ISLAM

World's Largest Clock to Begin Ticking in Saudi Arabia

VOA News 10 August 2010

Muslims around the world could be setting their watches to a new time soon as the world's largest clock begins ticking in Islam's holiest city.

The Makkah Clock in Mecca is set to begin running this week to mark the beginning of Ramadan.

Saudi Arabia hopes the clock will establish the holy city as an alternate time standard to the Greenwich median.

The clock will loom over Mecca's Grand Mosque from the top of what will be the world's second tallest building behind Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

Saudi Arabia's state news agency says the tower, designed by German and Swiss engineers, will be more than 600 meters high, or roughly six times the height of London's famous Big Ben.

The clock tower is part of the Abraj al-Bait hotel complex in Mecca. Visitors will be able to stand on a terrace beneath the clock to view the city.