Saudi Arabia Is Building a Cinema in Makkah

A recent video of a Saudi engineer discussing the construction of a large entertainment project in Makkah has sparked heated debate across social media.

The controversy centers on claims about the cinema’s proximity to the Kaaba and Masjid al-Haram, though official reports clarify the project is in the Al-‘Abidiyah district, outside the Haram boundary.

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Smart Mecca Project

The cinema forms part of the ‘Smart Mecca’ initiative, which seeks to bring modern entertainment facilities to the city while preserving its religious sanctity.

The project is being developed by Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF). SEVEN has been at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s drive to expand its entertainment sector.

The Mecca cinema

In 2023, SEVEN awarded contracts worth $2.5 billion for a series of entertainment projects across the Kingdom.

The Mecca cinema, valued at SR1.3 billion ($347 million), is being built by Modern Building Leaders (MBL) in the Al-‘Abidiyah district near Umm Al-Qura University, outside the Masjid al-Haram complex.

The project covers an area of 80,000 square meters.

The return of cinemas in Saudi Arabia marks a major cultural shift, as movie theaters were banned for over 40 years under the Kingdom’s conservative norms.

The ban was lifted in 2018 under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to modernize the economy and open up Saudi society.

Saudi News Outlet Confirmed The News

Boundaries of The Haram

Reactions to the video have been mixed, with some supporting the development as a step toward modernizing Saudi Arabia and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The is how the project would look like;

Others have expressed concern about placing entertainment venues so close to Mecca’s sacred sites, questioning whether such projects align with the city’s religious values.

Despite the controversy, Saudi officials have assured that the new developments will not compromise Mecca’s sanctity, stressing that such projects are intended to enhance the city’s infrastructure while preserving its religious importance.

Construction

As of August 2025, Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) announced the final approved plan for the Mecca cinema.

And the construction has already been started.

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