Saudi Arabia’s Ithra Islamic Art Conference examines history of mosques

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Updated 27 November 2021
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Saudi Arabia’s Ithra Islamic Art Conference examines history of mosques

  • Using recent studies, experts discuss how 3.5m mosques around the world will transform with time

DHAHRAN: For thousands of years, mosques have served as sacred ground for Muslims around the world. But there is more than meets the eye, with Ithra’s Islamic Art Conference examining the deeper meaning and spiritual effects that mosques have on their communities.

The conference is a collaboration between the Abdullatif Al-Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture and Ithra, a leading destination for art and culture.




(AN photos by Huda Bashatah)

It was held from Nov. 24-25, and involved many perspectives, covered several themes and included studies by a group of elite speakers from around the world.

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Items and pieces originally from the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah on loan from the National Museum in Riyadh, 84 works from the Museum of Islamic Arts in Cairo under the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities, and 34 objects from Ithra’s collection are showcased.

Ashraf Fagih, head of the programs division at Ithra, told Arab News: “We have philosophers, historians, the museum board of trustees and thinkers all discussing the different aspects of the mosque, not only as a building, but as a living entity which has been a vital part of human civilization since the dawn of Islam.

“When we talk about the objects, we talk about the tangible and intangible parts of the mosque, crafts, endowments, schools of thought and opinions that revolved around the mosque as a living entity. All of that is an essential and crucial part of our identity, not only as Muslims and Arabs, but as global citizens,” he added.

Using recent studies, Abdullah Al-Rashid, director of Ithra, discussed the mosque of the future, outlining its shape and function, and discussing how the 3.5 million mosques around the world will transform with time.

Al-Rashid announced that Ithra is launching a competition related to mosques that will focus on university students. As part of the event, organizers will gather an array of specialists from universities across the Kingdom and collect Saudi youth opinion, creative ideas and visions of future mosques.

The conference facilitates a more profound discussion and a crucial understanding of the historical development of mosques, with a particular focus on Islamic art and the preservation and revitalization of culture.

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Its six themes were the evolution of the mosque, beauty, and function of mosque objects, mosque aesthetics, traditional architecture, and the preservation and revival of the mosque from mosque to museum.

One of the outstanding abstracts presented during the first day of the conference was the sonorous audible mosque, a new perspective on Islamic architecture by Michael Frishkopf, professor of ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta in Canada.

Frishkopf told Arab News: “Architecture is for life. It is to be used by people, and people live in social arrangements. In the case of the mosque, there is a spiritual relationship which involves sounds. It is critical for social life, and because of speech and expression, it conveys emotions. So I called the mosque a sonorous object, which is much closer to the spiritual function of the mosque than the visual.

“The root of the word masjid (Arabic for mosque) is sojood, which is the act of prostration. It is a postural sonic act, so a mosque goes away behind the idea of a building, and if we look at the spiritual essence of the mosque, we should focus on prostration. As when the forehead touches the ground the visual field is blocked but the ears are open,” Frishkopf added.

The discussions featured in the conference show the value through time of mosques should be preserved and integrated into the future.

Under the theme of the revival of mosque arts, Minwar Al-Meheid, a Jordanian project manager with a particular emphasis on architectural engineering and design, discussed the Minbar of Saladin at Al-Aqsa Mosque, the most famous Islamic pulpit in design, industry and art, and how it was made with inlaid wood and carved ivory, and crafted with ornamentation and inscriptions by skilled craftsmen.




(AN photos by Huda Bashatah)

This shed light on great efforts made across the Arab world to create a substitute minbar, which would revive the remains of the original pulpit that was burned to ashes in a 1969 incident. The new version was reconstructed in Jordan by Turkish and Asian craftsmen and woodworkers, and was then relocated to Al-Aqsa Mosque. Al-Meheid said that the delicate nature of geometry in Islamic art also applies to the ancient mosque and its value.

Shatr Al-Masjid: The art of orientation

Farah Abushullaih, the head of museum at Ithra, told Arab News: “There is an increased interest in and recognition of Islamic art and culture globally, but Ithra’s research has identified established misconceptions and perceptions in this field. The complementing exhibition, “Shatr Al-Masjid: The art of orientation,” the first of its kind in the world, addresses this gap in knowledge and understanding of the significant impact, history and culture around this topic.”

