Companies in Madinah are racing to complete the demolition of properties on the eastern side of the Prophet’s Mosque before Ramadhan. The space is needed for the expansion of the mosque. The companies started their work three months ago and demolished 60 per cent of the buildings. The removals include more than 25 hotels, including Al-Nakheel, Dallah and Al-Awqaf hotels, and other residential buildings. The Al-Ansar market and the maternity hospital will also be demolished.
Sources told local press that 100 buildings would be demolished on the eastern side of the mosque. Compensation for the 125 hectares is expected to total SR 25 billion. Work on the western side will start after Ramadhan. A Madinah historian, Dr. Tuneidib Al-Faydi, said there are no historical relics on the eastern side of the mosque. Historical sites are found in the northwestern side including Budaa Well which belonged to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him).