Just big special... they wanna show muscle to the West part of the world and the money.... could be a lot better... just because this is the most important place for the muslin in the world

Goddamn, this must be the most bizarre and tasteless building on earth, looks like a mix of an LSD-trip and Alice in wonderland :nuts:

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2053/5089399258697120ee48b.jpg
http://www.compositesworld.com/cdn/cms/1010_CT_EI2.jpg
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4940/30166414.jpg
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3339/5082988051a2ff42d72ab.jpg

my favourites :)

Looks magnificent in the third picture
and it is a great towers
nice for Saudi arabia!:banana::)

first picture its awsome = kind like new palace for the king, and the beautiful queen has waiting at the top balcony for any handsome prince rescue her...

The clock is a masterpiece of engineering knowledge.

Is it? Do you know anything about the movement of the clock?

If it is a full mechanical one, entirely powered by its own inertia, then it is quite nice considering is has four faces and "rings" at different times according to the prayer though I wouldn't call it a engineering masterpiece (as in a clock with complications giving you the position of stars, because such thing exists).

If it is a quartz powered clock then the first Swatch sold around is as complicated than this one.

I tried looking for information around but there's absolutely nothing on it. I suspect they went for a quartz movement because, although more simple and less prestigious, they tend to be more accurate than delicate mechanical movements that need to be revised and corrected regularly. Not to mention it does not "ring" properly talking which tend to make me believe it's as mechanical.

Is it? Do you know anything about the movement of the clock?

If it is a full mechanical one, entirely powered by its own inertia, then it is quite nice considering is has four faces and "rings" at different times according to the prayer though I wouldn't call it a engineering masterpiece (as in a clock with complications giving you the position of stars, because such thing exists).

If it is a quartz powered clock then the first Swatch sold around is as complicated than this one.

I tried looking for information around but there's absolutely nothing on it. I suspect they went for a quartz movement because, although more simple and less prestigious, they tend to be more accurate than delicate mechanical movements that need to be revised and corrected regularly. Not to mention it does not "ring" properly talking which tend to make me believe it's as mechanical.


It's massive though.

new pics by Asyiqul huur, for skyscrapercity, as his logo says :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/5099912025_a13b2cb7ec_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/5099911039_825939e320_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1367/5100508004_10a13f65b9_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1244/5099909557_7f5d1afe6b_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1170/5100505110_0e3fe9dca6_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/5099908559_6c35d52df2_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/5100503650_f9e5e0559d_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/5099904317_05b8a913e2_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1264/5099903215_fee24372c1_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1318/5100499870_f0fba2e9f2_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/5100498508_0b77b6786d_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/5100497562_0d48c078b8_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5098611987_c17baf54af_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5098611381_b6ce494a25_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/5098610939_be0fd554ee_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1139/5099210906_eeb0e4830d_z.jpg

thank you very much

hmm, the Annoying Building has started going down, at last !!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/5100503650_f9e5e0559d_b.jpg

I wish you guys post the pics in the larg size, so some of us looking for details don't need to go back to flicker!!

^^ i prefer that, too. but the pictures deteriorate when puffed. thats why i posted in medium size.

here are some neat pics big

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/5100497562_0d48c078b8_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1264/5099903215_fee24372c1_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/5099908559_6c35d52df2_b.jpg

From the future's west gate:)
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/871/42414690.jpg

Can't wait to see it finished and it looks like this:

http://www.extravaganzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Th-Makkah-Clock-Royal-Tower.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8890/p1010051ny1.jpg

http://www.dubaichronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Emaar-Residences-at-the-Fairmont-Makkah.gif

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f_EgQtIcZJU/TGLVaJ3EfiI/AAAAAAAABho/8ypZfuXmpdc/s1600/Abraj_Al-Bait_Towers_clocks_2.jpg

^^^^

all the renders you posted are a Old, and the second one was amateur work (photoshop)

:p

^^^^

all the renders you posted are a Old, and the second one was amateur work (photoshop)

:p
True. The 1st one is the closest to what it actually looks like.

Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower Under-Construction:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2179/abrajalbaittowerunderco.png

Who is the contractor?

Bin Laden Group.

Bin Laden Group.

Saudi Binladin Group

That is people in Saudi Arabia are already able to build such enormous buildings? I've thought, foreign builders work there.They employ expats or foreign workers...

Saudi Binladin Group www.sbg.com.sa

Lol the Bin Laden group has connections to Osama Bin Laden, which is really true.
The founder of the company: Sheikh Mohammed bin Laden Sayyid was also the father of Osama Bin Laden. Than his brother was the boss, and now a few of his newphews are in charge.

Lol the Bin Laden group has connections to Osama Bin Laden, which is really true.
The founder of the company: Sheikh Mohammed bin Laden Sayyid was also the father of Osama Bin Laden. Than his brother was the boss, and now a few of his newphews are in charge.

they abounded the disturbed child along time ago (not part of the HUGE family anymore) :)

they abounded the disturbed child along time ago (not part of the HUGE family anymore) :)

no no no...you can't say that about him (disturbed child)

I guess someone has molested him as a kid,and he thought to himself
<<the whole world must pay for that....it's going to be my ultimate revenge>>
then he gave that evil lough,the one Butters uses in South Park whenever he thinks he's (Professor Chaos)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8c/Professor_Chaos.jpg

:lol::lol:

^^ lets not make this thread about Osama bin Laden.

Don't talk anymore about that guy :nono:

Back to the subject :)

sgOPOLCbA90&feature=related
blcmLh-vYsc&feature=related

Who is Osama Bin Laden?

Who is Osama Bin Laden?

according to Bush
he demolishes towers behinds people's back.... :)

The whole family is working with skyscrapers.

Who is Osama Bin Laden?

Killed 3,000 people on a certain day in 2001. :ohno:

On topic:
I really like how the tower is turning out.

^^ and less/none are jews .

from what i watched in youtube - the real story.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/5103766625_44d0efcc77_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/5103766625/)


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1102/5104358434_08a8bb17b2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/5104358434/)

^^ and less/none are jews .

from what i watched in youtube - the real story.

Sorry to go (stay) off topic but I can't let that go. There is an internet site that looks into and gives opinion on these types of stupid claims and rumors. Sort of an urban legend fact checker. Here's the link to the facts. Any knucklehead with a computer and an axe to grind can post something on you-tube. I hope you are smart enough to realize that.

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/israel.asp


Jews were killed on 9-11! As were Muslims, Christians, Pagens, white people, black people, Hispanic people, Asians, left-handed people, Republicans, Democrats, fat people, skinny people, pregnant women, handicapped folks, football coaches..... Well, hopefully you get the idea. Don't believe the conspiracy nonsense, it's all half truths, cut up soundbites and a lot far out conjecture.

Back to topic and my apologies to all.

I love the clocks, From the renders I wasn't sure how I felt about this project but it is growing on me as it grows.

wooooowww! a close up of the top :nuts:....Thanks asyiqul'huur :)

Can someone tell me WHY the time on the right clock is +4 MMT (+9 GMT)?????
And yesterday the clock was stopped and it's white lights were too bright. I guess its still being tested.

From the future's west gate:)
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/871/42414690.jpg

NIIICCCEE! where is this place? ring road? Almansur st. ?

the building looks like a throne a giant chair :D

NIIICCCEE! where is this place? ring road? Almansur st. ?

may be Umm al Qura street? close to Saudi Hollandi Bank?

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5341/5104356098fc7efaf731b.jpg

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/7024/510376429363ef7bb004b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1150/5106321958_1b286b2ecc_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1098/5106320762_4d94f008cb_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/5106319258_d82eb69804_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1431/5105723519_6e553a92bd_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1431/5105722751_4151808afd_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1194/5106317254_f02548effa_b.jpg

Giant Makkah clock to be ready next month

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__g-D4Xvh1yM/TGIvScPhMGI/AAAAAAAAAiM/nTWzkRYEc9g/s1600/The+Abraj+Al-Bait+Mecca+clock+the+world%27s+largest+4.jpg
Saturday, October 23, 2010

A giant clock tower constructed in Islam’s holiest city of Makkah as one of the world’s highest towers will be completed next month and will be linked to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Saudi newspaper said Saturday.

The third face of the clock skyscraper, which was launched on a trial basis last month, has been completed while the fourth side will be finished in early November, Sahafaonline Arabic language network reported.

