Maintenance of 800 mosques in Medina, under the direction of the Minister of Islamic Affairs

In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to the upkeep and maintenance of mosques, His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, inaugurated a package of new projects dedicated to the maintenance and operation of mosques in the Madinah region. This took place during his official visit to the region, where His Excellency reviewed the needs of the mosques to ensure their readiness to receive worshippers and visitors.

Details of maintenance projects and geographical scope

The projects launched included maintenance, cleaning, and operation contracts for approximately 800 mosques and prayer halls, at a total cost of 61 million riyals. These new contracts have contributed to a significant improvement in service levels, with maintenance coverage for mosques in the region reaching 91%, ensuring the sustainability of services and the regular and consistent cleaning of facilities.

The contracts included five major operations that were not limited to the city of Medina, but extended to include vital governorates such as Al-Ula Governorate, Al-Ais Governorate, and Yanbu Governorate, which confirms the comprehensiveness of the ministerial plan to cover all parts of the region.

Caring for historical mosques and Islamic landmarks

These projects are of particular importance given Medina's special place in the hearts of Muslims and its prominent historical landmarks. The maintenance contracts have included a number of mosques of profound historical and religious significance, most notably:

• Sayyid al-Shuhada Mosque: Located next to Mount Uhud and the Martyrs' Cemetery, it is an important destination for visitors.
• The Mosque of the Two Qiblas: which witnessed the change of the Qibla from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Grand Mosque, and represents a witness to the history of Islamic legislation.
• The Trench Mosque: associated with the Battle of the Confederates, and it is one of the sites that pilgrims and Umrah performers are keen to visit.

The attention given to these mosques is not limited to the operational aspect only, but also contributes to preserving the historical Islamic identity and enhances the experience of the guests of God during their visit to Madinah Al-Tayyibah.

Supporting leadership and keeping pace with Vision 2030

In a statement, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh affirmed that these achievements are a result of the generous support of the wise leadership – may God protect them – which gives the Two Holy Mosques and mosques the utmost attention. These efforts align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enrich the experience of visitors and pilgrims and provide them with the highest quality services in a safe and healthy environment for worship.

The minister concluded his visit by holding an extensive meeting with the ministry’s undersecretaries and department directors in the ministry’s branch in Madinah and its governorates, where he stressed the need for continuous field follow-up and the application of the highest quality standards in performance, to ensure that the houses of God are in the most splendid condition befitting their status and sanctity.