Unearthing the story behind Asir’s Al-Meger Palace

Al-Meger Palace’s interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations. (Supplied)
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Al-Meger Palace’s interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 August 2024
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Unearthing the story behind Asir’s Al-Meger Palace

Unearthing the story behind Asir’s Al-Meger Palace
  • From Al-Namas to Nablus, Mohammed Al-Meger’s journey led him to create a museum of rare artifacts

RIYADH: One man’s labor of love and passion, Al-Meger Palace nestled in Asir’s Al-Namas governorate, tells the story of history, tradition, and the beauty that is born out of resilience and hardship.

The museum is home to some of the oldest manuscripts from Islamic history, including 60 volumes from the era of the Prophet Muhammad, and thousands of handwritten manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an.




Al-Meger Palace’s interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations. (Supplied)

Speaking about how he acquired the manuscripts for the museum, Mohammed Al-Meger told Arab News: “People from all around the country, especially the south, sold me historical manuscripts of great significance.”

The palace is a convergence of world cultures, meticulously curated by Al-Meger. Its interiors bear thousands of Islamic motifs and its walls are saturated with architectural details of Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations.

My interest sparked when I was in Jerusalem marveling at the amalgamation of different styles of architecture from different periods of time.

Mohammed Al-Meger, Museum founder

“The construction of Al-Meger Palace was no small feat, taking a staggering 35 years to complete and costing SR80 million ($21.3 million) to build,” he said.

With over 2 million stones sourced from the surrounding Asir region, the palace stands as a beacon of local architectural heritage. Al-Meger transformed a barren land populated by wildlife into an exquisite palace perched 2,400 meters above sea level.




This palace also bears thousands of Islamic decorations and contains more than a thousand hand-written manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an. (Supplied)

“My journey to creating the palace was fueled by a powerful discovery — a supplication manuscript penned by my father before his untimely passing,” he said.

This poignant relic became the guiding force behind his quest to immortalize his family's legacy through the palace, starting with collecting manuscripts.




The palace stands as a beacon of architectural wonder with over 2 million natural stones sourced from the surrounding region. (Supplied)

Orphaned at a young age, he faced challenges in his education, but Al-Meger persevered, spurred on by the memory of his late parents who were esteemed intellectuals. The palace is now part of the heritage village he built where tourists can stay.

“One of the most striking features of Al-Meger Palace is its astronomical design, which allows the sun to trace a complete circle around the palace through its myriad windows,” he explained. “Sunlight streams into the palace from over 360 windows, facilitating the observation of the sun’s path within the structure.”

The seven domes that crown it symbolize the continents of the world, a reminder of global unity and interconnectedness. Inside, more than 365 columns stand tall, representing the days in a year and fostering a sense of timelessness.

The walls of Al-Meger Palace are also steeped in the rich history of the Umayyad and Abbasid civilizations, creating a visual tapestry that weaves together centuries of cultural legacy.

As visitors roam its hallowed halls, they are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery, with each artifact being a testament to the enduring spirit of human creativity and ingenuity.

“Tourists can see a collection of ancient Islamic texts covering a range of subjects such as medicine, mathematics, and astronomy,” he noted.

Al-Meger said that scholars and historians have marveled at the architectural ingenuity of the palace, along with its rare manuscripts.

The museum’s collection includes the oldest manuscript penned by Jamal Al-Din Ibn Tumert Al-Andalusi from 720 AD, indicating that Arabs took up chemistry and physics. “The minister of culture sent a Chinese and French delegation with equipment to document and prove its authenticity,” said Al-Meger.

The cultural marvel’s success is born out the difficulties Al-Meger faced to achieve academic success.  

“I grew up without parents and attended school for three years before being expelled. I chose to care for village animals and relied on their milk for sustenance,” Al-Meger added, noting that he cared for the villagers’ sheep in Al-Namas until visiting his uncle in Tabuk at age 14.

His parents’ friends influenced him greatly as a child and he was told they were scholarly and intellectual.

Al-Meger said: “I told my uncle that I am willing to attend any school that accepts me and so I left for Nablus, Palestine. I didn’t spend a single penny (on) it as all the people of Nablus honored me and hosted me better than any of their children.”

When Al-Meger failed yet again, he moved to Jerusalem and a family took him in and enrolled him in Terra Sancta College. He wanted to become a doctor but failed once more.

“My interest sparked when I was in Jerusalem marveling at the amalgamation of different styles of architecture resembling different periods do time,” he recalled.

Back in Saudi Arabia, he joined the military and gained an interest in learning English and French: “I ranked ninth among 202 students in an officers’ course selection process and King Faisal awarded me my first certificate as a lieutenant after completing my training.”

He was then sent to the US. “After that, during my travels to Europe, I happened to pass by Spain and Andalusia and (learned about) the Islamic civilization there.

“Then I took a vacation and took a tour from the US to the Philippines and Indonesia, looking for a homeland to live in … I did not mean to return to Saudi Arabia.”

But fate brought Al-Meger back home and he decided to visit his hometown of Al-Namas once more.

Al-Meger visited the site his palace is now perched upon, describing it as one of the most beautiful sites he had seen in the world.

“I took a trip to India, Pakistan, and the Philippines and found 20 talented builders to bring my vision to life,” he added.

Upon its final opening in 2009, Al-Meger Palace captured the attention of visitors with its unique blend of world cultures, rare manuscripts, and breathtaking Andalusian architecture.

Today, Al-Meger Palace serves as a tangible reminder not just of its historical significance, but also of resilience amid challenges and hardships.

