Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman made another landmark announcement that will see millions of dollars going towards the preservation of the country’s rich history. The Crown Prince ordered the restoration of 130 historical mosques this week, a move that falls within the National Program for the Restoration of Historic Mosques, supervised by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), and in partnership with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.
According to Arab News, the first phase of the restoration efforts will see more than $13 million going towards renovating 30 mosques in 10 regions. The news site pointed out that the Crown Prince’s support is the most generous in Saudi Arabia’s history to date, and is centered on his personal belief these mosques hold great importance in Islam, as well as in the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia.
The National Program for the Reconstruction of Historical Mosques, which highlights the importance of cultural and religious architecture, was established 20 years ago in 1998. It is arguably one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent and effective existing programs to date that has been designed to protect he country’s urban heritage, specifically working on the preservation of Islam’s historic sites in the Kingdom.
In addition to this program, Saudi Arabia has been working diligently over the past few years to develop its heritage, archaeological, and cultural offerings, as it prepares itself to become a top tourist destination in the region. From supporting development projects in its historic Al Ula region, to registering archaeological sites and restoring entire villages and towns, the Kingdom is on its way to opening its doors to tourists from across the globe.
