First Makkah Clock: Historic Symbol of Saudi Care for Holy Sites

The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)
The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)
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First Makkah Clock: Historic Symbol of Saudi Care for Holy Sites

The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)
The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)

In the 1930s, as Muslims began their regular pilgrimages to the holy sanctuary in Makkah for Umrah and Hajj, signs of modernization emerged under the Saudi reign.

One significant addition was a giant clock atop Makkah’s government building, commissioned by King Abdulaziz. This clock served the worshippers’ need for accurate timing during their religious rituals and prayers in the Grand Mosque.

King Abdulaziz made caring for the holy mosques and the well-being of pilgrims a top priority for the Saudi government. He set the groundwork for future kings to improve services and make the pilgrimage experience smoother for visitors to Makkah and Medina.

From the early days of Saudi rule, King Abdulaziz showed a strong commitment to serving the holy sites and pilgrims from around the world.

He pledged to protect pilgrims and ensure their comfort and rights. In a statement published in the official newspaper before the Hajj season of 1343 AH, he expressed happiness in welcoming Muslims and making their journey to Makkah easier.

Recognizing the need for better timekeeping at the Grand Mosque, King Abdulaziz imported a large clock. Its hands were visible from far away, helping worshippers in Makkah and nearby areas keep track of prayer times.

King Abdulaziz ordered the construction of the clock in 1933, placing it atop the Hamidiyah Government Building. A tower reaching 15 meters high housed the clock, elevating it over 30 meters above street level.

The clock’s white background and black hands made it visible from afar, with electric lighting illuminating it at night. Construction began and finished in 1933.

Since then, the Two Holy Mosques have received special attention from Saudi leadership, particularly under the ambitious “Vision 2030” initiative, which has made the pilgrimage easier and enhanced the spiritual experience for millions of pilgrims.



French-Lebanese Architect to Redesign British Museum Galleries

 French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to redesign part of the British Museum, in a major renovation. (AFP)
French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to redesign part of the British Museum, in a major renovation. (AFP)
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French-Lebanese Architect to Redesign British Museum Galleries

 French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to redesign part of the British Museum, in a major renovation. (AFP)
French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to redesign part of the British Museum, in a major renovation. (AFP)

The British Museum said Friday it had chosen French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign a third of the venue's gallery space -- including a section housing the disputed Parthenon Marbles.

The museum, one of London's biggest tourist draws, received more than 60 entries after launching a competition last year for a remodeling of its Western Range galleries.

Judges were won over by Ghotmeh's "deep understanding and sensitivity towards the museum," it said in a statement, while British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said Ghotmeh was "an architect of extraordinary grace and gravitas."

Her previous work includes the Hermes Leather Workshop in Louviers, France, the Estonian National Museum in Tartu and Stone Garden Housing in Beirut, the city where she was raised.

Ghotmeh said she looked forward to "transforming this section of the museum into an extraordinary space".

Abstract models of her designs showed a pared-back layout, with artifacts surrounded by wide spaces and archways.

The museum's Western Range galleries house ancient Roman, Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Greek objects -- including the Parthenon Marbles which Greece has long campaigned to have returned to Athens.

The 2,500-year-old sculptures once adorned the Parthenon temple in Athens in honor of the city's patron goddess Athena.

Greek authorities maintain the sculptures were looted in 1802 by Lord Elgin, British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

London insists the sculptures were "legally acquired" by Elgin and then sold to the British Museum.

One of the models for the redesigned galleries appears to show friezes resembling the ancient marbles set snugly against the museum walls.

The museum did not address the marbles in its statement, which said Ghotmeh's team would work to develop the designs over the coming years.