MAKKAH: Al-Masjid Al-Haram, or as translated, the Grand Mosque, is the most sacred site in Islam and located in the heart of Makkah in Saudi Arabia.
The Grand Mosque is a key part of the Hajj pilgrimage, which every Muslim must do at least once in their lives if able, during a specific time of the year, or Umrah, which Muslims can undertake any time of the year.
The Grand Mosque has significant sites, including the Kaabah, Black Stone, Zamzam well, Maqam Ibrahim and the hills of Safa and Marwa. The Grand Mosque has 13 minarets, making it the mosque with the highest number of minarets.
Many renovations have been undertaken to expand the Grand Mosque to increase the capacity of pilgrims and visitors. Many of these took place before the establishment of the Kingdom, and three major expansions occurred after the establishment of the Kingdom.
The first Saudi expansion was undertaken between 1955 and 1973; four minarets were added, the ceiling was refurnished and the floor was replaced with artificial stone and marble. The Mas’a gallery was included in the mosque, via roofing and enclosures.
The second expansion was done under King Fahd, between 1982 and 1988. He added an outdoor prayer area to the mosque and a new wing that is reached through the King Fahd Gate. Between 1988 and 2005, the expansion included 18 more gates, three domes corresponding in position to each gate, the installation of nearly 500 marble columns, heated floors, air-conditioning, escalators and a drainage system.
The third major expansion took place during King Abdullah’s reign. In 2008, the king announced that the expansion would involve the expropriation of land to the north and northwest of the mosque, covering 300,000 square meters. In 2011, further details about the expansion were announced, covering an area of 400,000 square meters, which would raise the mosque’s capacity from 770,000 to more than 2.5 million worshippers after completion.
In July 2015, King Salman launched five megaprojects as part of the King Abdullah Expansion Project, covering an area of 456,000 square meters. The project was carried out by the Saudi Binladin Group.
After the outbreak of COVID-19, and for the first time in history, on March 5, 2020 the Grand Mosque began to close at night with restricted and limited attendance time for worshippers. On Oct. 4, 2020, the Umrah resumed gradually in three phases.
The first phase was limited to Saudi citizens and expatriates from within the Kingdom to cover only 30 percent of the mosque’s capacity, allowing only 6,000 worshipers to perform Umrah and prayers wearing masks and maintaining social distance.
The second phase was also limited to locals, with a capacity coverage of 75 percent, allowing 15,000 pilgrims and 40,000 worshipers to enter the Grand Mosque a day.
The final phase opened the door to pilgrims and worshipers from outside the Kingdom to perform Umrah, covering 100 percent of the mosque’s capacity, meaning 20,000 pilgrims, 60,000 worshipers and 19,500 visitors were allowed inside the mosque each day, with precautionary measures in place.
Makkah Grand Mosque: The most sacred site in Islam
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Makkah Grand Mosque: The most sacred site in Islam
- The Grand Mosque has significant sites, including the Kaabah, Black Stone, Zamzam well, Maqam Ibrahim and the hills of Safa and Marwa
Balad Beast brings global beats to historic streets
- ‘MDLBEAST put us on the international map,’ say Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash
JEDDAH: The music festival Balad Beast concluded its fourth edition this weekend, having transformed Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage district of Al-Balad into an open-air celebration of music, culture and creativity that attracted thousands of music lovers over two nights.
The festival, organized by Saudi music platform MDLBEAST, featured more than 70 local, regional and international artists across four stages, offering audiences a diverse journey through electronic, hip-hop and global sounds.
Speaking to Arab News, MDLBEAST chief creative officer Ahmad Al-Ammary, also known as DJ Baloo, described Balad Beast as a “cultural takeover” adding that finding the right spaces for dance floors was a challenge, “but Balad is constantly evolving and we work with that change.”
Addressing the challenges of working in a heritage area, he said: “Balad is sensitive and condensed, so logistics can be complex. In our first year, heavy rain flooded one of the planned squares and we had to relocate the Souq Stage to a much smaller space, but it worked and it has remained there ever since.
HIGHLIGHT
Reggae superstar Shaggy noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“Yes, the alleys are narrow and the district is old, but they’re full of ideas, patterns, colors and visuals. Everything flows here,” he continued. “As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.”
Balad Beast featured performances from international artists including US rapper Playboi Carti, making his first appearance in Saudi Arabia; US rapper Destroy Lonely; Swedish DJ and producer Alesso; and Bosnian-German DJ Solomun on the opening night. The following night saw French-Haitian singer-songwriter Naïka, reggae superstar Shaggy, Dutch DJ Franky Rizardo, British DJ Pawsa, and US rapper Tyga, and more take the stage, while Saudi and regional artists including Cosmicat, TUL8TE, Zeina, Vinyl Mode, Moayed, Dish Dash, Musab, Varoo and HiFi appeared across the festival, offering audiences a mix of global and local talent.
Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash reflected on the festival organizer’s impact for local artists.
As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.
Ahmad Al-Ammary, MDLBEAST chief creative officer
“MDLBEAST put us on the international map,” the brothers told Arab News. “It helped us get recognized by festivals, promoters and event organizers abroad. When we travel, people don’t expect this level of talent coming from Saudi Arabia, especially considering we didn’t have this scene before.”
Shaggy, who performed a hit-filled set during the festival, told Arab News: “I’ve been blessed with some incredible songs, and I see music as a gift and a tool for service. When I go on stage, I’m there to entertain people, to make them smile and feel good, but that service also supports many livelihoods from the people working at this festival to those who work with me. These songs have become part of people’s lives, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Shaggy also noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.
“I’ve performed in Saudi Arabia more than once, and while there are certain rules that are different, it’s not an issue for me. My focus is always on delivering the hits and giving the audience a great time,” he said.
“There’s a big misconception. People have more freedom than (outsiders) think. Everyone has been extremely nice.”
Asked what advice he would offer to aspiring artists, Shaggy said: “Understand that what you’re given is a gift and a form of service. Stay humble, do the work, and remember why you’re doing it.”
As Al-Ammary noted, there are many such aspiring artists now making a name for themselves in the Kingdom.
“Talent is emerging everywhere, at different levels,” he said. “The scene is still in a mysterious and surprising phase. There’s a rawness to it.”
