Madinah’s Historic Islamic Landmarks Open to Visitors

The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)
The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)
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Madinah’s Historic Islamic Landmarks Open to Visitors

The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)
The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)

The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors.

The locations, castles and fortresses that Muslims had long read about in the history books can now be visited and admired up-close.

Authorities have sought to preserve these locations in the hopes of attracting visitors.

Over a hundred historic Islamic landmarks have been preserved and renovated in the Madinah and Makkah regions to consolidate their religious and cultural standing and offer a unique tourist experience to visitors.

Expert on modern history Dr. Abdulrahman al-Waqisi said: “Every corner and every aspect of Madinah is history and tells a story.”

It covers the history that predates Islam, post-Hijra and aspects of the Prophet Mohammed life, he added.

The city still boasts undiscovered historic sites despite the great efforts carried out by Saudi authorities to unearth them, he remarks.

The regions of Saudi Arabia are still rife with heritage treasures, he stressed.

In Madinah, he highlighted the Atban bin Malik Mosque where the Prophet Mohammed once prayed.

New discoveries were recently made at the mosque, demonstrating the city’s rich history, al-Waqisi said.

He acknowledged that some historic ruins had once been neglected and sometimes destroyed due to some conservative views and various other excuses.

Some important landmarks have indeed been razed to the ground for unjustified reasons, he lamented.

Others, however, have been salvaged thanks to the intervention of the authorities.



Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA

Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened their commitment to cultural collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Dr. Toshiko Abe.

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations and fostering cultural exchange.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Culture Ministry on Friday, the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing and collaboration in diverse cultural fields.
To foster mutual understanding and appreciation, the two parties are committed to promoting cultural exchanges, including exchange of experts in various cultural fields and organizing programs, workshops, and seminars for intellectuals, cultural specialists, and artists from the two countries, said the statement.

Prince Bader emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This collaboration underscores the shared vision of Saudi Arabia and Japan to preserve, celebrate, and advance cultural understanding,” he said. “By joining forces in areas such as heritage preservation and artistic innovation, we not only honor our histories but also inspire future generations to embrace creativity and cultural exchange.”

The MoU builds upon the longstanding tradition of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan in the fields of arts, culture, and heritage. It reinforces the two countries’ commitment to fostering innovation while preserving their culture, paving the way for deeper engagement and collaboration.

During a meeting, Prince Bader and Abe discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the Japanese side to train Saudi students in the art of "Manga" comics.