Makkah’s Grand Mosque free of construction cranes after 15 years

For the first time in 15 years, the skyline of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is free of construction cranes, marking the near completion of the largest expansion in its history.

The third Saudi expansion, launched in June 2010, has significantly increased the mosque’s capacity to accommodate millions of worshippers, ensuring a smoother pilgrimage experience.

Major milestone in the Grand Mosque’s expansion

The removal of cranes signals the end of a crucial construction phase, with over 95 percent of the expansion completed. The project aims to increase the mosque’s capacity from 670,000 to more than 1.28 million worshippers, providing enhanced facilities and infrastructure.

Saad Al-Qurashi, an advisor to the National Haj and Umrah Committee, told Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat that removing the cranes will improve visitor flow. He noted that the new expansion will eventually accommodate over two million worshippers, making it easier for pilgrims to perform their rituals.

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Enhanced facilities

The expansion covers 1.564 million square metres, featuring prayer halls, bridges, and plazas. The number of toilets has increased from 3,515 to 16,726, and cooling systems now provide 199,000 tons of refrigeration, improving comfort during peak seasons such as Ramzan and Haj.

Architectural highlights include intricate Islamic designs, movable domes, and Qur’anic inscriptions spanning 2,700 square metres. The fusion of modern technology with traditional aesthetics enhances the spiritual atmosphere.

A new era for pilgrims

With the removal of the last cranes, the Grand Mosque is preparing to receive millions of visitors during the upcoming Haj and Umrah seasons, in a more comfortable and streamlined environment, keeping pace with the increasing numbers of visitors to the house of Allah from all over the world.