Saudi Arabia has begun the biggest expansion yet of Islam’s holiest site, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, to raise its capacity to 2 million pilgrims, the state news agency SPA said.
“King Abdullah inaugurated in Mecca (on Friday) the start of the expansion… which is the largest of all previous expansions combined,” SPA said.
It did not say how much it will cost to add 400,000 square metres to the mosque’s area or how long the project will take.
The Grand Mosque is the main attraction for over 6 million pilgrims who enter Mecca each year and is the focal point for a transformation is modernising one of the oldest cities in the region with high-rise skyscrapers and residential blocks.
The mosque is built around the Kaaba shrine, which existed centuries before Islam emerged over 1,400 years ago. Muslims around the world turn towards it for daily prayers.
The expansion project will include pedestrian bridges as well as more shaded space to protect worshippers from the sun.
Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in recent years in safety and comfort for the millions of pilgrims who flock to Mecca to fulfill their religious duties of Haj and Umra.
Assalam alaikum,
I Saifullah, S/O. Late. Jamal Uddin. I am Bank corrupt and without any means. At present I am in a very awkward position. As per our holy Quran and Hadish I have been praying to Allah for relief. May I request you all to pray for me to almighty Allah to give relief form this Sin. I hope that almighty Allah will accept my prayer because of your blessing.
If possible please pray for me in the Jummah Khotba.
May Allah bless you.
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