A report from the Saudi Ministry of Finance has provided more details about the current expansion of the Makkah-based Grand Mosque, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Once the project as a whole is complete, the Grand Mosque will have a capacity of 1.85 million worshippers.
The Third Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque, which was launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is considered the largest-ever expansion of the area. It follows on from expansion projects initiated by late founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman and completed by the late monarchs King Saud and King Faisal.
The Massaa (circumambulation passage) expansion is already complete. A number of projects are yet to be completed, including the Mataf (circumambulation) area, security buildings, and a hospital.
The bridges and flyover area amount to 45,000 sq m and are expected to support 50,000 worshippers, while the 550,000 sq m services building will accommodate 310,000 worshippers. The eastern stairs area will span 263,000 sq m, large enough for 150,000 worshippers.
The Masaa area has been increased by 57,000 sq m to accommodate 70,000 worshippers, with the capacity of the mosque increasing from 44,000 people per hour at the circumambulation path to 118,000 people per hour.
The Mataf area has grown by 60,000 sq m to accommodate 90,000 worshippers. The Mataf previously received 50,000 people an hour and accommodated 188,000 worshippers in an area of 150,000 sq m. After the new expansion, the Mataf will receive 107,000 people an hour and will host 278,000 worshippers within an area of 210,000 sq m.
There will be four security buildings accommodating more than 18,000 personnel.