“The fourth side is located south of the Makkah Grand Mosque…it will be finished early next month to mark the end of the project that will be one of the most important hallmarks for Muslims around the world,” it said.

“The clock timing will be linked to UTC after the fourth and last side is completed…a 23-metre crescent on the watch has been constructed and is believed to be the largest man-made crescent in the world….loudspeakers have also been installed on top of the watch to transmit prayers call, which can be heard within a distance of nearly seven km.”

UTC, also referred to as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Universal Time (UT), or "Zulu" is an international time scale used in astronomical and aviation publications, weather products, and other documents.

Formerly and still widely called GMT, UTC nominally reflects the mean solar time along the Earth's prime meridian. UTC is expressed using a 24-hour clock but can be converted into a 12-hour clock--AM and PM.

Inaugurating the clock tower last month, Saudi officials said they hoped it would establish Makkah as an alternate time standard to the Greenwich median.

The tower's height will reach 601 metres when it is completed, making it the world's second tallest building -- ahead of Taiwan's 509 metre Taipei 101, but well behind the Burj Khalifa, the 828 metre skyscraper in Dubai.

More than six times larger in diameter than London's famed Big Ben, the clock faces, with the Arabic words "In the Name of Allah" in huge lettering underneath and will be lit with two million LED lights.

The tower, which took two years to construct, is equipped with an elevator to take visitors to the surrounding balcony below the four clocks.

In August, the clock tower triggered panic among Muslim pilgrims when it was shrouded with fog, mistaken for smoke from a fire.

Civil Defence vehicles rushed to the tower site after receiving numerous calls from pilgrims saying that the building is engulfed in smoke.

http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/giant-makkah-clock-to-be-ready-next-month-2010-10-23-1.307663

it took 2 years to build a 601 meter tower :O !!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5107855549_076552d006.jpg

compte flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/54988482@N08/5107855549

^^
reminds me of a picture i took in October 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2279/1768070870_37c8fbffc6_o.jpg

it took 2 years to build a 601 meter tower :O !!

And a no ordinary tower! THIS tower!

Killed 3,000 people on a certain day in 2001. :ohno:

On topic:
I really like how the tower is turning out.

Did he use a gun or something?

Did he use a gun or something?

he used paintball gun, like the israeli commanders on the gaza aid flotilla (killed +9) :p

you should google 9/11 and read about the event, don't u remember the airplanes which flown into the twin towers in NewYork ? :bash:

he's just trolling by playing stupid. Pay him no mind.

this monsterous kitsch is a shame on the islamic architecture. a perfect example of those with lots of money and totally lacking a decent taste.

it took 2 years to build a 601 meter tower :O !!

Don't forget its not only the tower,its a lot of crowded buildings around it :banana:
Anyway this towers looks great in the view of Mecca,the "old" design to an "old" city,perfect!
Mecca couldn't ask for a better building than that :cheers:
I can't wait for the tower to be finished!
__________________
http://2.s04.flagcounter.com/count/3DIf/bg=FFFFFF/txt=FFFFFF/border=FFFFFF/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/.jpg

Quote...it took 2 years to build a 601 meter tower :O !!

That is odd...post #6048 shows the building half erected in October 2007 ????

the temporary banner is GONE!! :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5111429815_14e69aacfa_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5112036552_05160e9da9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5105727333_1048f5ce45_b.jpg

Quote...it took 2 years to build a 601 meter tower :O !!

That is odd...post #6048 shows the building half erected in October 2007 ????

the clock tower hasn't come up then, the half erected tower is the one next to the clock tower. although i am not sure it's been just two years since the clock tower began.

the building looks like a throne a giant chair :D

^^ i thought the same thing! :lol:

this monsterous kitsch is a shame on the islamic architecture. a perfect example of those with lots of money and totally lacking a decent taste.

And I suppose you have a better taste? I'm gonna share a story for people LIKE YOU who say similar sh**

Once upon a time in france, a painter made a great painting, he worked hard on it, so he wanted to know what the people thought about it. He hung the painting on the door of the royal palace and wrote this "If you find any mistakes, point them out on the painting". The next day, he came to see that the painting was full of circles pointing out mistakes. He, of course, was disappointed and angry, the next day he put the same painting on the same place and wrote "If you find any, FIX THEM". The next day, he came and saw that no one had botheres to fix the so-called "mistakes"

Bottom-line: People like you exist on every singles street, they themselves know nothing about art (and I don't care if you have done a Ph. D in arts) and they themselves have no taste. They just go in a social gathering and bla bla bla ........................................

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5111448729_0540318305_b.jpg

^^
I saw yesterday, either the "DOKAAE" cloth has been torn out by wind or they removed it themselves

And I suppose you have a better taste? I'm gonna share a story for people LIKE YOU who say similar sh**

Once upon a time in france, a painter made a great painting, he worked hard on it, so he wanted to know what the people thought about it. He hung the painting on the door of the royal palace and wrote this "If you find any mistakes, point them out on the painting". The next day, he came to see that the painting was full of circles pointing out mistakes. He, of course, was disappointed and angry, the next day he put the same painting on the same place and wrote "If you find any, FIX THEM". The next day, he came and saw that no one had botheres to fix the so-called "mistakes"

Bottom-line: People like you exist on every singles street, they themselves know nothing about art (and I don't care if you have done a Ph. D in arts) and they themselves have no taste. They just go in a social gathering and bla bla bla ........................................


:applause:

this monsterous kitsch is a shame on the islamic architecture. a perfect example of those with lots of money and totally lacking a decent taste.

I'm not an architect so I won't comment on the architecture.

I guess our 'Ichigo' (unless I got the profile pic wrong) must be proud of this endowment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waqf) after so (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=290) many (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=285) reminders (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=272) about that fact (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=270). So your rulers have donated a lot, perhaps saving the developers money for other projects. You've (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=289) said (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=283) time and again (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=237) where all the profits go to, but what sort of profits? Ok your rulers don't (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=274) keep profits from pilgrimage, but what about the maintainers (http://hajartower.com/english/checkavail.php) of the towers (http://zamzamtower.com)? What (http://mresco.com/almaqam-hotel.html) about (http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/pub/your_hotels/worldmap/makkah/overview.cfm) the hotels (https://bookrotana.com/Ver3.0/gbook.asp?HotelCode=AMR) of the towers (http://fairmont.com/promo/makkah)? Good if they want to donate all their profits... They're not taxed (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=202) anyway...

Yes it's a prophecy (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=226) which may not be (http://usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/abudawud/041.sat.html#041.5218) bad (http://usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/070.sbt.html#007.070.576). Yes it's for the pilgrims but you have to have money (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=273). I guess it's fair as it has so many luxuries (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=230) & is so grand (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=209), hence is so expensive, (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=213), especially that well-lit (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=192169&page=64) clock (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=245) (with its own cranes - btw MMT seems just like a brand for GMT+3 & there are still a lot of people who might still be living in huts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hut_(dwelling)) & can't (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty#Demographics) afford (http://witness-pioneer.org/vil/hadeeth/riyad/00/chap055.htm) all this).

So besides the mosque & al-Mu'alla (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=218) there's nothing (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=296) historically significant (http://islamiclandmarks.com/saudi_city_of_makkah.html) there or else people would have worshipped (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=566372&page=29) them? Oh well I'm looking forward to the mosque expansion (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=211) & other developments (perhaps everything will be merged into 1 complex)... Seems you guys learnt a lot (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=192169&page=61) from the west (http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article54754.ece), who learnt it from you in the past. I wonder what future experience (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/401593e0-bde8-11de-9f6a-00144feab49a,dwp_uuid=a712eb94-dc2b-11da-890d-0000779e2340.html) of pilgrimage (http://gulfnews.com/business/opinion/haj-vital-to-saudi-economy-1.533412) will be... I'm not sure when I'll go (perhaps for the last time), but I plan to look at some architecture further west with my architect friend soon...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Koutbia.jpg

p.s. I think sunnis (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=280) might be as much as 90 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni#Demographics)%.
p.p.s. I applaud your successful local (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=286) business...

^^ is that a robot or a human being ?

