jerusalem (jps) | The Palestinian Authority, which in recent years has been facing a severe financial crisis, has decided to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a large and magnificent mausoleum for former Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat.

The new stately structure will replace the current burial site, which is located in the Mukata “presidential” compound in Ramallah. The project is financed by the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Finance, which has refused to reveal the costs. However, sources here estimated the cost of the project at over $1 million.

Entitled Mausoleum of Yasser Arafat, the project is being carried out by the Palestinian construction company Midmac and under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority’s Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction.

Palestinian Authority Minister of Housing Mohammed Shtayyeh said a museum and a mosque will be attached to the mausoleum, adding that the new structure had been designed solely by Palestinian architects.

The museum will include Arafat’s personal belongings, such as his kaffiyeh and pistol, as well as other items he used during his work. As for the mosque, it will have enough space for 250 people and could also be used as a conference hall.