Naif presses for mataf expansion

Naif presses for mataf expansion

JEDDAH: Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, on Tuesday called for the quick implementation of the mataf (the circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) expansion project designed to accommodate 130,000 pilgrims at a time.

The crown prince made this comment while chairing a meeting of the Supreme Haj Committee at his office in Riyadh. The meeting discussed all aspects of the project, especially how to tackle a temporary reduction of the mataf's capacity while the project is being implemented.

The project will increase the mataf's capacity from 52,000 to 130,000 pilgrims when completed, said an official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. The work on the project has already started.

According to the plan, the mataf will be expanded by 20 meters into the Ottoman portico of the Grand Mosque at all levels of the building, including the terrace. In the ground floor of the expansion area, pillars will be removed from prayer areas.

The meeting also discussed a number of issues related to Haj and pilgrims and new development projects in Makkah and other holy sites. Prince Naif reiterated the government's desire to expand Haj facilities year after year for the comfort of pilgrims.

Prince Naif later met with Mauritanian Interior Minister Mohamed Ould Beilill and discussed issues of mutual concern and major regional and global developments. After that Abalail signed a security pact with Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmed. The agreement aims to fight crimes such as terrorism, terror funding, organized crime, drugs and weapons trafficking, currency forgery, money laundering and information crimes, SPA said.