Mukaab: Saudi Arabia suspends construction of controversial cube structure

Saudi Arabia has suspended construction of the Mukaab, a giant cube-shaped structure planned for Riyadh, due to a reassessment of its financing and feasibility. The project had previously drawn heavy criticism for its resemblance to the Kaaba in Mecca, though Saudi officials claimed the design was inspired by traditional regional architecture. This suspension is the latest in a series of ambitious Saudi projects, including the Neom megacity, that have been scaled back or delayed amid financial tightening. The completion date for the wider New Murabba development, which the Mukaab was to be part of, has been pushed from 2030 to 2040.