The monumental tower of Mecca: Pilgrims get
first glimpse of £500m clock which looms over holy city
By Daily
Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:15 AM on 18th November 2010
Thousands of pilgrims
got their first glimpse of a colossal clock which has been built in the Saudi
Arabian city of Mecca.
Towering at almost 2,000ft, the four-faced
structure is covered with 98 million pieces of glass mosaics. Each face is face
will be inscribed with 'God is greatest' in Arabic and fitted with thousands of
coloured lights, making it visible from more than 16 miles.
It runs on Arabia Standard Time, which is three
hours ahead of GMT, and bears a striking resemblance to Big Ben. But at 130ft each,
its dials are more than five times greater in area.
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The vast clock tower at the Abraj Al-Bait Towers complex in Mecca:
Once complete it will be the second tallest building in the world with a view
of the Muslim holy site of the Kaaba
Pilgrimage: Millions of Muslims have converged on the Kaaba
(pictured) and Mecca at the end of the annual Hajj
The Abraj Al-Bait Towers
complex overlooks Mecca's Grand Mosque, which Muslims worldwide face during
their five daily prayer.
Millions have been congregating in the holy city
of Mecca over the last few days at the culmination of the annual hajj
pilgrimage. The Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, sits at the centre of the square
below the monumental tower.
Abraj Al-Bait Towers has been built by the Saudi
Bin Laden group - which was set up by Osama Bin Laden's father.
It will eventually be the tallest building in
Saudi Arabia and the tallest hotel in the world. It is due for completion in
autumn next year.
Home-from-home: An aerial view shows thousands of Muslim pilgrims
performing the annual hajj rituals in the tent city of Mina
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1330574/Meccas-pilgrims-glimpse-500m-clock-looms-holy-city.html#ixzz15cLfutcX