Second-Holiest Islamic Shrine to Be Enlarged
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MEDINA, Saudi Arabia — The second-holiest shrine in Islam, the mosque of Mohammed, is to be renovated as part of a $3.8-million improvement program under way in the sacred city of Medina, official sources reported Friday.
When finished, the renovation project will increase the capacity of the mosque from 28,000 to 170,000 worshipers, these sources reported, speaking on condition they were not identified.
The government of King Fahd is meanwhile spending billions of dollars to improve services in Mecca, home of Islam’s holiest shrine, in preparation for this August’s pilgrimage season, the officials said.
An estimated 2.2 million Muslims are expected to converge on Mecca and Medina from more than 65 countries for the pilgrimage next August.
The new facilities include roads, tent cities, solar-lighted tunnels and a fleet of buses.
The Medina mosque was built by Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, in AD 580.
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