Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched a major expansion project near Makkah’s Grand Mosque. The new development, named “King Salman Gate,” aims to create 900,000 new indoor and outdoor prayer spaces. The project will be built on a 12-million-square-meter area and is expected to ease access for pilgrims visiting Islam’s holiest site. While the official cost and completion date remain undisclosed, authorities have called it a key part of Saudi Arabia’s religious infrastructure upgrade.
This expansion aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan, which seeks to reduce reliance on oil by diversifying the economy. A key part of that vision is boosting religious tourism, especially by expanding facilities in Makkah and Madina. Saudi Arabia hopes to host 30 million pilgrims annually for Hajj and Umrah by 2030. Improving infrastructure around the Grand Mosque is vital to achieving this target. The new project will support better crowd management during the busy pilgrimage seasons.
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In 2019, Saudi Arabia earned around $12 billion from Hajj and Umrah alone. Officials expect this number to grow significantly as new projects come online. With millions visiting Makkah each year, expanding the prayer space will help ease overcrowding and enhance the pilgrimage experience. The Grand Mosque is already the world’s largest, but demand continues to grow rapidly.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia’s market regulator recently allowed foreign investment in real estate companies operating in Makkah and Madina. This policy shift could encourage international funding for religious infrastructure. It also reflects the government’s broader push to open up its economy to global investors. Allowing foreign ownership in key sectors may help speed up large-scale developments like this one.
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Overall, the King Salman Gate project shows Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing its holy cities while preserving religious significance. By expanding capacity and improving access, the Kingdom is preparing to welcome more worshippers from around the world. The project also highlights the central role of religious tourism in the country’s long-term economic goals.