Mataf capacity now 70,000 per hour

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs plans to open the newly constructed levels of the “mataf” (area for circumambulating the House of God) on the ground and first floors to worshippers during the current Haj season, bringing the mataf capacity to nearly 70,000 per hour. 

“The new sites will also include the squares surrounding the new levels. They will also be linked to roads leading to the Grand Mosque and the SAPTCO depot,” Director General of Projects and Studies at the Presidency Abdul Mohsen bin Homaid said in a statement.

Mataf bridge ready to ease Umrah for disabled, elderly

Floating Mataf

The new mataf bridge around the Holy Kaaba opens for pilgrims this week. Only disabled and elderly pilgrims will be allowed to use the circular bridge that can hold 7,000 wheelchair-borne pilgrims per hour.

“Since the bridge would be set apart for weak, infirm and disabled pilgrims, the movement of able-bodied pilgrims below on the ground floor will become easier as that area will be free from wheelchairs that used to clutter in an already crowded area,” said the Haj Ministry’s spokesman Hatim Qadi.