First Makkah Clock: Historic Symbol of Saudi Care for Holy Sites

The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)
The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)
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First Makkah Clock: Historic Symbol of Saudi Care for Holy Sites

The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)
The first Makkah clock ordered by King Abdulaziz in 1933 (Darat al-Malik Abdulaziz/The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)

In the 1930s, as Muslims began their regular pilgrimages to the holy sanctuary in Makkah for Umrah and Hajj, signs of modernization emerged under the Saudi reign.

One significant addition was a giant clock atop Makkah’s government building, commissioned by King Abdulaziz. This clock served the worshippers’ need for accurate timing during their religious rituals and prayers in the Grand Mosque.

King Abdulaziz made caring for the holy mosques and the well-being of pilgrims a top priority for the Saudi government. He set the groundwork for future kings to improve services and make the pilgrimage experience smoother for visitors to Makkah and Medina.

From the early days of Saudi rule, King Abdulaziz showed a strong commitment to serving the holy sites and pilgrims from around the world.

He pledged to protect pilgrims and ensure their comfort and rights. In a statement published in the official newspaper before the Hajj season of 1343 AH, he expressed happiness in welcoming Muslims and making their journey to Makkah easier.

Recognizing the need for better timekeeping at the Grand Mosque, King Abdulaziz imported a large clock. Its hands were visible from far away, helping worshippers in Makkah and nearby areas keep track of prayer times.

King Abdulaziz ordered the construction of the clock in 1933, placing it atop the Hamidiyah Government Building. A tower reaching 15 meters high housed the clock, elevating it over 30 meters above street level.

The clock’s white background and black hands made it visible from afar, with electric lighting illuminating it at night. Construction began and finished in 1933.

Since then, the Two Holy Mosques have received special attention from Saudi leadership, particularly under the ambitious “Vision 2030” initiative, which has made the pilgrimage easier and enhanced the spiritual experience for millions of pilgrims.



Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center Launches 5th Edition of Research Grants Program

The program offers six to eight grants each year with a total value of up to AED600,000
The program offers six to eight grants each year with a total value of up to AED600,000
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Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center Launches 5th Edition of Research Grants Program

The program offers six to eight grants each year with a total value of up to AED600,000
The program offers six to eight grants each year with a total value of up to AED600,000

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the launch of the fifth edition of its Research Grants Program 2025, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The program is designed to encourage and support innovative research in Arabic language studies and books, aiming to enhance the language’s standing, foster intellectual growth and advance scientific research. It also seeks to build a comprehensive Arabic research database that will serve both regional and global communities, WAM said.

The program offers six to eight grants each year with a total value of up to AED600,000 across several fields, including Arabic lexicon, academic curricula, literature and criticism, teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, applied and computational linguistics, and editing of manuscripts in all fields of Arabic language.

Since its inception, the program has awarded 28 grants to researchers across a diverse range of disciplines, WAM said.

“The Research Grants Program reinforces the Centre’s efforts to establish a solid database for rigorous Arabic-language research and studies, in addition to advancing scientific research in Arabic and expanding its horizons, with a focus on originality and innovation,” ALC Chairman Dr. Ali bin Tamim said.

“We are confident that this edition of the program will bring significant contributions,” bin Tamim added. “Throughout its four previous editions, the program set key standards in Arabic-language writing and scientific research. It has become a vital platform for dedicated researchers who work diligently to bring fresh insights to the field of Arabic studies.”