Muslims around the world could be turning their watches to a new time soon as the world's largest clock begins ticking in Islam's holiest city. The Makkah Clock in Mecca is set to begin its operation this week to mark the beginning of Ramadan.
Saudi Arabia hopes the clock will create the holy city as an alternate time standard to the Greenwich median. The clock will appear over Mecca's Grand Mosque from the top of what will be the world's second tallest building behind Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
Saudi Arabia's state news agency says the tower, planned by German and Swiss engineers, will be more than 600 meters high, or roughly six times the height of London's famous Big Ben.
The clock tower is part of the Abraj al-Bait hotel complex in Mecca. Visitors will be able to stand on a terrace underneath the clock to view the city.
