Masjidil Haram to expand
PK Abdul Ghafour
JEDDAH

Friday, January 18, 2008

THE coming expansion of the Grand Masjid in Mekah, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will facilitate the accommodation of an additional 500,000 worshippers, according to Mekah Mayor Osama Al-Bar.

"This is one of the largest development projects related to the Grand Masjid and will change the face of Mekah," said Al-Bar. The expansion will create more prayer space on the northern and northwestern parts of the masjid, he added.

King Abdullah ordered the expansion earlier this month. Prince Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, said the project would include the construction of pedestrian tunnels and service stations.

The royal decree covers expropriation of real estate on the northern and northwestern sides of the masjid, covering an area of 300,000 square metres. "Special committees have begun estimating the value of real estate in the area," Miteb said.

As many as 1,000 properties in the area called Shamiya and Shubaika will be demolished as part of the expansion project and the government has allocated some SR6 billion ($2.29 billion) as compensation. Informed sources said the demolition of old buildings in the area would be completed within 60 days so that the new project could begin.

According to the mayor, the new project will cover the area beginning at Masjid Al-Haram Street and Gazza on the east to Jabal Al-Ka'bah Street and Shubaika Graveyard on the west. It will also run through Abu Sufyan Street, Raquba, Abdullah ibn Zubair Street, Shamiya, Jabal Hindi, Khalid ibn Walid Street and Shubaika reaching Jabal Ka'bah Street, Al-Bar said.

"New pedestrian tunnels linking the northern areas with the masjid's new courtyard will be constructed as part of the project," he added.