Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Hijr Ismael (Hateem) area in the Grand Mosque got a facelift as laying of the marble work on its inner and outer walls was completed on Monday, the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced. Hateem is a semi-circle enclave which was part of the Holy Kaaba (House of God) earlier. Pilgrims circulate around it during their seven-time Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Kaaba for Haj or Umrah. Assistant undersecretary (services) of the presidency, Mashhour Bin Mohsen Al-Harithy said work on changing the marble continued for two weeks. He also said the marble of the lower wall of the Kaaba, from which the kiswa (dress) is hanged, has also been changed. Harithy said the marble of the wall has decayed, became yellowish and could not be fixed by polishing or washing. He said in a couple of days the presidency will start maintenance work on the base of Maqam Ibrahim (Abraham's Station). It contains the historic stone on which Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) used to stand when building the Kaaba. His son, Prophet Ismael (pbuh), used to hand him the bricks for the purpose. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) also stood on the stone to call for prayer and Haj. His footprints were seen clearly on the stone before their gradual disappearance by the continuous touch of the pilgrims. According to the Haj and Umrah rituals, pilgrims are asked to offer two rakas (prayer units) behind or near Abraham's Station. The station is about a meter high and is covered with solid glass which is encased in copper from outside.
