Sindalah: Opening of an island brings the Saudi NEOM project back to the fore – BBC News Arabic

The announcement of the opening of the island provoked widespread reactions on social media platforms, especially after questioning the authenticity of the “NEOM” project when it was officially announced years ago.

There were mixed reactions on social media between those who praised the opening of the island and those who said how important it was.

An account with the name “Nasser Al-Salem” on the

Another account by the name of “Saleh Al-Zahrani” on X said that announcing the opening of Sindalah Island would contradict the claims of what he described as “disinterested, miserable and desperate people” who have questioned the authenticity of experience of the “NEOM” project since then. his announcement, as the opening step is “Getting a new product at every level,” he said.

On the other hand, some social media pioneers criticized the news of the opening of the island, as an account with the name “AZHAR” believed that Sindala Island is a project aimed at a certain sector of citizens and not “the masses,” calling. for there to be projects that relate to all sections of society and not “the general public.” “Velvet layer,” just like he said.

While another account named “Moftah” revealed that the “NEOM” project, which Saudi Arabia is trying to establish, contributed to the “displacement of 6,000 people from their villages,” and ‘ he published pictures that he said document the level of destruction in the towns where the residents were “displaced,” as he said.

In the last few months, reports have emerged that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reduced its plans for its large desert development project, NEOM, which is the focus of Vision 2030.

An adviser linked to the Saudi government, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the BBC earlier that these plans are under review and a decision is expected soon, saying that “the joint closure depends on a number of factors, but these projects are undoubtedly under scrutiny. To reassess, some of them may go as planned, but others may be delayed or reduced in size.”

The “NEOM” project was announced in 2017, a $500 billion plan to build ten future cities in a desert area with a total area of ​​26,500 square kilometers, extending from the northwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and including land within the country. the border of Egypt and Jordan.

The Line is the most advanced of these cities, and the one that grabbed all the headlines. His construction plan includes a large linear city with two parallel walls side by side of a 500 meter high skyscraper – taller than the Empire State Building in the United States, and will not the combined width is only 200 metres, including the space between them.

The project relies on renewable energy sources only, and is supported by the Public Investment Fund, as well as local and international investors, under the supervision of a special group on the “NEOM” project.

In addition to “NEOM,” Saudi Arabia is also working on the development of 13 large construction plans, or so-called “Giga Projects,” worth trillions of dollars luxury resorts on the Red Sea islands, and a group of… Other tourist and cultural destinations.