Mecca Royal Clock Hotel Tower is an insult to Islam and to taste

[Dubious]

1 - Hotels are less expensive than what you think. Any middle-income individual can afford it.

I beg to differ when we went to Umrah...I can tell you for sure any hotel near Haram was freaking expensive and unaffordable...Maybe affordable for Arabs but not a common man def unless he looted some bank!

2 - These ugly buildings aren't meant to stay forever.

So they are going to break the hotel again? (The ugly building is the hotel...tall doesnt make you pretty nor does the weird architecture)

3 - These can of building, again, can take a far greater amount of people than what the surroundings of Meeca used to be. Therefore, this can make people feel happy, given the fact that their rooms are few steps away from the Masjid.

1stly yes they are enormous so they can take more people...but what kind of people have that much money?

2ndly I thought the more you walk to the masjid the more thawaab you get...so why are people wasting soo much money to go to Mekkah and not taking full advantages of thawaab?

4 - The revenues of these projects will help many people in need here and there.

who will benefit when investors like Hilton hotel and other hotels near the Kabaa are foreign investments?!

I have everything and a respect to your opinion.

Thank you and I addressed you because I have a batch of questions (bad habit but I always question)

I did a quick search:

which of these hotels (near Mekkah) seem affordable to you? Price is per night

Mecca Hotels: Compare 203 Hotels in Mecca with 2,680 Reviews | TripAdvisor

Compare Hotels - Best Hotel Deals Guaranteed | HotelsCombined

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

and ignore the pilgrims? who are tiered after performing rituals and need hotel near by... from where they can come to the mecca 5 times a day!
Every one wish to have a room from where Kaaba is visible and nothing wrong with it.
Providing services and comfort to the pilgrims is deep entrenched in Islamic ideology.
In Quran it says 'Mushrakeen are the worst enemies of Muslims' Mushrik is a person who worship any thing else than one devine God/Allah!
Hence it doesn't matter what we Muslims do, you would always object it either way.

I didn't post anything to offend anyone,but i see u are as always auto offended.

 

[Dubious]

and ignore the pilgrims? who are tiered after performing rituals and need hotel near by... from where they can come to the mecca 5 times a day!
Every one wish to have a room from where Kaaba is visible and nothing wrong with it.
Providing services and comfort to the pilgrims is deep entrenched in Islamic ideology.
In Quran it says 'Mushrakeen are the worst enemies of Muslims' Mushrik is a person who worship any thing else than one devine God/Allah!
Hence it doesn't matter what we Muslims do, you would always object it either way.

The question was addressing the mall near Haram....why need a mall next to Haram? How is that related to tired pilgrims?

I didn't post anything to offend anyone,but i see u are as always auto offended.

Its the way you put it!

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Its the way you put it!

What way?

 

[Dubious]

Instead of tower and mall maybe they should have built a museum on islmic history and artifacts of heroes of islam.Mall is a bit crass.I don't think any holy city on earth has a gigantic mall right next to its sacred site.

Last bit sounded like a taunt ...

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Last bit sounded like a taunt ...

I meant as an example,not taunt.I don't dislike the tower.Just mall is somewhat weird but the others gave the reasons.

 

[Dubious]

This is such a silly thread and it's just become irritating how this clock tower has become an issue whereas it's really a non-issue.
Mostly it's stirred up from people who have an agenda and have hardly ever visited these holy places.
The fact of the matter is that there will be more high rises to accommodate the exploding population of pilgrims each year. If any of you have ever been to the holy sites then you would appreciate the dire need of infrastructure to accommodate all these people. I've always been impressed by the saudi's how they take serious the development of both soft and hard infrastructure at the holy sites. They put a lot more effort their than in other cities and i'm quite confident than no other muslim country could do what the Saudi's are doing in terms of spending and development.

Now what are the arguments people come up with?

1) It's too large and it over shadows the Kaabah/minarets. In the Quran/sunnah/aqeedah there is no mention that it is not permissible to build over the Kaabah/minarets. In fact in the holy Quran making things unnecessarily haraam is forbidden. In surah al-Imran verse 93 the Bani-Israel were challenged to find it the taurah what foods they had self-proclaimed to be haraam. We take our ultimate guidance from the Quran and Sunnah as muslims. If it is not impermissible explicitly there, then we have nothing to worry about.

