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Islamic Civilization Village: Cultural, Educational Destination in Madinah

Rua Al Madinah Holding has announced the launch of the Islamic Civilization Village project, spanning over 257,000 square meters, in Madinah. SPA
Rua Al Madinah Holding has announced the launch of the Islamic Civilization Village project, spanning over 257,000 square meters, in Madinah. SPA
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Islamic Civilization Village: Cultural, Educational Destination in Madinah

Rua Al Madinah Holding has announced the launch of the Islamic Civilization Village project, spanning over 257,000 square meters, in Madinah. SPA
Rua Al Madinah Holding has announced the launch of the Islamic Civilization Village project, spanning over 257,000 square meters, in Madinah. SPA

Rua Al Madinah Holding has announced the launch of the Islamic Civilization Village project, spanning over 257,000 square meters, next to the Prophet's Mosque, to enrich the visitor experience in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah.

The project is set to become a cultural and educational destination that offers a wide array of activities, inclusive hospitality services and valuable historic shows that highlight several aspects of the Islamic history.

The Islamic Civilization Village is divided into eight distinct geographical zones: the Arabian Peninsula, Mashriq, Islamic South Asia, Maghrib, the Southeast Asian Nations, the Silk Road, Al Andalus and Africa, in addition to a zone highlighting the deep roots of the Kingdom's history as the cradle of Islam.

The project will also include diverse retail outlets (over 11,000 square meters), various dining options, culturally unique cafes and interactive shows, as well as around 12,000 square meters of green spaces.

Eng. Ahmed Al-Juhani, CEO of Rua Al Madinah Holding, described the project as an educational and entertaining cultural hub designed to showcase the scientific achievements and contributions of Muslims throughout history through its cultural components and interactive content.

He also noted that the project will enhance the cultural and educational experience of the visitors and pilgrims, and promotes Madinah as a tourism destination that meets the pilgrimage sector objectives in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Rua Al Madinah Holding is part of the Saudi Investment Fund. Its work is focused on modern urban planning and development of diverse and comprehensive investment projects in Madinah, as a prestigious religious destination with a modern architectural system.

Among its plans is also to develop a network of hotels and commercial spaces, civilizational, cultural, and entertainment centers, as well as religious museums with modern infrastructure next to the Prophet’s Mosque.

The holding’s main goal is to accommodate 30 million visitors in Madinah by 2030, offering them an enjoyable stay and an exceptional visit that enriches their religious journey and cultural experience.

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Culture

Iran Artist's Vision For Culture Hub Enlivens Rustic District

Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP
Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP
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Iran Artist's Vision For Culture Hub Enlivens Rustic District

Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP
Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP

In the winding alleys of southern Iran, artist Adel Yazdi has taken it upon himself to turn his rustic old neighbourhood into a cultural and tourist hub through vibrant paintings and carved relief faces.

Narenjestan, a neighbourhood characterized by crumbling, uninhabited houses, is nestled in Shiraz, a southern city celebrated for its historic architecture, lush gardens and revered poets.

"Most of the dilapidated walls in old Shiraz have no historical value," said Yazdi, a bushy-bearded, bespectacled 40-year-old artist who has dedicated himself to revitalising Narenjestan, AFP reported.

Yazdi has over the years turned the long-neglected neighbourhood walls into a vivid visual tapestry "telling the stories of the people living here," he said.

Arabesque patterns and relief faces carved with intricate details and painted in an array of vivid hues of greens, pinks, blues and purples now adorn the walls.

With its striking designs and bright colors, Yazdi's art can be reminiscent of Surrealism. It often comes across as surprising, showcasing a different side of Iran's artistic heritage that goes beyond the conventional focus on Persian or Islamic architecture.

The artwork includes the face of Scheherazade, Yazdi said, referencing the legendary storyteller from the "One Thousand and One Nights" collection of folktales.

Yazdi's work stands out in Shiraz where graffiti and murals are rare, becoming a social media sensation and a tourist attraction.

One visitor, Mahdieh, discovered Yazdi's murals through Instagram.

"I arrived in Shiraz yesterday... and it was the first site I wanted to visit," said the 40-year-old, who declined to give her last name.

At the end of one alleyway, Yazdi has established his workshop in a century-old building with small rooms encircling a serene garden.

He also lives in the building, with a traditional Persian architectural style.

It is filled with artefacts and sculptures, resembling a museum warehouse.

To Maedah, a 30-year-old engineer, Yazdi's house brings to mind "other historical places in the city, such as the Eram Garden and the Mausoleum of the Poet Hafez".

Yazdi said he drew inspiration from the Pompidou Center in Paris, a cultural hub that transformed the heart of the French capital in the 1970s.

He hopes his efforts can turn Shiraz's alleyways into even more of a vibrant cultural center as well.

At his residence, visitors are particularly drawn to what Yazdi calls "the Finger Room."

Inside, he installed around 14,000 finger sculptures on the ceiling, all pointing downward.

"The room is inspired by the legend of an angel that counts raindrops with thousands of fingers," he said, referring to an Islamic fable.

"These fingers are there to constantly remind us that the present moment is precious and that we must seize it."