His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, with his noble hand, placed the first stone in the foundation of the reconstruction and expansion of the Prophet’s Holy Mosque. The following is the esteemed address delivered by His Royal Highness at this historic ceremony:
“Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and may prayers and peace be upon His noble Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
I praise Almighty God who has enabled my lord, His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to undertake the repair and expansion of the Prophet’s Holy Mosque. His Majesty ordered the Minister of Finance, Abdullah Al‑Sulayman, to carry out this project at his own personal expense, and its execution has been entrusted to Muhammad bin Laden, Director General of Government Construction.
It is among God’s gracious blessings to me that my lord, my father His Majesty the King, has honored me with representing him in laying the foundation stone for this noble undertaking. And now, in the name of God and with His blessing, I place this foundation stone on his behalf and in my own capacity on this blessed day—Monday, the thirteenth of Rabi‘ al‑Awwal, 1372 AH—asking Almighty God to grant success in completing it in the best manner we hope for.
Peace be upon you.”**
Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia