Experts have called on the government to protect various ancient sites and mosques in Makkah because of their religious and historical importance.
Talal Al-Sharif, an Islamic antiquities expert, said the buildings include mosques built during the Ummayyad period and the house of Khadeeja, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
This site is thought to be on the square close to the Marwa hillock.
He said the area where the house stood should be protected as an archaeological site and not used as a prayer area of the Grand Mosque. He said it was important for it to have an entrance, and identified as the home of the Prophet (pbuh).
Al-Sharif said the protection of these mosques would help preserve the country's Islamic history. He said researchers have identified several sites of major archeological importance in Makkah. He said various agencies have started to preserve these sites, including the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
He said the Al-Jinn Mosque was modernized under Saudi rule. He said the Al-Baiah Mosque still exists and goes back to the time of Abu Jaafer Al-Mansour, and Abbasid rule. It was modernized with extensions during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods.
Fawaz Al-Dahhas, professor of Arab history, supervisor of museums at Um Al-Qura University, and member of the advisory committee on Islamic historical sites, said Yathrib tribes met the Prophet (pbuh) at the Al-Baiah Mosque when the Quraish opposed him.
He said Islam was launched from Al-Baiah Mosque, which used to be a ravine between the mountains, known as Al-Ansar Ravine.
This was done in the presence of Al-Abbas, the Prophet’s uncle. He said the ravine was kept intact until the beginning of the Abbasid period. Abu Jafar Al-Mansour built the mosque after Al-Abbas took a pledge to revive his grandfather’s memory. Al-Mustansir Billah renovated the mosque in 1232.
He said other sites include the Al-Rayah Mosque, at the Makkah entrance from the Al-Ghazah side, which was given this name because the Prophet (pbuh) stuck his flagpole there. There is also Al-Jinn Mosque next to Al-Muallah, which was given its name because the Prophet (pbuh) reportedly told his companions, when they saw him coming out of the mosque, that he was teaching the jinn about Islam. It is also known as Masjid Al-Haras (Mosque of the Guards) because the old guards of Makkah used to meet there.
Experts want Makkah’s Islamic sites preserved
Experts want Makkah’s Islamic sites preserved
First group of Hajj pilgrims arrives in Saudi Arabia
- The Makkah Route Initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Guests of God Service Program
- 7,700 flights will arrive through six airports during the Hajj season
RIYADH: The first group of Hajj 2024 pilgrims arrived at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Thursday.
The 283 pilgrims from India were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdel Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, reported SPA.
Al-Jasser highlighted the ministry's commitment to providing the best services to Hajj pilgrims during their stay in the Kingdom.
He said that 7,700 flights will arrive through six airports during the Hajj season, with more than 27,000 buses in service, while the high-speed Al-Haramain and Al-Mashaer trains will provide more than 5,000 trips.
The Makkah Route Initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Guests of God Service Program, inaugurated by King Salman in 2019. The scheme seeks to provide visitors to the holy sites with the finest possible services to help them perform their Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.
Saudi Arabia leads condemnation of attack on UNRWA headquarters in occupied Jerusalem
- The Kingdom said it holds the “Israeli occupation” responsible for the recurring crimes against innocent civilians and aid workers
- Saudi Arabia urged the international community to take serious action in halting Israel’s human rights violations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned the Israeli settler attack on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees headquarters in occupied Jerusalem.
The Kingdom said it holds the “Israeli occupation” responsible for the recurring crimes against innocent civilians and aid workers, according to a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
It urged the international community to take serious action in halting Israel’s human rights violations. “The occupation must be held accountable for its ongoing crimes that violate international law,” the statement said.
#بيان | تُعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة المملكة العربية السعودية الاعتداء السافر من قبل مستوطنين إسرائيليين على مقر وكالة الأمم المتحدة لإغاثة وتشغيل اللاجئين الفلسطينيين (الأونروا) في القدس المحتلة، والذي تم تحت مراقبة ونظر شرطة الاحتلال الاسرائيلي. pic.twitter.com/AclZ27mfG6
— وزارة الخارجية (@KSAMOFA) May 9, 2024
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini earlier said that a group of Israeli protesters had attacked the agency’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem after calls for protests against UNRWA by an Israeli municipal official.
Jordan condemned the attack as a “blatant defiance of international law, which aims to protect UN facilities.”
It called on the international community to enforce international humanitarian law “immediately and effectively,” and oblige Israel to prevent attacks on relief workers who “play a major humanitarian role in providing aid and services to Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories.”
KSrelief provides shelter, aid to people in flood-hit Yemen
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed emergency shelter and other support to people across Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The agency provided nearly 200 tents, more than 600 shelter bags, and food to those affected by the recent flooding in the Hadramout governorate and the Al-Masila district of Al-Mahra governorate.
KSrelief continues to help vulnerable people in war-torn Yemen.
KSrelief providing ongoing medical care in Yemen
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief is providing ongoing cardiac surgery and catheterization for children and adults at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in Yemen’s Aden governorate.
The project runs until May 15, with 23 medical specialists participating in cooperation with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The medical team has already performed 35 cardiac catheterizations and eight open-heart surgeries, all of which were successful.
Meanwhile, KSrelief has completed another medical project which included 226 procedures for people with burns, deformities, and sports injuries.
This initiative took place from April 27 to May 5, 2024, in Yemen’s Aden governorate.
In addition, there were 1,026 individuals treated at the dermatology clinic, 2,317 at the family medicine clinic, and 587 at the dentistry clinic.
Training was also provided for 78 staffers in sports rehabilitation.
KSrelief to restore homes damaged in Aleppo earthquake
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief signed a pact on Wednesday to restore the homes of families affected by the earthquake in Aleppo, Syria.
In collaboration with a civil society institution in Syria, this project aims to restore 743 homes to benefit over 4,500 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Renovations will include the provision of new water tanks and ventilation systems.
KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz signed the pact at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.
