The Changed City of Mecca: Understanding its Transition to Deep Globalisation
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Author
Date
2019-03Type
- Conference Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Pilgrimage to Mecca is an obligation for Muslims with ability to do so. Muslims also look at the Qibla (direction to Mecca) for their daily prayers (salat). The influence of Mecca is far and wide to the extent that many buildings in Muslim cities and towns are designed to align with the Qibla. The number of Muslims going to hajj has increased significantly and this makes Saudi authorities to undertake expansion of the Masjidil Haram – the Grand Mosque. However, such expansion projects and associated changes to the urban fabric of Mecca could not resist the forces of globalisation and modernisation trending in the Gulf region. The impacts of fast evolving modernisation, urbanisation and globalisation on small but culturally important Gulf cities such as Mecca is least investigated. This chapter analyses historical changes to the architecture and urban spaces in and around the city of Mecca. Pictures dated between 1880 and 2016 were used to identify patterns of modernisation and globalisation in Mecca. The changing morphology and architectural forms and concepts bereft Mecca of its many historic sites, decline in its all-encompassing spatio-spiritual appeal to pilgrims and possibly the emergence of spaces that most likely favour the richest and powerful. Thus, modernisation and globalisation are creating polarisation of the poor and the rich experiences in what supposes to be a landscape that exudes spirituality, equanimity and sense of sameness between races and sexes. The phenomenal expansions and renovations of Mecca’s Grand Mosque has in some ways undermined its standing as Ummul Qura (the Mother of all towns) in the sight of Muslims. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000339873Publication status
publishedPages / Article No.
Publisher
Future Cities Laboratory Singapore; ETH ZurichEvent
Subject
Mecca; Urbanisation; GlobalisationOrganisational unit
08058 - Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) / Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC)
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Is part of: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000339841
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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