 


Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy

Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy
Updated 7 sec ago
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Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy

Historic market in Madinah fuels local economy

RIYADH: Madinah’s central market is a key shopping destination, supplying thousands of stores and acting as a logistics hub with hundreds of trucks delivering local and imported goods.

This vibrant hub continues Madinah’s long-standing commercial heritage, dating back to the time of Prophet Muhammad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Madinah has historically been a thriving commercial center, hosting famous markets offering textiles, gold, dates, and other goods for residents, pilgrims, and Umrah performers.

Covering 160,000 square meters, the market meets the city’s growing needs, housing more than 1,100 shops, storage yards for agricultural products, cold storage spaces, and areas for displaying fruits and vegetables.

It also includes parking for refrigerator trucks, ensuring efficient handling and display of fresh produce, SPA reported.

This infrastructure allows the central market to circulate large quantities of fruits and vegetables, maintaining competitive prices under the Madinah municipality’s supervision.


New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia

New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia
Updated 11 min 22 sec ago
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New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia

New technology to purify drinking water will be expanded in Saudi Arabia
  • Stockholm Water Technology has signed an agreement with Saudi company DRC-ChemTec to implement the technology over the next four years

RIYADH: New technology to purify drinking water using an electrical charge will be expanded in Saudi Arabia after an agreement to increase its use over the next four years.

The capacitive deionization technology will be used to treat around 3,500 cubic meters of water per day and provide clean drinking water.

Stockholm Water Technology has signed an agreement with Saudi company DRC-ChemTec to implement the technology over the next four years.

The Swedish company has also put forward a proposal to use the technology to treat wastewater in the Kingdom so that it can be used for agriculture.

The company said in a statement that this proposal includes a plan to remove micropollutants such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals from treated wastewater.

By passing an electrical current through water, the technology removes contaminants without the need for membrane filters or chemical treatment.

Currently, Saudi Arabia primarily uses two forms of desalination to provide clean drinking water: thermal desalination and reverse osmosis.

Thermal desalination uses fossil fuels to heat and evaporate seawater and collect the clean condensation, while reverse osmosis passes water through a filter-like membrane to remove contaminants.

Capacitive deionization has the potential to minimize waste and reduce energy consumption in water purification.

“Saudi Arabia’s water treatment market is at the forefront of sustainable practices, driven by the urgent need for clean, safe water across industries and a growing focus on water recycling and reuse,” said Karthik Laxman, CEO of Stockholm Water Technology, in a statement.

Husam Aljarba, strategic business development director at DRC-ChemTec, added: “DRC foresees strong growth in the residential and industrial segments, where the flexibility of SWT water treatment systems will provide unique value to customers.”

The Swedish company will supply 1,750 of its systems and will initially focus on providing drinking water. It will then expand into industrial and municipal wastewater treatment.

DRC-ChemTec will install and service the technology and manufacture associated parts, strengthening local production capacity.

Desalination accounts for around 75 percent of Saudi Arabia’s water supply, with the Kingdom producing more than 13.2 million cubic meters per day.


‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr

‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr
Updated 31 March 2025
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‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr

‘Makkah Greets Us’ 3rd edition launched to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr
  • Activities focus on Islamic culture and historical landmarks

MAKKAH: A wide range of activities await both local people and visitors to the Hira cultural district of Makkah.

“Makkah Greets Us” takes place from March 31 to April 5 — the second day of Eid Al-Fitr until the seventh of the month of Shawwal.

Organized by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the event features a diverse range of recreational, cultural, and heritage activities suitable for people of all ages.

It aims to “strengthen community bonds, highlight the historical and cultural significance of Makkah, and provide a unique entertainment environment for families and children,” reported the Saudi Press Agency.

“Makkah Greets Us” will include cultural and entertainment activities with a focus on Islamic culture and historical landmarks, along with traditional folklore performances, and will be presented in 26 languages.

The event is open to the public and is free of charge.


Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources

Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources
Updated 31 March 2025
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Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources

Trump’s Saudi visit planned for mid-May: Axios sources
  • The Kingdom would be the US President’s first international destination since taking office in January

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is planning to visit Saudi Arabia in mid-May on his first foreign trip of his second term, Axios reported on Sunday, citing two US officials and a source with knowledge of the president's travel.
Saudi Arabia has been taking a more prominent role in US foreign policy. The country has hosted talks between the US and Russia and Ukraine as Trump seeks a ceasefire to the war and the White House has singled out the country as a possible participant in the Abraham Accords.

Trump said earlier this month he would likely make his first trip abroad to Saudi Arabia. He said on March 6 he would probably travel there in the next month and a half. He noted the first overseas trip of his first term was to Riyadh in 2017.

One source said April 28 was discussed as a potential date for the visit but was postponed, while an official and a source familiar said the current plan is for Trump to travel to Saudi Arabia in mid-May, according to Axios.

The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while no official announcement or confirmation was made from the Saudi side regarding the potential dates of the visit.


Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans

Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans
Updated 30 March 2025
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Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans

Saudi interior minister praises success of security, military plans
  • The minister expressed the leadership’s appreciation for all security sectors for their exceptional efforts and dedication

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to employees of the ministry on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

The minister expressed the leadership’s appreciation for all security sectors for their exceptional efforts and dedication, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

In a meeting with senior ministry officials and security sector commanders in Makkah, Prince Abdulaziz emphasized that the support and continuous guidance from the leadership played a major role in the successful execution of security and military plans, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for Umrah performers and worshippers.