Islamic Heritage: The development of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition

Some of the items on display at the Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition. (SPA)
Updated 29 July 2019
Follow

Islamic Heritage: The development of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition

  • The exhibition is considered one the most important museums in the Makkah region

MAKKAH: The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition, one of Makkah’s most popular landmarks, occupies 1,200 square meters near the King Abdul Aziz Complex for the manufacturing of the Kaaba’s cover (Kiswa) in the Umm Al-Joud district. The expected number of visitors ranges between 2,000 and 6,000 per day.

The exhibition’s design is consistent with the unique Islamic style and the distinctive architecture of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. It has attracted a remarkable number of visitors, including both pilgrims and residents, who have come to learn about the development stages of the Two Holy Mosques during the Saudi era.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has established this integrated exhibition to act as a historical and cultural platform that serves the Islamic community. It sheds light on the architecture of the Two Holy Mosques and broadens the visitors’ historical and cultural knowledge.  

The exhibition is considered one the most important museums in the Makkah region. It was inaugurated by the late Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdul Aziz on behalf of the late King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz on Feb. 1, 2000. 

The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition comprises seven halls: The reception hall, the Grand Mosque’s hall, the Kaaba hall, the photography hall, the manuscripts’ hall, the hall of the Prophet’s Mosque, and the Zamzam hall.

The reception hall features models and photographs of the Two Holy Mosques, and rare archaeological artifacts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has established the integrated exhibition to act as a historical and cultural platform that serves the Islamic community.

• The exhibition offers a number of services during the holy month of Ramadan, such as the distribution of the Qur’an and Zamzam water.

The exhibition features two models of the Two Holy Mosques, a number of manuscripts and engravings from the libraries of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, valuable antiques, architectural models, and rare photographs.

Among the exhibition’s most important exhibits is one of the Kaaba’s wooden pillars, which dates back to 65 AH, the Kaaba’s spout, which dates back to 1021 AH, the Kaaba’s wooden ladder, which dates back to 1240 AH, the door of the Kaaba, which dates back to 1363 AH, and many other exhibits that reflect the development of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The exhibition also features rare photos of the Two Holy Mosques, a copy of the Qur’an that was written during the reign of Uthman ibn Affan and relics of the opening of Zamzam well.

The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition offers a number of services during the holy month of Ramadan, such as the distribution of the Qur’an and Zamzam water as well as preparing a bus to transport visitors between the outskirts of the Grand Mosque’s yards to the exhibition.

It also provides services to people with special needs to ensure they enjoy a great experience through facilitating their movement into the halls and providing wheelchairs.

The exhibition hires 30 qualified employees, who provide knowledge and guidance services to all visitors and introduce them to the different parts of the exhibition.


Saudi Justice Ministry to host training conference

Updated 03 May 2024
Follow

Saudi Justice Ministry to host training conference

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Justice is to hold the International Conference of Judicial Training in Riyadh from May 6-7.

The Judicial Training Center hosts the event which will see the participation of several international training institutes, centers, and experts in the field of judicial and legal training. The objective is to facilitate the exchange of experiences and deliberations on contemporary trends in the era of digital transformation.

Called “The Future of Judicial Training in the Era of Digital Transformation,” the event will delve into the prospects of training in the future. It will explore paths for enhancing training content; strategies for harnessing modern technology; artificial intelligence in judicial training; and effective methodologies for measuring the training’s impact.


Saudi energy minister attends Tashkent International Investment Forum

Updated 03 May 2024
Follow

Saudi energy minister attends Tashkent International Investment Forum

TASHKENT: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Thursday participated in the primary dialogue session at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum.

In the presence of the president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the energy minister highlighted the distinguished relations between the two nations, emphasizing the leadership’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding cooperation across all sectors, particularly energy.

The partnership aims to benefit both countries and their citizens.


Who’s Who: Ali Alhasan, CEO and founder of NanoPalm

Updated 03 May 2024
Follow

Who’s Who: Ali Alhasan, CEO and founder of NanoPalm

  • Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery
  • He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012

Ali Alhasan is CEO and founder of the company NanoPalm. He holds a Ph.D. in nanomedicine, with expertise in nano-drug delivery and gene therapy and five years of experience in executive management.

In his role as CEO, Alhasan formulates the strategic and business plans for accelerating therapy translation globally and trains talents in deep tech, nanotech, and gene editing tech.

Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery. He also co-invented Nanopalm’s biorobots for the delivery of gene editing primers and helped discover four nanomedicines for four different genetic diseases.

He is also an associate professor at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and an adjunct professor at Alfaisal University, establishing collaboration agreements between the two.

As associate professor, he is the principal researcher for development and innovation in nanomedicine and the fourth industrial revolution.

In his role as adjunct professor, Alhasan teaches nanomedicine and mentors postgraduate and undergraduate students. He also co-established the Cancer Nanoscience Program.

Previously, Alhasan served in executive leadership roles at KACST as deputy at the Joint Centers of Excellence Program (2021), deputy of the Life Science and Environment Research Institute (2020), director of the Center of Excellence for Biomedicine (2020), and director of Strategic Initiatives (2016). 

Alhasan was a post-doctoral scholar at the University of California in 2015 and received his Ph.D. in the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program from Northwestern University in 2013. 

In 2008, he received a master’s degree in biotechnology also from Northwestern University, while in 2001, he received his bachelor’s degree in medical technology from King Abdulaziz University. 

Alhasan was granted the Leader of the Year award from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in 2024. In 2018, he received the Outstanding Investigator Award from KACST.

He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012. 


Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with Swiss foreign minister

Updated 02 May 2024
Follow

Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with Swiss foreign minister

  • two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on Thursday.

During the call, the two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Cassis was in the Kingdom last month to attend the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, during which he met with Prince Faisal.

Prince Faisal and Cassis also met earlier in the year in February during UN meetings in Geneva.


Saudi FM discusses preparations for Expo 2030 with BIE chief

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives the Secretary-General of the BIE Dimitri Kerkentzes in Riyadh.
Updated 02 May 2024
Follow

Saudi FM discusses preparations for Expo 2030 with BIE chief

  • During the meeting, the two officials discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh
  • “We underlined the importance of careful planning to deliver a transformational World Expo in 2030,” Kerkentzes said

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions Dimitri Kerkentzes in Riyadh on Thursday.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and coordination to ensure that the exhibition would be “exceptional,” Saudi Press Agency reported.

Writing on social media platform X, Kerkentzes said: “We underlined the importance of careful planning to deliver a transformational World Expo in 2030.”

The BIE chief met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday.

World Expo 2030 will be hosted in Riyadh after the Kingdom defeated challenges from South Korea and Italy to host the prestigious event in November 2023.