volume encyclopedia on Haj and the Two Holy Mosques to be published at a cost of SR30 million by Riyadh-based King Abdul Aziz Foundation (KAAF) will be comprehensive reference material for researchers, academicians and pilgrims worldwide, said Prof. Abdullah Salah Al-Rakieba, director of the project. Prof. Rakieba said the main objective of publishing the encyclopedia is to trace the historical background of Haj dating back to the pre-Islamic era, look into the monumental developmental work on the Two Holy Mosques and present cultural aspects in academic form. The project's other objectives include initiating a reliable database on Haj and the Two Holy Mosques, collecting data on international pilgrims and highlighting the progress made through the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques in different eras. “The project's work, which is currently in its second phase, is aimed at covering all periods of Haj – from the pre-Islamic, Prophet's time, Umayyad, Abbasid, Mamluke and Othman eras, First Saudi State, the era of King Abdul Aziz to King Saud, King Faisal, King Khaled, King Fahd and King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” he said. The encyclopedia is expected to be published sometime in 2015, said Al-Rakieba. Divided into eight parts, it will include the present and past about Makkah and Madina and the expansion works of the Haramain. A section of the encyclopedia will contain a dictionary on holy sites and names while another section highlights the Haj route and Haj terminology. Haj ritual sites, references to Tawafa establishments that offer pilgrimage services, pilgrims coming from Arab and other countries and information about the Ministry of Haj, Supreme Commission of Haj, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj Research and Umm Al-Qura University will be featured in separate sections of the encyclopedia. As part of a research program, we are organizing workshops in Saudi Arabia and other countries, Al-Rakieba said. “Three months ago workshops were held in southeast Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore,” he said. Besides Makkah and Madina, the project also includes major cities and urban centers located in proximity or associated with the two holy cities, mawaqeetul-ihram (geographical points for donning ihram), pilgrims routes and their transport. Apart from collecting and analyzing the relevant information, efforts are being exerted to document facts through writing on various aspects of Haj dating back to the pre-Islamic era highlighting history and geography, he said.
