The Abraj Al-Bait complex — commonly called the Clock Towers — is the cluster of high-rise hotels and a shopping mall immediately adjacent to the Grand Mosque, dominated by the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world. The clock faces, four in number, are among the largest in the world; they are visible across much of Mecca and are illuminated at night in green and white light. The complex contains tens of thousands of hotel rooms oriented directly toward the mosque.
The towers are controversial. Critics argue that they represent the commodification of Islam's holiest site, replacing Ottoman heritage buildings with luxury accommodation accessible only to the wealthy. Supporters point to the enormous increase in pilgrim capacity the associated infrastructure provides. For pilgrims staying in the complex, the proximity to the mosque is unmatched; rooms with direct views of the Kaaba command a significant premium.