MAKKAH — The technical committee of the project of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to expand the Grand Mosque has rescheduled its program to complete the removal of the temporary mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) on May 17 instead of the previous date of May 27. Wail Saleh Al-Halabi, a committee member, said the progress made by the company involved in the dismantling of the temporary mataf has necessitated the rescheduling. "No pilgrim or visitor was hurt or injured during the process to dismantle the structure," he said. Halabi said work on the project was going on 24/7 under the supervision of about 80 highly-qualified Saudi engineers. Meanwhile, the Haj Ministry has allotted the locations in Mina and Arafat to tawafa establishments for external pilgrims. The ministry's undersecretary Hussain Al-Sharif said they have specified the tent locations so that each tawafa establishment is aware in advance of its exact place so as to formulate its operational plans. Work on demolition of the suspended mataf began last month. The temporary bridge was erected in August 2013 to reduce congestion in the Grand Mosque due to the implementation of the third phase of its expansion. The demolition began on the western side of the King Fahd Expansion Project as the area was ready to receive pilgrims and visitors. The contractor of the expansion project is carrying out the demolition process in collaboration with the security forces of the Grand Mosque, the Civil Defense and the technical committee to ensure the highest degree of safety for pilgrims. Trucks to remove the debris enter the mataf area through Al-Shabakiyah area. The first floor of the mataf has been dedicated for pilgrims using hand-pushed wheelchairs while the mezzanine floor will be used by pilgrims on electric chairs. The entire third phase of the expansion project from Al-Shamiyah area, all mataf floors and the ceiling will be ready for use during Ramadan. The new mataf area will allow about 107,000 pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in an hour.
