MAKKAH — Over centuries, Muslims united by faith from every corner of the earth have converged upon the sacred land. Regardless of language, ethnicity, or background, they make this pilgrimage, sometimes at great cost, to reach their ultimate destination: the Grand Mosque in Makkah. This holiest site holds a special place in their hearts and is a meeting point for the pious. Here, Muslims stand united, worshipping One God, their voices raised in supplication. Throughout history, the responsibility of caring for the Grand Mosque has rested with the faithful. Its revered status necessitates constant attention, expansion driven by the ever-growing number of pilgrims, and development. This legacy of custodianship continues to this day, ensuring that the Grand Mosque welcomes all who seek its solace and security. The Grand Mosque boasts a rich history of expansion, which reflects the evolving needs of Muslim pilgrims throughout the centuries. From its humble beginnings in the Makkah society before Islam, when it measured roughly 1,490 square meters, the mosque witnessed continuous growth. Dr. Fawaz Al-Dahas, former director of the History of Makkah Center, details these expansions in his book "Hajj Through the Ages". The area of the mosque remained relatively unchanged until the era of Caliph Abu Bakr al-Siddiq. Subsequent rulers, including the Abbasid Caliphs Al-Mu'tadid and Al-Muqtadir Billah, undertook further expansions, bringing the total area to an estimated 27,850 square meters before the rise of the Saudi state in 1343 AH. The arrival of King Abdulaziz in Makkah in 1924 (1343 AH) marked a turning point for the Grand Mosque. As chronicled in the book, The Past and Present of Hijaz, a new chapter of dedicated care for the holiest site began. King Abdulaziz himself expressed this commitment in his renowned sermon, documented in a book, titled The Peninsula during the Era of King Abdulaziz: "With Allah's power and strength, I bring good news that the Grand Mosque is on the path to progress, goodness, security, and comfort. I will do my best to secure the holy land and bring comfort and reassurance to it." These words were uttered in an era when the Kingdom and its people became dedicated servants of the Grand Mosque. The period also witnessed a surge in the number of pilgrims. Following King Abdulaziz's arrival, the number of pilgrims rose from an estimated 90,662 in 1345 AH to 232,971 by 1374 AH, the year after his passing, as detailed in "The Grand Mosque, History and Architecture" by Dr. Fawaz Al-Dahas and Dr. Muhammad Al-Shehri. Marking a new chapter, the first Saudi expansion of the Grand Mosque commenced in 1375 AH. This ambitious project introduced three floors: the basement, the ground floor, and the first floor. Additionally, the Ma'saa was constructed with two floors, the Mataf (the open area around the Kaaba) was expanded, and the Zamzam Well was relocated to the basement. By 1398 AH, the Mataf was further enlarged to its current form. Heat-resistant marble imported from Greece graced the floor, enhancing the worshippers' comfort. This expansion also involved relocating the pulpit and the makbariyah (a raised platform or tribune in a mosque from where the muezzin chants or repeats in response to the imam's prayers), expanding the Zamzam Well's basement with an entrance near the mosque's edge facing the Ma'saa, installing taps for easier access to drinking water, and encasing the well in a glass basin. In 1406 AH, the floor included in the first Saudi expansion was paved with cool, heat-resistant marble, further improving worshippers' comfort. The dedication to serving pilgrims continued with the laying of the foundation stone for the second Saudi expansion in 1409 AH. Completed in 1411 AH, this phase included vast courtyards surrounding the mosque, paved with cool, heat-resistant marble, illuminated, and furnished for additional prayer space, particularly during peak seasons. These courtyards covered a staggering 88,000 square meters. Further enhancements followed. In 1415 AH, the Safa area on the first floor was expanded to improve the flow of pilgrims performing Sa'i, one of the integral rites of Hajj and Umrah, referred to as the ritual of walking back and forth seven times between the two small hills of Safa and Marwa. Three years later, in 1418 AH, Al-Raqubah Bridge was constructed, connecting the roof of the Grand Mosque to Al-Raqubah area, easing access for those entering and exiting the rooftop. The most significant expansion in the Grand Mosque's history arrived in 1432 AH. This ambitious project significantly increased the mosque's capacity to accommodate 1.85 million worshippers. The expansion included tripling the capacity of the Mataf, allowing for 150,000 people to perform Tawaf every hour. The expansion incorporated advanced sound, lighting, and air conditioning systems. Following the tradition of his predecessors, Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ushered in a new era of development for the Grand Mosque with the inauguration of five major projects in 1436 AH. These projects included the main expansion building, additional squares, pedestrian tunnels, a central services station, and a new ring road. The commitment to improvement is reflected in the ever-growing number of pilgrims visiting the holiest site. According to data from the General Authority for Statistics, since the census began in 1390 AH, well over 100 million pilgrims have performed Hajj or Umrah up to the year 1444 AH.
