The government has recently taken several steps to assist the national economy in keeping with rapid international changes. The Kingdom has also adopted appropriate strategies to attract foreign capital which will, in turn, inject new energy into the country’s development projects. The tourism industry has been identified as a possible major source of employment and revenue. Foreign tourists are now welcome to the Kingdom. Further, Umrah and Haj pilgrims are allowed to visit places in the country outside Makkah and Madinah. In another move to revitalize the real estate sector — currently experiencing a period of recession — the authorities have given foreigners permission to own real estate in the Kingdom.
All these steps will undoubtedly benefit the national economy, increase financial liquidity and improve our living standards. I have a suggestion, however, concerning real estate ownership in Makkah and Madinah. The new regulations do not allow foreigners to own property in either of the two cities. I venture to make the suggestion as I was born and brought up in Madinah. The majority of buildings, shops and residential premises surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque, just as in the neighborhood of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, are owned by Saudis who are not natives of the city. Local citizens cannot afford to buy land in areas close to the Prophet’s Mosque because of exorbitant prices.
My opinion is that expatriates, particularly those born in areas away from the Prophet’s Mosque and who are also married to Saudis, should be allowed to own real estate in those areas. There are expatriates who want to remain in places near the Prophet’s Mosque. There are also many rich foreign Muslims who would like to own houses in the blessed city where they could stay when visiting. Apparently they yearn to comply with the advice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever can die in Madinah should die there, because I will intercede for them.”
It has also been reported that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that whoever had property in Madinah should retain it and those who lacked property there should work to acquire some. Since the Holy Prophet’s statements are applicable to all believers, Muslims from other countries could also be allowed to own real estate away from the area surrounding the Holy Mosque. This would also help revive the market in both the holy cities as in other cities in the Kingdom. It will also be of economic benefit to residents of the two holy cities.