As soon as you step onto the courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, you feel a tangible difference from the outside heat, thanks to the architectural innovations that accommodate millions of worshippers. The Egyptian engineer Mohamed Kamal Ismail was the mastermind behind the largest expansions of the two holy mosques. King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz personally chose him to design and supervise these massive projects after reviewing his work “Encyclopedia of Egyptian Mosques.” Born in 1908 in Mit Ghamr, Ismail was a prodigy in architecture, studying in Cairo and then earning doctorates in France. He designed many significant Egyptian buildings before being entrusted with expanding the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The expansions increased the Prophet’s Mosque area sevenfold and the Grand Mosque significantly, incorporating advanced features such as a vast underground garage and air conditioning.

Ismail introduced rare white Thassos marble from Greece for the flooring to combat the intense heat, a material known for its cooling properties and durability. Despite the project’s $18 billion cost, he refused any payment and was honored by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. His dedication and innovations have left a lasting legacy on the sacred sites, enhancing the experience for millions of pilgrims annually.