Now cable car to see holy sights

Makkah - 23 Sep 2011: How many of us are guilty of going to the Prophet's Mosque in Madina but not stopping at Uhud Mountain where our beloved Prophet lost four teeth and scarred his face during the Battle of Uhud? How many of us have visited and learnt about the significance of Cave Hira in Makkah, where the relevation of Qur'an began? How many of us have shown our children holy sites of Islam and taught them its history just as well as they know about the history of World War I and II?

Unfortunately, large number of Muslims, who frequently visit Makkah and Madina, have never visited these sacred locations which hold a deep significance in the Islamic history.

But now, you don't need to think twice to visit these sites. To make it easier for local and international pilgrims to to view and contemplate at the sacred sites, a plan to install cable cars over historical sites in Makkah and Madina, has been approved.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Surooji, associate professor and researcher at Umm Al-Qura University said that the entire area and environment has been closely studied in order to launch cable cars that will carry visitors atop Al-Noor Mountain and Thawr Cave in Makkah and also Uhud Mountain in Madina.

This plan provides worshipers with the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the holy spots without the need to climb the treacherous mountains which incurs upon them the risk of falling and getting hurt.

Another member of the research team, Dr. Abdullah Foda, added that many services will be made available to guests at the foot of each mountain such as assistance, special guides, educators, and clean lecture halls.

The cable car rides will also include brief explanations of the historical events that took place in each of these sacred places. A timeline for the project was not mentioned, but work on it will start soon

source: Saudi Gazette