107 Reportedly Dead From The Mecca Crane Collapse At The Grand Mosque In Saudi Arabia; Booming Construction In The Country Complained By Many

The Guardian reported on Sunday a crane collapse in Mecca during the weekend allegedly killed 107 people and exposed the growing concern on construction boom in Saudi Arabia that most people believe is wrecking the holy city. Residents in Mecca have long lived with the widespread construction of buildings as leaders in Saudi Arabia attempt to expand not only the holy city that was visited by 2 million people during hajj last year, but also the surrounding cities.

"Every two years they have a new plan that is nothing to do with the previous plan," said an activist who wished to remain anonymous. "So they have to destroy a bit of the past. That is why the people of Mecca and hajjees have been suffering for the last 15 years."

King Salman, Saudi Arabia's monarch, vowed to determine the cause of the crane collapse during a thunderstorm on weekend.

"There have been quite a few minor incidents, workers getting killed, but it never reaches the press," the anonymous activist added. "This time they can't hide it."

The development of Mecca reportedly costs 100 billion riyal and is managed by Saudi Bin laden Group, one of the country's top developers, and is backed by the government. Once the project is completed, people can expect a ring road, new housing, parking lots and a metro system.

"It is a tragedy what has happened, but it didn't come as a surprise," said executive director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation Dr. Irfan al-Alawi. "There have been many accidents. Last year, the last few floors of a building being constructed right next to the clock tower caught fire and they had to call the fire engine from Taif, which is about 45 mins away, to help extinguish it."

"We have 15 of the world's tallest cranes overlooking the Grand Mosque," he added. "These cranes have been standing there for the last three years. If this crane collapsed, what is stopping the other cranes collapsing God forbid? I urge the Saudi authorities to implement health and safety but this is something they have failed to do over the past few years."

On a different perspective, one of the people who expressed their sadness and offered their condolences to the families of the victims Dr. Hojjat Ramzy of the Oxford Islamic Information Centre said, "But in the same breath, I would like to congratulate those people who lost their lives for going straight to heaven without any question." He added, "This is great honor from God that every one wishes for but not many will be granted," pertaining

to Koran's passage "Whoever can manage to die in Madinah, let him die there, for I will intercede for whoever dies there."