The Expansion Of The Makkah Grand Mosque
This photograph was published on the cover of the Lebanese magazine Ajnihat al‑Arz in 1383 AH / 1964 CE, documenting the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque during the reign of King Saud. It shows the surrounding houses in the process of demolition, and the upper sections of the sanctuary still incomplete.
Restoration works on the walls of the Kaaba in 1958.
The expansion of The Grand Mosque in Makkah during the reign of King Saud
The first Saudi expansion of the Sacred Mosque (al‑Masjid al‑Harām) during the Saudi era was ordered by King Saud—may God have mercy on him—who issued Royal Decree No. (27/4/2/386) on 6 Ṣafar 1375 AH, establishing a Higher Commission to supervise the expansion of the Sacred Mosque. During this project, the King Saud Gate was constructed, later renamed the King Abdulaziz Gate during the reign of King Faisal.
The Mataf area during and after its paving with white marble.
Safa and Marwa - during King Sauds first expansions
Safa and Marwa - during King Sauds first expansions
Construction of a dam in Makkah during the reign of King Saud in 1375 AH
King Saud reviewing the restoration works inside the Holy Kaaba, accompanied by Sheikh Muhammad bin Ladin, in 1374 AH / 1955 CE.
A piece of fabric (The Kiswa) of the holy Kaaba during the reign of King Saud
A rare picture of King Sauds expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah The old picture is shown to the right and the expansion on the left Samir Mortada Archives
Ajyad Square and King Abdulaziz Gate (King Saud) and seen the lights of the Gate of Umrah
Al-Masaa after the expansion
Al-Safa Al-Marwa during the starting of the 1st stages of the expansion in 1956
Al-Safa Al-Marwa during the starting of the 1st stages of the expansion in 1956
Al-Yamani Corner and the western hallways and its domes at the second floor of during the first expansion
An image of the Grand Mosque published in 1925 by Ibrahim Refaat and also published by Lady Evelyn in her book The Pilgrimage to Makkah
Bab Al-Salam (The gate of peace) at its first place in Makkah - 1955
Construction works for the expansion of the Grand Mosque
The placement of wooden beams and the preparation of construction mortar during the repair and restoration works of the Kaaba’s roof in the reign of King Saud, in 1377 AH.
King Abdulaziz Gate which was called King Saud Gate
King Saud wearing the Ihram garments in the Mas‘a.
King Saud during his pilgrimage in 1374 AH (1955 CE)
King Saud, dressed in the Ihram garments, inside his tent in 1955 CE.
King Saud and Prince Faisal bin Turki (I) inspecting the expansion of the Holy Mosque may God have mercy on them
King Saud Architectural Heritage during the First Expansion of the Holy Mosque Al-Marwa Gate and Al-Masaa 1956
King Saud at The gate of Saud - 1955
King Saud laying the Black Stone after replacing the old silver ring - 1956
King Saud during the laying of the foundation stone for the expansion of the Holy Mosque in Mecca.
