According to Shoura Council member Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, visits to the Kingdom for Haj and Umrah and to see relatives should not be considered tourism. Tourism, he explained, means investing in historical sites, antiquities and other facilities for holidaymakers from different parts of the world.
The Kingdom has a very rich heritage including many important historical sites and monuments. This country is the cradle of the greatest religion, and its history constitutes a crucial part of Islamic history and of human history in general. It is unfortunate that no real effort is being made to invest in such areas.
In the holy city of Madinah, archeologists have identified for future investment and development some 100 tourist sites and classified them according to their importance. The authorities said they would start developing them in the coming months when the list is finally approved by the secretariat-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism.
I wish the same policy were adopted by local authorities in the holy city of Makkah, home to the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque, the most sacred place on earth and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Makkah contains the places where the Prophet lived, where he and his followers were assaulted and persecuted by the pagans of the Qureish tribe, the places where the Prophet and his followers met secretly away from pagan eyes and where the solid foundations of Muslim society were laid. Many of those sites have been destroyed, but it is still possible to identify and rebuild or renovate some of them. Makkah has many experienced archeologists and other experts who could be consulted in this matter.
The renovation of these historical sites would not only boost tourism but would be of enormous benefit to Muslims the world over, helping them to revive a rich and long history.
