Apocalyptic Sheikhs

The competition to construct tall buildings is a sign of the Last Hour or coming Day of Judgement in Islam.  Although an exact height is not defined, it is hard to argue that the recently opened Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 2717 feet does not qualify.  This nearly kilometer high tower is by far, the tallest building the world.  It dwarfs the CN Tower in Toronto as well as famous buildings such as the Petronas Towers and the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower.  It is over double the height of the Empire State Building and a cool 1100 feet taller than the Shanghai World Financial Center.  Bottom line, it's damn tall.

Obviously, the fame-seeking and oil-rich sheikhs of the Persian Gulf pay no heed to the prophecy affiliated with this dangerous game.  That, or they have a death wish.

And if you think the Burj Khalifa is tall, then meet the proposed Mile High Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. If the $13.6+ billion project goes through, it will be an estimated 5250 feet or nearly double the height of the Burj. Why should Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal play second fiddle to the Emiratis? The good Prince is behind this project--something to look forward to after he receives his customized, gold-plated Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft which is slated for a 2010 delivery. His baller jet is to feature a marble-plated dining room that seats 14, a movie theater with sand-colored plush leather seats, a gym and much more.

So, what exactly is the goal of building a mile high building?  Wouldn't it be alot easier, let alone cheaper to simply build an office park?  Don't get me wrong--I'm all about skyscrapers; but is a corner view above the clouds really that important?  And we are not even getting to the more important question of a misappropriation of funds.  Funds that could be used in fighting poverty, illiteracy and rabid class disparity that exists in the Middle East. 

End times are near indeed.