Saudi Arabia starts work on massive gold 'Kaaba' style structure despite criticism

Saudia Arabia has started work on the Mukaab, a massive gold cube structure in Riyadh that may become the largest building in the world, amid criticism that it resembles the Kaaba holy site in Mecca.

The 50 billion dollar project is set to be 400 metres tall, 400 metres long, and 400 metres wide with the Murabba Development Company (MDC) stating that groundworks at the site are 86 percent complete.

According to MDC, there are around 900 workers on site daily to complete the project and 250 excavators.

"This achievement underscores the rapid pace of development and strong commitment to delivering the world’s largest modern downtown," MDC said in a statement.

The building, designed by the engineering company AtkinsRealis, is set to be the centre of the New Murabba development in the northwest part of the Saudi capital, and will contain more than 100,000 homes within a 19 square kilometre area.

The news of building work starting on the structure was met with criticism from social media users.

While some called it a good way to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil-reliant economy and open up to tourism more, others criticised its resemblance to the Islamic holy site of the Kaa’ba.

Saudi Arabia begins work on the world's largest building, Makaab, at a cost of $50 billion, which can fit 20 Empire State Buildings. pic.twitter.com/pVrMxduMj4

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) October 25, 2024

"Let me get this straight…they’re building a replica of the Kaaba but in gold in which all sorts of non Islamic things will take place!! Got it! Way to go Saudis at this point, they’re just rocking the sign of the end", one person commented.

The development will have retail, hospitality, leisure and office space facilities and is believed to be big enough to hold 20 Empire State Buildings in it when complete, Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) said.

The Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is spearheading the project while the building’s design and architecture is said to draw inspiration from styles found in the Najd region in central Saudi Arabia.

The structure is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which has received some backlash due to continued human rights abuses in the country and has been called an example of "whitewashing crimes" by some rights groups.

The Mukaab building is set to be completed just in time for Expo 2030, which will be hosted by the Gulf kingdom.