‘Joatha Mosque’ attracts Janadriyah visitors

Visitors at the ongoing 28th Janadriyah Cultural Festival are being transformed into a bygone era as they are greeted by many symbols and life-size replicas of monuments of the past in the festival premises. One such historical monument to be reconstructed for the visitors is the oldest mosque of Islam outside Makkah and Madinah, the ‘Joatha Mosque.’
The 1400-year-old mosque is believed to be built during the era of the Prophet (peace be upon him), specifically in the seventh year of Hijrah. Most of the mosque’s original structure has been lost, but its ruins still remain.
It is considered one of the most important historic, cultural, and heritage landmarks in Saudi Arabia; and a major tourist attraction of Al-Ahsa city in the Eastern Province.
The Janadriyah festival aims to promote the sense of belonging to such heritage landmarks through their life-size replicas, complete with their original architectural characteristics, and which are scattered around the festival’s locations.
The festival’s organizing committee urged the provinces to use construction materials similar to the original ones such as clay, wood, mud and stone bricks brought from the region itself in order to highlight its own heritage.
Talal Al-Morshedi, Director of the Heritage Committee in Jandariyah, said the construction of replicas of major historical and archaeological sites of mosques, castles and other monuments at the various pavilions of the festival aims to promote and preserve the heritage identity of the Kingdom, as well as give the visitors a chance to explore the archaeological sites found across the Kingdom and to relive the history in an environment that stimulates a bygone era.
Similarly, a replica of Al-Shanana Tower is dazzling visitors at the Al-Qassim pavilion at the festival.
The unique monitoring tower is a real crowd-puller to Qassim pavilion this year, as a large number of the festival visitors were inquisitive about the history of this interesting touristic landmark. Al-Shanana historical Tower is 7 km away from Al-Rass and is considered one of the most significant archaeological monuments in Al-Qassim Pro-vince, as it symbolizes the heroic role that Al-Rass residents played in the unity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the great leader King Abdulaziz Al-Saud at the major historical event known as “Al-Shanana battle.”
This tower is said to have been by one of Al-Rass’ sons, Fahad Al-Khalifa, and a group of residents two decades ago and had remained unwavering against rough erosion changes.
Media director of Qassim pavilion, Abdullah Al-Harbi, said the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has been keen to restore the tower and opened it to the public due to its heritage value and it has became a touristic landmark that many people visit in Al-Rass. The festival is also providing a platform to many who are displaying the heritage of their fathers and grandfathers.
Such is the case of baker Musharraf Al-Zahrani, 40, whose traditional bread “Almguenah” is bringing back the spirit of the good times to the Janadriyah festival. A middle-aged man from Al-Baha region, Al-Zahrani, who is operating a bakery at the festival, said that he learned the craft of baking from his father, to whom he credits after God his education and skills. He said he earned income for himself and his family from this job, which has become the source of livelihood for them. He explained that he began to learn this craft and industry many years ago, although to him it is not just a craft, but also a love story between himself and the craft, thus allowing him to excel in it.
Al-Zahrani continued: “My father began to participate in this festival for heritage and culture 25 years ago, and I always noticed that he was working very hard. I did not give any attention to the craft at the time, but only helped with the setup. The love of my father for that profession affected me and I began to learn how to make the bread and I continued what my father started.”
About “Almguenah” bread, Al-Zahrani believes it attracts a lot of people, both in the region and beyond. He noted that it is served on many occasions and is one of the dishes that is offered to guests to welcome and appreciate their visit. Describing the process, Al-Zahrani revealed that the bread is easily baked using Al-Ber flour and a thick round stone known as Al-Salah. Upon baking, the bread is best served with butter and honey.