Mohammed Bin Salman Project Revives Historical Structure of Five Mosques

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. REUTERS
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. REUTERS
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Mohammed Bin Salman Project Revives Historical Structure of Five Mosques

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. REUTERS
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. REUTERS

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historical Mosques includes five mosques in the Makkah Region with the aim of protecting and renovating their historical structure, in addition to prolonging their lifespan and maintaining their architecture affected by the changing climate over the past decades and centuries.

Built by the Abbasid Caliph Abu Jafar Al-Mansour near Jamrat Al-Aqaba at Mina, Al-Baiah Mosque is the first to be developed in Makkah during the second phase of the project. This mosque has a rich history and characteristics that would help determine the proper methods for its renovation and development.

Located at “Sheaab al Ansar” where Prophet Mohammed met with his supporters, Al-Baiah Mosque is famed for its unique architectural features reflecting significant artistic and contextual values, which makes it of great importance and interest in the Mohammed Bin Salman Project.

Al-Baiah Mosque was hidden behind Al Aqaba Mountain, but the Jamarat expansion projects in 1428 Hijri, helped enhance its location and turned it into a major landmark in Makkah.

The area of the mosque after renovation will remain the same at 457.56 square meters with a capacity for 68 worshippers.

The project will also be developing two mosques in Jeddah Governorate, the first is Abu Inbeh Mosque at Harat Al-Sham, which was built more than 900 years ago. Its pre-renovation area is 339.98 square meters and will become 335.31 square meters after the renovation, with a capacity of 357 worshippers, down from 360 worshippers.

Al-Khadr Mosque on Al-Thahab Street in Al-Balad neighborhood, located around 66 kilometers from the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah, was built some 700 years ago. Its post-renovation area will stand at 355.09 square meters with a capacity of around 355 worshippers.

Al-Fath Mosque in Al-Jamoum Governorate is also on the project’s list. It is thought that Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) prayed at the mosque in Al-Fath (conquest) year. The mosque was neglected, destroyed and damaged over the past centuries until it was renovated in 1419 Hijri. After the planned renovation, its area will be expanded from 455.77 square meters to 553.50 square meters, as well as its capacity from 218 to 333 worshippers.

Built more than 300 years ago in the Taif region, Al-Jubail Mosque was an official location for Friday prayers, which recently moved to another mosque due to the lack of parking lots. Al-Jubail Mosque is also part of the project, its area will be expanded to 310 square meters with the same capacity of 45 worshippers.

A total of 30 mosques will be included in the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historical Mosques that covers all regions of Saudi Arabia. These mosques will be developed according to modern mechanisms that guarantee the quality of good material and architectural designs after conducting an accurate assessment of the history, characteristics and features of every mosque.



Japan's Grand Tea Master Sen Genshitsu Reportedly Dies at 102

This photo taken on April 9, 2013 shows Sen Genshitsu, former head of the "Urasenke" school of tea ceremony, performing a tea offering during a visit to the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP) / Japan OUT
This photo taken on April 9, 2013 shows Sen Genshitsu, former head of the "Urasenke" school of tea ceremony, performing a tea offering during a visit to the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP) / Japan OUT
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Japan's Grand Tea Master Sen Genshitsu Reportedly Dies at 102

This photo taken on April 9, 2013 shows Sen Genshitsu, former head of the "Urasenke" school of tea ceremony, performing a tea offering during a visit to the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP) / Japan OUT
This photo taken on April 9, 2013 shows Sen Genshitsu, former head of the "Urasenke" school of tea ceremony, performing a tea offering during a visit to the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP) / Japan OUT

Sen Genshitsu, a would-be kamikaze pilot who became a Japanese tea ceremony master preparing cups of matcha for world leaders and monarchs, died aged 102 on Thursday, reports said.

With a motto of "peacefulness through a bowl of tea", Kyoto-born Sen used ancient "Urasenke" tea tradition rituals to spotlight his anti-war messages.

The United Nations headquarters in New York and the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii -- the scene of a devastating Japanese attack that brought the US into World War II -- were among the locations for his ceremonies.

His death was reported by major Japanese media, including the national broadcaster NHK and the top-selling newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.

AFP could not immediately reach the Urasenke school for comment.

Born in 1923, Sen went through training as a young man to become a kamikaze pilot in World War II, but the fighting ended before he had to carry out a suicidal mission.

He later told how he used to serve tea to his fellow soldiers during military training.

In a 2023 interview with NHK, Sen stressed the calming effects of tea culture.

"A bowl of tea makes spirits very peaceful. When everyone is peaceful, there will be no war," he said.

An ordained Zen monk, Sen became the 15th-generation grand master of the Urasenke school in 1964 following the death of his father who had previously headed the tradition.

He offered tea to monarchs and presidents including Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and counted the former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger and former Chinese president Hu Jintao as friends.

He said that his wartime experience had helped shape his views on the importance of peace.

In 1997, he received the Order of Culture in Japan and in 2020, he was given the Legion of Honor, France's most prestigious order of merit.