^^ lol, i was thinking the same thing, hahaha
may be he had some time to kill. wow, i couldn't do THAT in a million years. hahahha

Hey everyone! I need help with something. Does anyone know how wide the clock tower is in meters???? You see me and a guy(lions_215) are making the Abraj Al Bait Towers paper model in the Scale Models section. But he does not know how wide is the clock tower. Here's what he has so far. The ruler next to and below the tower is in meters. If you could help i would really appreciated.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1310/abrajalbaittowersdiagra.png

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs891.snc4/72483_1545702654451_1591576224_31227561_4294874_n.jpg

here is my monthly diagram. it has dimensions and can be scaled.. i think clock is 40m diam?

thats what happens when you use someone elses drawing. i did an update in sept1 with new dimensions,.
anyway heres an update
please dont alter please.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5094808586_9d61f6fbf7_o.jpg

Goddamn, this must be the most bizarre and tasteless building on earth, looks like a mix of an LSD-trip and Alice in wonderland :nuts:

:applause:

Hajj season is only 3 weeks away, meaning construction s most likely to halt for a month (al-Adha 4-day holiday comes after) ...

^^
I think the construction will only halt for those 4 days

BREAKING NEWS:

The right clock is officialy operational

When will fairmount open?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs096.snc4/36154_1561953302489_1645020927_1354957_8004822_n.jpg

Hey everyone! I need help with something. Does anyone know how wide the clock tower is in meters???? You see me and a guy(lions_215) are making the Abraj Al Bait Towers paper model in the Scale Models section. But he does not know how wide is the clock tower. Here's what he has so far. The ruler next to and below the tower is in meters. If you could help i would really appreciated.



I believe the exact measurement is 43 meters.

^^
Oh, the way it blends in with the surroundings... :)

Amazing photo!

Abraj Al Bait Towers on Google Earth:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1311/aabtgooglemodel.png

^^ it isn't really upto scale. i think it is about 50 meters taller in that model.
but still much much better than the previous model.

Wonderful ! Mash'allah !

^^
Oh, the way it blends in with the surroundings... :)

Amazing photo!

Yes, the way it ties in with the surrounding area. You almost don't even notice it's presences.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs096.snc4/36154_1561953302489_1645020927_1354957_8004822_n.jpg

Great photo :cheers:

No.
Don't think so.
Look in the real world.
Decode this lyrics " You'll see "
Just self lack of knowledge and total loss of IQ themselves.

ANOTHER BREAKING NEWS:
They've installing the words "لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله" on top of the right clock:banana::banana::banana:

Which means ?

Thanks for the translation GgOoOoGgLlEe. This project is just amazing. Much more impressive than the burj khalifa to me. I've never seen such a big facility before !!!!!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs265.snc4/39564_448563743121_69158688121_5435782_312413_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs780.snc4/66074_448563788121_69158688121_5435783_4065688_n.jpg

Which means ?

It means:
"There's no god but Allah, And Mohammad (SAW) is the messenger of ALLAH"


Yay :banana::banana::banana:
Any photos?


_________________
http://2.s04.flagcounter.com/count/3DIf/bg=FFFFFF/txt=FFFFFF/border=FFFFFF/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/.jpg

I'm waiting for asyiqul huur

It means:
"There's no god but Allah, And Mohammad (SAW) is the prophet of ALLAH"




I'm waiting for asyiqul huur

actually it means:

"There's no god but Allah, And Mohammad is a messenger of ALLAH"
Allah or Allahom (Elahom) =it's the literal word for god in Arabic
in the Islamic traditions:
Mohammed (SAW), is not the only messenger (therefore you can't translate it to THE messenger).
and muslims regard their religion as the completed and universal version of a primordial, monotheistic faith revealed at many times and places before, including, notably, to the prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
The Qur'an mentions the names of numerous figures considered prophets and messengers in Islam, including Adam, Noah, Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,Joseph, Moses ,John the baptist,Zackariah, Jesus, among others

sorry to be OFF-Topic but I had to clear up that :)

^^
Thanks for correcting.

Here's the pic. Before complaining about the quality, kindly read my signature:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1110/5121213366_4c5212b630.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5121213366/)
27-10-2010-680 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5121213366/)


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/5120623737_c6cf164091.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5120623737/)
27102010682 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5120623737/)

actually it means:

"There's no god but Allah, And Mohammad is a messenger of ALLAH"

Salam alaykoum cheikh Rody

We use to say or translate that the Prophet Mohammah saw is the messenger(rassoul) of Allah because:

- he is the last prophet who bring the last message(Quran) to the whole manking
-he is the only prophet that we(muslims) have to follow(sunna)
-and we can only do shahada with this prophet

sorry for OFF-topic.....:)

actually it means:

"There's no god but Allah, And Mohammad is a messenger of ALLAH"
Allah or Allahom (Elahom) =it's the literal word for god in Arabic
in the Islamic traditions:
Mohammed (SAW), is not the only messenger (therefore you can't translate it to THE messenger).
and muslims regard their religion as the completed and universal version of a primordial, monotheistic faith revealed at many times and places before, including, notably, to the prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
The Qur'an mentions the names of numerous figures considered prophets and messengers in Islam, including Adam, Noah, Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,Joseph, Moses ,John the baptist,Zackariah, Jesus, among others

sorry to be OFF-Topic but I had to clear up that :)

with all respect and totally agreeing on the part that Mohamed is A messenger among many, i dis agree that that sentence means a messenger. because in Arabic (and i believe you are an Arab) to say a messenger of Allah, it has to be "rasoolun min Allah"

now can you give me another Arabic sentence that would mean "the messenger of Allah"

in order to translate it as "the Messenger" it has to be in ma'rifah form (Al-Rasool), and not Nakirah. but do you know (المضاف إلى المعرفة معرفة(??
that means as long as Rasool is "mudaaf ila" lafz al jalalah Allah, (a ma'rifah) rasool is also ma'rifah.

so the correct translation will be THE Messenger of Allah.

sorry to be off topic too, but i had to clear it up too, well, from what i studied.

BACK TO TOPIC:

Makkawi, you could open a fund for a camera, may be people are generous :cheers:

^^^^Spam:lol:

Its so huge
Ok, it might fit with th eneighbourhood
but still
I dont like this project :S

In this vidéo on sept 16,

we can see the Makkah clock when maghreb prayer time comes (at 27 sec)
6HWDcpBWlPc&feature=player_embedded#!


If you want to see the Makkah clock "LIVE"

you can look at "Makkah Live Broadcast" at prayer time

I saw it few times

Makkah prayer time on 0ctober 28:

Fajr(5:05) - Dhuhr(12:06) - Asr(15:23) - Maghreb(17:48) - Isha(19:19)

http://live.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm


^^

^^ and Makkah time is GMT +3 .

I just saw Abraj al bait right now on Makkah Live Broadcast :)

and between prayers they past the camera on Abraj al Bait many time

so awesome ,

thanks guys for the greatest update ever :okay:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1110/5121213366_4c5212b630.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5121213366/)
27-10-2010-680 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5121213366/)


How far away was this taken from?

On Makkah Live webcam, I looked at maghrib time (17:48) and the camera showed the Makkah clock :)

So I think they show it at each prayer time.


http://live.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm

^^^^Spam again:lol:

Thanks to Asyqulhuur, the new addition is clear hear.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/5606/5123041727b794ae25e9b.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2619/5123041401efa20f7933b.jpg

Finally ....:)

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6751/5123041065236ec17f64b.jpg

^^ didn't i tell you? they are gonna bring it down BRICK by BRICK. hahaha
at least it WILL BE gone,.......some day. lol.

Thanks Asyqulhuur for all the pics :)

and special thanks for all the close up of the top

^^They are building the bases for the two domes in the back:)

A well know french muslim media www.al-kanz.org post some asyiqul'huur's photos for an article:

http://www.al-kanz.org/2010/10/27/horloge-mecque/

@asyiqul'huur your photos are well appreciate around the world :)

Keep on shooting! :okay:

Finally ....:)

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6751/5123041065236ec17f64b.jpg

FINALLY!
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

^^They are building the bases for the two domes in the back:)

They've been building them for a long time now. I guess they want to finish the clock face first

On Makkah Live webcam, I looked at maghrib time (17:48) and the camera showed the Makkah clock :)

So I think they show it at each prayer time.


http://live.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm

Its NOT Makkah live "web" cam. Its "Al-Quraan Al-Kareem" channel which telecasts the reciting of Holy Quraan 24/7.
And yes they show the clock and "Allah-u-Akbar" (The first word of Azaan) at the call (Azaan) of every prayer.

