Medina 24 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1444 AH corresponding to October 20, 2022 AD
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Medina Region, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Region Development Authority - in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Head of the Guests of God Service Programme, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Culture, Mr. Hamid bin Muhammad Fayez - launched projects Rehabilitation of Islamic history sites in the region, which is being implemented in more than 100 sites related to the Prophet’s biography and Islamic history, while the Tourism Destination Development Office of the Region Development Authority is responsible for following up on the completion of projects according to the approved time plan until the year 2025 AD.
His Highness the Emir of the region also inaugurated 8 sites whose development had been completed, including; Al-Ghumama Mosque, Al-Saqya Mosque, Al-Raya Mosque, the mosques of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq and Omar bin Al-Khattab - may God be pleased with them - and the Bani Anif Mosque, Ghars Well, one of the most important prophetic wells, and the Palace of Urwa bin Al-Zubair.
During the ceremony - which was held on this occasion - His Highness the Emir of the region witnessed the signing of contracts, agreements and memorandums of understanding between the Region Development Authority and a number of governmental and private agencies and the third sector, to develop and revive historical sites. It included the design and implementation of the site of Sayyid al-Shuhada Square, the Saqifat of Bani Sa`ida (west of the Prophet’s Mosque), the site of the Trench, the development of the Qiblatain Mosque and the area surrounding it, the well of Othman bin Affan - may God be pleased with him - on the banks of Wadi Al-Aqiq, and the archaeological well of the Faqir in Alia Al-Madina.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Salman praised the level of performance and coordination between government agencies, to reach the goals of projects to develop and activate historical sites, extending his thanks to the Ministry of Culture, led by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and the Program for Serving the Guests of God, led by His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, for Supporting the integrated work system to enrich the experience of the Guests of God, visitors to Medina, under the care and attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Trustworthy Crown Prince - may God protect them - in the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.
For his part, His Excellency the Secretary of the Medina Region and the CEO of the District Development Authority, Engineer Fahd bin Muhammad Al-Balihshi, provided an explanation of the plan to activate the historical sites, and an overview of the competition that the District Development Authority announced to design and develop the Badr Historic District, which includes developing a path that includes more than 40 historical landmarks. Over a length of 175 kilometers, it starts from Medina, passing through Al-Arish Mosque, Al-Rawha’ area, Al-Adwa Al-Dowla and Al-Adwa Al-Aqsa, and a number of sites related to the most important events in the Prophet’s biography, all the way to the historic Badr area.