Latest news with #KidanaDevelopment
Arab News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Arafat's Namirah Mosque equipped with advanced comfort features for pilgrims
RIYADH: Namirah Mosque, a pivotal religious and historical landmark in Arafat, draws millions of pilgrims for the Dhuhr and Asr prayers on the Day of Arafat. It spans more than 110,000 sq m and accommodates about 350,000 worshippers. The mosque features six 60-meter minarets, three domes, ten main entrances with 64 doors, and a radio room for live satellite broadcasts of the Arafat sermon, the Saudi Press Agency reported. For this Hajj season, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has covered the mosque with 125,000 sq. m of luxurious carpets and initiated extensive development projects. These measures include installing 19 canopies (reducing the temperature by 10 degrees Celsius), applying reflective paint to the floors, and operating 117 misting fans (reducing the temperature by 9 degrees Celsius). The ventilation and air-conditioning system has been upgraded with smart controls, renewing the air completely twice an hour. Health services now include 70 water cooling units, serving up to 140,000 pilgrims an hour. A comprehensive restoration also included upgrades to thermal and water insulation, flooring, paint, LED lighting, electrical panels and drainage systems. The mosque also features an advanced audio system, security cameras, and 72 controlled entry and exit gates, all managed by 24/7 operations teams. In related efforts, Kidana Development Co., the main developer of the holy sites, has implemented support projects around Namirah Mosque. These include installing 320 canopies and 350 sprinkler columns, and planting more than 290,000 sq m of greenery (exceeding 20,000 trees) to enhance pilgrims' comfort and spiritual experience.
Asharq Al-Awsat
31-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Kidana Completes 1st Phase of Double-Story Tent Project in Mina to Expand Hajj Capacity
Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has successfully completed the first phase of its double-story tent project in Mina, representing approximately 75% of the total project carried out in partnership with the private sector. The project is part of a comprehensive development plan designed to enrich the pilgrim experience, increase capacity, and improve the quality of accommodation services in Mina, ensuring a comfortable and safe residential environment for pilgrims, SPA reported. The first phase, developed in collaboration with a national company, covers more than 20,000 square meters and includes over 40 buildings equipped with more than 550 restrooms. Construction was completed in approximately 100 days using various techniques that accelerated implementation and delivered robust, flexible solutions capable of withstanding weather fluctuations. For the Hajj season 1446 AH, approximately 8,000 pilgrims from various Hajj packages, both domestic and international, are expected to use the site. This limited deployment will serve as a critical test of the project's effectiveness and its suitability for meeting the diverse needs of pilgrims, potentially paving the way for expansion across the holy sites. The full project is scheduled for completion by next year's Hajj season, with an expected capacity of up to 20,000 pilgrims. The double-story tent initiative is set to significantly enhance the quality of accommodation services in the holy sites, enriching the pilgrim experience by providing a safe and organized residential environment that supports their well-being and meets diverse needs. It will also create an optimal setting for performing rituals with ease and peace, contributing to greater pilgrim satisfaction and promoting sustainable, efficient land use.
Arab News
13-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Massive shading project underway at Namira Mosque courtyards for Hajj
MAKKAH: Kidana Development Co., the master developer of the holy sites and the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has implemented a project to provide shade and cooling in the courtyards surrounding the Namira Mosque in Arafat. The project will be implemented during the Hajj season to help moderate the climate — especially given the intense heat during that time — and to facilitate the movement of pilgrims as they perform their rituals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The project, covering 85,000 square meters, includes planting 2,000 trees in the eastern courtyards, installing complete infrastructure for water and electricity networks, constructing 320 canopies, and setting up 350 misting fans. Additionally, the company has completed the planting of 20,000 trees across 290,000 square meters as part of the Green Holy Sites initiative, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to expand green areas and improve the environment.
