A video showing a Saudi engineer discussing the structure of a primary entertainment task in Mecca has sparked widespread debate on social media about whether such advances should be made near the Kaaba and the Al-Masjid Al-Haram Mosque, Islam’s holiest site.
Cinema is a key component of the “Smart Mecca” initiative, which, according to public information, aims to integrate fashionable entertainment services into the city, respecting its importance. The task is being developed through Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven), a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, which has been at the forefront of entertainment expansion efforts in Saudi Arabia.
In 2023, Seven has awarded contracts worth $2. 5 billion for entertainment assignments across the Kingdom. The Mecca cinema allocation, valued at 1. 3 billion rupees ($347 million), is being built through local company Modern Building Leaders (MBL). Located in the Al Abidiyah district, near um Al Quura University, outside the Holy Kaaba Mosque complex, the project covers 80,000 square meters.
The structure of cinemas in Saudi Arabia marks a vital cultural change. For 40 years, cinemas were banned in the Kingdom, reflecting the conservative social norms that prevailed in the country. The ban was lifted in 2018 as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030. initiative, which aims to modernise the economy and open up Saudi society.
Since the ban was lifted, Saudi Arabia has expanded its film infrastructure and many cinemas have opened throughout the Kingdom.
The video, widely shared, provoked mixed reactions. Some applaud this development as a component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and quality of life for citizens and residents. Others expressed fear about the proximity of entertainment venues to Mecca’s holy sites, wondering if it aligned with the city’s cultural and devotional values.
Despite the controversy, the Saudi government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that new developments compromise the sanctity of Mecca. Officials emphasize that the cinema and other entertainment projects are designed to complement the city’s fashionable infrastructure while preserving its devotional importance.
This assignment of Mecca is one of several advancements in entertainment that Seven is undertaking across the Kingdom. The company plans to invest Rs 50 billion in 21 incorporated entertainment destinations in 14 cities, as part of a broader strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a cultural, entertainment and tourism hub in the post-COVID-19 era.