King to lay foundation stone for biggest expansion of Prophet’s Mosque

24 September 2012 - 08 Thul-Qedah 1433 H

MADINAH — King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the biggest expansion project for the Prophet’s Mosque, apart from more than 10 mega-development projects, during his visit to Madinah, Monday.

Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majed, Emir of Madinah Region, said that King Abdullah’s visit was in line with the monarch’s concern for the conditions of the citizens and his desire to see to their needs, as well as his keenness to develop Madinah and complete the mega-development projects in different fields.

This expansion is considered to be the biggest following King Fahd's expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque. The project will accommodate huge numbers of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque, besides worshipers at peak hours during the Haj and Umrah seasons. The expansion is designed to help the huge number of worshipers to perform their prayers with ease, comfort and peace of mind.

The expansion project is set to commence immediately after the Haj season this year. The demolitions will start after the contractor cuts off all the services to the buildings to be demolished. This will be done after all financial entitlements are handed over for expropriation of properties.

The number of properties to be demolished has reached 100, distributed in the eastern and western sides. The total compensation for an area estimated at 12.5 hectares has reached SR25 billion.

King Abdul Aziz Library will be the most prominent structure to be demolished west of the Prophet’s Mosque, apart from the new Haram markets and several well-known hotels.

The project will be carried out in three stages. The first stage will have a sufficient area for 800,000 worshipers, while in the second and third stages, the eastern and western courtyards of the Haram will be expanded so as to accommodate 800,000 more worshipers. The Central Area in the vicinity of the Prophet’s Mosque will be redeveloped almost fully. It will be provided with new services supporting the Prophet’s Mosque.

A comprehensive plan has been laid down toward reducing the increasing pressure by raising the current capacity of 550,000 worshipers to a future capacity of 780,000 worshipers. This will be done through the expansion of the Haram’s eastern and western courtyards, taking into consideration the flow of pedestrians that requires further expansions.

According to the project plan, the general and social courtyards surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque will be improved. The hotels included in the expansion can continue to operate until the site is readied for the expansion projects. The hotels will then be demolished due to the need for 12.5 hectares of land for facilitating the northern expansion.

The canopies project of the Prophet’s Mosque is one of the mega-projects that King Abdullah has issued directives for. The number of canopies has reached 182, and 68 more canopies will be added in the eastern courtyards. These will cover an area of 143,000 square meters surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque from all four directions. About 800 worshipers can pray under each canopy.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20120924137344