Showcasing mosque aesthetics, evolution and function, the exhibit brings together the most extensive collection of Islamic art masterpieces ever displayed in the Kingdom in unprecedented partnerships on a global and national level. It features several pieces from the greatest Islamic dynasties, from the Ayyubids and Fatimids to the Mamluks and Ottomans, covering different styles and periods over 1,000 years of history.




Visitors were given the honor of participating in weaving part of the Kiswah located over the black stone. The section will be placed later this year, using raw silk threads and silver wire coated with gold water. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Items and pieces originally from the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah on loan from the National Museum in Riyadh, 84 works from the Museum of Islamic Arts in Cairo under the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities, and 34 objects from Ithra’s collection are showcased.

The exhibit also showcases 10 3D models of ancient mosques from around the world displayed in a sequenced timeline, starting with Thee Prophet’s Mosque. It also shows how other mosques are inspired by their structure, function and architecture.

Dr. Sami Angawi, founder and director of the Hajj Research Center, which he established in 1975, is one of the leading researchers who helped to reach the final result of the 3D modeling of The Prophet’s Mosque in the era of Prophet Muhammad, which is displayed in the exhibition.




(AN photos by Huda Bashatah)

“I have been searching and working in Makkah and Madinah for the last 40 years. We have cooperated with Ithra in making this particular model of The Prophet’s Mosque,” Angawi told Arab News.

“Dealing with Makkah and Madinah’s mosques and reconstructing them to be showed in virtual reality through time and place is of huge significance, as we are trying to turn what is documented in books into visual reality. This is one of the results which was conducted with Ithra and we have many other things we are working on,” he added.

The exhibit uses four techniques to enhance and enrich the visitor experience: Audio guides, screens, interactive timelines and virtual reality headsets that showcase five mosques around the world. Once a visitor wears the headset, they will be taken on a tour through the mosques, which gives non-Muslims the chance to feel and walk through the Two Holy Mosques.

Abdullah Alkadi, a professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Dammam, told Arab News that tried to find links between astrolabe and GPS devices as part of his research for the exhibition. “I focused on time and space because everything, every transaction in the world falls between these two aspects,” he said.




(AN photos by Huda Bashatah)

“I was also trying to link that with GPS and with old instruments used in the past such as an astrolabe. I was trying to show how the astrolabe was introduced for the last several centuries. It was a navigating system where people can easily know time and directions and they also have used it to determine prayer time, so here lies the connection between the ancient tool and the new technology of GPS. Place and time can be utilized, analyzed and linked to many things from the past, present and future,” he added.

The Art of Masjid

On the sidelines of the Conference, an exhibit titled “The Art of Masjid” showcased contemporary works related to mosques from around the world through collaborations with Turquoise Mountain. The exhibition highlights calligraphy and architectural ornaments, including panels, furniture, prayer mats and more.

The King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswah also took part in the three-day conference, exhibiting tools used for washing the Holy Kaaba, as well as some antiquities, a 3D model of Maqam Ibrahim and more.

Visitors were given the honor of participating in weaving part of Kiswah located over the black stone. The section will be placed later this year, using raw silk threads and silver wire coated with gold water.

Abushullaih said: “Ithra takes the conversation into communities with an outreach project, where the public can share their photos and stories for publication on Ithra’s platform. The combined information from the exhibitions and conference represents the importance of learning, disciplinary development, and the preservation of mosques and cultural heritage.”


Iranian consul general commends Saudi Arabia for smooth pilgrim departure

Updated 6 sec ago
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Iranian consul general commends Saudi Arabia for smooth pilgrim departure

  • Smooth procedures reflect the care for pilgrims by the Kingdom and its leadership
  • Services provided to Iranian pilgrims confirm the Kingdom’s consistent respect for all nations

RIYADH: Consul General of Iran in Jeddah Hassan Zarnegar praised the organization and facilities provided to Iranian pilgrims during their departure via Arar airport and the Jadidat Arar border crossing in the Northern Borders region.

