…this expansion is MEGA…and causing mega concerns within the Ummah…it means the eventual destruction of more of our significant heritage sites; the Musalla (1) which includes Masjid Ghamamah, Masjid Abu Bakr, (renovated) Masjid Ali, possibly Masjid Umar and the serene garden of Saqeefa…it means the Mimbar, for the first time since our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam delivered the Khutbah, will be moved…and the Mihrab be far from Rowdha Shareef…

…so…by the time a two year old toddler is an adult this is how they will find Masjid Nabawi when they come for Umrah or Hajj…the entire expansion project supposedly completed by 2040…creating a space for 2 million worshippers…built over three stages…the King has directed the first stage to be finished within two years…increasing the capacity to more than 800,000…

…do we surmise that the central section to the west of the current Masjid is the first stage???…Allahu ‘Alum…what of the numerous recently completed hotels, what of several buildings that have not even been completed but are marked for demolition…what of the incredible work carried out throughout the entire courtyard for the installation of the umbrellas…billions of expended Riyals…what of the Shariah court and the huge new Qiblah Hotel…which according to these plans butt right up to the most south eastern corner of the extension…maybe they remain for a few years before being demolished if this large central section is not due to commence for some years to come???…Allahu ‘Alum…

…does this mean the Mayyit is to be carried so far to Janatul Baqi if the Imam is in this central section?

…the crowds already favour staying within close proximity to their hotels…especially the old and frail…one needs to see how the courtyards overflow with thousands who do not, or cannot enter deeply inside the existing structure…the logistics of accessing the inner sections of such a huge space is a concern…

…the hotel availability within reasonable walking distances will be drastically reduced, creating hardships for many…

…the mind boggles trying to comprehend the number of staff needed for a Masjid of these proportions…security…cleaning…maintenance…and of the two million how many desire to be in Rowdha Shareef?…the present chaos sisters are confronted with is already a disaster…

…the infrastructure cannot cope with the numbers as they are…transport is gridlocked…utilities stretched beyond capacity…is the answer to stop the rapid increase in pilgrims to ensure safety and ease of movement and facilitating a spiritual experience rather than increase the quota??

…what are your thoughts…opinions…answers for the Ummah???

…view the video (Arabic) of the King’s visit in September to lay the foundation stone for this mega expansion…

…images and more information from here…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE

Alhumdulillah, the King has responded to pressure from Ulema NOT to expand Masjid Nabawi to the south, but to pursue with the plan to extend it to the north, thus not affecting the heritage of the Mimbar or Muhrab and Insha’Allah preventing the destruction of the Musalla area, though I cannot see how Saqeefa will not be consumed within this mega alternative. Announcement here.

These images also from the same link as above. Allahu ‘Alum if this is the final design.

…more images here…why SSOOOO massive? look at the scale of the proposed minarets!!!! …and that dome…why dwarf the Dome of Peace in such a way??? the mind boggles more!!!!

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.