The castle - on Bul Bul hill overlooking the Grand Mosque - was built in 1780 by the ruling Ottomans to protect the city and its Muslim shrines from invaders.

Ottoman Turks once ruled a vast empire ranging from the Arabian peninsula to the Balkans and north Africa. The 220-year-old al-Ajyad fortress was demolished in 2002 to make way for a $533m project for furnished apartments.

Saleh Al Shaikh Saudi Islamic affairs minister said No-one has the right to interfere in what comes under the state's authority he further stated that no-one should interfere and that a reconstruction of the fort would be included as part of the site redevelopment. Which has never happened as the Fort was demolished and towering plaza built over it yet another Saudi Ulem'a plot destroying Islamic heritage.

Source: Save the Hijaz