Majeed said the Shamiya project would include expansion of the Haram Mosque's northern courtyard by 1.5 million square meters. "This project alone will help provide housing for more than 205,000 pilgrims and prayer area for 400,000 people. It also ensures free flow of pilgrims around the Haram," he pointed out. The massive projects launched by Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, included development of Ajyad Hospital located close to the Haram, construction of a new road parallel to the existing road linking the Haram with Jeddah-Makkah Expressway, and building of modern residential and commercial facilities in Jabal Omar, Jabal Khandama and Jabal Al-Kaaba areas around Haram. The projects are also aimed at developing disorganized areas in the central region of the holy city after removing old and dilapidated buildings. During the launching ceremony, Crown Prince Abdullah was shown models of development plans for the city over the next 50 years. In addition to residential and commercial buildings, the plan included roads, parks and service facilities. --MORE 1153 Local Time 0853 GMT
