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‘Al-Ayniya’, ‘Souq Suwaiqah’ : Historic Market Nurturing Creatives in Madinah

Souq Suwaiqah is one of the ancient markets that gained importance due to its proximity to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Souq Suwaiqah is one of the ancient markets that gained importance due to its proximity to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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‘Al-Ayniya’, ‘Souq Suwaiqah’ : Historic Market Nurturing Creatives in Madinah

Souq Suwaiqah is one of the ancient markets that gained importance due to its proximity to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Souq Suwaiqah is one of the ancient markets that gained importance due to its proximity to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia (SPA)

A once-historic market lay dormant for years after a fire destroyed most of it. Now, it's a thriving creative hub in Medina. This place, once reduced to ashes, has risen again, supporting artisans in crafting and selling handmade products and souvenirs.

Recently renovated, Al-Ayniya Workshops and Souq Suwaiqah now offer modern facilities to train, produce, and market crafts.

This initiative by the “Nimaa Al Madinah” foundation aims to boost economic and social development by empowering entrepreneurs through training and marketing support.

Souq Suwaiqah holds great historical significance in Medina, particularly due to its location near the Prophet’s Mosque. It has been a bustling hub for traders and shoppers, especially during religious seasons.

The market is famous for its fabric trade, along with selling gold, perfumes, and other goods.

However, in 1397 AH, a massive fire destroyed everything in the market, causing extensive damage to nearby residential areas. This tragic event silenced the once lively market, leaving a lasting memory in the city’s history, spanning over 430 years.

Lately, the old market has come back to life thanks to the Al-Ayniya and Souq Suwaiqah project. This effort includes workshops for crafts and shops with a traditional exterior.

Their products, bearing a Medina style, are popular among visitors to the city’s market, who choose them as gifts and souvenirs.

The project aims to revive the spirit of ancient markets while blending modernity with historical charm.

Led by the Nimaa Al Madinah foundation, it encourages entrepreneurship to enrich religious and cultural experiences and support Saudi Vision 2030 goals. The initiative trains and supports entrepreneurs and families, empowering them to create gifts and souvenirs for visitors to Medina.

Support for entrepreneurs, especially women, has been successful in the handmade and craft products sector.

Over three years, 3,000 women have graduated from training workshops, with about 900 empowered.

These workshops cover various crafts, and products are sold at the modern Souq Suwaiqah outlets, which pay homage to Medina’s historical markets.

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Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference
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Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, launched on Monday an open call for participation in the twelfth edition of the Red Sea Conference, scheduled for April 9 to 12, 2026, at the forthcoming Red Sea Museum.

The museum is housed in the historic Bab Al-Bunt building, located in the heart of Jeddah Historic District, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2014.

The event aligns with Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to boost its cultural and academic presence in the region and to activate the role of museums as vital platforms for cultural knowledge and exchange.

‏Since its inception in 2002, the Red Sea Conference has established itself as a leading international forum for the interdisciplinary study of the Red Sea as a unique historical and geographical corridor.

Past editions were hosted by renowned institutions including the British Museum, the University of Southampton, the University of Exeter, the University of Tabuk, the Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale", the University of Warsaw, the Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, the University of Crete, and the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

‏The conference will explore a rich array of interdisciplinary themes, including the Red Sea as a dynamic space shaped by cultural and geographical boundaries, its role as a major artery of ancient maritime trade and exchange, and the relationship between people and the environment over time.

Participants will also examine the archaeological landscapes of ancient cities and ports, approaches to preserving cultural and underwater heritage, and the lasting impact of cross-cultural interactions across Africa, Arabia, and the Indian Ocean.

‏In support of scholarly research and to encourage broad participation, the organizers have announced the availability of five travel grants for researchers whose papers are accepted. These grants will cover travel, accommodation, and registration fees, with preference given to applicants from the Red Sea region and developing countries.

‏By hosting the Red Sea Conference, the Museums Commission and the Heritage Commission underscore the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to foster cultural dialogue, strengthen international collaboration, and highlight the enduring role of the Red Sea as a living archive of human history and civilizations.