Thanks to educate me :)

^^
I didn't see the link before talking :bash::bash:

^^
I didn't see the link before talking :bash::bash:^^

Webcam Mecca, Saudi Arabia: Sacred Mosque with Kaaba

Visit Webcam: http://www.webcamgalore.com/EN/webcam/Saudi-Arabia/Mecca/3776.html

Have a look :)

Here are some pic I took on 19 and 20 Oct. I hope no one has difficulty in seeing abraj-al-bait in these pics. ;)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/5125387627_9618068d40.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125387627/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5125387001_f84ce1eaa6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125387001/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/5125992442_4caa639927.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125992442/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1365/5125386193_b94d2f960c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125386193/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1432/5125385403_e61ec5a105.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125385403/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5125990452_7d3682b259.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125990452/)

I got caught in a huge traffic jam while taking pics of clock tower in "Shi'ab Amir tunnel" due to this accident

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/5125384155_2ba150a8b6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125384155/)

The man was taken out and was lying down a few steps ahead, he was alive at that time.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5125989192_5480f09bf3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125989192/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/5125988574_1efcb03928.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125988574/)

Its hard to take pictures when you're in a car and especially at the Ajiyad down hill :D

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1238/5125381775_7d5c9e4e9b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125381775/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1359/5125381005_7f4b23b075.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125381005/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1359/5125381005_7f4b23b075.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125381005/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/5125380137_e4bbd41ee3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125380137/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/5125379395_ca5e640823.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5125379395/)

@Makkawi.Pk

Thank you for those nice pictures from quite nice angles of the city. I have never been to Makka but it seems to have a lot of tunnels there.

It looks like they finally prepare the backside for the installation of the clock panels.

Bottom-line: People like you exist on every singles street, they themselves know nothing about art (and I don't care if you have done a Ph. D in arts) and they themselves have no taste. They just go in a social gathering and bla bla bla ........................................

i don't really get the connection between your little story - on which i suppose you worked a lot - and that highly sophisticated bottomline you managed to conclude. (i guess this is a story you tell a lot when you run out of professional arguments - which i assume happens a lot too)

i am an architect and yes i studied art as well. a lot about islam actually, which was one of my favorites. yet, i don't think i am THE expert of any fields. but one does not have to be to see how little aesthetic value this building represents, how out of proportion it is, and how unattentive to its environment.

also i can understand your defensive attitude as well. in a frustration from having to face this beast every day, the only thing you can do is to persuade yourself that it is not ugly. believe me my friend it is. it is like a giant fake jewel that might enthrall those with a simple mind and who need tons of kitsch to be amazed but will disgust those who can see real beauty.

^^
LOL! I never used that story because I don't like to force my opinion in the arguement. About the rest-no comments. And my bottom lines means if you hate it, design something better, don't just sit here and complain

^^
Where are the moderators?????????

Thank You :)

It doesn't matter what angle you look at it always gives the illusion not of being centered. I know it's not finished, but because that it looks kind of awkward. I am stoked about the project, and can't wait for the spire to be erected or jacked up!

^^
We are all waiting for December :)
But it still looks great

It doesn't matter what angle you look at it always gives the illusion not of being centered. I know it's not finished, but because that it looks kind of awkward. I am stoked about the project, and can't wait for the spire to be erected or jacked up!

I think they did that on purpose because I noticed that being that it is not centered it shows you which direction the temple is from all angles. Kinda like how wtc2 is designed to express which direction the memorial is.

temple
:lol: you can't say mosque ?

I like this one with the birds :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1194/5106317254_f02548effa_b.jpg

I don't think its nice to write the sentence "Alla Acbar" :lol:
Anyway hows things are going? I caaaaaaan't wait for this tower to be fucking built already!!!!! :cheers2:
__________________
http://2.s04.flagcounter.com/count/3DIf/bg=FFFFFF/txt=FFFFFF/border=FFFFFF/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/.jpg

its written "Allah Akbar" in English

"God is great" in Arabic means : Allaahu Akbar, how is it not nice ?
this term is used by arabs of all religions, arab Christians, arab jews and arab muslims.
please respect

^^Mashallah, I can't wait for this to be finished soon :okay:

[QUOTE=abumuhannadh;66085645]with all respect and totally agreeing on the part that Mohamed is A messenger among many, i dis agree that that sentence means a messenger. because in Arabic (and i believe you are an Arab) to say a messenger of Allah, it has to be "rasoolun min Allah"

now can you give me another Arabic sentence that would mean "the messenger of Allah"

in order to translate it as "the Messenger" it has to be in ma'rifah form (Al-Rasool), and not Nakirah. but do you know (المضاف إلى المعرفة معرفة(??
that means as long as Rasool is "mudaaf ila" lafz al jalalah Allah, (a ma'rifah) rasool is also ma'rifah.

so the correct translation will be THE Messenger of Allah.

Even though i aint very literate in Arabic, from all the religious sermons i have heard and all the books i have read nowhere was there any mention of Muhammad (saw) as "a" messenger but always as "the" messenger. So many thanx for the technical explaination which i totally am in agreement with you.

^^^^

it all hold the true meaning of islam

Muhammed is a messenger of God (true)
Muhammed is the messenger of God (true)
Muhammed is the final messenger of God (true)

so it doesn't matter how you say it, we call him the seal of the prophets as well

^^MashAllah Beautiful

2 clocks are ticking, third is finished but not ticking the forth one is left

the tower should be finished at the end of december

[QUOTE=abumuhannadh;66085645]with all respect and totally agreeing on the part that Mohamed is A messenger among many, i dis agree that that sentence means a messenger. because in Arabic (and i believe you are an Arab) to say a messenger of Allah, it has to be "rasoolun min Allah"

now can you give me another Arabic sentence that would mean "the messenger of Allah"

in order to translate it as "the Messenger" it has to be in ma'rifah form (Al-Rasool), and not Nakirah. but do you know (المضاف إلى المعرفة معرفة(??
that means as long as Rasool is "mudaaf ila" lafz al jalalah Allah, (a ma'rifah) rasool is also ma'rifah.

so the correct translation will be THE Messenger of Allah.

Even though i aint very literate in Arabic, from all the religious sermons i have heard and all the books i have read nowhere was there any mention of Muhammad (saw) as "a" messenger but always as "the" messenger. So many thanx for the technical explaination which i totally am in agreement with you.


Although this shouldn't really be discussed here, but allow me to disagree with you guys!
Attempting to translate a sentence from Arabic to English using Arabic "Qawa3ed" is absolute non-sense! Neither "A' nor "The" would have the "implications" in Arabic as they do in English, Yes in Arabic Mohammed (PBUH) is "Rasoul Allah", but that doesn't make him "The Messenger" when speaking in English since such term may suggest in a way that he was "The Only Messenger"... Which isn't true whether you were a follower of Islam or any other monotheistic religion (speaking as a secular). Moses is A messenger, Jesus is A messenger... and Mohammed maybe seen by some as "The Final Messenger" but that doesn't make him "The Messenger"!

"Nakirah", "Ma3rifah" and "Modaf Elaih" don't exist in English, that's Enlgish 101, and that's also exactly why translations of the Holy Quran are not considered "Sacred" per se, and why versus should only be recited in Arabic during prayers

Apologies again about discussing this here

Another "dead" day :(
I hate the days when nothing new is discussed on the two Abraj threads. And I also hate it when there are no new pics.

Then do something about it. We don't wanna read your useless complaints. If you've got nothing relevant to say then don't post.

[QUOTE=mlknyc;66224017]


Although this shouldn't really be discussed here, but allow me to disagree with you guys!
Attempting to translate a sentence from Arabic to English using Arabic "Qawa3ed" is absolute non-sense! Neither "A' nor "The" would have the "implications" in Arabic as they do in English, Yes in Arabic Mohammed (PBUH) is "Rasoul Allah", but that doesn't make him "The Messenger" when speaking in English since such term may suggest in a way that he was "The Only Messenger"... Which isn't true whether you were a follower of Islam or any other monotheistic religion (speaking as a secular). Moses is A messenger, Jesus is A messenger... and Mohammed maybe seen by some as "The Final Messenger" but that doesn't make him "The Messenger"!

