MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait Endowment | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O

[fengshui]

Have a look at Google Earth - they have just added hi-res pics of Mecca, Dubai, and others. You can clearly see the construction of this building now. Google Maps has not yet been updated with the new imagery.

[Stephan23]

I can't see any progress on this one!!!

[Darth Shemp]

No sign of the center tower going up yet?

[lumpia]

I do NOT oppose Mecca getting a skyline (and a sweet skyline at that) but they should've created a specific hi-rise district in another part of the city: better planning was needed for this. The area around the Mosque should remain clear for future expansion (Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world) It would be so easy for the Saudi govt to install subways/LRT's to serve the pilgrims and locals instead of building these hi-rise hotels right next to the Kaaba to be "close at hand". Hajj and Umrah are meant to be hard wearing, exhaustive, and ultimately, life-changing experiences. That's the point of pilgrims exclaiming "Labaik, Allahumma, Labaik!" ("Here I am, oh God! Here i am!") in joy when they finally see the Kaaba. Coming from the cool confines of a nice hotel and then just stepping in the front door of the mosque and saying that sorta takes the biscuit.

In short the Abraj sure are nice, BUT are wayy too near al-Masjid-al-Haram imho. I (and millions of Muslims around the world who don't have the luxury of having the Qibla of Qiblas (the Kaaba) in their backyards) would've prefered the area around this Holy site to be somewhat "preserved" if not left clear for future expansion of the Mosque without the issue of possible cramming; the density in Mecca is thick enough, as u can see from Google Earth.

[dettol]

You make very good points and I am of the same opinion..

[*UofT*]

Originally Posted by lumpia

I do NOT oppose Mecca getting a skyline (and a sweet skyline at that) but they should've created a specific hi-rise district in another part of the city: better planning was needed for this. The area around the Mosque should remain clear for future expansion (Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world) It would be so easy for the Saudi govt to install subways/LRT's to serve the pilgrims and locals instead of building these hi-rise hotels right next to the Kaaba to be "close at hand". Hajj and Umrah are meant to be hard wearing, exhaustive, and ultimately, life-changing experiences. That's the point of pilgrims exclaiming "Labaik, Allahumma, Labaik!" ("Here I am, oh God! Here i am!") in joy when they finally see the Kaaba. Coming from the cool confines of a nice hotel and then just stepping in the front door of the mosque and saying that sorta takes the biscuit.

In short the Abraj sure are nice, BUT are wayy too near al-Masjid-al-Haram imho. I (and millions of Muslims around the world who don't have the luxury of having the Qibla of Qiblas (the Kaaba) in their backyards) would've prefered the area around this Holy site to be somewhat "preserved" if not left clear for future expansion of the Mosque without the issue of possible cramming; the density in Mecca is thick enough, as u can see from Google Earth.

This is what I call an objective post, clearly a model poster

I agree with you 100%

[Erebus555]

I like it, and it has a good purpose. It will look like an immense palace when completed.

[Siopao]

Originally Posted by Zaki

As hotel to house some of the millions of pilgrims that go there every year.

wow.. right in the very front of the shrine?

[Saudi guy]

can you believe it total amount Project's around al haram +18 bilion$

[Mosaic]

^Oh! Gosh! That's very much though.

[Zaki]

Originally Posted by Siopao

wow.. right in the very front of the shrine?

well first of all its a mosque not a shrine and second of all, ya sure, why not? As long as you don't break down the mosque its fine. To muslims, everything around there was built by humans and on top of that built without any religious purpose thus making them just another building.

[SaRaJeVo-City]

Originally Posted by lumpia

I do NOT oppose Mecca getting a skyline (and a sweet skyline at that) but they should've created a specific hi-rise district in another part of the city: better planning was needed for this. The area around the Mosque should remain clear for future expansion (Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world) It would be so easy for the Saudi govt to install subways/LRT's to serve the pilgrims and locals instead of building these hi-rise hotels right next to the Kaaba to be "close at hand". Hajj and Umrah are meant to be hard wearing, exhaustive, and ultimately, life-changing experiences. That's the point of pilgrims exclaiming "Labaik, Allahumma, Labaik!" ("Here I am, oh God! Here i am!") in joy when they finally see the Kaaba. Coming from the cool confines of a nice hotel and then just stepping in the front door of the mosque and saying that sorta takes the biscuit.

In short the Abraj sure are nice, BUT are wayy too near al-Masjid-al-Haram imho. I (and millions of Muslims around the world who don't have the luxury of having the Qibla of Qiblas (the Kaaba) in their backyards) would've prefered the area around this Holy site to be somewhat "preserved" if not left clear for future expansion of the Mosque without the issue of possible cramming; the density in Mecca is thick enough, as u can see from Google Earth.

I agree 100%, very well said.

[Mosaic]

I almost forget about this project, any recent updates???

[dettol]

hehehe, i was waiting for someone to bump this thread :P

[pasha 03]

In the last week I've read in the news that maby in the nearest future the christians and jews will be allowed to visit Meccah.
First, I trully wish it will some day be possible because Meccah does seems very interesting place, and ofcourse the undergoing tower construction makes it even more tempting

[dettol]

Oh really!?!? Can you post a source please? That would be one of the most important religious developments of modern history!! :O

[pasha 03]

damn....that's the problem...I've read it in a brief news on my cellphone, and I couldn't find it later on a web.
I believe it was Saudi Arabia King's motivation? though it sound bizzare in our world, in the middle of a religeus and coltural war...

I personally dying to see the Kingdom Center in Ryadh. It's stunning!

btw, have it ever been shown in some Discovery-Geographic construction programms? have it been on TV at all?

[dettol]

I will keep my eyes peeled for any info..

It is an absolutely amazing design, I love it.

I also believe it will be a long time before it is surpassed as the worlds largest bottle opener!! :P

[Jamandell (d69)]

Originally Posted by pasha 03

damn....that's the problem...I've read it in a brief news on my cellphone, and I couldn't find it later on a web.
I believe it was Saudi Arabia King's motivation? though it sound bizzare in our world, in the middle of a religeus and coltural war...

I personally dying to see the Kingdom Center in Ryadh. It's stunning!

btw, have it ever been shown in some Discovery-Geographic construction programms? have it been on TV at all?

Yes, I can't remember what it was called, maybe it was Megastructures? But it was very interesting. I saw it a good while ago now, but yeah, you should keep an eye open for it.

[pasha 03]

Yep, the chineese just copied the "bottle opener" shape into their SWFC




Anyway, back the real issue of this thread - how about an update??
right now they may be finishing the side towers...Zamzam Tower and Hajer Tower.
Is there anybody living next to Mecca to "jump in" for some pictures?

btw, is anyone else is annoyed by the stalin-kind appearance of the main tower? looks like the red folks in the country of the greenery.