Abdul Haleem Khouj, head of the team that made the proposal, said it would help the mataf accommodate 128,000 worshippers per hour, increasing its capacity by 160 percent.
Abdul Wahab Alawi and Amjad Maghrabi, the other two engineers who contributed to the plan, said it would enhance the visibility of the Holy Kaaba for people sitting inside the mosque.
The plan also envisions special facilities for the handicapped to perform Haj and Umrah with ease, Khouj said, adding that they came up with the proposal after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah called for a study on expanding the mataf. Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif, who is chairman of the Supreme Haj Council, opened on Tuesday the forum organized by the Haj Research Forum at Umm Al-Qura University.
Addressing the forum on Thursday, Walid Abul Faraj, vice president of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, said ongoing development projects in Makkah would bring about tremendous improvement in Haj services.
He noted the government’s efforts to help pilgrims perform their religious duties without difficulty.
Abul Faraj, former president of Umm Al-Qura, commended the institute’s efforts to promote Haj and Umrah services by conducting scientific studies.