"Nakirah", "Ma3rifah" and "Modaf Elaih" don't exist in English, that's Enlgish 101, and that's also exactly why translations of the Holy Quran are not considered "Sacred" per se, and why versus should only be recited in Arabic during prayers

Apologies again about discussing this here
+1
that's what I meant before

I had a chance to see this early last year looks great glad to see its moving along nicely - loved Makka and Medina :)

To skyscraperfans who missed this news

Giant Makkah clock to be ready next month

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__g-D4Xvh1yM/TGIvScPhMGI/AAAAAAAAAiM/nTWzkRYEc9g/s1600/The+Abraj+Al-Bait+Mecca+clock+the+world%27s+largest+4.jpg
Saturday, October 23, 2010

A giant clock tower constructed in Islam’s holiest city of Makkah as one of the world’s highest towers will be completed next month and will be linked to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Saudi newspaper said Saturday.

The third face of the clock skyscraper, which was launched on a trial basis last month, has been completed while the fourth side will be finished in early November, Sahafaonline Arabic language network reported.

“The fourth side is located south of the Makkah Grand Mosque…it will be finished early next month to mark the end of the project that will be one of the most important hallmarks for Muslims around the world,” it said.

“The clock timing will be linked to UTC after the fourth and last side is completed…a 23-metre crescent on the watch has been constructed and is believed to be the largest man-made crescent in the world….loudspeakers have also been installed on top of the watch to transmit prayers call, which can be heard within a distance of nearly seven km.”

UTC, also referred to as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Universal Time (UT), or "Zulu" is an international time scale used in astronomical and aviation publications, weather products, and other documents.

Formerly and still widely called GMT, UTC nominally reflects the mean solar time along the Earth's prime meridian. UTC is expressed using a 24-hour clock but can be converted into a 12-hour clock--AM and PM.

Inaugurating the clock tower last month, Saudi officials said they hoped it would establish Makkah as an alternate time standard to the Greenwich median.

The tower's height will reach 601 metres when it is completed, making it the world's second tallest building -- ahead of Taiwan's 509 metre Taipei 101, but well behind the Burj Khalifa, the 828 metre skyscraper in Dubai.

More than six times larger in diameter than London's famed Big Ben, the clock faces, with the Arabic words "In the Name of Allah" in huge lettering underneath and will be lit with two million LED lights.

The tower, which took two years to construct, is equipped with an elevator to take visitors to the surrounding balcony below the four clocks.

In August, the clock tower triggered panic among Muslim pilgrims when it was shrouded with fog, mistaken for smoke from a fire.

Civil Defence vehicles rushed to the tower site after receiving numerous calls from pilgrims saying that the building is engulfed in smoke.

http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/giant-makkah-clock-to-be-ready-next-month-2010-10-23-1.307663

So wait, this clock will not be synced with Mecca's local time?

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8117/51211288447680a30320b.jpg

i hope my dream of going to mecca will be fulfill, insyaallah....

From Space:)
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7331/abraj1.jpg

A brand new one...Nice! :okay:

Really diggin the labyrinth motif, but they are stylized letters I gather? or not?

^^ Yeah, they're stylized arabic words (cubic calligraphy?)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4586/5135493289ed915ba365b.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2196/5136093426a6b5c73e9eb.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1255/5136093806_db7f618c38_b.jpg

From Space:)
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7331/abraj1.jpg

COOOOOL :okay::nocrook:

Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel,

opens its doors to pilgrims for Hajj

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5078715874_aa9ab58e8b_z.jpg
01 November 2010

MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia: Fairmont Hotel & Resorts announces the opening of Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, located only a few steps away from the Masjid Al Haraam and the Holy Ka'aba Islam's most sacred site. Its unique and distinctive features will ensure a landmark presence offering warm and welcoming hospitality to its guests.

The hotel is the focal point of the iconic Abraj Al Bait Complex, which is part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project whose mandate is to upgrade the precincts of the Two Holy Mosques. Makkah Clock Royal Tower is the tallest concrete building in the world, with 76 stories reaching 577 meters (no it's 601 meters) and housing 858 rooms and suites. It is an integral feature of the development - the 40-meter clock, whose four facades are visible from 17 kilometers away and more than five times larger than Big Ben in London, will announce daily prayers to the Muslim world through amplifiers, thus reaching a radius of 7 kilometers.

Mr. Mohammad Arkobi, Vice President & Managing Director, FRHI Makkah KSA, expressed his joy and pride in opening the hotel in Makkah and commented, "This event is a momentous opportunity to provide a new amenity to Muslim pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. We are honored to offer exceptional services to Holy Land pilgrims and look forward to ensuring our visitors have truly memorable experiences with us. We also hope to demonstrate our sincere commitment to caring for our communities, a hallmark for our brand and colleagues."

The Tower houses a lunar observatory center, in addition to a museum for Islamic icons and objects of arts, serving to preserve and promote the region's culture and heritage. The hotel demonstrates smart technology design, featuring 10 thousand kilometers of fiber optic cable for speedy communications and Internet connection for the guests. The property's 76 elevators will provide comfortable transfers during Azan (calls to prayer) and high-occupancy Umrah and Hajj seasons and the hotel also features easy access to the Haram, as well as two large prayer rooms for male and female guests.

Guests at Makkah Clock Royal Tower will enjoy a variety of international cuisines including the innovative "Al-Dira", which offers local flavors from the various districts of the Kingdom and will introduce guests to the culture of oriental Saudi cuisine.

For those planning functions in the city, Makkah Clock Royal Tower offers a selection of meeting rooms and event spaces while a 24-hour business center, high speed and wi-fi Internet access and translation services ensure business transactions are conducted effortlessly.

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20101101082110

http://www.catererglobal.com/employer/assets/getAsset.aspx?uiAssetID=23e7f2d7-03ba-4eb6-8b78-a7444825f897

http://www.fairmont.com/makkah

Interesting. Where is the headquarters of Fairmont Hotels?

http://www.fairmont.com/makkah

Interesting. Where is the headquarters of Fairmont Hotels?


Toronto, Canada

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8117/51211288447680a30320b.jpg

great design !!:)

All news networks mention that the city was under heavy rain yesterday and that the clock was not lit during last night.

I'm sorry, but the top of this tower is just plain ugly, there's no getting around it. The composition is horrible, the materials are cheap, and the overall look is one of extreme tackiness. If ever there was a botched job of interpreting classic Islamic architecture, this is it. What were the architects thinking? Wait, judging from the design, I'm guessing there were none, or if there were, they had zero training. More likely some rulers sketch which was taken at face value.

I love this building, particularly because it has a lot of subtle details that glassy towers like the Guangzhou West Tower. The West Tower has a great shape that suits its simpleness, but the Abraj Al-Bait I would describe as a beautiful tower, because of its subtle details, especially around the clock.
I particularly like the tent-like structure on top of the shorter towers.:)

I'm sorry, but the top of this tower is just plain ugly, there's no getting around it. The composition is horrible, the materials are cheap, and the overall look is one of extreme tackiness. If ever there was a botched job of interpreting classic Islamic architecture, this is it. What were the architects thinking? Wait, judging from the design, I'm guessing there were none, or if there were, they had zero training. More likely some rulers sketch which was taken at face value.


^^ Cheap and tacky?? you obviously have not been following this thread for to long, have you looked at the detail on the clock faces and hands? Nothing cheap about them. Maybe looking back through the thread you would find out how wrong you are!:bash::ohno:

^^
Let'em bark.
Makkah clock beared an electric shock as the uncomplete spire was struck many times with lightning in yesterday's long-waited rain. They're working on turning it back on.

The top of the tower uses anything BUT cheap materials! That's real gold. My personal opinion is that is a shameful waste of money. There are people in need around the world and would it really make a difference at that height to use faux gold? Who could tell the difference? Oh well, it is what it is.

It looks like they are copying the Big Ben though

Haha!! I love this tower

amazing Abraj Albait - the world's second tallest building

Heay!! Mecca stole a building from the Vegas Strip! :bash:

^^
and the Vegas architect is so original ,
that why ancient Egyptian and Parisians " stole" their buildings ..

