JABAR EKSPRES – Saudi Arabian authorities approved the name Saudi Portico as a project to expand the Mataf or tawaf area around the Kaaba at the Masjidil Haram.
Head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, said the Saudi portico has a much larger area than before.
He also explained that the Saudi portico includes the mataf expansion project behind the Abbasid portico, and the courtyard around the Holy Kaaba.
“King Abdul Aziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, ordered the expansion of the Masjidil Haram to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers, and accordingly, expansion work began during the period of King Saud in 1955,” Al Sudais said, as quoted by Saudi Gazette, Sunday (21/5).
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The expansion of the portico building then continued during the eras of King Saud, King Faisal, and King Khalid.
Furthermore, Al Sudais said the expansion project was in the completion stage during the period of King Fahd, King Abdullah, until the current era.
Al Sudais also emphasized that the Saudi portico provides space for pilgrims with high quality and accurate engineering standards.
“It is also distinguished by the availability of all technical services, as well as sound and lighting systems, which contribute to creating the much-needed spiritual atmosphere for pilgrims,” he said again.
This project will consist of four floors, namely the ground floor, first floor, second floor mezzanine and roof.
Saudi protico and mataf can accommodate up to 287,000 pilgrims and 107,000 tawaf performers per hour.
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