Makkah Grand Mosque skyline goes crane-free after 15 years.
- Abida Ahmad
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
MAKKAH, March 27, 2025 — In a historic moment not seen in 15 years, the Grand Mosque in Makkah has witnessed the removal of the last remaining cranes, marking the near completion of the largest expansion in its history.
Since the launch of the Third Saudi Expansion in June 2010, cranes have been a defining feature of the Grand Mosque's skyline. Their removal signals the completion of major phases of the project, which is now over 95% finished and designed to accommodate the growing number of worshippers and visitors. While some work remains, cranes are no longer necessary for the final stages.
During the expansion, a tragic crane accident occurred on September 11, 2015, resulting in 111 fatalities and injuries to many worshippers after a crane collapsed in the eastern courtyard, causing structural damage to the mosque.
With the cranes now removed, the Grand Mosque enters a new phase, utilizing the full potential of this monumental expansion. As Makkah prepares to receive millions of pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah, the project reflects Saudi Arabia’s unwavering efforts to enhance the experience for worshippers while maintaining the mosque’s sanctity and global significance.
Saad Al-Qurashi, an advisor to the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah, confirmed the removal of all cranes, emphasizing that the timing aligns with the current surge of Umrah pilgrims. He highlighted the importance of the Third Saudi Expansion, which will accommodate over two million worshippers, ensuring smooth entry and exit during peak pilgrimage periods.
The Third Saudi Expansion is the largest in the mosque’s history, increasing capacity from 670,000 to over 1.28 million worshippers at a time. Initiated by King Abdullah and successfully carried forward under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this expansion underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing world-class services for pilgrims, ensuring their comfort and ease during religious rituals.
The architectural design of the expansion integrates modern technology with traditional Islamic aesthetics, covering an area 200 meters from the Kaaba and extending 684 meters in depth. It features a main prayer hall, southern and northern bridges for crowd movement, a vital services building, and expanded plazas to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
The expansion has significantly increased the built-up area from 414,000 square meters to 1.564 million square meters, doubling the prayer space to 912,000 square meters. Service facilities have also been upgraded, with the number of toilets increasing from 3,515 to 16,726 and ablution stations from 2,479 to 12,639. Cooling capacity has been greatly enhanced, reaching 199,000 tons of refrigeration, compared to 39,000 tons previously.
Blending modernity with Islamic architectural heritage, the expansion features movable and fixed domes, luxurious glass doors adorned with hundreds of crystals, and intricately designed mashrabiya (metal lattices). The walls are further enriched with Qur’anic inscriptions spanning 2,700 square meters, creating a spiritual atmosphere that inspires worshippers as they enter the mosque.
