Kaaba areas around Haram. The new projects come as part of the government's efforts to enhance housing and prayer facilities for the millions of pilgrims who come for Hajj and Umrah from all over the world. The projects are also aimed at developing areas in the central region of the holy city after removing old and dilapidated buildings. They will also provide secure transport systems and reduce traffic congestions in the city. The total area to be developed is estimated at 587,250 square meters, with 90 percent being old buildings. The expansion of the mosque's northern courtyard itself will cover an area of 1.2 million square meters between the mosque and the second ring road to the north, Masjid Al-Haram Street to the east and Jabal Al-Kaaba Street to the west. Abdul Rahman Faqeeh, Chairman of Makkah Construction Company, said the Jabal Omar project would provide more than 25,000 jobs for Saudis. Jabal Omar offers residential facilities for 100,000 people, air-conditioned prayer facilities for 100,000 and open prayer space for 120,000, he added. Efforts are under way to establish a joint stock firm named Jabal Omar Development Company to implement the project. The company will have a capital of SR3.5 billion including SR1.1 billion as shares of real estate owners in the area. Part of its shares worth SR850 million will be floated for public subscription. The value of real estate to be acquired for the project is estimated at SR4.3 billion. Referring to the construction of a new road parallel to the road linking the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway with Haram, Faqeeh said it would start from the end of the first ring road behind the Makkah Construction Company's residential-cum-commercial complex, pass through Jabal Omar to reach the road parallel to Um Al-Qura Road to join the expressway. The new road will have a 1,000-meter-long tunnel and will pass by Mawarika, Tandbawe, Jabal Ghurab, Rusaifa and Zahareen.
