Mecca's Grand Mosque is undergoing a redevelopment sparking a heated conflict between those that want to preserve its heritage and those that want its redevelopment.
CNN reported that the 17th century portico which is the oldest parts of the Grand Mosque is being redeveloped in an expansion project to create space for the increasing number of pilgrims that flock to Mecca every year.
In 2008, The Guardian reported the Saudi government's plans to build a 130-skyscraper redevelopment project in Mecca.
"The Architects' Journal reveals that "the scheme for Islam's holiest city could create a huge new structure around the Grand Mosque that will eventually be capable of holding three million people, making it the 'highest occupancy' building in the world.'" (The authorities) want to offer more space to the pilgrims to avoid crowds," reported The Guardian.
Some believe that the redevelopment is causing Mecca and Medina's architectural history to being lost due to the redevelopment. CNN reported that Irfan Al Alawi who is the executive director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation has called on the Muslim world to speak out against the demolitions.
He said, "I'm not against expanding the mosques at all, but there are ways you can go about it without destroying the historical aspects of these sites," he said. "Rather than engaging with heritage concerns, the Saudis are simply not interested."
According to traditional Muslim faith, if financially and physically able to do so, every Muslim must carry out the Hajj once in their life.
Saudi Binladin Group's Mohammed Jom'a,, supervisor of the project at Mecca's Grand Mosque said to CNN that authorities want more space for pilgims to combat crowds. "Overcrowding at the Hajj has resulted in fatal stampedes on a number of occasions, with 1,426 pilgrims killed in 1990 and more than 350 killed in 2006," reported CNN.
Over the past 10 years Mecca has been changing. CNN reported that skyscrapers now tower over the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque.
Over the past 10 years, Mecca's skyline has transformed. The Royal Mecca Clock Tower is a 120-floor hotel which his the worlds tallest building at 601 meters.
"The U.S.-based Institute for Gulf Affairs estimates that 95% of Mecca's millennium-old buildings have been demolished in the past two decades," reported CNN.
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