All Makkah Projects ‘Must Display Islamic Identity’

Makkah Gov. and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee Prince Khaled Al-Faisal stressed the need to ensure all projects in Makkah are designed to display an Arab and Islamic identity.

During a meeting in Jeddah on Thursday with members of the Higher Supervisory Committee of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expansion projects, Prince Khaled said efforts must be unified, swiftly completed and stick to the allocated budget.

Faisal Wafa, chairman of the technical committee overseeing the projects, briefed the governor on the completed stages of the projects, as well the remaining tasks. According to Wafa, the completed portions of the expansion projects have greatly increased the capacity of the mosque and the mataf (the area for the circumambulation of the Kaaba). Wafa also pointed out that greater achievements are expected as the project enters its third stage, covering the southern region from the King Fahd expansion area to Safa, a total of 81,567 square meters.

The second phase of the project is scheduled for completion next Ramadan, during which the ground and first floors of the tawaf expansion project will be completed to accommodate more worshippers and pilgrims. According to Wafa, the completed expansions will increase the capacity of the mataf by nearly 105,000 pilgrims per hour and can accommodate an additional 80,000 worshippers.

The project has included the allocation of a separate level to accommodate people with special needs and elderly worshippers, he said. Director of the Umm Al-Qura University Bakri Asas thanked Prince Khaled on behalf of the Technical Committee for his continuous support and dedication to the expansion projects. He also thanked King Salman for his efforts to ensure the rapid completion of the remaining stages of the expansion project.