MAKKAH, 8 November 2004 — Crown Prince Abdullah yesterday launched six major development projects worth SR35 billion around the Haram Mosque in Makkah. The projects, including expansion of the mosque’s northern courtyard and construction of residential towers, are aimed at providing more housing and prayer facilities for pilgrims.
The projects include the SR12 billion Jabal Omar residential towers, one of the largest ventures aimed at developing areas surrounding the Holy Haram. Spread over an area of 230,000 square meters, the project includes five-star hotels, commercial centers and prayer facilities for 200,000 worshippers.
Other projects dedicated by the crown prince were: Development of Ajyad General Hospital, which is located close to the mosque, and construction of another road to Haram parallel to the existing road from the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. The new five-km road, to be named after King Abdul Aziz, is designed to benefit pilgrims.
Prince Abdullah earlier inspected the development plans set out by the Makkah Development Authority including those for the development of Shamiya, Jabal Khandama and Jabal Al-Kaaba areas around Haram. The new projects come as part of the government’s efforts to enhance housing and prayer facilities for the millions of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah from all over the world.
The projects are also aimed at developing areas in the central region of the holy city after removing old and dilapidated buildings. They will also provide secure transport systems and reduce traffic congestions in the city. Analysts have estimated that the new projects would attract more than SR50 billion in investments.
The total area to be developed is estimated at 587,250 square meters, with 90 percent being old buildings. The expansion of the mosque’s northern courtyard itself will cover an area of 1.2 million square meters between the mosque and the second ring road to the north, Masjid Al-Haram Street to the east and Jabal Al-Kaaba Street to the west.
The new projects come after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd last February ordered massive development plans for Makkah, Madinah and other holy sites in order to meet both present and future needs. The king issued a decree announcing a 20-year plan to be carried out by a special commission. Since King Fahd came to the throne in 1982, the government has spent more than SR100 billion (about $27 billion) to carry out massive expansions of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Abdul Rahman Faqeeh, chairman of Makkah Construction Company, said the Jabal Omar project would provide more than 25,000 jobs for Saudis. Jabal Omar offers residential facilities for 100,000 people, air-conditioned prayer facilities for 100,000 and open prayer space for 120,000, he added.
Efforts are under way to establish a joint stock firm named Jabal Omar Development Company to implement the project. The company will have a capital of SR3.5 billion including SR1.1 billion as shares of real estate owners in the area. Part of its shares worth SR850 million will be floated for public subscription. The value of real estate to be acquired for the project is estimated at SR4.3 billion.
Referring to the construction of a new road parallel to the road linking the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway with Haram, Faqeeh said it would start from the end of the first ring road behind the Makkah Construction Company’s residential-cum-commercial complex, pass through Jabal Omar to reach the road parallel to Um Al-Qura Road to join the expressway. The new road will have a 1,000-meter-long tunnel and will pass by Mawarika, Tandbawe, Jabal Ghurab, Rusaifa and Zahareen.
