JEDDAH: Major renovations have begun on the historic Quba Mosque in Madinah to further expand the mosque, which was first built by the Prophet Muhammad 1,440 years ago.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the project in April during the holy month of Ramadan, which would see a tenfold increase in size and capacity of the mosque. The project would be named after King Salman.
Under the Saudi government's national regeneration program, the Crown Prince had ordered the restoration of 130 historic mosques in the country four years ago.
In his recent visit to Madinah during month of fasting, he said that the expansion plan aims to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 within the Guests of God Service, and Quality of Life programs.
Once the largest development in history is completed, Quba Mosque will be able to accommodate more than 66,000 worshipers over an area of 50,000 square meters.
The project is designed to connect the existing mosque with shaded courtyards on all four sides, all of which are capable of providing the required functions but are not structurally attached to the main building.
The road network and infrastructure surrounding the mosque will also be upgraded. The project will facilitate access to the mosque, improve the safety and security of visitors, solve crowded problems and preserve the architectural style of the mosque and other nearby monuments.
Currently, the praying area is 5,000 square meters with other facilities taking up 13,500 square meters, and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers.
The proposed improvements, according to the Crown Prince Mohammed will help in heightening the devotional and cultural experience of the visitors.
Built in 622 AD, Quba Mosque is located 5 kilometers south of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Prophet Muhammad is believed to have frequently prayed at this mosque, especially on Saturdays, and also asked his companions to do the same.
A prophetic saying (hadith) about the mosque highlights the importance of the mosque in Islamic traditions. It shows the reason for the mosque being important to Muslims, historically and religiously. "Whoever makes ablutions in this house and offers one prayer therein, will be rewarded the equivalent of one Umrah".
The mosque was denovated during the reigns of the caliphs Uthman bin Affan and Omar ibn al-Khattab. The minarat was first added to the structure during the time of al-Khattab.
Quba Mosque, along with other houses of worship were frequently revitalised during the Saudi era. Its northern part was expanded in 1968, and later King Fahd ordered several extensions of the building to be added in 1985, while retaining its historically significant architectural features.