RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, also known as Darah, in collaboration with the Pilgrims Experience Program, is making progress in creating a comprehensive atlas documenting the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
The project was initiated several years ago under the guidance of the King Salman, who then chaired Darah’s board, and with the continued support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the supervision of Prince Faisal bin Salman, Darah’s chairman of the board of directors.
According to Sultan Alawairidhi, Darah’s official spokesperson, the project stems from Darah’s commitment to preserving Islamic and Arab history, building on its expertise in developing historical atlases.
The foundation has assembled a team of historians, researchers and scholars from universities and research centers, using reliable sources and advanced technologies to ensure the project’s accuracy.
The foundation, Alawairidhi explained, aims to meticulously document the locations and landmarks associated with the Prophet’s life, drawing from original sources and using cutting-edge technologies such as geographic coordinates, satellite imagery and precise maps.
“By harnessing these technologies in the service of the noble Prophetic biography, we aim to achieve the atlas’s objectives and collaborate with relevant institutions and specialized researchers in universities and scientific research centers,” he said.
Additionally, the project seeks to develop a scholarly reference on the Prophet’s biography, transforming historical texts into visual representations such as diagrams, illustrations and visual pathways.
The completion of the project will facilitate the tracking and understanding of the events of the Prophet’s biography, and the visualization of its events and locations through illustrative materials and educational tools such as maps, illustrations, images and diagrams.
Alawairidhi said that the atlas would be enriched with supplementary materials, including an interactive online platform for the atlas, an exhibition on the Prophet’s biography, specialized publications for children, and an international conference on the historical sites featured in the Prophet’s biography.