In the reign of late King Fahd, the Grand Mosque was largely expanded in 1403 AH, where the real estate of the small market (west of the Mosque) was dispossessed to facilitate the expansion as the King ordered. The dispossessed land was 30,000 square meters and was allocated as a temporary prayer area before construction. In 1406 AH, the late King Fahd ordered to pave the ground with temperature-proof marble, and to construct five escalators and five bridges for first floor entry. In 1409 AH, King Fahd laid the foundation stone for a large second expansion. In the reign of the late King Abdullah, the third expansion was launched to become the greatest of all times including the Grand Mosque to accommodate 2 million worshippers. The outer yard expansion includes lavatories, corridors, tunnels and other supporting facilities to facilitate entry and exit of worshippers. The service area includes air conditioner, power and water stations. The Kings of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have also developed the Holy Sites in Makkah including Namira Mosque in Arafat, the Holy Mosque in Muzdalifah, and Al-Khaif Mosque in Mina, as well as the provision of infrastructure and service facilities for health, environment, security, transport, telecommunication, road network between the Holy Sites and Makkah, fireproof tents in Mina, Jamarat (Throwing Pebbles) Bridge and Train of the Holy Sites. --More 23:03 LOCAL TIME 20:03 GMT 0021 www.spa.gov.sa/w1378175