Initiatives
By Kadiri Abdulrahman
Makkah, May 13, 2026 (NAN) Saudi Arabia has unveiled massive initiatives to ease the 2026 Hajj, Umrah experiences.
The Saudi General Authority for Media Regulation, on Tuesday took media delegations to the 2026 Hajj to some religious, historical and heritage landmarks in the city of Makkah.
This formed part of its role to provide facilitation and support to local and international media outlets covering the Hajj.
A major landmark initiative unveiled by the authority was the “Masar Destination”, an initiative to create new a entrance to Makkah to ease movement for visitors and residents .
According to Abdullaziz Al-Ghurashi, a major stakeholder in the project, Masar is an urban destination meant to introduce a new entrance to Makkah and also a new experience either for the residents of Makkah and also the visitors to Al-Haram.
He said that the project extended for more than 3.5km.
“We are about 320m wide, about 500m away from Al-Haram and also less than 100 metres away from Haramain station.
“The total area of the project is 1.2 millionsqm with the biggest plaza, the King Abdullah Mosque plaza in the middle.
“We have a boulevard that takes you from the beginning of the project until Al-Haram without interacting with any of the streets of Al-Haram.
” We have a south road and a north road. The south goes to Al-Haram and the north takes you to Jeddah-Makkah highway,” he said.
Al-Ghurashi said that the project had capacity to accommodate about 160,000 people at a time.
“60 per cent will be Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and about 30 per cent for residents and six per cent for the employees.
” In order to serve the residents or the visitors of the destination, we have four underground car parks, and we also have two bus stations,” he said.
He said that the major aim of the Masar project was to raise the quality of life for the Makkah guests and visitors.
The authority also showcased the International Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civiliaatiom.
It described the museum as a testimony to a renewed journey of reverence and beauty in introducing the biography of Prophet Muhammad and the noble message of Islam.
There was also the Clock Tower Museum – Universe Sciences Center, which served as a journey between science and faith.
Also showcased was the Kaaba Kiswa Factory where the process and history behind the making of the Kaaba’s covering were explained.
The exhibition highlighted the craftsmanship and historical development of this distinguished Islamic tradition. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
