Prophet’s Mosque – expansion of the sacred site in Medina

The Prophet’s Mosque, built in 622 CE by Muhammad, is one of the largest mosques in the world. It is the second holiest site in Islam after Mecca, attracting millions of pilgrims performing Hajj.

In 2012, an ambitious expansion project was announced to increase the mosque’s capacity and accommodate the growing number of worshippers. The mosque was originally built when Muhammad settled in Medina after migrating from Mecca (Hijrah). It was constructed by his companions and followers on land that belonged to two orphans and was purchased with his consent.

Interesting fact! The site where the mosque stands today was once adjacent to Muhammad’s house, where he lived after his migration from Mecca. The original layout of the building later became a model for mosque architecture worldwide.

Large-scale expansion

The $6 billion project aimed to expand the mosque’s capacity to 1.6 to 2 million worshippers. In 2013, demolition work began, including the removal of ten hotels and various public buildings on the eastern side of the complex. In 2017, following a royal decree, the western courtyards (95,000 m²) were paved, providing additional space for 80,000 to 100,000 worshippers.

Rawlplug technologies used in the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque

During the project, Rawlplug R-KEX-II epoxy resin anchors and R-KER-II hybrid chemical anchors were used. These high-performance solutions played a key role in the construction process, ensuring secure fixings in challenging building conditions and enhancing the overall durability and safety of the structure.

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