TWENTY SEVEN
Coloured dots and squiggles after such a long time…representing a very different aspect of this Enlightened City…that of space age development consumerism, echoing the warning from our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, who said he did not fear our poverty but rather our wealth. Ya Rabb.
The blue area, approximately 5km directly east of Masjid Nabawi on the King Abdul Aziz Road is the place where the
Knowledge Economic City will be constructed. We went there the other day finding that it is still very much an arid Harrah, lava tract, as can be seen on the google map being a darker shade from some of the adjoining land.
From a recent article… ‘we are confident that we will gain the trust of investors to turn Madinah into an international knowledge-based center where you can find international expertise in all fields of knowledge, technology and communication…. KEC is the first of its kind knowledge-based city in the Kingdom. It is part of the government’s plan to ‘rationalize’ capitals and attract investment in various projects throughout the Kingdom.’
While the real estate developer explains the objectives of the project:
Create a knowledge based cluster that will support the economic development of the city
Provide a state of the art infrastructure that will attract local and international IT companies to invest in the project
Attract local and international universities and Islamic institutions and scholars to work and do research in the project
Provide a wide range of services (Schools, medical facilities, green space for the tenants of the project and the Madinah as a whole)
The following images (scroll down a bit) give an impression of the scale of the project and the futuristic theme. More Kingdom wide projects here, scroll to Madinah.
We then drove to the new Al-Rashid "MEGA" Mall (red dot north west of KEC) International Carrefour Hypermarket is the supemarket chain operating form this complex. This terminology..mega, hyper bemuses this speck on the one hand but also saddens knowing that all these ’super’ changes are transforming not only the city but the hearts of the Madanians. Dunya is parading in its finest apparel enticing even the most austere to be part of these trends.
This is a SR300 million plus Mega Mall sprawling over an area of more than 140,000 square meters. The completed project is designed to house 400 showrooms, hypermarkets, integrated amusement, an ice-skating rink, fountains, and large food courts. The facility will also house hotel suites targeting visitors to the holy city, being located only five minutes from Masjid Nabawi and ten minutes from the airport.
This was taken around the back of this Mall. Note the poorer housing directly opposite the car park, and below, the conrtast between the old and the new. These humble homes all had for sale signs painted on the walls, and will probably fetch huge prices as the entire area under development, a real boom time.
The view of Jabal Uhud taken from the same place, looking towards the north east (The corner of Jabal Uhud visible between the blue and red dots on the map) Construction rubbish was littering the the land opposite the Mall. The blue dot is yet another ‘mega, hyper, super’ complex, almost opposite Shuhada Uhud…while Al Noor Mall, (below is the artists rendition followed by the real thing), is the lime green dot. Another space age complex comprising more of the same.
They are still working on the majority of the site, while the Geant franchise has begun operating in the area to the far left.
The pink dot to the south of Masjid Nabawi and Masjid Quba marks where Aliat ul Madinah sprawls across the southern Harrah, where Hyper Panda is the main supermarket with hundreds of other brand name stores gradually occupying the complex as it becomes completed. This is so big that several photos are needed to convey the size and the various architectural styles vying for each other. I previously included this project in a post, linking to
here for an idea of the scope of the site.
The yellow dot is another major supermarket, Bin Dawud, under construction.
So strategically placed around the second ring road are these five massive complexes, along with KEC, and only Allah Ta’ala knows if there are to be more. And to think, that according to the Hadith, there will be three earth tremors towards the end of the times in Madinah and yet we build as though this time is mortal. Ya Rabb.
Next post, Insha’Allah, continuing with the two other areas to the south marked on the google map.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
As-salaamu ALaikum,
As-salaatu wasalaamu Alaika Yaa Habib Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam.
Jazak Allah Khair for highlighting this. Shocking.
One of the links to the developement sites state they are also going to build a theme park.
Really sad…
wasalaam
Comment by Farah — May 4, 2008 @ 11:39 am
I suppose that Muslims got so involved in all things material, to the extent that limits and bounds outlined by Rasulullah, salla Allah alaihi wa sallam, have been greatly destroyed in Muslim’s hearts. However, the solution is simple. Re-introducing the love of Rasulullah, salla Allah alaihi wa sallam, into the hearts would be achievable through adopting the framework of his Sunnah as the way of life. Once a person assumes this attitude, he or she will be able to see darkness creeping out of the scene of his/her life and the Noor of the life of Rasulullah, salla Allah alaihi wa sallam, advancing and filling his/her heart.
Comment by nq — May 4, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Wa ‘alaikumus Salam Dear Ukht Farah and nq,
I share this Hadith:
‘Abdullah bin Ja’far RadhiAllahu anhu narrated re Abu Darda RadhiAllahu anhu, that the Messenegr of Allah SallAllahu laihi wasallam said: “Everyday, when the sun rises in the morning, there will be two angels standing by its sides, and they will call out, ‘O people, come to the Lord of Majesty and Glory, come to your Master. Surely to satisfy yourselves with what is less yet sufficient is better than to become distracted with excess.’”
Wassalamu alaikum
Comment by almiskeenah — May 5, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
As-salaamu ALaikum,
I am from Malaysia and never been to Madinah. I would love to come insya-Allah. From your description things look like is going to be very modern indeed. My immediate feeling is of sadness how a country with so much wealth like Saudi Arabia feel there is a need to grow its community’s standard of living in just overnight, yakni, in a very short matter of time. Perhaps growth and modernasation of Madinah could be at a slower pace. Then we can have time to think and reflect on life much more. Lastly, should this knowledge city materialise, i pray to Allah that the King’s original vision is fullfilled wisely.
Comment by ssk — December 24, 2008 @ 10:59 am
Wa ‘alaikumus Salam ssk, Ahlan wa Sahlan from Malaysia, Masha’Allah. There are so many Malay Hujjaj here at the moment, Insha’Allah you too will be amonst them soon, Ameen. Ameen to your Du’a. The main cities throughout the Kingdom are undergoing a huge face lift, with modernization being the main theme. In some respects I too find it sad, but with the plan to bring millions of pilgrims to the Haramain every year the developers and planners seem to think this is the way to go. Allahu ‘Alum. Whatever changes we may see, may our hearts always find the correct focus as to why we are here, regardless of the surroundings, Insha’Allah.
Wassalamu alaikum
Comment by almiskeenah — December 24, 2008 @ 8:25 pm