Masjid al-Haram's Expansion: From Umar's Short Wall to Zamzam-Water Robots

The first large-scale modern expansion began in 1955 during the reign of King Saud. This project doubled the mosque’s area to approximately 160,000 square meters, allowing space for nearly 400,000 worshippers. Marble flooring, improved drainage, and the installation of 64 new gates were among the many upgrades introduced during this phase. It also marked the start of organized efforts to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of pilgrims from around the world.