A sum of SR2.98 billion has been spent on expansion projects for the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Saleh Abd-ur-Rahman Al-Hussein, Chief of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah, told Saudi Gazette. The expansion of the Sa'y area (hastening between Safa and Marwah hillocks) became necessary due to the heavy presence of worshipers and those performing Umrah, especially during Ramadan and Haj. Several worshippers had complained about breathing difficulties due to the heavy influx of the crowd. The Presidency took notice of the situation and five bridges were built for people entering from the plaza adjacent to Mas'a and closed the gates for the ground entry and exit. Al-Hussein observed that over the years more and more Muslims are coming to perform Haj, and thus it became necessary to undertake further expansion projects which led to the construction of the beautiful annex of Islamic architecture accommodating 200,000 worshippers that was built during the reign of King Fahd. However, by 2007, even this expansion was not enough, and King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, ordered that the Mas'a be expanded by an additional width of 20 meters and that another floor be added to it. Previously the Mas'a could accommodate 44,000 persons per hour, but now its capacity is being increased to 118,000 per hour. Three thousand technical and non-technical workers are laboring around the clock, and Abdul Mohsin, the project engineer, said that the project is expected to be completed before this year's Haj. In order to facilitate entry and exit throughout the length of the Mas'a, new gates have been built, said Al-Hussein, along with a new air-conditioning system. On all three stories, an area has been earmarked for the disabled. At the same time, all of the elevators have been renovated, and a labor force of 1,500 is responsible for cleaning and filling 20,000 thermoses of Zamzam water every 24 hours.
