The Saudi Third Expansion of the Grand Mosque, which was launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is considered an extension of the previous historical expansions first initiated by late founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman and completed by late kings: Saud and Faisal, followed by the expansion of the eastern parks which have been implemented during the era of late King Khalid, followed by the expansion of the mosque from the western side during the reign of late King Fahd, followed by the Massaa (circumambulation passage) expansion which took place during the era of late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and then the grand expansion ordered by late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and will be completed during the current era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. A report, issued by the Ministry of Finance, explained that the third grand expansion of the Makkah-based holy mosque includes major components: the holy mosque's main expansion building, the Massaa expansion which has already been opened and the expansion of the circumambulation path, the external parks, flyovers, stairs, complex of central services building, services tunnel, security buildings, the hospital, pedestrian-use tunnels, transportation stations, bridges leading to the mosque, first ring road surrounding the holy mosque area, and the infrastructure which includes power stations, water reservoirs and flood drainage system. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has dedicated five major projects as follows: the holy mosque's main expansion building, the external parks, pedestrian-use tunnels, central services building and first ring road. A number of projects will remain: they are the Mataf (circumambulation) with its appliances and affiliates, the stairs, the security buildings, the hospital, a total facility that will bring the capacity of the grand mosque to 1,850,000 worshippers. The report said the total building area amounts to 1,470,000 sq.m., the area of the expansions will reach 320,00 sq.m. to accommodate 300,000 worshippers while the area of the premises amounts to 175,000 sq.m. to make room for 280,000 worshippers. The bridges and flyovers' area amounts to 45,000 sq.m. to carry 50,000 worshippers, the area of the services building is 550,000 sq.m. which will accommodate 310,000 worshippers. The area of the eastern stairs will be 263,000 sq. m. that is enough for 150,000 worshippers. The Masaa area was increased by 57,000 sq.m. to accommodate 70,000 worshippers, with the capacity of the mosque increasing from 44,000 person/hour at the circumambulation path to 118,000 person/hour. --More 16:15 LOCAL TIME 13:15 GMT تغريد
