JEDDAH, 26 October 2004 — Work on a giant project for expanding the areas surrounding the Holy Haram in Makkah will start shortly in order to accommodate millions of pilgrims who come from around the world to perform Haj and Umrah. An announcement on the project is likely to be made in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The project includes expansion of the mosque’s northern courtyard by 1.2 million square meters, Al-Watan Arabic daily reported, adding that billions of riyals have been allocated for the project. The new expansion comes on the heels of a multibillion-riyal Jabal Omar residential tower project on the western side of the mosque.
Six designs have been prepared by international companies for the project, which is to cover the area between the mosque and the second ring road to the north, Masjidul Haram Street to the east and Jabal Al-Kaaba Street to the west. The project also aims at providing infrastructure facilities required for security and services.
Arrangements will also be made to bring some 10,000 pilgrims near the mosque in an hour, the paper said. The project includes construction of new multistory buildings for residential and commercial purposes. The area will also house headquarters of the Haj Research Center, a center for Islamic sciences and conference halls.
The new project comes as part of the government’s efforts to enhance facilities for pilgrims. About two million pilgrims including 1.3 million from abroad performed Haj last year. According to Haj Minister Iyad Madani, the number of pilgrims coming for Haj this year is expected to increase by five percent. More than three million faithful are expected to come for Umrah this year.
The Jabal Omar real estate project, which is estimated to cost SR12 billion, will change the face of Makkah. Work on the project began in August as utility services to 580 buildings in the area were cut in preparation to demolish them and erect new residential towers designed to accommodate 34,500 people.
The Jabal Omar project is one of the largest schemes aimed at developing areas surrounding the Holy Haram. Spread on an area of 230,000 square meters, the project includes five-star hotels, commercial centers, and prayer facilities for 200,000 worshippers. The project will have 4,500 shops and 3,000 showrooms, a central transport station and parking facility for 12,000 vehicles.
A joint stock company will be established to implement the residential project. “It will create a model residential and commercial center with new roads, pathways, tunnels, electric stairs, and other facilities,” said Abdul Rahman Faqeeh, chairman of Makkah Construction Company.
The Makkah Development Authority recently completed a survey for the project and set the market value of the real estate at SR4.2 billion. Owners of Jabal Omar plots have the option either to join the new joint stock company or sell their property to it for development.
The project site is bordered by Umm Al-Qura Street to the north, Duhlat Al-Rushd to the south, Ibrahim Al-Khalil Street to the east, and Al-Hafaer and Al-Tendbawi to the west.
