JEDDAH: Dr. Fayez Saleh Jamal, the head of an initiative called “Mouad,” said that it sought to strengthen the identity of Makkah, and take care of the historical and archaeological monuments in the holy city.

“One of the most important projects for the initiative is to restore the area known as ‘Souq Al-Mudaei’ within the plans of the project to develop the eastern courtyards of the Grand Mosque,” he said to a local publication.

He said the idea of restoration came out because the market is the oldest in Makkah and the need to restore and develop it was realized. He pointed out that the consent and approval of the authorities came against the backdrop that such an idea would not contradict any of the expansion projects. “On the contrary, this initiative will promote and improve the blessed expansion projects,” he said.

He said the initiative was welcomed and met with much encouragement and support by all official and private authorities, especially the Makkah governorate, in addition to the Makkah Development Authority, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the Haj and Umrah Research Institute and the company carrying out the project.

“All concerned bodies expressed the desire during our joint meetings that the initiative be a civil benchmark for all other projects involving historical and archaeological landmarks in Makkah, and to make use of expertise of its staff in this vital area.”

According to historians, the Souq Al-Mudaei dates back 1,000 years and its restoration will maintain one of the Prophet’s Paths.

“It is the end of the path of the Prophet, peace be upon him, on the great day of victory and opening of the city where the Prophet put the banner. Later the Al-Rayyah Mosque was built which the initiative demands to re-build in order to strengthen the identity of Makkah, and further manage and organize the movement of crowds, and provide requirements for the health and security services offered to the guests and pilgrims,” he said.

Mahir bin Saleh Jamal, chairman of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), confirmed to the publication that the initiative launched was aimed at preserving the identity of commercial and heritage areas.

“On every trip abroad we hear people who visited Makkah say that they only met workers in the area and they would like to meet ordinary people. The relationship, according to their sayings, could not become material without the human touch and the family connections they used to feel which linked the different generations of families working together with the local Makkah merchants and international ones from all over the Islamic world,” said Jamal.

He said the presence of Saudi merchants in their shops accompanied by their children led to the development of trade and business and relations between the local merchants and those from all over the Islamic world.

“This was one of the important roles of Makkah in ancient times and this role can be revived today and will contribute to the nationalization of jobs of merchants in the area surrounding the Grand Mosque,” he said.

He said MCCI had adopted the initiative of Mouad and would seek to expand it with the cooperation of other concerned authorities.