Tuesday, 30 January 2007

JEDDAH: The Jeddah mayoralty has completed a preliminary study for the foundation of the King Abdullah Tourist City on the Northern Corniche.

According to a report by the Okaz Arabic-language daily, the tourist city named after King Abdullah will be constructed on an area measuring over a million square meters at an estimated cost of SR250 million.

Dr Ashraf Al-Turki, the planning director of open areas in Jeddah's mayoralty, said the project has been designed to attract 10 million tourists yearly, but the majority of targeted visitors will be mostly Umrah performers and pilgrims.

According to the preliminary study conducted by the mayoralty, the tourists' city will have six main sections. There will be a Qur'anic Park. The park is fully devoted to the Prophet's stories. Sound effects and laser technology will be used to narrate the stories.

Dr. Al-Turki said the idea behind the development is based on projecting all the stories narrated in the Holy Qur'an, adding, "The latest audiovisual techniques will be used in telecasting these stories. The manner in which it will be done will maintain the spirituality and holiness of these stories, so believers may learn from them."

The most sophisticated acoustic system would be used to make the audience feel the sanctity of the place and the spirit of the stories.

The second most important spot is the cultural center. It is a giant, educational center where Umrah and Haj rites are theoretically explained and practically demonstrated to all  Haj and Umrah pilgrims. The rites will be demonstrated through documentaries in many languages.

Visitors will also be acquainted with all the new developmental projects carried out in the holy sites, which aim to facilitate the performance of the rituals. Several training courses will be organized for Haj and Umrah pilgrims to enable them to perform their rites in ease and comfort.

The third section houses hotels, ranging from three to five stars, in addition to an international bazaar where all Islamic countries' products will be exhibited.

A spacious conference center, where press conferences will be held, especially during the Haj and Umrah seasons, will dominate the fourth section.

An Islamic museum will be set up in the fifth part of the development. The museum mainly displays the Islamic heritage and antiquities during the Prophet's era.

The sixth and last section of the project is the residential area reserved for the workers in the city. The same exhibiting and technical methods used in the world renowned Universal Studios in the US, will be applied in the King Abdullah Tourist City. 

Needless to say, it will show incidents mentioned in the Holy Qur'an such as the sinking of Noah's ship and the sea splitting into two.

Dr. Al-Turki said an American company which is well-known in the field, has been assigned by the authorities concerned to supervise the project's final stages.

The director said the American company is scheduled to visit the site sometime next month. He said upon completion of the planning work, companies would be invited to offer tenders for executing the project.

© The Saudi Gazette 2007