Abstract EN:

The Mecca's urban structures and other civic facilities aimed to support the performance of religious obligations and rituals are becoming inadequate to accommodate and cope with the thronged increase in the number of pilgrims. Thus an extension of the Holy Mosque on a regular basis has become inevitably essential. Nevertheless, the task at each extension in the past was extremely arduous in view of the site nature; its geographical structure particularly, when the pilgrims have never been stopped, even on a single occasion, from performing their uninterrupted sacred rites. The study analyses in detail the various extension projects of Mecca's Sacred Mosque (called the Haram) that were implemented in previous eras and led to a complete transformation of existing structures inherited from Ottoman period. It shows how these projects took place within the scope of general economic growth, which considerably appeared through accelerated urbanization and engaged the modernization. Hajj and Umra are the famous seasons in which the true followers (Pilgrims) come from all corners of the world to win Blessings of the Allah and those who host them are pleased to serve them by booming their lucrative economic activities. The various extension stages of the sacred Mosque have themselves brought powerful economical and urban dynamics to the Holy city itself. Some of the allied and support service projects of the extension programs (which are the prime subject of this study) have added a lot to make the Holy city more unique with respect to its glorious nature and magnificent geophysical location.