King Saud lead the Muslims prayers twelve times in the two Holy Mosques
King Saud with Mohammed bin Laden at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the Hajj season - 1955
Makkah during The first expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah by King Saud
Maqam Al-Shafii and Sabel Zamzam established by King Abdulaziz - 1932
Two pieces from the holy Kaaba carrying the name of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz the upper piece has the date 1381 AH 1962
Safa and Marwa before expansion
Shah of Iran during his visit to Makkah in the Grand Mosque with Prince Muhammad bin Saud and Sheikh Jamal al-Husseini 1957
Shah of Iran during his visit to Makkah in the Grand Mosque with Prince Muhammad bin Saud and Sheikh Jamal al-Husseini 1957
The Beauty and magnificence of Al-Masaa after the expansion
The Black-stone
The decorated columns ar the Grand Mosque after the expansion - 1955 AD
The Holy Kaaba
The Dome of Al-Safa
The ecxpansion of The Grand Mosque in Makkah during the reign of King Saud
The Expansion during the reign of King Saud
The expansion during the reign of King Saud The Minarets of The Gate of King Saud
The final architectural form of Al-Masaa
The final stages of the expansion of The Grand Mosque by King Saud
The final stages of the expansion of The Grand Mosque by King Saud - 1963
The first expansion of the Grand Mosque
The first expansion of the Grand Mosque during the reign of King Saud
The first expansion of the Grand Mosque during the reign of King Saud
The first expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah
The first expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah by King Saud
The Fresh water coolers constructed by King Abdulaziz at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
The Gate of King Saud at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
The Gate of King Saud at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the first expansion
The Gate of King Saud at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the first expansion
The Gate of The Holy Kaaba
The Grand Mosque - 1933
The Grand Mosque and Maqam Al-Shafeie during the expansion by King Saud
The Grand Mosque before the first expansion during the reign of King Saud
The Grand Mosque before the first expansion during the reign of King Saud
The Grand Mosque from the eastern side and Al-Salam Minaret and Zamzam
The Holy Kaaba - 1955
The holy Kaaba before restoration during the reign of King Saud
The Holy Kaaba during the first expansion
The internal side of the wall of The Holy Kaaba during the stages of restoration
The Kaaba and the Grand Mosque before the expansion of King Saud - 1954
The Maqam of Prophet Ibrahim
The Maqam of Prophet Ibrahim after the installation of the new marble base in 1956
The new roads constructed by King Saud to Mina
Two images for the Grand Mosque site
The first Saudi expansion of the Sacred Mosque after its completion, shown in two photographs that highlight the architectural craftsmanship and the beauty of the illumination.
An old photograph of the Holy Mosque in Mecca.
King Saud’s first expansion of the Sacred Mosque — Qafilat Al-zait magazine, 1378 AH.
A historical plan of the expansions of the Sacred Mosque throughout the ages, including the first expansion ordered by King Saud—may God have mercy on him—whose foundation stone was laid on 23‑8‑1375 AH.
The construction works of the first Saudi expansion of the Sacred Mosque, initiated during the reign of King Saud—may God bless his soul—between 1375 and 1377 AH.
The construction works for the expansion of the Sa‘i area between al‑Ṣafā and al‑Marwah, carried out during the expansion and reconstruction of the Holy Mosque in Mecca, which began in the reign of King Saud—may God have mercy on him.
The Holy Mosque
King Saud inspecting the expansion works of the Holy Mosque in Mecca alongside Sheikh Mohammed bin Laden.
A rare photograph showing the first Saudi architectural development of the Sacred Mosque, which began during the reign of King Saud—may God bless his soul.
The Holy Mosque as it appeared in 1378 AH.
His Excellency Professor Hassan Arab, Minister of Hajj and Endowments, accompanied on his left by Sheikh Amin al‑Shaibi.
A portion of the Kaaba’s silk belt, shown alongside Mr. Abdul‑Rahim Amin, the head of the Kiswa Factory.
A nighttime archival photograph illustrating the early operation of the Zamzam Well basement as part of the first Saudi architectural expansion of the Holy Mosque in 1388 AH.
The King Saud Expansion
A view of the al‑Ṣafā area during the 1374 AH (1955 CE) pilgrimage, revealing the beginnings of the first Saudi expansion.
The restoration of the Kaaba during King Saud’s redevelopment of the Holy Mosque, featuring one of the Aghawat in their distinguished ceremonial dress, 1377 AH.
The restoration of the Kaaba’s walls during the 1958 pilgrimage.
The structural works of the Sa‘i expansion between al‑Ṣafā and al‑Marwah, undertaken as part of the broader expansion and redevelopment of the Sacred Mosque initiated under King Saud—may he rest in peace.
The Sacred Mosque during the inaugural Saudi expansion under King Saud, featuring the replacement of the Kaaba’s Kiswa, the Shafi‘i Maqām, and the northern colonnade.
