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MAKKAH: Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz recently inaugurated the Holy Qur’an Museum in Makkah’s Hira Cultural District.

Developed under the supervision of and with support from the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, the museum highlights the Qur’an as the primary source of guidance for Muslims and is designed to enrich the religious and cultural experience for both locals and visitors.

It is home to rare manuscripts, historical copies of the Qur’an and interactive displays that allow visitors to explore the journey of Qur’anic transcription and its preservation through history, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Spanning about 67,000 sq. meters, the Hira Cultural District is a focal point for those keen to experience the spirit and history of Makkah. Centered on Mount Hira, where the first revelation descended, it includes various facilities designed to enhance the religious and educational experience.

Among them is the Revelation Exhibition, which offers an interactive portrayal of the descent of revelation, and another that allows visitors to ascend to Hira Cave which was the scene of the revelation.

Among the artifacts on display are a photographed copy of the Qur’an manuscript of Uthman bin Affan and several ancient stone inscriptions of Qur’anic verses.

The project also incorporates the Saudi Coffee Museum, the Cultural Library and Hira Park.

The Holy Qur’an Museum will remain open throughout Ramadan.

RIYADH: The historic Al-Duwaid mosque in the Northern Borders region is among the places of worship undergoing restoration as part of a national project.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques focuses on preserving the building’s original Najdi architectural style, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The mosque is historically significant because of its location in Al-Duwaid village, which was a meeting point for traders from Najd and Iraq about 60 years ago.

The village is about 20 km from Rafha governorate and is the site of the remains of Souq Al-Mushahada, which still exist today.

The restoration will expand the area of the mosque from 137 sq. meters to 156 sq. meters, using high-quality materials and built according to traditional standards, setting it apart from modern structures.

After prayers at the site were suspended in years past, the SPA reported that the refurbished mosque will be able to accommodate 54 worshippers.

Al-Duwaid mosque was built 60 years ago using mud construction techniques and natural materials, renowned for their adaptation to the local environment and the hot desert climate.

The project will preserve techniques such as small square openings, strategically placed on the southern side to face the sunlight. These openings form a continuous strip along the mosque’s walls, allowing sunlight in while reducing the intake of cold air.

The mosque’s design features a low ceiling to retain warmth during the winter.

The crown prince’s project aims to balance traditional and modern construction standards to ensure the sustainability of historic mosques, according to the SPA.

Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the work.

Phase two of the crown prince’s project follows the successful completion of phase one in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions of the Kingdom.