The Remarkable Story of the Egyptian Architect Behind the Expansion of the Two Holy Mosques: How Greek Marble Reached the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ

Makkah / Madinah: A remarkable story is associated with the life of the renowned Egyptian architect Dr. Muhammad Kamal Ismail, who was involved in the major expansion projects of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ. The story is often described as an extraordinary example of how a particular type of marble eventually found its way to the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ.
Greek Marble Used at the Grand Mosque
Dr. Muhammad Kamal Ismail supervised major expansion projects at the Two Holy Mosques.
During the 1980s, Thassos marble from Greece was used in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque. The marble is known for its ability to remain relatively cool under sunlight, helping provide greater comfort for pilgrims performing Tawaf.
The Need for Similar Marble at the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ
Years later, when expansion work began at the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ, a similar type of marble was required.
Dr. Kamal Ismail reportedly feared that the available supply in Greece might have already been exhausted.
Journey to Greece
He personally travelled to Greece and contacted the relevant company. The company's head told him that the available marble had been sold nearly ten years earlier.
Dr. Kamal nevertheless requested that the company's old records be searched.
A Surprising Discovery
The following day, he reportedly received surprising news: the records had revealed the identity of the buyer, who was based in Saudi Arabia.
Marble Preserved in a Warehouse
Dr. Kamal returned to Saudi Arabia and met the buyer. It was discovered that the entire quantity of marble purchased from Greece had remained unused and stored in a warehouse for several years.
The Owner’s Decision
Dr. Kamal offered to purchase the marble, but the owner refused to accept payment.
After learning that the marble would be used for the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ, the owner decided to provide it without charging any money.
A Remarkable Journey Completed
Thus, a quantity of marble originally extracted from a mountain in Greece, which had remained unused in a warehouse for years, eventually became part of the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ, contributing to its beauty and the comfort of visitors.
A Story of Service and Devotion
The story is often shared as a beautiful account of devotion to the Two Holy Mosques and the service of these sacred places.
May Allah accept the services of Dr. Muhammad Kamal Ismail for the Two Holy Mosques and grant him a high مقام in Jannat-ul-Firdous. Ameen.
Disclaimer: This content is shared for informational and awareness purposes and is based on reports and media sources available to the public. Some details of the story are widely circulated and may require verification from authoritative historical sources.