Has Too Much Of Mecca Been Redeveloped?

 

 

Yes, the majority of Mecca has been redeveloped. The Saudi government tried to renovate the City with the engrossing interior of mosques and expansion of buildings the city has been improving its infrastructure and holy sites for all the pilgrims who come from different parts of the world to perform Umrah through Cheap Umrah Packages. Centuries ago Mecca only had a capacity of thousands of pilgrims to perform Hajj but now the holy site can have more than 2 million Pilgrims at the same time. The Saudi authorities want to change the old building of Mecca into a renovated enchanting mall. They also signed the contract of a holy mosque to be renovated for a better experience of Muslims. However, the local vast majority of the population doesn't live near such extravagant structures or renovated hotels however they live locally known as the old city. So while the experience of pilgrims and the whole Infrastructure improved, the normal resident stayed the same throughout the years.

How the Saudi Government is improving Mecca's infrastructure?

The Saudi authorities are spending millions of money on the renovation of Mecca infrastructure. Every year millions of Muslims come to Mecca from different parts of the world to perform Hajj. The holy mosque overflows with millions of pilgrims leaving no space behind. This is the thing the authorities want to change. They want to renovate the area by adding more buildings and causing expansion of old buildings of the mosque to accommodate more pilgrims.

Why did the Saudi authority want to expand the holy mosque?

 The authorities want to expand the holy mosque due to millions of Muslims coming every year to perform the pilgrimage. Alhamdulillah Islam has been spreading all over the world which results in increasing Muslims so the government wants to accommodate as many Muslims as they can in the holy place.

How the Local live in the old city of Mecca?

As much as the outer part of Mecca is improved the inner remains the same the Saudi authorities made sure to renovate the holy mosque and nearby buildings but the old city and the people live there have never been developed. They have been living their life the same throughout the years. The immediate results of ongoing improvement, development, and democratization of air travel are the projects Saudi authorities have been handling while the majority of people don't even live nearby extravagant hotels.

 How old is the city of Mecca?

 Mecca is a very old city. Islamic traditions say Mecca dates back even further than 2000 BC. And its old name was Bakkah. It was first visited by Hazrat Adam (A.s). Now it is widely known as the Holiest city of Muslims where non-Muslims are prohibited to enter. It is also considered a spiritual center of Islam as Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) started his journey of spreading Islam from there.

 How much part of Mecca was redeveloped?

70% part of the Mecca was redeveloped by Saudi authorities. They have projected their money in the expansion of buildings as well as the better Future of Mecca. They also invested the money in the interior of Mosques, for instance, Masjid ul Haram. It was reported to go through several changes such as its wall were re-painted and they were also extended so that it could fit in more pilgrims. Currently, it can accommodate more than 4 million people at the same time.

What is the Major conflict on the redevelopment of Mecca?

The renovation of the holy mosque has become the battleground for conflict between those who want to preserve the city's architectural heritage and those who want Mecca to be redeveloped. The 17th-century Portico - an ancient part of the grand mosque is been removed by the authorities who want to add more space for pilgrims but the people who don't support the idea of redevelopment are against it. Even one of the UK based Saudi historian said what Saudi authorities are doing to Mecca is "Culture vandalism" also Irfan Al Alawi, executive director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation who is in support of preserving the old architecture thinks some significant features of the old history of Mecca and Madina will be lost on the name of the renovation.

He also called out Muslims to disapprove of the idea of redevelopment on the cost of history vandalism. But one of the representatives of Saudi authorities says it's essential as every year the amount of pilgrims increases which results in overflow and Destruction. This also Costs a lot of people's lives on which Irfan Al Alawi replied I am not against the idea of redevelopment but it can also be done without ruining any part of ancient history.

Demolitions on the name of redevelopment:

Over the decades the Mecca has been redeveloping in many aspects from large interior of buildings to expansion of hotels. The Saudi government has always focused on the redevelopment of places for the betterment of Mecca but some things are created after the vandalism of buildings that are connected to Islamic history. Such as in 1925 the Saudis demolished the mausoleums in al-Baqi Cemetery which is attached to the mosque of the prophet. Also, the raids at al-Baqi which is believed to be the house of Prophet Children’s are wife were demolished people still cry to this day and call it a "day of sorrow" similarly the site of the house belongs to Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) wife Hazrat Khadijah was also demolished by Saudis.

Why Mecca's old history is important?

Mecca is the holiest city of Muslims also known as the spiritual center of Islam. It contains a lot of Islamic architectural heritage. You can visit the Mecca by booking Decemberumrah packages 2023. Moreover, it has a lot of preserved places that refer directly to Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), Prophet Abraham, and Ishmael. Mecca's old places directly connect to Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and other prophets of Allah that makes it very important for Muslims to keep it safe at any cost that's why millions of Muslims were against the redevelopment of Mecca.