Saudi renovates 30 of 130 historical mosques

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Under the Mohammad bin Salman project for Developing Historical Mosques, the Saudi Arabian government is renovating 130 mosques throughout the kingdom.

The first phase, which included 30 mosques at a cost of SR50 million (US$13 million), has been completed within 423 days, Arab News reported as quoted by Indonesia Window here on Monday.

The mosque renovation project throughout the kingdom uses Saudi companies specializing in handling heritage buildings.

Saudi engineers are involved to ensure the preservation of each mosque’s authentic urban identity using new, high-quality materials.

The government is giving utmost importance to renovating historical mosques that have been closed for more than 40 years.

Facilities such as women’s prayer rooms, services for disabled people, air conditioning, lighting and acoustics are being provided.

One of the mosques, the Jarir Al-Bajali Mosque in Taif governorate, was established in the era of the Prophet Mohammed’s (ﷺ) companion Jarir bin Abdullah Al-Bajali.

Some of these historical mosques were known as scholarly beacons, such as Sheikh Abu Bakr Mosque, which was established more than 300 years ago in Al-Ahsa governorate.

The 30 renovated mosques have been receiving worshippers since December 27, 2019, with the aim of preserving Islamic heritage and architecture, and reviving heritage villages and historical city centers.

The crown prince’s support for this project emanates from mosques’ importance in Islam and in urban architectural heritage.

The renovation works were preceded by studies, documentation of the historical and architectural dimensions of each mosque, and a review of all challenges.

The renovation process includes restoring sections that are typical of old mosques, such as the khalwah (a place for secluding), an underground or backend prayer area at a certain height that protects worshippers from cold weather.

Courtyards, reception sites for guests, ablution areas and traditional wells are also being preserved.

During the past four decades, Saudi Arabia experienced rapid urban development, including the trend of building modern mosques, neglecting historical ones, and sometimes even demolishing them to build new ones in their place.

Most elements of the design of historical mosques coincide with the trend toward sustainability and green architecture.

Reporting by Indonesia Window