Mecca Research

(1974-1976)
In 1975, a three volume publication documenting the history and architecture of the Masjid al-Haram and the Holy Ka’ba in English and Arabic was completed for the Ministry of Finance and National Economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Nader Ardalan and his co-authors had been commissioned by the Associated Consulting Engineers of Karachi, Pakistan to research and prepare the completion Report of the pro-bono supervision of the First Major Expansion of the Masjid al-Haram in 400 years since the Ottoman construction of Sinan’s historic structure.

The research was based upon the records made available in Mecca and others in the British Museum and documented a brief history of the Holy Ka’ba from its ancient beginnings to the present time; the various expansions of the Masjid; and an appraisal of the sign, symbols and architectural features employed.