JEDDAH, 31 January 2006 — Visitors to the Madinah Mosque will be able to use the pathway of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the mosque to the historic Quba Mosque as it will be renovated shortly, according to Madinah Governor Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, the prince emphasized the governorate’s determination to protect historic monuments and antiquities in the city. “We’ll do whatever we can with the support of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT),” he said, adding that it should be done with experts and professionals.
“We’ll renovate the pathway of the Prophet from his mosque to the Quba Mosque (the first mosque in Islamic history), as it will be paved and lighting provided,” the governor said. The project will be carried out quickly, preserving much of the pathways’ original shape, he added.
He revealed plans to develop some historical places in the region such as the battlegrounds at Badr and Uhud, old cities, remnants of volcanoes, the Hijrah Road and the ancient road from Kufa to Makkah, known as Darb Zubaida as part of efforts to promote tourism.
The prince said he opposed use of land by investors in Madinah’s central area for projects other than those agreed upon. “Some investors in the region have made mistakes as they sold land for carrying out projects that were not previously agreed upon. This cannot be justified and accepted. We will take back the land from such investors if they don’t follow the agreement,” the governor said.
Speaking about the new expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque, he said: “There is a proposal from Madinah people in this respect and it has yet to be presented to the higher authorities. It’s a strategic decision for the state and must come from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Prince Abdul Aziz said he would use the SR4.5 billion allocated by King Abdullah to carry out a number of vital projects in and around the Prophet’s Mosque. “We’ll expand the courtyard on the east of the mosque, equal to the courtyards on other sides, provide parking facilities for buses carrying pilgrims and taxis and construct additional lavatories and ablution facilities.”
Courtyards around the mosque will be provided with state-of-the-art sunshades and their underground parking lots will be linked to King Faisal Street by a tunnel.
Prince Abdul Aziz, who became governor three months ago, has many ambitions. “But I will not hurry in implementing them without giving enough time for studies,” he said. “Whatever we’ll do for Madinah will not be the end, but a new beginning. More development projects will be implemented to meet the needs of Madinah’s growing population and visitors,” he added.
The governor said the SCT was capable of educating Saudi society in order to promote a culture of tourism in the country. “Our main strategy will be to develop an awareness of tourism in Madinah to meet the requirements of visitors from around the world,” he added.
Prince Abdul Aziz does not favor the centralization of decisions, saying it would obstruct the activities of governorates. “It’s time the governorates were given wider powers in administering their regions,” he said.
