Al-Oudah Mosque restoration in Diriyah revives Najdi heritage

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Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project. (SPA)
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Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project. (SPA)
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Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project. (SPA)
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Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project. (SPA)
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Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project. (SPA)
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Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project. (SPA)
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Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project. (SPA)
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Updated 26 March 2025
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Al-Oudah Mosque restoration in Diriyah revives Najdi heritage

  • Second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Historic Mosques aims to preserve the mosque’s rich history and Najdi architectural heritage
  • Recognizing its cultural significance, the project will use traditional Najdi construction methods, including mud and natural materials suited to the desert climate

RIYADH: The historic Al-Oudah Mosque in Diriyah, a key heritage site in Riyadh region, is being restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Historic Mosques aims to preserve the mosque’s rich history and Najdi architectural heritage, restoring it to its former splendor.

One of the region’s oldest worship sites, Al-Oudah Mosque has been restored three times, with the last renovation about 15 years ago, according to the SPA.

Recognizing its cultural significance, the project will use traditional Najdi construction methods, including mud and natural materials suited to the desert climate.

The renovation will expand the mosque from 794 sq. m for 510 worshippers to 1,369 sq. m for 992 worshippers.

This expansion reflects a commitment to preserving history while meeting the community’s evolving needs, the SPA reported.

It is one of 30 mosques in 13 regions in phase two of the project, which includes six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf and Jazan. The Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim each have one mosque in the scheme.

Phase two follows phase one, completed in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions. Saudi companies and heritage restoration experts are leading the development efforts, the SPA reported.

The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.

Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.

The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.


Incoming: The biggest TV shows coming your way before summer 2026 

Updated 02 January 2026
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Incoming: The biggest TV shows coming your way before summer 2026 

  • From the return of an iconic comedy to the end of TV’s most twisted superhero saga, here are the series you need to see 

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ 

Starring: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Finn Bennett 

HBO may be taking its George R.R. Martin tribute a little too far with the delayed release of their latest venture into the “Game of Thrones” universe, based on Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas.The show follows hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his young squire Aegon Targaryen (Egg) — who will grow up to become King Aegon V — on their adventures across Westeros. It’s finally set to drop Jan. 11. The reception for HBO’s other “GoT” spinoff, “House of the Dragon,” the third season of which is due this summer, has been lukewarm. Can “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” recapture the old magic? 

‘The Pitt’ 

Starring: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball 

The winner of 2025’s Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series returns (along with its Emmy-winning regular cast members — Wyle and Katherine LaNasa) Jan. 8 for another glimpse into the lives of the staff at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, led by attending physician Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch. The tense, claustrophobic first season covered a single 15-hour shift in real time. This second outing will do the same, set on Independence Day nearly 10 months after the events of season one, on the first day back at work after attending rehab for Robinavitch’s right-hand man, senior resident Dr. Langdon (Ball).  

‘The Night Manager’ 

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie 

Nearly a decade on from its acclaimed first season, this spy thriller — inspired by the work of John Le Carré — sees Hiddleston returning as Jonathan Pine; although he’s now living as Alex Goodwin, a low-level MI6 officer, in London. But when that new identity is threatened by a face from the past, he’s plunged into a twisty plot involving arms deals, guerillas, and a new nemesis, Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva). Due out on Amazon Prime on Jan. 11. 

‘Industry’  

Starring: Myha’la Herrold, Marisa Abela, Kit Harrington 

The ‘special relationship’ between the US and the UK may be cooling, but this HBO/BBC joint production, at least, is thriving. Season four of the high-stakes finance drama, which debuts Jan. 11, sees a new fintech executive, Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella, best known as Nick in “The Handmaid’s Tale”) shaking up London, while the employees of investment bank Pierpoint & Co continue to navigate their chaotic personal and professional lives. Charlie Heaton, fresh from “Stranger Things,” also joins the cast as financial journalist Jim Dycker. 

‘Scrubs’  

Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke 

February sees the return of Bill Lawrence’s much-loved medical sitcom, with many of the original cast members returning, at least for cameos, and the three main characters — Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian (Braff), surgeon Chris Turk (Faison), and Dr. Elliot Reid (Chalke) — taking center stage once again, 16 years after the season nine finale. This time around, they’ll be the ones teaching the interns how to do their jobs, attempting to emulate their mentor Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley), who’s still knocking around Sacred Heart hospital.