2) It's luxurious and most people can't afford it: Again silly argument, where there is demand there is supply. Have any of you ever tried to book a room in peak times? I personally have and the rooms are booked months in advance! It maybe out of some your budget but don't assume its the same for everyone. Wealth is such a relative thing, what maybe affordable for you might not be the same to me. The fact that many pilgrims prefer living on a site close to haram sharif and are willing to pay for it justifies it's existence. For those who can't afford that convenience, remember it's Allah (swt) that decides how he distributes wealth. People have a problem with the shopping mall but have no problem with the various souks outside, why have a problem with a clean air conditioned place for commerce in 50+ degrees heat? Its the same thing?


5) its bad taste, the architecture doesn't fit in with the surroundings: As one member mentioned previously, have you seen the final renders of the project? The Saudi government has embarked on an ambitious phase-wise development of haram sharif. Yes right now it may stick out abit but more high rises are expected to be built which should dilute its affect. When the various phases of the projects are completed according to the master-plan i'm sure it will be much more aesthetically pleasing.

Another esteemed member summarized everything I said by saying it's a 21st century solution to a 21st century problem. I just thought i'd expand upon that in simple english for those who are easily swayed but the uninformed/agenda-driven

You forgot to address the issue why require a mall where you go to be "humble" does humble have a new definition now...where you show off your wealth and try not to be equal to a normal human being? or maybe you whine about how much you worshiped and want your home right next to the masjid?

Oh all this whistle wearing 2 pieces of white clothes...lovely!

I have no probs with your malls in Jeddah...But my question is an honest one...cant you at least leave luxury while doing Hajj and Umrah?!

Arent we supposed to go for Hajj and Umrah to be humble, closer to ALLAH and also for worshiping plus to clean ourselves of worldly affections? How is that possible while living in a 5 star hotel and shopping in a mall right next to the Kabaa?

I meant as an example,not taunt.I don't dislike the tower.Just mall is somewhat weird but the others gave the reasons.

I am roughly on the same page as you....I dont see majestic hotels where Hindus go to worship...The same with Buddhist and same with Vatican...you see small hotels squeezed in the space available...expensive yea...but at least they are not lavish...so I get the objection about the lavishness and all...even I object that why couldnt they have just a large piece of block as a building...whats with all the waste in money? You got money give people free hajj packages!

@al-Hasani @Yzd Khalifa @Arabian Legend

 

[ashok321]

@Aeronaut

There is nothing wrong with making Makkah and Madina self sustaining economic cities. I agree with your later points though we live in 21st century and modern engineering is the answer to the challenges it poses in regards to Hajjaj ability to interact with the two holy cities.

Why not change the 7th century code of Sharia though, that of lashing, stoning, beheading, amputating PUBLICLY?
Something a Islamic Jamhuriat of Pakistan is not doing to not offend the western investors?
Hypocrisy?

There is no Advanced country among 57 OIC nation.
Shame...right?

Pakistan has not been able to amend Islamic/Sharia laws on RIBA = Interest as per Quran since how long? Supreme court of Pakistan also gave up on this matter because it is not practical. How many people you would fool with such a alien impractical concept? Even the champion and guardian of Islam Saudi is paying Interest on its loan to IMF/WB.

Pakistan as an Islamic country is heavily borrowing from all the quarters of the world to balance its books to borrow further and paying the RIBA since years...

And we talk about Saudi modernisation as a controversy?

 

[BATMAN]

Did the people living in such a place (not to mention the cost) came to preform haj/ umrah and be humble or came to do the opposite?

