MAKKAH, 24 December 2003 — Plans are under way to construct a number of residential towers on Jabal Omar, a mountainous area close to the Grand Mosque. The towers will accommodate 34,500 pilgrims, according to Abdul Rahman Faqeeh, chairman of the Makkah Construction Company (MCC) which last year posted profits of SR124 million.
Speaking to Arab News, Faqeeh said a new joint stock company would be established to implement the giant project which is estimated to cost SR12 billion. MCC has already bought land in the area at a cost of SR490 million and will soon begin construction.
The project will develop and reorganize areas around the Grand Mosque, Faqeeh said, adding that the new project would cover 230,000 sq. mt.
“It will create a model residential and commercial center with new roads, pathways, tunnels, electric stairs, and other facilities,” he said. The feasibility study was conducted at a cost of SR30 million.
The project will create prayer areas for 78,000 worshipers and will be linked to the Grand Mosque’s sound system. “These prayer areas could be considered an indirect expansion of the mosque,” Faqeeh said.
The project has taken into consideration the environment and the topography of the area, he said, adding that it would be implemented without demolishing the mountains.
“We have been working on this project for the past 14 years and have now developed a clear picture,” he explained. There will be a road parallel to Umm Al-Qura Street which links the Jeddah Expressway to the Grand Mosque. He said that the new 5-km road would reduce pressure on Umm Al-Qura.
Galal Fakkar, Special to Arab News
© Arab News 2003
