RIYADH: The historic Al-Ruwaibah Mosque in Buraidah, Qassim region, is among the mosques undergoing restoration as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.
The second phase of the crown prince’s project focuses on preserving the mosque’s original materials and spatial features while allowing for necessary additions that do not compromise its historical character.
As part of the restoration, the mosque’s traditional roof — composed of clay, tamarisk wood and palm fronds — will be carefully preserved, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Located 7.5 km southeast of Buraidah municipality, Al-Ruwaibah Mosque is more than 130 years old and has undergone only one previous restoration, in 1945.
The mosque has long served as a center for prayer, worship and Qur’anic study, in addition to being a place for teaching reading, writing and various sciences, making it a vital cultural and educational landmark in the region.
Before restoration, the mosque covered almost 204 sq. m and could accommodate 60 worshippers. On completion, its area will expand to about 233 sq. m, increasing its capacity to 74 worshippers.
The restoration will focus on rebuilding the mosque’s traditional roof, which consists of lintels, perpendicular trunks, a layer of palm branches, and a final clay layer that serves as insulation and helps to drain rainwater.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s project aims to balance traditional and modern construction standards to ensure the sustainability of historic mosques.
Saudi companies specializing in heritage restoration are leading the work, with Saudi engineers actively involved to maintain the mosque’s authentic architectural identity while ensuring structural durability.
Phase two of the crown prince’s project follows the successful completion of phase one in 2018, which restored 30 mosques in 10 regions across the Kingdom.
The project’s strategic objectives include rehabilitating mosques for worship, restoring architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of these historical sites.
The project aligns with Vision 2030 by preserving architectural heritage and influencing the design of modern mosques.
