Makkah – 17 Rabi' al-Awwal 1447 AH, corresponding to September 9, 2025.

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites is moving rapidly to develop historical and enrichment sites in the holy capital through a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting and sustaining religious and historical heritage, and presenting it with a contemporary vision that enriches the experience of pilgrims and visitors and highlights Makkah's deep civilizational history.

At a Glance

  • 98 historical and enrichment sites: The Commission conducted a comprehensive survey covering 98 sites distributed across the holy capital, classifying 64 sites as top priority for development according to precise criteria, most notably:
    • Religious and historical significance.
    • Authenticity and uniqueness.
    • Proximity to the Grand Mosque.
    These sites were also divided into 7 historical and enrichment clusters distributed across Makkah, with governance mechanisms established and wide partnerships activated with government, private, and non-profit entities to ensure sustainable development and effective operation.
  • Landmark projects between 2023 and 2025: Among the most notable achievements translating the strategy into reality:
    • 2023: Opening of the Hira Cultural District and the Revelation Exhibition at the foot of Jabal al-Nour, and the rehabilitation of the Jabal al-Rahmah site with upgraded services and infrastructure.
    • 2024: Inauguration of the Khasirat Ain Zubaida area with a one-kilometer hiking trail, and the reactivation of the Cosmos Science Center at the Clock Tower.
    • 2025: Opening of the International Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization, rehabilitation of Masjid Al-Bay'ah, launch of the Popular Food Street, and development of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition and the Museum of Islamic Manuscripts at Umm Al-Qura University, alongside the enrichment tours initiative.
  • Development also included:
    • Documenting the Al-Usaylah inscriptions and antiquities in cooperation with the Heritage Commission.
    • Developing the Grand Mosque Library, which holds more than 350,000 books and manuscripts.
    • Investing in the Zainab Al-Hilaliya walkway as a distinctive tourist site.
    • Developing public gardens and walkways to serve visitors.
  • Private sector contribution: Alongside government projects, the private sector has enriched the cultural scene through the opening of:
    • The Holy Quran Museum, which tells the story of the revelation and the evolution of writing the Quran.
    • The Sami Kurdi Museum, the Al-Bait Al-Aseel Museum, the Abu Bakr Al-Amoudi Museum, and the Harf Al-Awwalin Museum.
  • A comprehensive vision for the future: Engineer Saleh Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission, affirmed that these efforts reflect an integrated strategic vision for developing historical and enrichment sites and ensuring their sustainability, presenting them with multilingual interactive content that connects them with other cultural destinations in Makkah, strengthening the city's religious and civilizational heritage and giving visitors a deeper, richer experience.