New expansion plans for the Grand Mosque in Makkah are underway following a decision by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Muhammad Nasir Al-Khuzayyam, assistant chief of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques said the northern part of the Grand Mosque will be included in the open courtyard surrounding the Ka'bah. “The construction company said the project will be completed before Ramadan and the Shamia sector will become the part of the Holy Mosque. 99 percent of the work has since been completed.” He said the area around the Ka'bah is 70 thousand square meters and will accommodate 50 thousand worshippers. This would facilitate the estimated three million Umrah performers and worshippers expected this year particularly in the last 10 days of Ramadan. __
