Saudi Arabia has begun work on the Mukaab, a Giant Cube skyscraper expected to become the world’s largest building. This ambitious project, part of the New Murabba development in downtown Riyadh, has sparked controversy among Muslims online due to its design.
The towering 400-meter structure can fit up to 20 Empire State Buildings inside and will feature advanced amenities, including a dome with holographic projections. The building will ultimately house 8,000 residences for 35,000 residents and accommodate up to 400,000 visitors.
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New Murabba’s CEO, Michael Dyke, described the Mukaab as a transformative symbol for Riyadh, similar to other global capitals’ iconic landmarks.
Mukaab is also set to be the first fully enclosed skyscraper, with hotel rooms offering immersive experiences that simulate global destinations. “You could go to bed in the Serengeti and wake up in New York,” said Dyke, explaining the experience for guests.
Inspired by Najd architecture, the building’s cube design has drawn criticism from many Muslims for its resemblance to the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site around which Muslims circle during Hajj and Umrah.
American Muslim YouTuber Daniel Haqiqatjou labeled the Mukaab a “sign of the end times,” citing a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about Arabs competing to build increasingly large structures.