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1011/mk19444snapshot20101102.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1011/mk19444snapshot20101102.jpg

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1011/mk19444snapshot20101102.jpg

http://img574.imageshack.us/img574/2954/51417377654285d19558o.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3744/51423420321885783a9bo.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7896/51417375134a4d4a24f8o.jpg

^^ nice, people praying in the rain :)

I'm sorry, but the top of this tower is just plain ugly, there's no getting around it. The composition is horrible, the materials are cheap, and the overall look is one of extreme tackiness. If ever there was a botched job of interpreting classic Islamic architecture, this is it. What were the architects thinking? Wait, judging from the design, I'm guessing there were none, or if there were, they had zero training. More likely some rulers sketch which was taken at face value.

Yes... gold is cheap.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1011/mk19444snapshot20101102.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1011/mk19444snapshot20101102.jpg

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1011/mk19444snapshot20101102.jpg

http://img574.imageshack.us/img574/2954/51417377654285d19558o.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3744/51423420321885783a9bo.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7896/51417375134a4d4a24f8o.jpg

I have a video unclearly showing the ligthning striking the crescent-spire 4 times.
And the clock is back and running after being all-out for almost 24 hours. The lights are still not working though.

^^HEY, they removed the crane and completed "Allah-u-Akbar"
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

time for updates.
the small rio on top bring height to 512m.
looking great
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/5144239006_7213a70a1a_o.jpg

^^HEY, they removed the crane and completed "Allah-u-Akbar"
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
^^Sa7 alnoum:lol:, could you please buy a camera, prices in Hajj usually get very low. Maybe then you can provide us with daily pictures. Nice diagram CULWULLA!

This building's monstrous.

^^HEY, they removed the crane and completed "Allah-u-Akbar"


true!! why didn't i notice it before :cheers:

thanks for the diagram, Culwulla. please remove the front crane in the next one :)

The clock looks really impressive and attractive at night with those lights ! Must be the largest clock in the world.

With the last update, as of today, the Taipei 101 has been surpassed !

^^Sa7 alnoum:lol:, could you please buy a camera, prices in Hajj usually get very low. Maybe then you can provide us with daily pictures. Nice diagram CULWULLA!

I don't care about the price, I'm collecting money to buy one, will take two to three months at least.

More likely some rulers sketch which was taken at face value.
I thing you got it there.

I don't care about the price, I'm collecting money to buy one, will take two to three months at least.

i have a camera with 18x zoom. i wish i lived in Makkah, i would certainly take pictures daily and post it here. sadly i visit Makkah every once in a while.

hope you get enuf money before this building is complete :nuts:

^^I have some views of abraj-al-bait that are asking me to be pictured :D I don't think I'll get it before completion. I'll try though.
Latest news: the clock lights (of the front clock of course) are also back and operating after the electric shock. Today the lights of "Allah-u-Akbar" are also on (for the second time).

Sorry, my last post was based on what I saw right after Isha Prayer. What I saw after posting this post, it was like this :)
@12:00

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1244/5147130282_8951e1fbbd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5147130282/)

After Isha prayer:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/5147216166_2681c68720_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5147216166/)

And now my latest pics. Once again, I request you all to read my signatur before complaining.

On the evening of thunderstorm, After being hit by first lightning strike and before being hit by 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th strike.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5146461415_0057eb39ae_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5146461415/)

Taken @ 2nd ring road (Omar Bin Al Khattab (RA) Road)-Madinah al Munawwara Road intersection.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/5146460797_1c5899bb7b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5146460797/)

An evening after the electric shock.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1175/5147063312_7f208f1fb9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5147063312/)

A night after the electric shock

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5146459383_f483b38dd8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5146459383/)

Today @ morning

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/5146458811_33e48df649_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5146458811/)

Today @ morning ft. The Sun

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/5147061266_2daefaba01_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5147061266/)

Today @ Evening:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/5146457133_9ab945cea9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5146457133/)

ALL lights ON on and above the front clock. WITHOUT ANNOYING INDICATORS.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5147059502_fb6a78a7d4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5147059502/)

Testing ALL lights on the front and right clock-WITHOUT ANNOYING INDICATORS.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/5147058954_93c0e57648_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmadz/5147058954/)

^^You need a camera and a telescope!

^^ +1

:lol:

^^ NEW PICS

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1050/5148591544_eb7158a396_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1402/5147987851_400bb655a4_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/5147988315_6fa9162e43_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1330/5147989413_8c2e188c69_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5147990041_68bc81f9b7_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/5148594918_0cfd419e68_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/5147993143_a3164d730d_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/5147991813_b29eacabf8_b.jpg



the night of the thunderstorm

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/5147990985_c5ddf1cc9f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5148595862_dcd6755d0b_b.jpg



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1228/5147994399_fb751c3383_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1328/5147993913_f98b8578ba_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/5147993143_a3164d730d_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1245/5148596952_b128cfdae6_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1425/5148600036_ff3d743975_b.jpg



destruction of the annoying building, up close.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/5148599516_67315f8ef2_b.jpg

Please, for those who upload from flicker, use the big size so we don't need to go back to flicker to check the pics again:)

Does anyone else look at this building and think it would fit in very nicely on the Las Vegas strip?

^^Yeah, I think it would. In fact, any building would fit:lol:

Does anyone else look at this building and think it would fit in very nicely on the Las Vegas strip?

it will do, but i can almost see what an uproar it would be. who would want a big ALLAH AKBAR written in Las Vegas? lol

It looks like Big Ben took steroids. :lol: I find it to be quite bulky and not very attractive. Although it's not like I'd be visiting Mecca anytime soon in my lifetime anyways.

It looks like Big Ben took steroids. :lol: I find it to be quite bulky and not very attractive. Although it's not like I'd be visiting Mecca anytime soon in my lifetime anyways.


:lol:... that's exactly what I thought the first time I saw it (two minutes ago)

^^
Not very attractive??? No comments
@ibib: you read my signature and still feel free to complain :D
I take pictures just to show updates, not to show my photographic capabilities.

They've clearly got a lock on both. But which do you think they were they shooting for most - world's *largest* clock tower or world's *ugliest* clock tower?

It looks like Big Ben took steroids. :lol: I find it to be quite bulky and not very attractive. Although it's not like I'd be visiting Mecca anytime soon in my lifetime anyways. Yeah, I'm surprised that we get to even see it on the internet.

I can't wait for the cladding/glass of the observastion deck! I've starting to like this building.

Does anyone else look at this building and think it would fit in very nicely on the Las Vegas strip?

No offense but you could have read some of this thread and then you may have noticed that this has been said at least 200 times. Maybe even more.

^^ some people come here once and throw their attitude here. i dunno, may be they had a bad day :lol:

Well, I still like it :)

RECORD

Giant Mecca Swiss Watch


http://www.planet-9.com/attachments/middle-eastern-forum/14360d1281931637-holy-makkah-clock-tower-highest-world-15_image01414.jpg


The clock that will outperform Big Ben is the work of a Schwyz engineer.

The challenge to over 400 meters: to protect the hands from the wind.
October 26, 2010

The Makkah Clock can boast of being bigger and taller than most Big Ben. But unlike London which the clock strikes the hour, one of Mecca's mission is to draw pilgrims to prayer five times a day. Next year, the Muslim world will be watching on a Swiss mechanism installed in Saudi Arabia: "This clock is as big as a football field," enthuses Martin Ryffel Schwyz engineer.

If technology is Swiss, the construction is German. This is also an architect from Frankfurt mandated by investors who contacted the company Straintec led to Wollerau (SZ) by engineer Martin Ryffel. "The challenge lay in the hands that are exposed to the wind." To prevent their swaying damages dials - mosaics composed of millions of ceramics - the engineer has developed circular rails that hold the two needles of the dial away on all four sides of the tower.

Technical challenges

Rails is the specialty of Martin Ryffel, whose systems equip parks as Europarc. The design of the movement of 21 tons of steel and bronze was also a challenge for the engineer and his team: he would be in pieces to facilitate the inevitable future repair and had to be hoisted to a height of 425 meters, in a steel structure.

Other technical challenges were identified in two years, such as lightning rods to divert lightning mechanism. "The Bin Laden group wanted the best," said the engineer.

500 years warranty

"The developers have demanded a guarantee of 500 years," says Martin Ryffel. The request was impossible to meet as it is. The needles carbon may well be small, 500 years is ten times too much for the wheels that wear out. The parade was to ensure the sustainability of the clock, but not its components. "You should not change the car if you can repair it," Martin compares Ryffel. It's the same clock.

