Israel's Ben-Gurion airport – plans approved to build a Muslim Prayer Room

Israel Airports Authority (IAA) Director-General Gabi Ophir said last week that a decision had been taken to construct an Islamic prayer room (mosque) for Muslim travelers passing through Ben-Gurion airport.
 
Ophir added that, a 20-square meter room for Muslim religious services will be built in Terminal 3, the main terminal at the airport.
 
In a statement issued by Ben-Gurion airport it was noted that the airport "is determined to strengthen ties with the Arab sector" .
 
Airport spokesman Shmuel Hefetz added that :" We have received a number of requests from passengers and even members of parliament to allocate a small space with appropriate facilities".
 
The Ben-Gurion airport's mosque will face the direction of Mecca, the Saudi Arabian city which serves as the capital of Islam. It will also be carpeted, and will contain copies of the Koran for use by worshippers.
 
The Israel Airports Authority also announced that In an effort to strengthen customers relations with Arab passengers passing through Israeli air terminals, the Authority launched an Arabic version of its Web site this week at an investment of NIS 500,000. The new site would provide general information from the authority including updates on flight information applicable to passengers flying in and out of Tel Aviv.
 
Israeli Arabs make up about 20 percent of the Jewish state's population of some 7 million people.
 
Ben Gurion handles about 8.5 million passengers a year.