Working Starts in Removing
Buildings of First Saudi Expansion, Old Haram 
Makkah, Safar 5, 1435, Dec 8, 2013, SPA
Upon directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sheikh Dr. Abdurrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, General President of the Holy Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Affairs, announced today that the works are begun to remove the buildings of the first Saudi expansion and the old Haram in a preparation of the second phase for establishment of the buildings regarding the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Project to raise the capacity of Mataf (circumambulation of the Kaaba area).
In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Sudais added that the capacity will increase to 75,000 worshippers per hour in Mataf after a completion of the 2nd phase.
Sheikh Al-Sudais thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince, the Second Deputy Premier and the Governor of Makkah Region for their continuous support of the two holy mosques.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1176472
Old Haram structures
being razed for expansion
9 December 2013
MAKKAH – Work has begun on the demolition of old structures, built during the first Saudi expansion, and the old Haram, so as to facilitate the expansion of the Grand Mosque as part of the King Abdullah Grand Mosque Expansion Project, it was announced on Sunday.
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the new constructions are part of the second phase of the ongoing expansion of the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba). “This phase would cover about 25,000 square meters, almost double the area of the first phase. With the completion of the second phase, the capacity to accommodate tawaf performers will rise to 75,000 per hour,” he said.
Citing details of the project, Sheikh Sudais said: The second phase begins from where the first phase ended at the north side of the mataf and will reach up to King Fahd Gate, which was constructed during the second Saudi expansion after passing through the Umrah Gate and the area opposite it in the direction of the mataf. This phase includes reconstruction of Al-Fatah Gate and its surrounding area as well as the outer surrounding area facing the northern courtyard. The old passageway will be dismantled and reconstructed to facilitate the movement of pilgrims inside the mataf.
Construction of the first mezzanine floor, which is designated for pilgrims with special needs, with a width of 10 meters, has also begun. The new construction sites have been barricaded after ensuring passages to facilitate smooth and safe flow of worshipers from the mataf to the masaa (running area between Safa and Marwa).
Sheikh Sudais said work will continue until the beginning of next Ramadan so as to enable the faithful to take advantage of the basement floor as well as the ground and first floors of the mataf while the terrace will be opened during the next Haj season.
The new buildings and all levels of the mataf will have staircases and escalators to ensure smooth flow of worshipers, he said.
Sheikh Sudais said work on the first level of the temporary circular bridge over the mataf, designed for the disabled and elderly pilgrims, and connecting it to the ground floor of the mosque and outer courtyards will also be completed before Ramadan.
Sheikh Sudais opened the top and second levels of the bridge that connects the first floor of the mosque on July 25. The 12-meter-wide and 13-meter-high bridge can accommodate 1,700 wheelchairs in an hour. The bridge will be used by disabled people until the completion of the mataf expansion work that started on Nov.15 last year.
Described as the ‘Project of the Century’, the King Abdullah Expansion Project, costing over SR100 billion, is designed to increase the mosque’s capacity to more than two million worshipers.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index...20131209189028
Begin work on removing the buildings the first Saudi expansion
and the old Haram in preparation for the establishment of private buildings
of King Abdullah to raise the capacity of its second phase took shape in
بدء العمل في إزالة مباني التوسعة السعودية الأولى والحرم القديم تمهيداً لإنشاء المباني
الخاصة لمشروع الملك عبدالله لرفع الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف في مرحلته الثانية
أوضح معالي الرئيس العام لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي الشيخ الدكتور عبدالرحمن بن عبدالعزيز السديس أنه بعد نجاح موسم حج عام 1434هـ والتميز الذي تم بتوفيق الله ثم بتوجيهات ولاة الأمر – حفظهم الله – واستكمالاً لمشروع خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبد العزيز لرفع الطاقة الاستيعابية للمطاف في مرحلته الثانية, بُدئ العمل في إزالة مباني التوسعة السعودية الأولى والحرم القديم تمهيداً لإنشاء المباني الخاصة بالمشروع.