After a successful test at Dubai, Makkah Clock has been hoisted to Mecca. But Martin Ryffel was not on the trip: "Not being a Muslim, I'm not going to Mecca," he says.

In the holy city, the Swiss clock is integrated into the Abraj al-Bait project, estimate at 1.6 billion dollars and visible within a radius of 25 kilometers. Royal gift to the Muslim world, the Abraj al-Bait dominate the Grand Mosque. Its clock will determine the Islamic Mean Time, Mean Time away from the meridian of Greenwich, imposed by the West.

Five years of work

The site of the holy city must end next spring, after five years of work. The designer of the clock he will attend the inauguration? "Only if I receive an invitation. But I do not want at all costs, "says Martin Ryffel. The engineer is already busy with another project: the installation of 250 giant umbrellas in Medina, Saudi Arabia still.

By the numbers

Makkah Clock

425 meters: the height of the Makkah Clock, on its axis.
46 meters: the diameter of the clock.
22 meters: the length of the minute hand, the hour is 17 meters.
21 tons: the weight of the movement.
17 km: distance reading time at night, against the day 11 km.
21 000 white bulbs and green were set atop the tower.
500 000 LED integrated into the clock.
120 000 documents needed for the construction of the clock.
500 years: the duration of the warranty.

Abraj Al-Bait

7 laps up this complex that includes a prayer hall and four car parks.
95-storey Royal Tower, including 60 reserved for a 5 star hotel.
65 000 people: the population of the seven towers.
864 permanent residences.
$ 1.6 billion: the budget of the promoters, but the cost is estimated at 2 billion.

Translate from: http://www.lematin.ch/actu/suisse/horloge-suisse-geante-mecque-340335


http://yasirimran.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/th-makkah-clock-royal-tower-27.jpg?w=400

Nice, but they still don't say a thing about the movement :(. I know most people don't care but few like me are interested in the technology and mechanics rather than just the number of diamonds and weight of gold on a clock.

Nice, but they still don't say a thing about the movement :(. I know most people don't care but few like me are interested in the technology and mechanics rather than just the number of diamonds and weight of gold on a clock. It's interesting...but for now it's TOP SECRET!

Try to contact the engineer Martin Ryffel at Straintec company, Wollerau

If you speak french ..try to have help here they have a forum: www.horlogerie-suisse.com

or here: http://forumamontres.forumactif.com/

Good luck! or Bonne chance! :)

I can't find the information formally but rather elements of answers. The clock is using lighting rods to deviate power surges away from the movement, so that hints (I say "hints" but that's a big "hints") an electronic movement rather than a full mechanical one.

I can't affirm it 100% but with the fact it rings (or rather sings) at different times every days would tend to confirm it's using electronics. Now it's a mechanical display and the components might be impressive, but too bad it doesn't seem to be a wonder of clockwork engineering. Not on the mechanical side at least.

Okay, this is a stupid question, but I've been wondering this for a long time.
How do they get the colors to change during the night?
Are there tiny holes through which lights poke out, or what?


Also, I have to agree with Matthieu. I saw pictures of the gearbox that turns the hands, and it looked to be about the size of my head. I was not impressed. It's probably driven by a motor with an electronic timer of some sort. I'm still interested to see exactly how it works, though.

Motor of the Clock

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1157/motor.gif

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/3070/motor4.gif

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1402/motor3.gif

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1323/motor2.gif

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3812/mecd.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5599/mc2u.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4894/mec3.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4675637474_ea2e846b46_b.jpg

"Light's Secret"

http://yasirimran.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/th-makkah-clock-royal-tower-09.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JNvK9Tbew-g/THih4GFixsI/AAAAAAAAAz4/tuDv42zA7zc/s800/makkah_clock11.jpg

http://www.aleqt.com/a/425654_118653.jpg

http://www.aleqt.com/a/425654_118652.jpg

http://scheurer.design.officelive.com/images/16345_1302182961785_1446800724_870364_5322446_n.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2614/589261280758821700.jpg

Well, can't say I'm not disappointed by the movement of the clockwork :(.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0XWksgW7VS4/TIIFom9yjkI/AAAAAAAAChk/ltMT6O7q890/s1600/Mecca+Clock+Hands+copy.jpg

http://www.talalmasood.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/MakkahTower-16-Hands.jpg

http://www.talalmasood.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/MakkahTower-11-Clock-Hands.jpg

^^ yah, but the decoration and the lighting seems to be a hell lot of work :lol:

Inside Abraj al Bait

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/180/c/c/Makkah_Towers_by_Photo_Elements.jpg

^^ Why not?

Would you not wear a shirt with St. Joseph's Oratory on it?

I'd wear both :D

cool t shirts ;)

I would had expected the clock mechanics to be something more complex

On topic please :) **Tries to be nice and grabs his last bit of patience left for this thread**

^^ thanks for your effort. appreciate it.

I never went off topic :)

Apologies if it's already been mentioned, but where can I get me one of those cool Abraj Al-Bait Tshirts?

"God is Great" sign is lit (7 Nov 2010)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1184/5155982530_c8e5b5c29b_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5155372009_ca5d348113_b.jpg

"God is Great" sign is lit (7 Nov 2010)




That's what I said..

"God is Great" sign is lit (7 Nov 2010)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1184/5155982530_c8e5b5c29b_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5155372009_ca5d348113_b.jpg

beautiful

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/5155975622_d28a22cbe3_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1190/5155980624_8bd93c7158_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1230/5155979694_fe291ee50d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5155978516_14ec19c678_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1176/5155977524_59d002e28b_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5155976536_3b8f5508f0_b.jpg

Impressive photos ! Stunning at night !!!

Video presenting the Makkah Clock "GREEN" at night time

D0n18re3GHg

September 01, 2010

^^ can't wait :)

inside

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1156.snc4/149809_10150331524385473_623320472_15734323_7684666_n.jpg

Hey, who is deleting my posts????????????????????

Hey, who is deleting my posts????????????????????

Maybe a moderator, who deleted a spam post in this thread (there was one), deleted your accidentally with it when he checked the spam, dunno.

yeah there was a spam post

^^
so he/she couldn't differentiate between latest updates and spam lol.
Anyway here it is again: the left clock is also back and running (since yesterday) and the "kalima-tu-tauheed" sign above it also lit probably permanently.

^^ can't wait :)

this post of mine was actually for that post of yours :lol: you mentioned in it that Asyiqul hurr should take pictures that show both at once

nice avatar GulfArabia :)

lol now it's me that cleans this thread, stay strictly on topic people :)

this post of mine was actually for that post of yours :lol: you mentioned in it that Asyiqul hurr should take pictures that show both at once

Yup :)
But why wait when I have a 3.2 MP with 0x zoom mobile cam :lol::lol::lol::lol:

I've taken one at maghrib time which is a whole lot clear-er than my previous ones.

Inside Abraj al Bait

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/180/c/c/Makkah_Towers_by_Photo_Elements.jpg

M.A.C.?
Isn't that against something or another?

I'm sorry, but I fond this entire building rather vulgar. Mecca is one of the great holy sites of the world. I cant see The Vatican being dominated by a 2000 foot monstrosity right next door. This whole project is hideous.

This is not the Vatican, this city is not a giant museum for you, 4 million Muslims come here to practice their faith and they need a place to stay, not statues and pretty small buildings. Stop comparing the Vatican is nothing like Makkah

lol now it's me that cleans this thread, stay strictly on topic people :)

expect tons of work :nuts:

best of luck :lol:

Yup :)
But why wait when I have a 3.2 MP with 0x zoom mobile cam :lol::lol::lol::lol:

I've taken one at maghrib time which is a whole lot clear-er than my previous ones.

are you gonna talk or will you post it too? :nuts:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/2280415533_2348f39499_b.jpg

That story belongs somewhere else. I do not care to read about anything but the construction of this tower.

Will the top of the spire be placed by helicopter, or lifted by cranes?

^^ probably will be placed piece by piece by a crane and manpower.