First of all..... Mekka doesn't have lot of land, its a narrow valley.
Second, after performing rituals bare feet one tend to get tiered and like to rest before the next Salat catches up. There has to be meal breaks in between and eating is not allowed in Herem, and than comes the the night, and one need place for rest.
During Hajj, the hygienic and respectful accommodation is needed, because people from all over the world comes, believe me there are people with wrong intents as well! but imagine, If people start to lay down on ground, next to each other, than there is no place to walk or perform the ritual.
We should be humble in all our lives not only during Hajj or Salat... Allah does not need that from us, his idea is only training of people to care about them self and others and to recognize one Allah and be thankful to him alone.
Clock has a great utility in managing your daily routine, specially during Hajj / Umra, and a day/night visible clock from all directions, is certainly a clever idea.
I also agree, that there is always room for improvement in every thing and same with tower hotel... but i'm also sure, that choice may have been made out of few proposals. Hence, we can safely assume, all what could have been done to make it best, is done.

 

[slapshot]

I meant as an example,not taunt.I don't dislike the tower.Just mall is somewhat weird but the others gave the reasons.

Well honestly I don't like the complete idea of it. They should have used some alternative to meet the needs. There is a video posted by Al Hussain in this thread and with all lights it leaves impression of vegas instead of pilgrim place KSA should try to preserve the things in their originals since they have significance and respect in believes.

 

[Bubblegum Crisis]

...

 

[farhan_9909]

To all My arab Friends


The OP is not even bengali but rather a Tamil pretending to be Muslim and bengali

I know him from other forum's where he's spreading propaganda in Open against Saudi govt and Most important always quote the posts of @Yzd Khalifa @al-Hasani.He's a pathological liar.

He has dedicated thread in the other forum for posting bad and fake news about Saudi arabia.

 

[Bubblegum Crisis]

The tower in its current location draws the attention as if its more significant thing. A fellow who returned from Hajj last year told me that he was thinking of praying upon the first sighting of Kaba during the entrance and instead he ended up looking at the tower unintentionally.

This is great. So he will not forget this.




And that.




Mecca Royal Clock Hotel Tower is an insult to Islam and to taste | Page 6

Glory to Allah !!!


...

 

[Dubious]

First of all..... Mekka doesn't have lot of land, its a narrow valley.
Second, after performing rituals bare feet one tend to get tiered and like to rest before the next Salat catches up. There has to be meal breaks in between and eating is not allowed in Herem, and than comes the the night, and one need place for rest.

Said so who? Everytime we were there people were always giving food and drinks for free...and it was not wrapped food that you can take at home and eat...but something like dates and cakes and stuff...Drinking is permitted if not why have soo much water flowing through and people filling their bottles? I get they want the hotel near Haram...no problem, why have it soo lavish that a normal man cant afford it?

During Hajj, the hygienic and respectful accommodation is needed, because people from all over the world comes, believe me there are people with wrong intents as well! but imagine, If people start to lay down on ground, next to each other, than there is no place to walk or perform the ritual.

You are bouncing on extremes...I am not opposing the building of the hotel...I am opposing the waste of wealth!

We should be humble in all our lives not only during Hajj or Salat... Allah does not need that from us, his idea is only training of people to care about them self and others and to recognize one Allah and be thankful to him alone.

Of course ALLAH needs nothing...
Me bringing up humble was the main purpose of men shaving their head...it is also the character of our prophet so if we can follow it good for us we are on the correct path...and that same character is what draws many people to Islam....the Humbleness of the Prophet! If that is the very thing we forget and exploit then what is left?

Clock has a great utility in managing your daily routine, specially during Hajj / Umra, and a day/night visible clock from all directions, is certainly a clever idea.
I also agree, that there is always room for improvement in every thing and same with tower hotel... but i'm also sure, that choice may have been made out of few proposals. Hence, we can safely assume, all what could have been done to make it best, is done.

Well, I agree that the clock is visible from distance and is beneficial...but did they really have to make it that ugly? It looks like a sore sight actually! Thats just my honest opinion...

 

[BATMAN]

I am not against expanding the site, but it sad to see historical sites being demolished in the name of modernity. If they want to build more hotels for the Hajis then why not build them a bit away from the Sacred Mosque. I have noticed this strange trend that historical buildings are not taken care of and even demolished.

History is not important than a human being... if i was the King, i will always take decision considering human well being.
This is the teaching of Quran!
Hajjis have to be in Mecca and hotels are already far away... you will know it once you get there!