Riyadh
The first phase of the Muhammad Bin Salman Project for Historical Mosques Renovation has been completed at a cost of more than SR 50 million. Total renovation and development of 30 mosques in 10 regions of the Kingdom was covered during the first phase, which was implemented within 423 days.
The project was implemented under the direction and follow-up of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defence, who had directed earlier to renovate 130 historical mosques across the Kingdom spanning over a number of phases.
Saudi companies, which are experienced and specialized in the construction and renovation of heritage buildings, have implemented the first phase of the project.
These companies ensured the involvement of Saudi engineers to guarantee the preservation of the original architectural identity of each mosque ever since its foundation, and that was carried out under the Programme for the Reconstruction of Historical Mosques at the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) and the Saudi Society for the Preservation of Heritage.
The project took into account minute details to recover the basic design of the mosques using local heritage materials, and added new necessary element, such as prayer rooms for women, services for people with special needs and the development of service facilities such as air conditio ning, lighting and acoustics, and their implementation in a manner consistent with the mosque’s historical identity.
Since the beginning of the month of Jumada Al-Awwal 1441, the newly renovated mosques, under the first phase, started receiving worshipers after being closed for more than 40 years. These mosques have turned into historical religious symbol that would preserve religious heritage and Islamic architecture along with the ongoing revival of the heritage villages and historical cities.
The Crown Prince’s support for the historical mosques, which is the largest in history in terms of the number of mosques and the total cost, emanates from the great position attached to mosques in the religion of Islam, in addition to being one of the most important features of the urban architectural heritage and the originality of its architectural character.—PR
