RAWDAT KHURAIM – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved the largest ever expansion of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. He also ordered to start implementing the massive expansion project at once so as to complete it within a maximum period of two years. With the new expansion, the mosque will have the capacity to accommodate more than 1.6 million worshippers. King Abdullah signed Wednesday the revised expansion plan and announced launching its implementation. He was briefed on the alterations made in the plan in accordance with his earlier instructions for expanding the mosque toward northern, eastern and western directions. Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Assistant Minister of Finance Muhammad Al-Mazeed and other officials concerning the project explained to the King the salient features of the architectural model and final design of the project. Speaking on the occasion, King Abdullah said: “This is a grace from Almighty Allah. God willing, there is goodness and blessing for pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Mosque as well as to the noble Saudi citizens in this expansion. May Allah enable us to serve our religion and country in a way winning His pleasure and love.” Al-Assaf said in a press statement that the alterations made in the expansion plan as per the directive of King Abdullah were done after examining the alternatives that are compatible to an expansion approved by the Grand Mufti and the Board of Senior Ulema. He thanked the King for his utmost care and keenness in serving the public interests with regard to extending the best ever possible services for the Haj and Umrah pilgrims as well as visitors to the holy mosque. Islam's two holy mosques are currently witnessing the largest ever expansion in their history. After launching the massive expansion work of the Grand Mosque in Makkah in 2011, King Abdullah laid corner stone for the expansion of the Prophet's Mosque during his visit to the holy city on Sept. 24, 2012. Once the expansion is completed, the mosque will have a total area of 1.1 million square meters with the capacity to accommodate over 1.6 million worshippers. The expansion is being made as part of a comprehensive plan that also encompasses the development of the central Haram area and underdeveloped neighborhoods. Earlier, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, lauded King Abdullah's care in serving the Two Holy Mosques and improving the facilities for the growing number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims. He described the new expansion work of the Prophet's Mosque as unprecedented. – SG/SPA
