Why are Muslims on internet angry about construction of giant cube building in Riyadh?

Saudi Arabia has commenced construction on Mukaab, a cube-shaped skyscraper set to become the world’s largest building. The monumental structure, featuring cutting-edge amenities, has sparked controversy among Muslims online.

Standing 400 meters on each side, this vast architectural marvel will have enough space to hold 20 Empire State Buildings.

It is part of the ambitious New Murabba development project in downtown Riyadh, launched last year with the goal of transforming the capital into a global icon.

In an interview with the Bloomberg, chief executive officer of New Murabba, Michael Dyke said, “It’s masquerading as a building today, but it’s so much more.”

Constructors dug out 10 million cubic meters of earth for the Mukaab.

According to Bloomberg, the project will ultimately include 8,000 residences for 35,000 people, with capacity for up to 400,000 visitors upon completion.

“A capital city the size of Riyadh deserves to have a global, central icon, just as other capital cities do,” Dyke added.

Touted as the world’s first fully enclosed skyscraper, Mukaab will feature a dome with holographic images. Its hotel rooms will provide an immersive experience, virtually transporting guests to different cities around the world.

“You could go to bed in the Serengeti and wake up in New York City—you can smell it, feel it, and touch it,” CEO of New Murabba noted.

The cube’s design, featuring overlapping triangular forms, draws inspiration from Najd region architecture.

However, many Muslims criticised the structure’s resemblance to the Kaaba, the sacred site around which Muslims perform the ritual of circumambulation during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Prominent American Muslim debater and YouTuber Daniel Haqiqatjou labeled Mukaab a “sign of the end times,” referencing a Hadith by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that foretells Arabs "competing to build bigger and taller structures."

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Daniel Haqiqatjou (@Haqiqatjou) reacts to Mukaab and Saudi Vision 2030

"This is one of the signs of the End Times" pic.twitter.com/aOru5KsQF6

— Halal Zoomer (@HalalZoomer) October 26, 2024

While an X user pointed out that many cube-like structures exist worldwide, and the Mukaab is no exception, another critic countered, arguing that “None of these buildings are the “world’s largest cube”, none built by a Muslim state and none are central hubs where people congregate or make efforts to visit or reach.”

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None of these buildings are the “world’s largest cube”, none built by a Muslim state and none are central hubs where people congregate or make efforts to visit or reach.

They are offices, Mukaab will be a pilgrimage site for KSA’s new capitalist religion.https://t.co/PO2olRkyGY

— Trapo (@ElTrapoTweets) October 28, 2024

Other critics suggested that the Mukaab represents a shift toward materialistic values, fulfilling signs from Allah and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) about a focus on worldly pursuits in the end times.

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Within Mukaab, in Najd, there will be a tower atop a spiral base.
Ibn Umar reported that Prophet (pbuh) emerged from the house of ‘A’ishah and said:
It will be from this place that the pinnacle of disbelief will appear, wherefrom the horn of Satan will emerge. Muslim: 2905d https://t.co/v15k74z8XL

— Raafi رَافِع (@MohammadRaafi) October 27, 2024

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Aside from anything else, the fact that it is a golden cube seems to me to be a deliberate affront to the Ka'ba in Mecca, and a clear symbol of idolatry. https://t.co/GUcy7zEFLM

— Laleh Khalili 🇵🇸 (@LalehKhalili) October 25, 2024