Until the late 20th century, Mecca was a small Ottoman-era shrine city. Saudi oil wealth, easy air travel, and a decision to regulate pilgrimage, led to a massive increase in the number of pilgrims. In 2004, the Saudis began demolishing the old quarters and building hotels and shopping complexes to serve them.
Finished in 2012, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, next to the Great Mosque, is the second tallest building in the world. Luxury “Kaaba view” rooms cost US $10,000 a night during the Hajj! Mecca increasingly has the feel of a religious entertainment complex. The Great Mosque is now being expanded to accommodate more than 1.6 million pilgrims at a time. All that remains of old Mecca are the Ottoman-era domes and minarets of the mosque
For more information go to
Mecca on the Prayercast website.
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This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 27 April, 2021.
