storey buildings for residential and commercial purposes. The area will also house headquarters of the Hajj Research Center, a center for Islamic sciences and conference halls. The new project comes as part of the government's efforts to enhance facilities for pilgrims. About two million pilgrims including 1.3 million from abroad performed Hajj last year. According to Hajj Minister Iyad Madani, the number of pilgrims coming for Hajj this year is expected to increase by five percent. More than three million faithful are expected to come for Umrah this year. --MORE 1219 Local Time 0919 GMT
