https://arab.news/pm4zm
- Two mosques in the Abha governorate and one in Dhahran Al-Janoub governorate will be restored
RIYADH: The second phase of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious project to restore 130 historic Saudi mosques has got underway in the Asir and Eastern Province regions.
The redevelopment initiative aims to return the mosques to service as houses of worship while highlighting their religious, cultural, social, and architectural importance to the Kingdom.
Each building will first be assessed to determine the extent of repair and reconstruction work required internally and externally.
One the mosques earmarked for restoration in the Asir region is Al-Hawza Mosque, located in the middle of the heritage district of Dhahran Al-Janoub governorate. It was expanded in 1213 by local villagers and further enlarged during the reign of the late King Abdulaziz.
Meanwhile, in Al-Masqi, 32 kilometers south of Abha, the village’s old mosque was built almost 2,000 years ago and was completely restored in 1397.
The Asir mosques, including Al-Hosn Mosque, located on the Hajj route form part the crown prince’s project.
Historian and researcher Mohammed Al-Zalfa told Arab News that a large number of the mosques were of significant historical value, despite some having fallen into ruin or been abandoned.
He noted that the Arabian Peninsula’s many castles, fortresses, mosques, and other ancient buildings offered key architectural insights into the region’s past and the emergence of Islam.
“We would like to tell the world that the historical places we are developing are evidence of that civilization, and our role is to convey that great message to the next generations,” he said.
Al-Zalfa pointed out that preserving centuries-old architectural styles was a significant part of highlighting the region’s historical legacy.
In the Eastern Province, the project includes plans to restore Jawatha and Umm Zriniq mosques to their original status using traditional materials.
Jawatha Mosque is one of the oldest in the Islamic world and is thought to be the first to hold a Friday prayer after the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. It was built by the Bani Abd Al-Qais tribe after its second visit to the Prophet Muhammad.
Umm Zriniq Mosque in Al-Owemariah neighborhood in Al-Hafuf city, was among a number of others built more than 100 years ago next to Umm Zriniq Cemetery.
Dr. Saad Al-Najim, vice president of the Eastern Province’s Association of Antiquities and Architectural Heritage, said: “The importance of preserving antiquities lies in preserving the social identity and historical depth of the region. The antiquities are a material record of the Kingdom’s history.
“The historical mosques narrate a glorious past of our country because they are places for worship and learning, and social meeting places.
“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s project to develop mosques is a result of his belief in the devotional and social role of mosques, as well as the distinctive urban style that constitutes the rooting of the quality of construction and architecture in every region of the Kingdom,” he added.
The project aims to restore and rehabilitate 130 mosques throughout the country, with 30 mosques of historical heritage included in the second phase.