Saudi holds contest for Makkah beautification

Saudi Arabia has invited hundreds of Islamic intellects and artists from around the world to present their thoughts on how to make Makkah the most beautiful city in a rare contest for the development of Islam’s holiest shrine.

More than 300 participants from most Arab countries and as far as China, Malaysia, Pakistan, the United States and Turkey have been shortlisted for the competition which involves artistic works on how to beautify Makkah and turn it into a museum-like city attracting not only pilgrims but millions of Muslims who are interested in ancient Islamic culture and arts.

The contest is part of a long-term development strategy for the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) ordered by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to turn Makkah in to the world’s most beautiful city and make life for the pilgrims easier.

Officials said 442 artists and Islamic intellects from 22 countries had applied for the two-month contest but 306 of them have been shortlisted.

The competition is entitled “In love with Makkah, we meet” and is patronised by the Emir of Makkah, Prince Klaled al Faisal, a Saudi royal family member.

“The main purpose of this significant contest is to spread the Islamic art and culture through works that will tell the story of Islamic heritage for the Makkah, the capital of the Islamic culture and the most beloved to our hours,” said Osama bin Fadl al Bar, Mayor of the Holy city.

“It will bring together hundreds of Moslem artists from 22 countries….all of them have been asked to present their thoughts in individual works that will allow us to turn it into the most beautiful city and into a real Islamic arts museum that will be open for all,” al Bar told local reporters this week.

In comments last week, Prince Al Faisal said the Gulf Kingdom, which controls over a fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves, aims to turn Makkah into the most beautiful city in its 20-year development plan, which started two years ago.

“The development strategy for Makkah has been at the heart of the Kingdom’s Five-Year Development Plans….if Makkah had not been here, this region would not have attained such an important cultural and political position in the world.”

He said all development proposals and initiatives for Makkah’s development came from the vicinity of the Holy Kaaba.

“We are honored to serve the House of God and we have a responsibility to develop Makkah and ensure that peace and security prevail there for the welfare of pilgrims who come from different parts of the world,” he said.

He commended the efforts of artists, intellects and businessmen and who have taken the initiative for the beautification of Makkah.

Al-Bar said the preparation for the Islamic competition for the beautification of Makkah had taken two years to make a plan, taking into account Makkah’s preeminent position in the Islamic world.

He said the Makkah municipality intended to ensure the participation of a large number of artists from Arab and Islamic countries in the competition, adding that it would be publicized in the international media.

Al Bar said the competition, which has attracted prominent Islamic cultural experts from several countries for judging the work, also aims at spreading genuine art by depicting Makkah’s heritage in artworks.

Prizes worth around $300,000 will be given to the winners and the art works will be displayed at 12 locations in the city after the deadline on September 27.

“We will be answerable to God the Almighty if we do not work to turn the holy city of Makkah into the world’s most beautiful city,” Prince Al Faisal said.

“We can do so because the present conditions are helpful, especially the full support from our leadership and the financial boom enjoyed by the kingdom.”

Faisal said Saudi Arabia, the world’s dominant oil exporter, is pushing ahead with a 20-year strategy launched two years ago to develop Makkah, the destination of millions of Muslims who come for the annual pilgrimage.

He said the strategy includes a comprehensive road and construction blueprint designed to beautify the city and surrounding areas and facilitate the movement of passengers, mainly during the peak pilgrimage season.

“We should have the best road and transport network that suits the most sacred spot on earth… because it is the most sacred place, we should work hard to make it the most beautiful city in the world,” Faisal said

The plan has already resulted in the construction of the world’s largest clock, which was successfully tested on the first day of the holy Ramadan.

The clock boasts four glimmering 46 metre faces of high-tech composite tiles, some laced with gold, sitting more than 400 metres over the Holy Haram (Mosque) compound.  The tower’s height will reach 601 metres.

Premiere Composite, which is responsible for cladding the top section, including a shimmering spire topped by a golden crescent moon, puts the planned height at 590 metres.

That would make it the world’s second tallest building — ahead of Taiwan’s 509 metre Taipei 101, but well behind the Burj Khalifa, the 828 metre skyscraper inaugurated in Dubai in January. Some 250 “highly qualified Muslim workers” were completing welding work on the clock’s frame, according to Saudi officials.
 

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