Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman plans to build a metropolis 17 times the size of London at the Jabal al Lawz peak. But many believe the spot is the Bible’s Mount Sinai where God appeared before Moses. The planned 10,230-square-miles Saudi city, named Neom, would run on 100 percent renewable energy and is due to be ready by 2025.
But critics have blasted the plan, claiming it could wreck one of the world’s most holy sites.
In a recent documentary, Finding the Mountain of Moses: The Real Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia, experts found the spot near the Jordanian border was the most likely place where Moses led his followers.
Presenter Ryan Mauro said: “The Saudis are constructing a super city that is planned to be 33 times the size of New York.
“If all of us don’t take action, Saudi construction in the area may destroy key evidence and prevent excavation for the foreseeable future.”
He claimed his evidence proves that the blackened peak is where God descended on the mountain “as of fire”.
But geologists believe the rock’s dark colour is because it is metamorphic.
Moses is said to have led the Israelites to the mountain, which was covered in fire, smoke and thunder, the Book of Exodus claims.
The holy prophet then ascended Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments from God.
But Bin Salman’s Neom project for a mega city would destroy crucial historical and archaeological evidence, it is feared.
And plans for the ‘megatropolis’, announced by the Crown Prince in 2017, have stalled after the Saudi kingdom was accused of murdering Jamal Khashoggi.
Mauro claims that a plinth close to the mountain is where a golden calf was worshipped.
The stone construction has bulls carved into its base.
The stone construction has bulls carved into its base.
A mass grave contains the body of worshippers struck down by God, Mauro believes.
Locals refer to the mountain as Jebel Musa – the Mountain of Moses.
His Doubting Thomas Research Foundation now wants to investigate the site.
The real location of Mount Sinai is not known, but many historians believe it is probably in Egypt.