Islamic World District Project will look to enrich visitors’ experience in Madinah

The “Islamic World Avenue” project provides an attractive cultural environment to serve visitors in Madinah. (SPA)
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Updated 30 October 2023
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Islamic World District Project will look to enrich visitors’ experience in Madinah

  • The project is expected to include 18,000 hotel rooms upon completion, with eco-friendly means of transportation
  • It will be directly connected to the Prophet’s Mosque, the Haramain High Speed Railway, and the international airport 

MADINAH: The Islamic World District Project is one of the major initiatives being implemented in Madinah as part of Knowledge Economic City. 

It will offer high-quality residential and hospitality services to enrich the religious and cultural experiences of visitors, along with Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, during their visit to Madinah.

The project will be directly connected to the Prophet’s Mosque, the Haramain High Speed Railway, and the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.




The “Islamic World Avenue” project provides an attractive cultural environment to serve visitors in Madinah. (SPA)

It is being designed on an area of about 900,000 square meters, in the wake of two of the major pillars of Saudi Vision 2030 — the Pilgrim Experience Program and the Quality of Life Program. 

The first aims to facilitate the accommodation of more Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, offering high-quality services while enriching religious and cultural experiences. 

The second bids to provide entertainment for families, with live events, theaters, exhibitions, and festivals.

The project is expected to include 18,000 hotel rooms upon completion, with eco-friendly means of transportation.

It will also boast green spaces, pathways, open squares with high-quality buildings, and eco-friendly educational and health facilities that employ modern technology.

It aims to create jobs for young men and women, while supporting the national economy by encouraging outstanding investment opportunities.

Madinah’s economic and spiritual significance enhances the project’s chances of success. The location was the first capital of Islamic civilization and is a destination for millions of pilgrims and visitors each year.

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Islamic World District Project

A major initiative being implemented in the holy city of Madinah, the Islamic World District Project is envisioned to offer high-quality residential and hospitality services to enrich the religious and cultural experiences of visitors, along with Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, during their visit to Madinah. The project is expected to include 18,000 hotel rooms upon completion, with eco-friendly means of transportation.


Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration

Updated 08 January 2026
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Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration

  • Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower

DHAHRAN: Visitors to the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) can enjoy a taste of Spanish culture from Jan. 12-31.

Under the banner “Live Spain,” spaces at Ithra will be transformed to give a glimpse of life in this vibrant European country.

Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower, with exhibitions dedicated to Spanish photography, fashion and sports. There will also be Spanish cuisine and interactive installations exploring historical and linguistic connections between Arab and Spanish traditions.

There will be live performances across various stages, with a production of “Carmen” among the highlights.

“Cultural exchange is a core part of Ithra’s approach to programming. Celebrating Spain’s culture and history reflects this focus, particularly as this year’s Cultural Days take on a distinctive character by exploring Spain’s cultural heritage,” Noura Alzamil, program manager at Ithra, said.

“Visitors to Ithra will experience an exciting program in every sense, given the scale and variety of events designed to appeal to all tastes and interests.”

Cinema showings will feature Spanish short and feature films, accompanied by post-screening discussions to provide additional cultural context, while talks and sessions in the idea lab and library will explore architecture, literature and creative practice.

Hands-on workshops will invite visitors to engage directly with Spanish crafts and creative traditions, from visual arts and design to food-related practices.

A dedicated program for children and youth will run alongside with storytelling, creative workshops and performances among the attractions. Food and market experiences in Ithra’s public spaces will reflect the important social role played in the country by food.

Ithra Cultural Days present international cultures through immersive, public-facing experiences. This year’s focus on Spain follows the success of last year’s Japan edition, which welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in just two weeks.