Kingdom, Turkey decide to restore historic Hejaz Railway

By Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Arab News

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Turkey have reaffirmed their desire to restore and rebuild the historic Hejaz Railway that linked Damascus with the holy city of Madinah by a narrow-gauge rail line. The Hejaz rail line was used by pilgrims traveling from Istanbul to the Prophet’s Mosque via the Syrian capital.

“The plan envisages restoration and modernization of the railway line by the Turkish government within its territory, while it calls on Syria and Jordan to rebuild the tracks on their sides,” said Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yildirim during a high-profile business meeting addressed by Turkish President Abdullah Gul here yesterday.

The plan, the first since the Six-Day War interrupted a similar project in 1967, would extend the reach of the railway to its original but never completed southernmost destination: Makkah. World War I put an end to the rail line shortly after its completion in 1913.

The new plan would, if completed as envisioned, connect Istanbul to Makkah. “On the Saudi side, they do have an ambitious plan to set up railway projects,” said Yildirim. “So, when these four countries (Turkey, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia) come together, the entire project would be completed.”

No time frame for the implementation of this multinational project was provided, though Yildirim speculated that it could be completed in five years. A contract to convert the narrow-gauge line to standard gauge was signed in Jordan last year, where a portion of the rail line is still in use in the south of the country. “This railroad project needs positive efforts by the countries involved,” said Shoura member Ihsan Ali Bu-Hulaiga. “It can be of great value and even link Arab countries with European states.”

Addressing the meeting of businessmen organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which was also attended by Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Zainal Alireza and Agriculture Minister Fahd Balghunaim, Gul said, “The Kingdom and Turkey, which share identical views on a range of political and commercial issues, must boost bilateral ties.”

Gul also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between King Saud University and Istanbul Technical University and visited the King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology yesterday.

Jeddah shops pin hopes on returning pilgrims

JEDDAH: Jeddah's shopping malls, souqs and outlets are looking forward to a promising period of business with the steady return of pilgrims.

Several pilgrim groups brought by private tour operators, who arrived in the city and stayed in hotels before Haj, have started returning here either directly from Makkah or via Madinah at the end of the annual pilgrimage.

Most of the starred hotels said yesterday that the pilgrims chose to extend their stay here for a few days for shopping. “After all, they would like to buy something for themselves or carry gifts for their near and dear ones back home,” a hotel executive said.

"We had a golden period in the past when we did much of our business in the post-Haj period. That was when Haj pilgrims arrived here and finally departed from here. But this practice being no more, we have to depend on the groups of pilgrims brought by private tour operators who stay here before returning home,” Abdullah Ibrahim, an electronics shop supervisor in downtown Balad said. “Yet, the post-Haj business for us is satisfying,” he added.

A tour around the main shopping areas in Balad and some of the souqs and malls last evening showed a hectic activity among the shopkeepers to receive the pilgrims. After the three-day Eid Al-Adha holiday, almost all the shops and outlets have reopened. The Souq Al-Alawi street market, which winds through much of old Jeddah, is one of the major attractions for the pilgrims. “This is my first Haj and I want to carry something that is unique,” said Abdul Hameed Saefullah, an Indonesian who operates a restaurant in Jakarta. “I intend to buy some Turkish rugs and Iranian saffron,” he added.

A major reason why so many Haj pilgrims flock to Balad is that it has a number of souqs and is also home to the city's largest public transport depot. Buses come in from all over the Kingdom and from around the region. What is more, SAPTCO operates regular international bus services between the Kingdom and some of the neighboring countries including Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE.

Gold and jewelry dealers at Balad and Kandra said their business often doubles in the post-Haj period. “This is a dedicated market for gold and jewelry and pilgrims who are keen on buying precious ornaments do make it a point to visit us, as our prices are competitive,” Abdul Khaliq, a jeweler at Kandra said. “Our country is sitting on gold, but we haven't seen the kind of gold markets you have. I am currently window-shopping, but have plans to make some gold purchases here,” Abdullah Mahdi, a pilgrim from South Africa said.

Vendors with counterfeit products in downtown and other city markets were also seen crowded with pilgrims interested in buying sunglasses, binoculars, handbags, mobile sets and watches, some of them bearing the names of expensive brands. “Some pilgrims are buying large quantities of handbags and watches, which they resell back home,” a vendor remarked.

“I have heard a lot about Jeddah’s open-air souqs and pedestrian bazaars, as well as the most modern shopping malls,” said Yusuf Mustafa, an Ethiopian pilgrim. “This is my first Haj and my effort is to visit all of its major souqs and malls and carry home some best bargains,” said Mustafa who works in a private company in Addis Ababa. “I will also be touring Tahliah Street, which has some of the best known outlets for fashionable and designer brands,” he added.

“I am looking for souvenirs like prayer beads, prayer rugs, Arabian teapots and attars (Arabian perfumes),” said Maaroof Rafeek, a Sri Lankan pilgrim, while he was shopping at Hera International Market. “I will also be carrying some dresses for my children,” he said.

Ibrahim Mugni, who sells prayer beads, at Bowadi souk in north Jeddah, said: “Prayer beads are very much in demand and tens of thousands of them are sold in the post-Haj period.”

A couple of Canadian pilgrims of Pakistani origin said shopping here was great and in spite of their short stay they would shop and visit the picturesque Corniche to see the sun setting and spend some time at the beach.

Ahmed Muhammad, a textile shop owner at Bani Malek, said: “The going is great for him. Many pilgrims come to me to buy fabric as I stock a variety of material from different countries. Children’s fabric and dresses are usually in great demand.”

Five and 10-riyal shops at various locations including at Balad and Al-Rawdah Street are being thronged by pilgrims for cheap products. Likewise, money exchanges at Balad are being visited by pilgrims for exchanging their currencies.
Source : Arab News