing Istiska (rain-seeking) prayers throughout the Kingdom on Nov. 26, the Royal Court said in a statement issued Monday. It noted that it was the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to perform Istiska prayers at the time of rainfall delay, urging every one to repent and do good deeds. – SPA Public park turned into housing facility By Ahmad Al-Kinani JEDDAH – A public park in Jeddah has been illegally converted into a housing facility for the workers of a private company. Local residents registered complaints about the company, which was also using the area for equipment storage and a concrete workshop and machine maintenance, obliging Tariq Fad'aq, the chairman of Jeddah's Municipal Council, to carry out an inspection of the location. Fad'aq said the company's unplanned activities were not acceptable and that the municipality would investigate the matter. Fad'aq also inspected infrastructure works in the Al-Basateen District which had led to the closure of some streets and traffic congestion. – Okaz/SG Move against improper images in schools By Abdullah Obaid Al-Ghamdi and Yasmin Al-Hamad RIYADH/JEDDAH – The Education Ministry's General Administration for Guidance and Advice has reiterated in a circular the need to address school clothes, stationary, and personal belongings that display drawings and images in breach of its regulations. The administration on Monday called for increased efforts to educate students and parents about the detrimental effects of what are described as “improper images.” It wishes to see awareness programs in place as well as the prohibition of such pictures, drawings and writing by school management, and greater adherence to the rules. The administration requires schools to report any violations to enable the Education Ministry and other relevant authorities to take appropriate measures. – Okaz/SG Girl's bath burns at care center to be investigated By Abdulaziz Al-Robai'e TAIF – The Social Affairs Department in Taif is investigating a complaint from the parents of 9-year-old Atheer Al-Zaydi who sustained second-degree burns on her lower body after being left in a hot bathtub for a prolonged period. Atheer had been bathed by a worker at the Center for the Care of the Paralytic in Taif, and, according to the girl's brother, management staff then tried to conceal the incident.The family only discovered the injuries the next day and took Atheer to a hospital. They are now demanding that authorities punish those responsible. The manager of the center said that necessary measures were being taken and that medical reports had been submitted to Social Affairs. – Okaz/SG Daily TV program on Haj rites JEDDAH – A daily television program to provide information and background on the rites of the Haj pilgrimage is scheduled to begin broadcasting Tuesday.“Haj Rites - Step by Step,” produced by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, will be transmitted live on Iqra satellite television channel every day for one hour at 8 P.M. Makkah time.The program, hosted by Dr. Faleh Bin Muhammad Al-Sagheer, Professor of Jurisprudence at Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, explains Haj rites and holds a question and answer session for pilgrims from around the world. In each episode two films will be shown to explain rites such as the Mawaqeet for entering into the state of ritual consecration or Ihram, things to avoid to maintain the state of Ihram, the circumambulation of the Holy Ka'ba for Umra and Haj and the Sa'e between the Safa and Marwah. A recorded explanation of the Haj rites by the late Sheikh Muhammad Al-Othaimeen will also be transmitted.
