Makkah glitters at night as pilgrims pour in for Haj

Saudi newspapers and international news agencies published magnificent pictures showing the holy city of Makkah glittering at night as more than two million Moslems from over 100 countries began pouring into the Gulf Kingdom for their annual Haj (pilgrimage), starting on Wednesday.

The pictures were taken after the sun dived beyond the surrounding hills and night began enveloping the western Saudi city and its magnificent mountains.

As the city plunged into darkness, its glittering lights underscored its beauty, tranquility and sanctity while its hallmark clock, the world’s tallest clock tower, appeared standing above it’s the magnificent Grand Mosque and other surroundings like a gleaming giant.

The clock, which cost more than SR1.5 billion, was completed last year as part of a SR20-billion expansion plan for the holy sites in Makkah.

Rising nearly 600 metres above the Grand Mosque, the four-side clock tower emits 16 light beams to a height of 10 kilometres and can be seen from a distance of 30 kilometres. The sound of adhan (call to prayer) from the Grand Mosque can be heard as far as seven kilometres – thanks to the loudspeaker installed at the top of the 76-storey Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel.

The beams are turned on during adhan time so that people who have hearing difficulties can know the prayer times. More than six times larger in diameter than London's famed Big Ben, the clock faces, with the Arabic words "In the Name of Allah" in huge lettering underneath and is lit with two million LED lights.

“Saudi officials expect the number of pilgrims this year to exceed two million from most Moslem countries….Haj rites will begin on Wednesday while Thursday will be Arafat Day, which preceded Eid Al Adha,” the Saudi daily Arar said.

“The pilgrims are coming from all over the world to satisfy their God…they include normal people, dignitaries, officials, wealthy persons, ministers and even heads of state….but in Makkah, there is no such classification as all people are equals…in Makkah, as the millions kneel for their Creator, there is no difference whatsoever between this and that except for their piety and faith.”

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