JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has ordered the expansion of the courtyards on the eastern and western sides of the Prophet’s Mosque. Welcoming the decision, Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed said the project would reduce crowding at the mosque and create space for the increasing number of worshippers.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Falih, vice president for the Prophet’s Mosque affairs at the Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques, commended the king’s decision and said it would facilitate movement of worshippers. He said more public amenities, such as places for ablution, toilets and parking would be provided.
Yousuf Hawala, president of Madinah Guides, highlighted Madinah’s position as the first capital of the Islamic state. “Since then the number of people living in Madinah has been increasing day by day,” he said.
Hawala said the number of pilgrims coming for Umrah annually would increase to 10 million in the near future.
“We need more facilities to accommodate such large numbers of pilgrims and the king’s decision reflects his farsightedness,” he said.
With the completion of the new expansion project, all residential areas of old Madinah would become part the mosque complex.
Researcher Tandheeb Al-Fayedi said the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque has covered old Madinah completely. “Some buildings that sprouted 100 years ago outside the old city have been added to the new complex,” he added.
Souk Al-Manakha, an important market from the olden times that begins from Ghamama Mosque to Sabaq Mosque, has been included in the expansion.
“Many people from here can now say that they were born in the mosque,” said Ahmed Al-Shaabi of Taiba University.
He said some of the old residential districts included in the expansion ordered by King Fahd were: Harrat Aghwat on the east of Haram, Bab Al-Majeedi on the north, Bab Al-Salam on the west, and Hammam Taiba on the south.
Al-Shaabi said the expansion also covered a number of libraries and historical sites such as Haa well, and streets like Sunbula, Rustumiya, Ainiya and Hamzawi.
