No. 15/1/2925
Dated: 22 Rajab 1375 AH
From: Saud bin Abdulaziz
To: The esteemed brother Faisal, President of the Council of Ministers — may God preserve him
Peace be upon you, and God’s mercy and blessings.
After reviewing the map and the report concerning the expansion of the Holy Mosque in Mecca, submitted to you by Master Builder Muhammad bin Ladin, Director of Buildings and Constructions, and prepared by the specialized engineers, we have ordered the following:
First:
The necessary procedures for the expansion of the Holy Mosque in Mecca shall be approved on the basis of the map and the report attached to this decree.
Second:
Master Builder Muhammad bin Ladin, Director of Buildings, is assigned to execute the project and to expend funds for it in trust, under his supervision and responsibility.
Third:
The Ministry of Finance shall approve the expenditures required for the implementation of the project from the budget chapter designated for this purpose.
Fourth:
This decree shall be communicated to all concerned parties for implementation. God is the source of success.
Historical Notes (Translated Formally)
- On 6/2/1375 AH (24 September 1955), Royal Decree No. 27/4/2/386 was issued establishing a Higher Commission for the Supervision of the Expansion of the Holy Mosque, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, President of the Council of Ministers.
- On 22/7/1375 AH, Royal Decree No. 15/1/2925 was issued assigning His Excellency Sheikh Muhammad bin Ladin to execute the expansion works of the Holy Mosque.
- On 26/7/1375 AH (9 March 1956), King Saud approved the final map for the expansion and renovation of the Holy Mosque.
- On Thursday, 23/8/1375 AH (5 April 1956), King Saud laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the Holy Mosque.
- On 10/7/1380 AH, King Saud, in his capacity as President of the Council of Ministers, issued Decision No. 16993 forming an Executive Commission to supervise the expansion of the Holy Mosque under his chairmanship.
- On Thursday morning, 23/8/1375 AH, King Saud laid the foundation stone for a new expansion. In his speech on this occasion, he said:
“In Your name, O God, we commence our work, and we ask You to bless it with success… and in the name of God, the Almighty and All‑Powerful, I lay the foundation stone for the expansion of the Holy Mosque.”