Haj pilgrims to benefit from Grand Mosque expansion

The Saudi government’s expansion of the Grand Mosque would in the long-run benefit all Haj pilgrims, said Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja, the acting Minister of Haj.
Briefing Pakistan diplomats yesterday on the reasons for the 20 percent reduction in foreign pilgrims for this year’s Haj, he said the expansion would increase the capacity of the mataf — the circumambulation area around the Kaaba — from 48,000 pilgrims an hour to around 105,000 pilgrims an hour.
The minister said that the Haj Ministry would provide a video of the proposed expansion of the Grand Mosque and its benefits in the coming years. Pakistan officials could show this video to pilgrims, Khoja told Pakistan Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan.
Khan also briefed the minister about Pakistan’s preparations for this year’s Haj including issues around transport and accommodation.
Khan praised the Saudi government for providing quality services and facilities for pilgrims to perform Haj.
Khan was accompanied by Consul General of Pakistan Aftab A. Khokhar, Consul Press Sohail Ali Khan and Director of Haj Rafeo Shah. Khoja was accompanied by Dr. Hatim Qazi, secretary at the Haj ministry and Abdul Wahab Baghdadi, director of the office at the minister of Haj.
The meeting was held at the minister’s office.