Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Foreign diplomats who visited development projects in Makkah as part of a conducted tour on Thursday hailed the ongoing expansion work at the Grand Mosque and the arrangements being made by the Saudi authorities to facilitate the smooth performance of rituals by worshippers. [caption id="attachment_148196" align="alignright" width="300"] Foreign diplomats with Saleh Bin Humaid, imam of the Grand Mosque, and other officials during their visit to the Grand Mosque.[/caption] The delegation comprised consuls general of Arab and Islamic countries and top Muslim diplomats based in Jeddah. The visit was arranged by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials explained to the diplomats the increased capacity of the mataf (circumambulation area) following its recent expansion. "The affairs of the two holy mosques have always been a top priority for the rulers of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman has been paying special attention to the expansion projects," Ahmed Al-Mansouri, director of media affairs at the presidency, told the visiting delegation. He explained to the diplomats the details of the projects and their importance to worshippers from around the world. Ali Mohammed Ayash, consul general of Yemen who is also the dean of Arab Diplomatic Corps in Jeddah, hailed the efforts of the Kingdom to provide enhanced facilities and comfort for the pilgrims and visitors of the holy city. Indian Consul General Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh and South African Consul General Shoyab Caso were also part of the delegation. Noor Rahman Sheikh said "the significant and impressive work" under progress would greatly enhance the mosque's capacity. He praised the authorities for executing such an ambitious project without causing any difficulties for the worshippers. The delegation was welcomed by Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Khozim, deputy chief of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, on behalf of Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency. Saleh Bin Humaid, imam of the Grand Mosque, and Jamal Bakr Belkhour, director of the Foreign Ministry's western region branch, attended the reception. The tour was organized within the framework of the presidency's initiative to familiarize diplomats with the "progressive measures" being taken in the interest of pilgrims, Mansouri told Saudi Gazette on Friday.
