The Minister of Hajj, Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Hajjar, said that the decision to reduce the numbers of pilgrims at home by 50% and abroad by 20% is exceptional and temporary until the completion of the expansionist projects at the Holy Sites. During a meeting with the first channel of Saudi television yesterday, Dr. Hajjar noted that the numbers of pilgrims are linked to previous agreements providing for 1000 pilgrims for one million of the total population of countries. He pointed out that the current expansion projects of the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah will add 400,000 square meters to the current area to accommodate 2.2 million worshipers, the Jamarat Bridge from 6 to 12 floors to accommodate 5 million pilgrims per day, and the Prophet's Holy Mosque in Madinah will add 1.6 million worshipers to accommodate more than two million worshipers. He explained that Masa' Track for fast walk in the Grand Holy Mosque will accommodate after expansion from 44,000 pilgrims to more than 130,000 pilgrims. --More 11:24 LOCAL TIME 08:24 GMT تغريد
