Muslim architecture played an important role in the world with many fine buildings like the Alhambra in Spain, Taj Mahal in India, Dome of the Rock in Palestine, and magnificent Musjids around the world.
Following in that tradition is Burj Dubai skyscraper. It will beat many world records when completed in 2009. It is currently under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. When completed it is predicted to be the tallest man-made structure in the world (at about 800 metres) and will be seen from 95km away. It is already the tallest building on earth, a title held by Petronas Tower in Muslim Malaysia for a while. The design is derived from patterning systems in Islamic architecture. Viewed from above or the base, the form also evokes the onion domes of Islamic architecture.
- The total budget is about R120 billion.
- The concrete used will be equivalent to the weight of 100,000 elephants.
- The building’s curtain wall will be equal to the area of 17 soccer fields.
- With 20,000 workers, it’s the world’s biggest building site. Many workers are Muslims from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- The building will give the title of Earth's tallest free-standing structure to the Middle East, a title not held by the region since 1311 when Lincoln Cathedral, UK surpassed the Great Pyramid of Giza, which had held the title for 4 millennia.
- It will have the world's fastest elevator, moving at 18 metres per second.
Burj Dubai will contain an Armani Hotel occupying 37 floors. Floors 45 to 108 will have 700 private apartments which sold out within 8 hours of going on sale.
Many more buildings in Muslim lands could eventually surpass the Burj Dubai in height. These include Murjan Tower in Bahrain, Burj Mubarak al-Kabir in Kuwait and Al Burj near Dubai Marina.