An image of the Sacred Mosque from the era of King Saud’s first expansion, sourced from the 1966 Hajj collection of journalist Omar Abercrombie.
An image of the Sacred Mosque from the era of King Saud’s first expansion, sourced from the 1966 Hajj collection of journalist Omar Abercrombie.
Safa and Marwa - during King Saud first expansions
The Mas‘a, prior to the first Saudi expansion of the Sacred Mosque under King Saud.
King Saud, accompanied by Crown Prince Faisal, Prince Saad bin Saud, Mohammed al‑Dughaythir, Bakr Younis, and Saeed Joudat, during an inspection of the Holy Mosque expansion works.
Engineer Fahmi Mu’minah of Egypt designed the first expansion of the Two Holy Mosques under King Saud, while Dr. Mohammed Kamal Isma‘il designed the second expansion during the reign of King Fahd. The third expansion was designed by the Saudi engineer Abdullah al‑Junaydib in the reign of King …
Zamzam Well following the demolition of its superstructure during King Saud’s first Saudi expansion in 1956, carried out to clear and reorganize the Mataf area.
A postcard from the era of the first expansion of the Sacred Mosque, photographed by Azmat Sheikh, a Kuwait‑based photographer known for his illustrated works on Saudi Arabia.
The building of the dual‑level Sa‘i structure at the Sacred Mosque, carried out as part of the inaugural Saudi expansion initiated under King Saud—may his memory be blessed.
The improvements to ornamentation and lighting commissioned by King Saud in 1954 as part of the refinement of the Ottoman architectural elements of the Holy Mosque.
The King Saud Expansion 1378 A.H
The King Saud Expansion
A group of worshippers getting ready to enter the Sacred Kaaba for the cleansing ceremony.
An early‑expansion view of the Mataf in the era of King Saud, featuring the shibriyyah, a wooden litter once used to carry elderly worshippers.
A documented scene from the 1378 AH cleansing of the Kaaba, with the containers used to combine Zamzam water, Ta’if rose essence, and oud oil clearly visible.
A rare image of the Sacred Mosque from the era of the first Saudi expansion, with the Prophet’s Gate (Bāb al‑Nabī) visible on the eastern flank of the complex.
An archival reference to the Sa‘i route, which remained a confined street‑like corridor until the inaugural Saudi expansion initiated by King Saud in 1375 AH.
The Mas‘a between al‑Ṣafā and al‑Marwah had long been a confined, street‑like passage before its inaugural expansion commenced under King Saud in 1375 AH.
The Mas‘a between al‑Ṣafā and al‑Marwah had long been a confined, street‑like passage before its inaugural expansion commenced under King Saud in 1375 AH.
An aerial photograph depicting the Holy Mosque during King Saud’s first Saudi expansion, along with the surrounding urban fabric, and the Ajyad Fortress crowning the summit of Mount Ajyad in the late 1390s AH.
His Excellency Ḥusayn ‘Arab signing the official document related to the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba for the Al‑Shaybi family, the traditional keepers of its keys.
An archival reference to the historic pulpit of the Sacred Mosque—donated by Sultan Suleiman in 966 AH, renovated in the era of King Saud in 1375 AH, and lost during the 1400 AH events at the Grand Mosque.
A documented moment from the first Saudi expansion of the Holy Mosque, depicting the demolition of the southern boundary and the presence of Bāb al‑Sharīf ‘Ajlān prior to its later redesign.
Mu’min Bey first envisioned a circular master plan for the Sacred Mosque, published in Al‑Musawwar in 1375 AH, followed by a revised square‑based proposal considered in the era of King Saud. The latter design implied the future removal of the Ottoman arcade, yet it was not adopted.
A commemorative booklet presented to senior dignitaries marking the completion of the restoration of the Holy Mosque and the Kaaba as part of King Saud’s first expansion in 1958.
The infrastructural works of the first Saudi expansion of the Sacred Mosque, initiated under King Saud (1375–1377 AH), may his soul be blessed.
