The King Abdullah project to renovate the holy city of Makkah will live up to pilgrims' expectations of the services provided to them, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, said here Tuesday. The Emir called on all ministries and departments to join forces to implement the King Abdullah project initiated in order to provide pilgrims with efficient, urban services in keeping with Islamic traditions. Prince Khaled made the call Tuesday at a meeting of the ministerial committee for the construction and development project. The meeting was attended by ministers of municipal and rural affairs, Haj, transport and water and electricity. Prince Khaled emphasized the importance of completing the first stages of the project in the next four years. He also asserted the importance of the project's preservation of its Islamic and local identity, including the representation of the holy city as a rejuvenated and modernized city. The Emir noted that the project will have all the support it needs from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. “This project should be perfectly implemented and should provide the best services to pilgrims using modern methods while preserving the Islamic and local identity,” he said. Prince Khaled briefed the ministers on the details of the project saying that the project would strike a balance between the development of Makkah and the ritual sites as well as the Central Area of the Grand Mosque. The transportation project will serve the residents of Makkah and facilitate the movement of both pilgrims and visitors to the city, he said. Prince Khaled stressed the importance of complying with the project's deadlines. He also announced the formation of an executive committee which will meet periodically to follow up the implementation of the project. The ministers were also briefed on the work of the Commission of Makkah and Ritual Sites Development which has been tasked with drawing up a general policy to help develop Makkah and the ritual sites. __
