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Hira Cultural District: A History, Culture, and Tourism Hub in Makkah

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
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Hira Cultural District: A History, Culture, and Tourism Hub in Makkah

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah, a unique destination that blends cultural exploration, historical immersion, and modern entertainment.
Spanning 67,000 square meters beside Mount Hira, the district is a landmark sought by residents and tourists alike, said the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.
A dedicated center introduces visitors to the site's historical and geographical significance, along with an overview of the services available.
The centerpiece of the district is the Revelation Exhibition, which tells how prophets received revelations from Allah. One section focuses on the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and explores facets of his life.
Complementing this exhibition is the Holy Quran Museum. Utilizing innovative technology and displaying unique collections, the museum emphasizes the universal significance and enduring legacy of the Quran, highlighting its remarkable preservation through history.
The Hira Cultural District is testament to a successful collaboration. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, along with the Emirate of Makkah, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Holy Makkah Municipality, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Authority of Endowments jointly oversee and manage the district.

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Culture

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historical Al-Jaloud Mosque in Hail

​​​​​​​The recent renovation by specialized Saudi firms increased the mosque's capacity from 80 to 129 worshippers and its area to 250 square meters - SPA
​​​​​​​The recent renovation by specialized Saudi firms increased the mosque's capacity from 80 to 129 worshippers and its area to 250 square meters - SPA
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historical Al-Jaloud Mosque in Hail

​​​​​​​The recent renovation by specialized Saudi firms increased the mosque's capacity from 80 to 129 worshippers and its area to 250 square meters - SPA
​​​​​​​The recent renovation by specialized Saudi firms increased the mosque's capacity from 80 to 129 worshippers and its area to 250 square meters - SPA

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the comprehensive restoration of Al-Jaloud Mosque in Hail Region as part of its first phase.

Dating back to 1761 (1175 AH), this 265-year-old landmark in Samira Governorate served as a vital stop on the ancient pilgrimage route between Makkah and Kufa, SPA reported.

Originally constructed from mud, stone, and tamarisk wood, the mosque has undergone several expansions, including a notable 1371 AH project funded by King Saud bin Abdulaziz.

The recent renovation by specialized Saudi firms increased the mosque's capacity from 80 to 129 worshippers and its area to 250 square meters.

By integrating modern building standards with traditional architectural identity, the project fulfills the Saudi Vision 2030 objective of preserving the Kingdom's urban heritage while rehabilitating historical sites for worship.

Culture

Saudi Coffee Remains Key Crop and Cultural Treasure during Ramadan

The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA
The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA
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Saudi Coffee Remains Key Crop and Cultural Treasure during Ramadan

The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA
The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has confirmed that Saudi coffee is a key national agricultural crop and an important cultural legacy, especially during Ramadan.

Coffee cultivation thrives in the southwestern and southern highlands, benefiting from a favorable climate and fertile soil.

Regions such as Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Najran host over 1.3 million productive coffee trees, yielding more than 870 tons of coffee annually, according to SPA.

Jazan leads with over 966,000 trees producing more than 642 tons. Aseer has more than 243,000 trees yielding around 175 tons.

Al-Baha boasts about 72,000 trees; Makkah has over 12,000 trees yielding more than 10 tons; and Najran has over 9,000 trees producing over seven tons.

The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value, emphasizing that supporting local agriculture promotes farmer livelihoods and enhances food security in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Culture

Red Sea Museum Opens 'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition to Highlight Maritime Heritage

Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA
Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA
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Red Sea Museum Opens 'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition to Highlight Maritime Heritage

Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA
Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA

The Red Sea Museum celebrated the opening of 'Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea' exhibition on Wednesday in an event that brought together cultural leaders, researchers, and community partners in Historic Jeddah.

The exhibition is now open to the public through May 29.

The opening ceremony featured a panel discussion on maritime heritage and underwater archaeology, bringing together leading experts. The discussion explored the critical processes of discovery, documentation, and conservation that transform submerged cultural heritage into valuable historical knowledge, highlighting collaborative efforts between the Heritage Commission, Historic Jeddah Program, and various archaeological missions working along the Saudi coast of the Red Sea to safeguard this vital heritage for future generations.

Guests then embarked on an exclusive curator-led tour with Director of the Red Sea Museum Eman Zidan, and Co-Director, Saudi-French Archaeological Mission in Farasan Dr. Solène Marion de Procé, who guided visitors through the exhibition's thematic sections exploring how shipwrecks became archives of history and eventually transformed into living coral reefs.

The museum exemplifies how historic artifacts and contemporary cultural conservation work hand in hand. SPA

The evening concluded with a Ramadan reception, reflecting the museum's commitment to creating cultural programming that honors the spirit of the holy month while celebrating the launch of this significant exhibition.

The opening of Sunken Treasures represents a significant moment for the Red Sea Museum as Saudi Arabia's first institution dedicated specifically to the Red Sea's maritime history, cultural heritage, and biodiversity.

Housed in the restored Bab Al Bunt building, a structure that has welcomed travelers arriving by sea for generations, the museum exemplifies how historic artifacts and contemporary cultural conservation work hand in hand.

Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors while positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in museum innovation, research, and public engagement.