The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced on April 5 that Masjid Al Haram in Makkah had opened as many as 80 new prayer rooms for the first time during this year’s Ramadan. It is known that this opening is part of the third phase of the expansion of Masjid Al Haram.
According to Walid Al-Masoudi, director of the general administration of the third Saudi expansion in the Grand Mosque, the new hall is located on the ground floor, first floor, as well as the first and second mezzanine floors of the mosque, which worshipers can access through the north, west, east entrances of the mosque and main gate.
As reported by Arab News, the new facilities cover up to 95 percent of the total capacity of the prayer room inside the mosque, which can accommodate up to a total of 300,000 worshipers. And if the interior hall is complete, then the congregation can be diverted to the north courtyard, which can accommodate an additional 280,000 worshipers; besides, different rooms are also available in the west courtyard.
Al Masoudi explained that the number of worshipers in the mosque increased several times during Ramadan. A special team was assigned to ensure that the congregation had sufficient space for movement, could find a new prayer space, and could safely and efficiently enter and leave the mosque safely and efficiently.
At the same time, he emphasized that all work is carried out under Mohammed Al Jabri, deputy secretary-general for services, field affairs, and environmental protection at the General Presidency, which is in line with the direction of General President Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais. The objective of the Kingdom’s leadership is to provide the best quality service for all visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
It is known that this new prayer room can be accessed through the main gate of the mosque, King Abdullah gate No. 100, gates 104, 106, 112, 173, 175, and 176 on the north side, as well as gates 114, 116, 119, 121 and 123 which are located on the west side, as well as gates 162, 165, and 169 on the east side.
