Unearthing the story behind Asir’s Al-Meger Palace

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Al-Meger Palace’s interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations. (Supplied)
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Al-Meger Palace’s interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations. (Supplied)
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Al-Meger Palace’s interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 August 2024
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Unearthing the story behind Asir’s Al-Meger Palace

  • From Al-Namas to Nablus, Mohammed Al-Meger’s journey led him to create a museum of rare artifacts

RIYADH: One man’s labor of love and passion, Al-Meger Palace nestled in Asir’s Al-Namas governorate, tells the story of history, tradition, and the beauty that is born out of resilience and hardship.

The museum is home to some of the oldest manuscripts from Islamic history, including 60 volumes from the era of the Prophet Muhammad, and thousands of handwritten manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an.




Al-Meger Palace’s interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations. (Supplied)

Speaking about how he acquired the manuscripts for the museum, Mohammed Al-Meger told Arab News: “People from all around the country, especially the south, sold me historical manuscripts of great significance.”

The palace is a convergence of world cultures, meticulously curated by Al-Meger. Its interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations.

My interest sparked when I was in Jerusalem marveling at the amalgamation of different styles of architecture from different periods of time.

Mohammed Al-Meger, Museum founder

“The construction of Al-Meger Palace was no small feat, taking a staggering 35 years to complete and costing SR80 million ($21.3 million) to build,” he said.

With over 2 million stones sourced from the surrounding Asir region, the palace stands as a beacon of local architectural heritage. Al-Meger transformed a barren land populated by wildlife into an exquisite palace perched 2,400 meters above sea level.




This palace also bears thousands of Islamic decorations and contains more than a thousand hand-written manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an. (Supplied)

“My journey to creating the palace was fueled by a powerful discovery — a supplication manuscript penned by my father before his untimely passing,” he said.

This poignant relic became the guiding force behind his quest to immortalize his family's legacy through the palace, starting with collecting manuscripts.




The palace stands as a beacon of architectural wonder with over 2 million natural stones sourced from the surrounding region. (Supplied)

Orphaned at a young age, he faced challenges in his education, but Al-Meger persevered, spurred on by the memory of his late parents who were esteemed intellectuals. The palace is now part of the heritage village he built where tourists can stay.

“One of the most striking features of Al-Meger Palace is its astronomical design, which allows the sun to trace a complete circle around the palace through its myriad windows,” he explained. “Sunlight streams into the palace from over 360 windows, facilitating the observation of the sun’s path within the structure.”

The seven domes that crown it symbolize the continents of the world, a reminder of global unity and interconnectedness. Inside, more than 365 columns stand tall, representing the days in a year and fostering a sense of timelessness.

The walls of Al-Meger Palace are also steeped in the rich history of the Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations, creating a visual tapestry that weaves together centuries of cultural legacy.

As visitors roam its hallowed halls, they are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery, with each artifact being a testament to the enduring spirit of human creativity and ingenuity.

“Tourists can see a collection of ancient Islamic texts covering a range of subjects such as medicine, mathematics, and astronomy,” he noted.

Al-Meger said that scholars and historians have marveled at the architectural ingenuity of the palace, along with its rare manuscripts.

The museum’s collection includes the oldest manuscript penned by Jamal Al-Din Ibn Tumert Al-Andalusi from 720 AD, indicating that Arabs took up chemistry and physics. “The minister of culture sent a Chinese and French delegation with equipment to document and prove its authenticity,” said Al-Meger.

The cultural marvel’s success is born out the difficulties Al-Meger faced to achieve academic success.  

“I grew up without parents and attended school for three years before being expelled. I chose to care for village animals and relied on their milk for sustenance,” Al-Meger added, noting that he cared for the villagers’ sheep in Al-Namas until visiting his uncle in Tabuk at age 14.

His parents’ friends influenced him greatly as a child and he was told they were scholarly and intellectual.

Al-Meger said: “I told my uncle that I am willing to attend any school that accepts me and so I left for Nablus, Palestine. I didn’t spend a single penny (on) it as all the people of Nablus honored me and hosted me better than any of their children.”

When Al-Meger failed yet again, he moved to Jerusalem and a family took him in and enrolled him in Terra Sancta College. He wanted to become a doctor but failed once more.

“My interest sparked when I was in Jerusalem marveling at the amalgamation of different styles of architecture resembling different periods do time,” he recalled.

Back in Saudi Arabia, he joined the military and gained an interest in learning English and French: “I ranked ninth among 202 students in an officers’ course selection process and King Faisal awarded me my first certificate as a lieutenant after completing my training.”

He was then sent to the US. “After that, during my travels to Europe, I happened to pass by Spain and Andalusia and (learned about) the Islamic civilization there.

“Then I took a vacation and took a tour from the US to the Philippines and Indonesia, looking for a homeland to live in … I did not mean to return to Saudi Arabia.”

But fate brought Al-Meger back home and he decided to visit his hometown of Al-Namas once more.

Al-Meger visited the site his palace is now perched upon, describing it as one of the most beautiful sites he had seen in the world.

“I took a trip to India, Pakistan, and the Philippines and found 20 talented builders to bring my vision to life,” he added.

Upon its final opening in 2009, Al-Meger Palace captured the attention of visitors with its unique blend of world cultures, rare manuscripts, and breathtaking Andalusian architecture.

Today, Al-Meger Palace serves as a tangible reminder not just of its historical significance, but also of resilience amid challenges and hardships.

