First phase of mataf expansion to be completed before Ramadan

Efforts have been stepped up to complete the first phase of a major Makkah Grand Mosque expansion project before Ramadan.
According to a report carried by a local Arabic daily, the first phase of the expansion of the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) would be completed in 10 days. “The first phase is supposed to be completed by the middle of Shaaban (June 24),” the paper said quoting a source. The SR 80 billion project, the largest in history, is designed to increase the mosque’s capacity to more than 2 million worshippers.
Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for initiating the project to enhance facilities for the millions of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah.
Yahya Binladin, deputy chairman of the Binladin Group, said advanced systems have been used in the new expansion to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims, especially during peak seasons. It includes security monitoring and garbage disposal systems in addition to sunshades in the courtyards around the mosque. The new extension would be linked to the existing building with bridges. It will have an advanced air-conditioning and lighting system.
King Abdullah laid the foundation stone for the massive project last August and dedicated it to the Islamic world. Covering an area of 456,000 square meters in the northwest and northeast of the mosque, the project includes construction of a new building and expansion and development of courtyards around the mosque.
A 1,200-meter-long tunnel will be constructed from the end of the expansion passing through Jabal Hindi while another tunnel, 1,100 meters long, will be built under Jabal Madafie. An emergency 700-meter tunnel crossing the other two tunnels will be constructed from Jabal Al-Kaaba.
Muhammad Al-Khozaim, vice president of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, described it as the project of the century.
The total area of the existing Grand Mosque is 356,000 square meters accommodating 770,000 worshippers while the new expansion will accommodate 1.2 million faithful.