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Makkah: The expansion project for the mataf (the circumambulation area
around the Kaaba) will triple its capacity, according to a senior
official of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute of Haj
Research.
Abdul Aziz Saroji said the expanded
mataf would be able to accommodate 130,000 pilgrims per hour. He
said the mataf expansion would take three years to complete.
“We
cannot stop circumambulation around the Kaaba or prayer in the
mataf because of the project. However, Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Abdullah has ordered the project to be completed as
quickly as possible,” he said.
“Recently we expanded the masaa (the running area between Safa and Marwa),
which helped in accommodating a large number of pilgrims over its
four floors", he added.
Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari presented the mataf
expansion project to King Abdullah during Ramadan last year.
Saroji added: “Our institute was part of the team that presented
the project and had provided ideas and expertise for its design.”
Work on the project began in June but stopped in July because of
Ramadan, when millions of Muslims come for Umrah from different
parts of the world. “Work will resume soon after Ramadan. Once the
project is completed it will solve one of the major problems
facing pilgrims,” he said.
Interior Minister Prince Ahmed chairs the institute’s supervising
committee, while Higher Education Minister Al-Anqari and Haj
Minister Bandar Hajjar are its members.
He said: “Our research
institute has conducted about 600 studies that helped in solving
many problems facing pilgrims and improving services during Haj
and Umrah.”
Saroji highlighted the important role the institute
plays. “It is the only institute in the world that conducts
studies on Haj and Umrah. More than 38 years have passed since its
establishment.”
He disclosed the institute’s plan to establish research chairs at
Saudi universities. “We have already set up the Prince Naif Chair
at Umm Al-Qura for studies on housing in Makkah, Madinah and other
holy sites. It has received a financing of SR 3 million.”
Discussing the annual conferences organized by the institute,
Saroji said such events aimed to discuss various research papers
dealing with ways to improve Haj and Umrah services. “Many
departments have benefited from our research papers in the past.”
The institute has conducted 40 studies this Ramadan. About half of
them were conducted in Madinah under the directives of Madinah
Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed, he pointed out. These projects
include expansion of Rowdah inside the Prophet’s Mosque.
He said about 80 researchers outside
the institute cooperate with his organization. “During this
research season 230 students also cooperated with us to collect
various pieces of information.”
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