Plans to Link Holy Sites and Grand Mosque

Plans to link Holy Sites and Grand Mosque with tunnels approved

The Makkah Region Development Authority approved plans and studies to build service tunnels linking Arafat and Jamarat in Mina via Muzdalifah, and tunnels linking Jamarat with the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The meeting was chaired by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, at the governorate office in Jeddah on Wednesday.

The plans and studies will be presented to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for final approval and execution on a time-bound basis.

Minister of Haj and Umrah Muhammad Bantan, Assistant Minister of Finance Muhammad Al-Mazeed, Dr. Ahmad Muhmmad Ali, advisor to the chairman of the authority, and the authority members attended the meeting.

The plans also include construction of residential towers on the mountain slope of Mina in a way not violating the sanctity of the Holy Site.

A total of six towers have already been constructed in Mina and these have the capacity to accommodate around 12,000 pilgrims.

The studies also recommended developing the tents in Arafat and making more facilities and arrangements for the stay of pilgrims in Muzdalifah. There are also plans for boosting means of transportation in between the Holy Sites and between Holy Sites and the Grand Mosque.

Hashim Al-Faleh, secretary general of the authority, said that the meeting endorsed adoption of innovative methods to develop unplanned districts in Makkah region through the participation of citizens. According to the plan, the citizens will be allowed to develop their properties within these districts and that is in cooperation with the concerned government agencies. The meeting also discussed the plan, prepared by Jeddah Municipality, to develop the southern neighborhoods of the new King Abdulaziz International Airport. He said that the meeting also decided to organize a forum to attract investments to Makkah, as well as to encourage the private sector to take part in implementing development projects in the region.

Source : http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/plans-link-holy-sites-grand-mosque-tunnels-approved/

World’s Biggest Cooling Stations at Two Holy Mosques

With a record number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims visiting the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, this year’s Ramadan and Haj seasons saw unprecedented success that proved Saudi Arabia’s unparalleled capabilities for the service of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims — the Guests of Allah. For some 5.8 million Umrah visas were issued, 5.5 million Umrah pilgrims arrived into the Kingdom, along with a total 1.8 million Haj pilgrims.

Al Salem Johnson Controls “YORK” is proud of its leading role in providing prominent landmarks at the two Holy Cities with cooling and maintenance services. The company owns the world’s largest cooling station at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, as well as a one of the world’s largest cooling plants at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and providing comprehensive maintenance services to the two Holy Mosques, in addition to Zamzam water-cooling station.

It also plays a great role in cooling and providing maintenance services to some of the Two Holy Cities’ prominent hotel chains that accommodate countless Umrah performers and pilgrims around the year, including the Clock Tower and Makkah Hilton, as well as cooling and maintaining Muzdalifah Hospital.

The company’s 1,200-workforce of qualified engineers and technicians is the Middle East’s largest after sales and maintenance team, helping the company remain a major contributor to the success of the Haj and Umrah seasons, during which the company redoubles its efforts, resources and manpower to ensure speedy responses to any emergencies that might arise anywhere at any time. Quick, effective, and innovative solutions ensure that pilgrims can perform their rites safely in the comfort of a cool, breezy environment.

During this year’s Haj season, Al Salem Johnson Controls “YORK” maintenance and service teams saw all of their projects through with minimal delays, and lowest possible costs. The teams guaranteed an uninterrupted flow of a staggering 200,000 refrigeration tons in various HVAC&R service contracts in and around the mosque. Another achievement recorded was the operation of 1OM Centrifugal chiller in the New Ajyad Plant.

“Al Salem Johnson Controls is proud to have a leading role in cooling, air conditioning, and maintaining the two Holy Mosques, Zamzam water cooling station, and other major locations year-round,” said Dr. Mohannad Alshaikh, chief executive officer of Al Salem Johnson Controls. “We take great pride in being a key cooling and service provider to ensure the comfort and safety of the Holy Cities’ visitors during Haj & Umrah seasons. Our technical team is the largest in the Middle East, and is more than capable of responding to emergencies in record time.”World’s Biggest Cooling Stations at Two Holy Mosques

With Jeddah being the gateway to the Holy Sites, the company’s aftermarket team has been achieving phenomenal success over the past 6 years in serving the Haj Terminal with an excellent emergency action plan, whilst maintaining continuous operation of a 15,000TR chilled water plant, including a 12-megawatt back up power reserve for contingencies.

World’s Biggest Cooling Stations at Two Holy Mosques

South Gates of Grand Mosque closed for Expansion

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques closed down the south gates of the Grand Mosque in Makkah to complete the expansion work.

The project will increase the Grand Mosque’s capacity to 107,000 worshippers inside the Mataf in one hour.

It will also improve the level of services with the installation of the latest technologies.

Last July Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman launched five projects as part of the third phase of expanding the Grand Mosque.

The expansion projects comprise the King Abdullah Expansion Structure; courtyards; tunnels; buildings for service facilities; and, the first ring road.

The development is touted to be the “project of the century.”

The late King Abdullah had laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the Grand Mosque at a ceremony held in Makkah on 19 August, 2011. The King Abdullah Expansion Project is estimated to cost over $26.6bn (SAR100bn).

The expansion covers an area of 45.6ha, and is expected to accommodate up to 1.2 million further worshippers.

Courtyards of the expanded mosque alone are expected to house at least 250,000 worshipers.