Mecca, Saudi Arabia – Billboards adorn the Umm Al Qura highway leading to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, showcasing luxurious public spaces, modern stores, and sleek towers. This is all part of a massive USD 26 billion (RM 121.4 billion) project aimed at attracting more Muslims to the city’s high-end hotels, residences, retailers, and restaurants.
This year’s haj annual pilgrimage witnessed a return to its pre-pandemic size, and Mecca is now being rapidly developed on an even grander scale. An ambitious plan has been devised to reshape the economy and aims to attract over 30 million religious tourists annually by 2030. Additionally, the goal is for tourism to contribute up to USD 80 billion (RM 373.4 billion), equivalent to 10% of the GDP, as the kingdom looks to reduce its dependence on oil.
The emphasis on religious tourism is due to the existing demand. Saudi Arabia is home to Islam’s two most sacred cities, Mecca and Medina. Muslims around the world are required by their faith to perform the haj pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives, if possible. Furthermore, millions more visit for the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, which can be carried out at any time during the year. In 2019, the haj and umrah drew approximately 20 million pilgrims before the pandemic, giving Saudi Arabia a unique advantage over neighboring Dubai and Qatar.
Currently, tourism accounts for 4.45% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP. While there are no official figures on the revenue generated by the haj, estimates suggest it surpasses USD 12 billion (RM 56 billion). Economic analyst Omar Al-Ubaydli, based in Bahrain, states, “Saudi Arabia never has to worry about foreign competition as there is only one Mecca and only one Medina. This is a great foundation for building a successful income source. Enabling people to shop, visit museums, and attend conferences while performing umrah is a great strategy for income growth.”
For more than a decade, Mecca’s city center has undergone furious development, with towering structures surrounding the Grand Mosque, which houses the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site. The centerpiece facing the main entrance is the monumental Makkah Royal Clock Tower, currently the fourth tallest building worldwide. While hotels within walking distance or with a view of the Grand Mosque charge exorbitant prices during the haj and Ramadan seasons, companies are now focusing on the areas northwest and northeast of the mosque.
Behind the billboards along the Umm Al Qura Road lies the ongoing construction of the USD 26 billion (RM 121.4 billion) Masar Makkah development project. The plan aims to establish a 3.5-kilometer stretch of hotels, residential buildings, parks, and malls leading up to the Grand Mosque area. Local media reports indicate that the leading company behind the project, over a five-year period, demolished thousands of homes and compensated residents with over USD 2.9 billion (RM 13.5 billion). On the other side of the road, modest lodgings, budget eateries, and small stores cater to pilgrims, painting a stark contrast to the upscale future envisioned for Mecca.
Efforts to merge religious tradition with innovation require careful handling by Saudi Arabia’s leadership, along with the developers and companies involved. Any perceived harm to the sanctity of the holy sites, even unintentional, could upset the faithful. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia’s leadership aims to showcase the modern side of Mecca, demonstrating the grandeur of new constructions and upcoming projects. Symbols of Vision 2030, the economic diversification program, are ubiquitous throughout the city.
Residents of Mecca have mixed feelings about the city’s dramatic transformation. Fajr Abdullah Abdul-Halim, 57, who was born and raised in Mecca but now lives in Jeddah, comments, “It is not the Mecca that we know.” She continues, “Before, there were neighborhoods near the Grand Mosque, but now it is mostly towers and overpasses.” Some old neighborhoods, including Ajyad, Sad, Jarwal, and Shweika, have been revamped to accommodate the increased influx of religious tourists.
Despite local desires to reside within the city, construction work has forced many residents to move to the outskirts. Fajr notes, “People say it’s better to move out for better schooling and work.” Despite the transformation, Saudi Arabia’s haj ministry spokesman, Ayedh al-Ghweinim, assures that ongoing development aims to meet the needs of pilgrims and provide an exceptional experience.
As of now, Mecca is undergoing 27 separate projects valued at USD 25 million (RM 116.7 million) or more. The Global Data Construction Intelligence Centre reveals that 13 projects focus on the hospitality, retail, and residential sectors, with the remainder centered around transportation. Tower complexes like Jabal Omar and Thakher Makkah, valued in the billions of dollars, promise “lively, all-inclusive communities” and “balanced spirituality.”
While the expansion of one of Islam’s holiest cities is fascinating, the careful preservation of religious traditions remains paramount. Only time will tell how Mecca will adapt to the changing needs of modern pilgrims.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
