Saudi Arabia: Clerics endorse holy sites revamp plan

By: Abdulali

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Highest religious authority of Saudi Arabia has approved on Thursday government plans to restructure holy cities of Mecca and Medina and the holy sites.

“The council agreed on the need to develop Jamarat area to protect pilgrims,” said the council of senior scholars, headed by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Ash-Sheikh, in a religious edict carried on state television.

Monday, King Fahd had issued a royal decree ordering the formation of a high-level committee to draft a new layout for Mecca and Medina.

According to the order the commission will be headed by Prince Miteb Bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs while Governor of Mecca region Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Medina region Prince Meqrin bin Abdulaziz and the minister of Hajj will be its members. The commission will have its own budget.

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