Saudi King launches Makkah project

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah launched the second King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project in Makkah late Tuesday night. Located close to the Grand Mosque, the project can accommodate 55,000 pilgrims and visitors. Covering an area of 30,000 sq.m., the project will have 11 residential towers with 7,000 rooms, said Saleh Al-Asheikh, the minister of Islamic affairs, endowments, dawa and guidance.

“The project will also have a massive prayer area that will accommodate at least 30,000 worshippers,” the minister said during the ceremony.
After laying the foundation stone for the project, King Abdullah was briefed on its facilities by Al-Asheikh. While inspecting a model of the charitable project, the king expressed his hope that it would benefit pilgrims and visitors. Al-Asheikh said the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project was King Abdullah’s brainchild. He praised the king for his efforts to promote endowment projects in the Kingdom in support of charitable activities. He also noted King Abdullah’s decision that all Makkah and Madinah lands that are not owned by anybody would be considered an endowment property for the two holy mosques. “This is a great service to the holy mosques,” he added.
The minister emphasized the importance of endowments in Islam.

The Companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instituted endowments not only to establish mosques and houses of learning but also to build water and health projects. Al-Asheikh was all praise for King Abdul Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, for ensuring the security and safety of pilgrims who come from different parts of the world to perform Haj and Umrah.
Sheikh Saleh Al-Hosain, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, said the project was designed to be close to the courtyards of the Grand Mosque, ease overcrowding during peak hours and facilitate the movement of pilgrims. “We have given top priority to the security and safety of residents and pilgrims,” he said.

Five consulting and engineering companies in the Kingdom have taken part in designing the project, Al-Hosain said, adding that a workshop of businessmen had been held to discuss financing. He said a contract had been signed with the developer, Al-Oula Development Company, on condition that the Haram Endowment would have 35 percent of returns from the project while the company would have 65 percent until the project is fully transferred to the ownership of the Haram Endowment within seven years. After that period, the Haram Endowment will receive the project’s full revenue. The new residential towers will also have 1,900 lavatories and parking facilities for 560 cars and 40 buses.

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