To accommodate the worshippers, a new complex in the north of the Mosque has been built, including multi-level stairways and tunnels, a gate named after King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and a large hotel arrangement, “Abraj Al-Bait“, crowned by a 601m high clock tower, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower. With a face size of 43 meters diameter, the Clock is the largest clock in the world. Over 400 meters above the ground it is visible in all districts of Mecca, from more than eight kilometres away and is a breath taking addition to the Holy City. The clock tower is a masterpiece of engineering and design having been developed by a team of specialists from Europe, the Middle East and all around the world.

PCT was chosen to take on the challenge of building the upper 370 metres of cladding as well as the clock faces, all of which had to be designed in lightweight composites. The facade of the clock is made of 60,000m2 of advanced composite material. This is one of the largest applications of composite materials. Each composite panel is covered with 98 million glass mosaic tiles and gold leaf.

Two million LED lights are then embedded into the facades and clock faces to light up the faces by night. Due to weight restrictions, the clocks hands are self-supportive carbon fibre structures. The minute hands are 22 metres long and the hour hands are 17 metres long. For maintenance the clock hands are fully accessible. Each clock hand weighs just 6 tonnes. On approval and once all components were finished in Dubai, they were shipped to Mecca for installation. 425 meters above the ground, one of the seven tower cranes levers the giant clock hands into position.

The call to prayer from the Holy Mosque is broadcasted live from the top of the Clock Tower over a specially developed loudspeaker system. This call can be heard within a radius of up to 7 km from the tower. As the call to prayer sounds, the top of the tower will be illuminated with 21,000 white and green sparkling lights. These dazzling lights are visible up to 30km from the tower, signifying the start of prayer. This signal is useful for the hearing-impaired and those at a great distance from the Mosque.

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Premier Composite Technologies (PCT) was named the winner of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce first “AHK Production Award” for its work in the production of advanced composite components for the Clock Tower and Crescent.

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