Saudi to test giant clock in Mecca during Ramadan

Saudi Arabia is testing what it is billing as the world’s largest clock in the holy city of Mecca during the fasting month of Ramadan. Clock tower with four faces will lead a massive skyscraper will be completed at around 1970 feet (600 meters), the second highest in the world after the Burj Dubai Khalifa.

The approximately 130 feet (40 meters) in diameter Saudi clock dials is greater than the current world champion at the Cevahir Mall clock in Istanbul, which has a 36 meter face on the transparent roof of shopping center. The clock will dwarf London’s Big Ben, once the largest four-faced clock in the world, dials more than five times larger in area.

This resort has views of the famous Great Mosque in Mecca, which Muslims around the world face during their five prayers, and is part of efforts to develop the Saudi city visited by millions of pilgrims every year.

A three-month test period for the clock will start on the first week of Ramadan, the month of prayer, reflection and fasting from dawn to sunset, the report said. This year, Ramadan will start on Wednesday.

Only one of the four sides to watch so far been completed and closed with 98 million pieces of glass mosaics.

The clock will be visible from more than 16 miles (25 kilometers). An observatory deck is planned at the base of the clock.

A large gold crescent moon, 75 feet (23 meters) in diameter, eventually will increase in the clock on a 200 feet (61 meters) spire, where about 15 beams to shoot in the sky.