MADINAH: ARAB NEWS

Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed described King Abdullah’s decision to expand the Prophet’s Mosque as historic.

He said: “This decision is deemed a great service to Islam and Muslims.

“Moreover, it would benefit all people in Madinah, in addition to millions of pilgrims coming from all over the world.”

He added the decision had been taken after taking into account the growing number of pilgrims every year.
Madinah Mayor Khaled Taher lauded King Abdullah for giving top priority to the two holy mosques, as demonstrated by the largest ongoing expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah ever since the dawn of Islam.
He added: “The king also ordered the expansion of the mataf (the area for circumambulation around Kaaba), in addition to accomplishing the expansion of the Jamarat Bridge, the masaa (running area between Safa and Marwa), and facilitating the smooth flow of pilgrims by introducing the Mashair Train.

“In Madinah, the king ordered the largest ever expansion (of the Prophet’s Mosque).”

The imam and khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque Abdul Bari Al-Thubaiti, who is also secretary-general of the Osraty society, said the king’s order to expand the mosque was taken after anticipating the growing number of pilgrims and visitors over the coming three decades.

He noted at present, the mosque and its terrace and courtyards have the capacity to accommodate around 1 million worshippers.

“With the expansion, the capacity of the mosque and its courtyards will reach over 2.6 million.”
Ali Al-Obaid, undersecretary at the Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque, said the king’s new order is a follow up of expansion projects he had begun after ascending to the throne.

He said: “A total area of 30,500 square meters with a capacity to accommodate 61,000 people was added to the eastern courtyard following an order from the king.

“In addition to this, two basement floors and public utility facilities have been constructed.

“Then, a project to install 250 sunshades in courtyards around the mosque has also been implemented as per an order from the king.”