The Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque

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3 min Reading time
09/02/2021
The Grand Mosque

The Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque is the second increase in the area and structure of the Grand Mosque during the Saudi era. It was directed by King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the western side of the Grand Mosque. The foundation stone was laid in 1988, and the expansion began in the area known as the Small Market, which extended between King Abdulaziz Gate and Umrah Gate. The project components consisted of a ground floor, an upper floor, and a basement.

Elements of the Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque

The Second Expansion includes King Fahd Gate, which is considered one of the largest gates of the Grand Mosque, in addition to eighteen entrances. The expansion also features two complexes containing fifty-six electric escalators. The expansion building is topped with two minarets, each ninety-six m high, and three domes covered with exquisite ceramic tiles. There are 1,453 columns clad in marble, of which 1,120 have bases and floor air conditioning vents.

In 1990, the Second Saudi Expansion introduced the largest courtyards to the Grand Mosque. These courtyards were equipped with lighting and carpeting for prayer, and a cold and heat-resistant marble was utilized in their construction. The total area of these courtyards was eighty-eight thousand m.

Renovations of the Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque

In addition to expanding the area and construction of the Grand Mosque, the Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque included several renovations and reforms. Among the most significant are the expansion of the Safa area, increasing the space of Marwa, the construction of the al-Raqqubah Bridge leading directly to the rooftop of the Grand Mosque, and the renovation of the covering of Maqam Ibrahim peace be upon him (PBUH).

The King Fahd expansion works also included renovations to al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa. The first of these included repairing the external joints, sealing gaps, treating the apparent peelings on its stones by removing the dirt, stones, and sediments between the rocks, followed by cleaning and drying them with compressed air, preparing them for full restoration, and replacing several elements of the ceilings, walls, and floors.

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Sources

Haramain Gate.

 Architecture of the Grand Mosque.

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Table of contents

Info Box

Name
Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque.
Classification
The expansion directed by King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the western side of the Grand Mosque.
Date
1988.
Elements
King Fahd Gate.
Eighteen entrances.
Two complexes and fifty-six escalators.
Two minarets, ninety-six m high.
Total area of the expansion
eighty-seven thousand m2.
Capacity after the expansion
820,000 worshipers during regular times.
More than a million worshipers at peak times.

Table of contents

Info Box

Name
Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque.
Classification
The expansion directed by King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the western side of the Grand Mosque.
Date
1988.
Elements
King Fahd Gate.
Eighteen entrances.
Two complexes and fifty-six escalators.
Two minarets, ninety-six m high.
Total area of the expansion
eighty-seven thousand m2.
Capacity after the expansion
820,000 worshipers during regular times.
More than a million worshipers at peak times.