I'm sorry, but I fond this entire building rather vulgar. Mecca is one of the great holy sites of the world. I cant see The Vatican being dominated by a 2000 foot monstrosity right next door. This whole project is hideous.

quote

This is not the Vatican, this city is not a giant museum for you, 4 million Muslims come here to practice their faith and they need a place to stay, not statues and pretty small buildings. Stop comparing the Vatican is nothing like Makkah

quote

Inside Abraj al Bait

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/180/c/c/Makkah_Towers_by_Photo_Elements.jpg

i expected something way more elegant for the interior. no offense, but this looks rather like a cheap suburban mall.

^^ the hotel is better than the mall, i was disappointed too, but like i said before, its more about serving the ppl there, (convenience...) to the pilgrims (comes first). its not a tourist destination.

M.A.C.?
Isn't that against something or another?

why should it be ? there are many international and other domestic brands here, muslims do come from all over the world, even america. we only boycot what islam forbids & as well as israeli products.

i expected something way more elegant for the interior. no offense, but this looks rather like a cheap suburban mall.Abraj al Bait is not only the clock tower...there's this commercial center in a other building of Abraj al bait.

Makkah clock Royal tower is more elegant

http://magalyaguilera.webs.com/photos/Makkah_Clock_Royal_Tower.jpg

I agree that we shouldn't compare this to the Vatican, however that being said, it just seems wrong to place such a dominate structure, hiding the more historic (and I'm sure religiously significant) buildings. It's great for the people of muslim faith that they have something like this, but it always leaves me with a sick feeling in my stomach. Also, I personally find this building a mishmash of odd buildings. Perhaps just the big clock tower would have looked better and less...overwhelming. Anyways, I look forward to seeing more pics upon completion!

^^ we muslims don't worship buildings, the only "religiously significant building in makkah" is the black cube known as the "Kaa'ba".

everything around the current mosque was built int he 80's, and they are being demolished now, this "rebuilding" the central area has been going since forever. because unlike the vatican, the faithful come to Makkah to actually practice their faith, and not look around.

this is a real photo (not render) of the main lobby of one of the hotels in this complex:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1156.snc4/149809_10150331524385473_623320472_15734323_7684666_n.jpg

I won't get into a debate, but the "looking around" aspect of the Vatican is half of the faith right there. Making the trip to see the where it all goes down, to some extent. Religions are different, and I'm always happy to learn more about each one, so thank you! :D

^^ check out the tiles of the mall, they are lined to face the kaa'ba (which is tricky if you live in makkah, its like u having a compass in the middle of the north pole :p )

What tiles exactly?

the straight lines on the floor

^^

see the lines in every floor of this mall?
it is facing the Kaaba. it is tricky to draw it because Kaaba is so close that the lines itself are arcs.

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/180/c/c/Makkah_Towers_by_Photo_Elements.jpg

Oh cool, nice touch.

Timekeeper of Muslim world


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5105727333_1048f5ce45_b.jpg
The Makkah Tower Clock is seen at the background of the Kaaba.

By ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 10, 2010

MAKKAH: A giant clock on a skyscraper in Islam’s holiest city Makkah began ticking at the start of last Ramadan, amid hopes it will become the Muslim world’s official timekeeper. The Makkah Clock, which is considered the world’s largest, has four faces measuring 43 meters in diameter.

It sits 400 meters up what will be the world’s second-tallest skyscraper and largest hotel, overlooking the city’s Grand Mosque, which Muslims around the world turn to five times a day for prayer. “The Makkah Clock started with the order of King Abdullah ... one minute after midnight on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan 1431H,” the Saudi Press Agency said.

Over 90 million pieces of colored glass mosaic embellish the sides of the clock, which has four faces each bearing a large inscription of the name “Allah”. It is visible from all corners of the city, the state news agency said.

The clock tower is the landmark feature of the seven-tower King Abdulaziz Endowment hotel complex, being built by the Saudi Binladin Group, which will have the largest floor area of any building in the world when it is complete. The residential tower is estimated to cost $3 billion.

The clock is positioned on a 601-meter tower, which will become the second tallest inhabited building in the world. “Because of its position in front of the Grand Mosque the whole Islamic world will refer to Makkah time instead of Greenwich. The Makkah Clock will become a symbol for all Muslims,” said Hashim Adnan, a resident of Jeddah.

The project is part of efforts to modernize the holy city and make it more capable of catering to pilgrims. Around two million Muslims visit the city each year for the annual Haj pilgrimage, a once-in-a-lifetime requirement for able-bodied Muslims, and 3.5 million pilgrims visit Makkah at other times of the year.

The Makkah Clock Royal Tower is the most prestigious hotel in the Middle East. The extensive project, called Abraj Al-Bait, features a five-star Fairmont hotel with over 1,000 guestrooms. The complex also includes a selection of residential offerings as well as retail space, restaurants and extensive convention facilities.

The hotel is the focal point of the iconic Abraj Al-Bait Complex, which is part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project, whose mandate it is to upgrade the precincts of the Two Holy Mosques.

The complex includes seven towers with a total floor space of 15.6 million square feet and is adjacent to the Grand Mosque. The property joins Fairmont’s worldwide collection of iconic luxury hotels and is an addition to the company’s Middle East and Africa portfolio.

The hotel, a 76-story tower at 577 meters high, will be among the world’s tallest and its unique and distinctive features will ensure a landmark presence.

Many scholars are of the opinion that Makkah Time can — being located in the center of the world — provide the world an alternative to the GMT. At a conference in Doha in 2008, Muslim scholars presented “scientific” arguments that Makkah time is the true global meridian. They said that Makkah is the center of the world.

“Putting Makkah time in the face of Greenwich Mean Time, this is the goal,” said Mohammed Al-Arkubi, general manager of Royal Makkah Tower Hotel.

The Royal Clock is sitting atop the central tower in the Abraj Al-Bait Project, 50 meters opposite the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The clock will be visible from 17 km away at night and 11 to 12 km away during the day. A German-owned company, Premiere Composite Technologies, has designed the clock.

Sources said that the world’s largest clock — six times larger than London’s Big Ben — the project includes a Lunar Observation Center and an Islamic Museum. While the Royal Clock will announce daily prayers, the Lunar Observation Center and Islamic Museum will serve to protect the heritage for future generations. The observatory will also be used to sight the moon during the holy months. On special occasions, 16 bands of vertical lights will shoot some 10 km up into the sky.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/haj_services/article185759.ece

From the storm last week

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2919/834d6ab687a93e65c26ea76.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2435/a14d34fa5c97621882cfbdb.jpg

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/9733/b113696d04ab00bfa2eadd9.jpg

Recent

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3530/view21289307022.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/553/view11289307022.jpg

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3560/view41289307022.jpg

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/4356/view31289307022.jpg

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/3496/view71289307022.jpg

To be honest, I think the Saudis are ruining Mecca. It's a holy city, it's supposed to feel very tranquil and pretty. It's not meant to look like New York with tall skyscrapers. I think this is just the beginning though, I think they will industrialize Mecca a lot more and turn it into a commercial city like NYC or Tokyo, and take the spirituality away from the city.

^^
looks like your first time here :lol:

^^
It is true. The industrial moguls have ruined everything Mecca stands for.:gaah:
They are destorying the spirituality of The Grand Mosque by turning attention towards "another skyscraper". Aren't we supposed to marvel in awe at the Holliest place on earth for Muslims?
For example, take a look at this picture-they say a picture tells a thousand words:
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3560/view41289307022.jpg
It is very clear that anyone who come to Mecca will be looking up at the Clock tower!!:bash:
I can't believe it.And those on the top will look down at "the peasants".

To my fellow forumers, I don't mean to insult anyone, I'm merely pointing out this immense mountain of concrete that is "literally" blocking the sun and sky from reaching Kabba.

There are many ways to look at the same issue. That is what makes us human. And causes so much conflict.

Can anyone show some pictures of the construction at the top? Seems like only far away pictures lately.

Like this, only more recent:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=66216279&postcount=6117

this place is not holier than any other place in the world ! that is a fact !
who thinks otherwise is nothing but a brainwashed idiot. every pig got more
intelligence and gets more respect for me than all muslim " people " !! :cheers:
the building itself is just a tacky symbol to show the world that they`ve got
the money to build a skyscraper ! if the saudis wouldn`t have found the black
gold they still would be the most primitive mammals in the world. you can
still notice this in their manners. :ohno:

^^^ what about you? do you have any manners at all??