God's (Allah) house is too small, people in a huge house.

[Epimethean]

Hmmmn ... does that make the Wrigley building bombproof?

[Rayaan]

The Saudis may have built the clock tower as a hotel to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims coming to the city. The problem is that only the rich people can stay in the hotels.

To me, however, it seems that they have introduced commercialism and materialism at the very heart of a place whose purpose it is to remind us of God and to forget about the desires of this world. I don't know, but I think it was unnecessary to build a huge clock tower in Mecca because the main reason to go there is for religious worship, not for the purpose of beauty and attraction. There are also many different malls, restaurants, and fancy hotels built in the same area.

A report by the Saudi British Bank (SABB), one of the kingdom’s biggest lenders, estimates that $30 billion will be invested in construction and infrastructure in Mecca over the next four years from local and foreign companies. Up to 130 new skyscrapers are anticipated, including the $6 billion Abraj Al Bait Towers, a seven-tower project that, once completed in 2009, will be one of the largest buildings in the world, with a 60-floor, 2,000-room hotel; a 1,500-person convention center; two heliports; and a four-story mall that will house, among 600 other outlets, Starbucks, The Body Shop, U.K.-based clothing line Topshop (Kate Moss is a guest designer), and Tiffany & Co. En route to the hajj, pilgrims already have the opportunity to stop at cosmetic superstore MAC, perfumery VaVaVoom, and Claire’s Accessories. H&M and Cartier are on the way. "All the top brands are flocking here," says John Sfakianakis, SABB’s chief economist. "The only thing missing is Filene’s Basement."

Source:
http://sunninews.wordpress.com/2008/04/1...-heritage/

[Epimethean]

Pure creepiness on the unsustainability scale.

[The Grand Nudger]

Spider, has it never occurred to you that Mecca has always been a tourist trap? That religion may in fact be entertainment, and shrines nothing more than solemn amusement rides?

[Rayaan]

Spider, has it never occurred to you that Mecca has always been a tourist trap?

To many people, yes, Mecca is a tourist attraction indeed. But for devout Muslims who are focused on God and not the worldy things - it is a religious experience for them - not a theme park.

[Epimethean]

Hmmmn, but isn't Disney a religion to some, and isn't allah a theme of sorts?

[Minimalist]

Do they have a stone-throwing contest the way we have a hot-dog eating contest on the 4th of July?

That would give a whole new meaning to the term: Champion Stoner.

[Koldaramor]

Many Muslim statesman, provides an unfair advantage in countries. This makes money, Mecca to the luxury resort hotels. Mecca before Muhammad traded religion. Arab god (El - Ilah) of Muhammad and his friends have made it more global. (Global name of the Allah) Thus, religion, trade flourished refreshed.

[Rayaan]

Do they have a stone-throwing contest the way we have a hot-dog eating contest on the 4th of July?

Yes, and the ritual is called "Jamarat," or stoning of the devil.

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The pillar itself is not the devil, but it represents the devil, and the stoning is a symbolic act which is to show that we hate the devil and that we are fighting against the devil.

[Cinjin]

jesus, even with brand new buildings their city looks like a dirty hole.

Thats one massive clock they have there.

Don't they realize how much cheaper it would be to just buy everyone a wristwatch.