The hotel building forms just part of part of the Abraj al-Bait complex, a Gotham City-like eruption of seven huge towers, conveniently sited a stone's throw from the Great Mosque.

ECONOMIST: A Saudi tower

After the Tawaf - walking around the Kaaba, the cube-like structure at the centre of the Great Mosque in Mecca - we will offer two rakaas or units of prayer, followed by drinking water from the holy Zam Zam spring.

BBC: Aerial view of Great Mosque at Mecca - file 2006

"Please tell people that Turkey is still a safe place to come, " said Yakup Sari, office manager at Istanbul's other great landmark, the Blue Mosque.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Tourists defy Istanbul bombers