وأبان معاليه أن هذه المرحلة تربو على 25ألف متر مربع وتشكل ضعف إجمالي مسطحات المرحلة الأولى حينها ستصل الطاقة الاستيعابية إلى 75 ألف طائف في الساعة بعد اكتمال المرحلة الثانية و تبدأ من حيث انتهت المرحلة الأولى شمال صحن المطاف وصولاً إلى المحور المؤدي إلى باب الملك فهد في التوسعة السعودية الثانية ومروراً بباب العمرة والمنطقة المقابلة له باتجاه صحن المطاف، وتشمل هذه المرحلة إعادة إنشاء باب الفتح والمنطقة المحيطة به والمحيط الخارجي المواجه للساحات الشمالية، كما تشمل هذه المرحلة تفكيك وإعادة تركيب الرواق القديم بما يتلاءم مع متطلبات الحركة داخل صحن المطاف وبما يحقق المتطلبات المعمارية والصورة التاريخية لصحن المطاف وهذه المرحلة. كما شُرع في أعمال التشطيبات الخاصة بالمرحلة الأولى ويشمل ذلك الأعمال المعمارية و الإلكتروميكانية والمدنية بالإضافة إلى الشروع في إنشاء ميزاني الدور الأول الذي سيخصص لطواف ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة بعرض 10 أمتار، وقد جرى حجز مواقع العمل وتأمين مسارات آمنة لقاصدي المسجد الحرام لتوفير الانتقال السلس والآمن داخل صحن المطاف إلى المسعى في الدور الأرضي.
واستطرد معالي الرئيس العام أن العمل سيستمر في هذه المرحلة إلى مطلع شهر رمضان القادم للاستفادة مما سيتم إنشاؤه منها على غرار ما تم في المرحلة الأولى، حيث سيتم الاستفادة من دور القبو المحاذي لمنسوب صحن الطواف، بالإضافة إلى الدور الأرضي والدور الأول، في حين أنه سيتم الاستفادة من دور السطح في موسم حج 1435هـ إن شاء الله تعالى, وسيتم تعزيز المباني وكافة الأدوار بعناصر الحركة الرأسية والتي تشمل السلالم الثابتة والمتحركة لضمان الربط السلس والمرن بين كافة الأدوار.
واختتم معاليه أنه سيتم استكمال تركيب المستوى السفلي من المطاف المؤقت وربط مداخله بالدور الأرضي والساحات الخارجية بهدف الانتهاء منه وتجربته قبل موسم رمضان القادم بمشيئة الله تعالى، كما سيتم الانتهاء من التشطيبات الخاصة بالمطاف المؤقت والتي تشمل أنظمة الإضاءة والصوت والتهوية وتصريف المياه.
وفي ختام تصريحه دعا الله أن يجزي خادم الحرمين الشريفين وسمو ولي عهده الامين وسمو النائب الثاني وسمو أمير المنطقة على ما يولون الحرمين الشريفين من رعاية فائقة وعناية بالغه خير الجزاء وعظيم الأجر والمثوبة وأن يجعل ذلك في موازين أعمالهم الصالحة أنه سميع قريب مجيب .
http://www.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm?do=c...4&categoryid=2 Google translation: HE President General for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais that after the success of the pilgrimage season in 1434 AH and excellence that has been the grace of God and the guidance of the guardians - God save them - and to complement the project Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to raise the capacity of the destination for the the second phase , begun work to remove the buildings the first Saudi expansion and the old Haram in preparation for the construction of buildings for the project .
He indicated Ma'aleh that this phase of over 25 thousand square meters constitute weakness Total Flats first phase then will the capacity to 75 thousand Careers in time after the completion of the second phase and start from where they left off the first phase north dish up and down to the axis leading to the door of King Fahd in expansion Saudi Arabia second passing through the door of Umrah and the region corresponding toward the dish of the day, and this phase includes re-establishment of the door opening and the surrounding area and the outer perimeter fronting yards North , as this phase includes the dismantling and re- installation of the porch the old line with the requirements of movement within the Mataf and to achieve the architectural requirements and image historical and Mataf this stage . It also initiated in the work finishes for the first phase includes architectural works and Alaketromekaneh and civil as well as to initiate the establishment of budget the first round , which will be allocated for Temporary Mataf with special needs width of 10 meters , has been booked work sites and securing paths safe for Cassidy Grand Mosque to provide a smooth transition and safe inside dish up to endeavor on the ground floor .
And went on His Excellency President General that the work will continue at this stage to the beginning of the month of Ramadan next to capitalize on what will be created , including along the lines of what has been in the first stage , where they will take advantage of the role of the basement adjacent to the level bowl circumnavigation , in addition to the ground floor and first floor, while it will be take advantage of the role of the surface in the Hajj season 1435H that, God willing , will be strengthened buildings and all elements of the vertical movement of roles which include fixed and mobile stairs to ensure a smooth and flexible connectivity between all roles .
And concluded his that he will complete the installation of the bottom level of the day the interim and linking entrances on the ground floor and external areas in order to finish it and try it before Ramadan season coming , God willing , will also be completed finishes own Palmtaf temporary and that includes lighting systems , audio and ventilation and water drainage .
At the conclusion of his statement, called on God to reward the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Premier and HRH the Prince of the region is paying the Two Holy Mosques of extreme care and attention very best reward and great pay and reward and to make it in the balance of their arable he listens and close to Mujib .
7 December 2013 
