Mecca plans major upgrade (Mecca planning a major upgrade of facilities around Islam's holiest site)

Middle East Times ^ | December 9, 2005

[nickcarraway]

MECCA, Saudi Arabia -- Mecca is planning a major upgrade of facilities around the Al Masjid Al Haram, or "The Sacred Mosque", Islam's holiest site.

On December 27 the "Studies on the Central Region of Mecca" seminar will be held in Mecca to discuss development plans for the city's central region.

Interior minister and chairman of the supreme Hajj committee Prince Naif will open proceedings. The seminar will survey construction, engineering, transportation, environment and media issues.

The seminar precedes the launch of several construction projects around the Grand Mosque, including the $3.2 billion Jabal Omar project.

Organizing committee chairman Mohammed Idrees said that the government realized the need for fundamental changes in Mecca's facilities in order to accommodate the growing number of believers who perform Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages each year, estimated by Saudi authorities to exceed 10,000,000 annually.

"Making quick plans for such a large influx of pilgrims is essential in order to protect public interests. This demands setting out new construction strategies and comprehensive plans," Idrees said.

The proposed alterations are the second major round of reconstruction inside the city. During the 1970s the Bin Laden Group, headed by Osama Bin Laden's father Mohammed, was awarded a contract to expand both the Al Masjid Al Haram and the Prophet's mosque in Medina.

Economists said that new construction projects around the Al Masjid Al Haram would eventually generate investments of over $26 billion.

[calljack]

ANDY GUMP!!

[finnman69]

strip joints, rib shacks, and lots of bars

[Xenalyte]

Awwww, they're holding a seminar to celebrate my birthday! I must don my celebratory burqa.

[Treader]

Mecca is enriched... May Mecca fully reap it's harvest of stone idol

[tet68]

I think I'd go with the glassy parking lot and the
Holy Crater.

[Barnacle]

Mecca plans major upgrade (Mecca planning a major upgade of facilities around Islam's holiest site)

What now? Toilets?

[AmishDude]

They're going to bring Mecca all the way into the eighth century!

[nickcarraway]

It's so much more becoming than your mourning burqa.

[sheik yerbouty]

"Bad Day At Black Rock"...Turban renewal..

[dinok]

I know how to demolish the excisting one.

[Grizzled Bear]

I heard that rock fell from space. Is it true there are "space-peanuts" embedded in it?

[Wolfhound777]

The seminar precedes the launch of several construction projects around the Grand Mosque, including the $3.2 billion Jabal Omar project.

Could it be that they are constructing the Allah World theme park? I wonder what the roller coasters will be like?

[EricT.]

I wonder what the roller coasters will be like?

It cuts your head off if you don't convert.

[Wolfhound777]

Yes! :-) that was obvious wasn't it.

[JSteff]

"MOABs work great! "

For what? You may wish to look up what it is and what it does.

[JSteff]

Jeez. Get her back in a burka.

[Cobra64]

More honey to the ant-hill? Gotta love it!

[Cobra64]

Intel stock will soar.

[Cobra64]

What is wrong with you people? Since when was it funny to threaten people with violence because of their religion? Your rhetoric is familiar to our enemies.

Ever heard of WWII? September 11, 2001?

Some folks have never taken an American history class, and have a short memory.

Americans did not invite this upon us.

If you like being a panty-waiste pacifist, just dial: 1-800-IRAN-IRAQ, and seek asylum.

Or you can dial: 1-800-911-1911. Which is my choice, since my 1911 is locked and loaded.

[Cobra64]

Very nice toy. Do you think it could take out The Swimmer?