 

Decoder

Al-Meger Palace

Nestled in Asir’s Al-Namas governorate, Al-Meger Palace — a museum that is home to some of the oldest manuscripts from Islamic history — is the work of a lifetime of Mohammed Al-Meger, a former Saudi military officer whose parents were known intellectuals. Orphaned at an early age, he attended school for three years before he was expelled. He then worked as a shepherd until an uncle from Tabuk agreed to help him go back to school when he was 14. Unable to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor, he opted to join Saudi Arabia’s armed forces, which gave him the chance to learn the French and English languages, and the opportunity to travel. When he visited his hometown of Al-Namas once more, he came up with the idea of building the palace. It took 35 years to complete the project, which is now considered a "convergence of world cultures."


Saudi Arabia’s Commander of Joint Forces visits officers wounded in Yemen operation

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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Commander of the Joint Forces, Lt. Gen. Fahad bin Hamad Al-Salman, visited injured officers at Prince Sultan Military Medical City on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The officers suffered injuries during Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen.

Operation Decisive Storm, launched in March 2015, was led by Saudi Arabia to combat the Houthi militia in Yemen at the request of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who has since stepped down. In April 2015, the campaign evolved into Operation Restoring Hope, aimed at reinstating Yemen’s internationally recognized government in Sanaa.

During the visit, Al-Salman checked on the officers’ well-being, expressing his deep gratitude. “You are the nation’s heroes, and what you endured in defense of your religion, king, and country is a badge of honor,” he said.

He also conveyed the leadership’s greetings and appreciation, wishing the injured a swift recovery and good health.

The wounded officers thanked Al-Salman for the visit and reaffirmed their readiness to return to the battlefield once they have fully recovered.


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Madinah workshop explores AI’s role in farms of the future

JEDDAH: The use of artificial intelligence to revolutionize agriculture, cutting costs and improving efficiency, has been highlighted at a workshop held as part of the Madinah Dates Season.

The workshop, held at the Madinah Chamber of Commerce, brought together Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University faculty, researchers, and AI enthusiasts to discuss the future of farming.

AI tools designed to monitor crop health, detect early signs of disease, and offer insights for treatment were showcased at the workshop, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Devices predicting pest activity were also presented, enabling farmers to implement targeted control strategies, reducing crop losses and chemical use.

Experts explored the role of advanced electronic systems in revolutionizing Saudi agriculture, enhancing sustainability, addressing challenges, and boosting local production.

As part of this year’s Madinah Dates Season, the workshop also raised awareness of date palm varieties, nutritional value, and agricultural practices.

A dates hackathon, aiming to utilize AI in agriculture and resource management, will run until Oct. 3, with 233 teams of innovators, programmers, and students taking part.

The event's first track focuses on creating data sets to improve date cultivation and quality, aiming for sustainable agricultural development through AI systems that enhance efficiency and cut costs.

The second track addresses challenges such as water use, pest management, and crop monitoring, promoting smart systems for irrigation and automated processes.

Entries will be judged by AI experts on data quality, diversity, and innovation, with awards for the top three teams in each track. The prize pool is SR900,000 ($240,000).

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Traditional Saudi arts, and palm waste recycling are also featured as part of the three-month season.

Madinah, with 6.5 million palm trees and an annual production of 263,000 tonnes, is central to Saudi Arabia’s food security goals and Vision 2030.


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KSA localizes rose cultivation to boost agriculture

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced the localization of rose cultivation to meet rising local demand, create jobs, and reduce reliance on costly, lower-quality imports.

The initiative also aims to boost exports to Gulf and Middle Eastern markets, supporting agricultural growth in line with Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture unveiled incentives to strengthen the sector, offering financial returns to enhance rose producers’ economic standing.

Key incentives include the success of tissue culture rose cultivation, which lowers production costs while promoting growth.

The ministry also offers affordable agricultural land, investment opportunities leveraging the comparative advantages of roses, and loans covering 70 percent of project costs from the Agricultural Development Fund.

Additionally, it provides technical support and streamlined licensing for rose cultivation projects.

The ministry emphasized using technologies such as hydroponics and smart systems to reduce costs and improve efficiency, as well as opportunities to produce rare and in-demand rose varieties for higher economic returns.


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Updated 17 September 2024
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KSrelief delivers solar energy equipment to boost Hadhramaut technical education

HADHRAMAUT: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief delivered solar energy equipment on Saturday to the coastal office here of the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training.

This initiative is a part of the “Program for Development of Technical and Vocational Institutes in Hadhramaut,” in collaboration with the UN Development Programme and the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Dr. Salem Bajaber, director-general of the ministry’s office, praised KSrelief’s efforts and said the equipment would introduce a new specialization in renewable energy at the region’s technical institutes.

This initiative is expected to empower young people, support research in renewable energy, and create jobs.

The project is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support the country’s economic recovery.


Saudi OIC representative receives special envoy on Islamophobia

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation headquarters in Jeddah. (Twitter @OIC_OCI)
Updated 17 September 2024
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Saudi OIC representative receives special envoy on Islamophobia

  • The meeting reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the fight against Islamophobia through the OIC and other relevant organizations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation received on Monday the special envoy of the OIC Secretary-General on Islamophobia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani welcomed Mehmet Pacaci, who was recently appointed to the role, in the Makkah region.
Pacaci assumed the brief after a decision by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, in a recent meeting in Cameroon.

The discussions included the envoy’s responsibility and future efforts to implement the OIC decisions regarding measures to combat Islamophobia.

There is a growing hostility towards Islam that threatens the principles of tolerance and global coexistence, SPA noted.

This comes in addition to the widespread animosity and hatred towards minorities, especially Muslims, perpetuated by extremist groups that promote such hatred, the report said.

The meeting also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the fight against Islamophobia through the OIC and other relevant organizations, it added.