He said the smooth procedures reflect the care for pilgrims by the Kingdom and its leadership, and demonstrate attention to pilgrims from all countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Zarnegar added: “The streamlined procedures — from disembarkation and swift passport processing to organized bus transfers — reflect efficient pilgrim management.”

He said that the services provided to Iranian pilgrims confirm the Kingdom’s consistent respect for all nations.

He added that Saudi-Iranian relations are rooted in religious and neighborly ties, and the care shown to Iranian pilgrims reflects this spirit of brotherhood.

On behalf of himself and the Iranian ambassador, Zarnegar expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their care and support, provided as part of an integrated system.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Border Guards Maj. Gen. Shaya Al-Wadaani inspected the work of personnel at the Jadidat Arar border crossing and monitored services supporting pilgrims’ departure after Hajj.

Al-Wadaani reviewed the procedures facilitating Iranian pilgrims’ exit, following directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure proper services and support.

He confirmed that the Border Guard has mobilized all resources, in coordination with relevant authorities, to deliver the best services and ensure a smooth departure process.


Hazaa plant flourishes in Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts

Updated 47 min 30 sec ago
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Hazaa plant flourishes in Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts

  • Due to its ability to handle high levels of drought and salinity, Hazaa has proved its ability to survive in difficult climatic conditions
  • Plant is known for its captivating aroma, and reaches a height of approximately 35 centimeters

RIYADH: Despite the harsh desert climate in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders province, native plants have found a way not only to survive but to thrive.

Among the local flora is the Hazaa plant, known scientifically as Ducrosia anethifolia.

The plant is native to the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is part of the Apiaceae family of plants, which includes crops and medicinal plants, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Due to its ability to handle high levels of drought and salinity, Hazaa has proved its ability to survive in difficult climatic conditions.

The plant is known for its captivating aroma, and reaches a height of approximately 35 centimeters.

In addition, its unique appearance comes from its long, oval-shaped gray-green leaves that have sharp points, making the plant easily recognizable among other plants in the wild.

Along with its pleasant smell, the plant produces small, light yellow, umbrella-like flowers during the flowering season, with 12 to 18 flowers on each stem.

The Northern Borders region is also home to other plant species, including Reseda alba, Salsola tetrandra shrubs and lavender.


Kingdom adds 5,969 architectural heritage sites to national register

Updated 23 June 2025
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Kingdom adds 5,969 architectural heritage sites to national register

  • Total is now 34,171, reflecting the cultural richness, diversity of all regions
  • Sites are added to digital maps for easier management, protection and preservation

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission has registered 5,969 new architectural heritage sites in the National Register of Architectural Heritage, bringing the total to 34,171.

These sites reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom’s regions, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The newly registered sites are: 3,893 in Asir, 761 in Qassim, 499 in Baha, 483 in Makkah, 258 in Riyadh, 60 in Hail, eight in Jazan, four in Jouf, and three in the Eastern Province.

The commission said its registration efforts are ongoing and cover all regions. The process is based on heritage regulations and follows a board decision authorizing the commission’s CEO to register sites.

The initiative aims to protect heritage sites from encroachment or neglect and ensure their preservation for future generations, the SPA reported.

Registering new sites is part of a broader effort to identify, document and manage cultural sites. The sites are added to digital maps for easier management, protection and preservation. A comprehensive database is being built, including documentation and photographic archives.

The commission encouraged citizens and enthusiasts to report urban heritage sites through its reporting platform, X account, or regional branches. It also praised public awareness and participation in preserving national heritage.

Last week, the commission also announced the addition of 744 new archeological sites to the National Antiquities Register, raising the total to 10,061.

The new archeological sites are distributed as follows: Riyadh (253), Madinah (167), Najran (86), Tabuk (72), Asir (64), Qassim (30), Jazan (23), Eastern Province (13), Hail (13), Makkah (11), Jouf (10). and Northern Borders (2).


Saudi royal reserve tightens entry, picnic rules

Updated 23 June 2025
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Saudi royal reserve tightens entry, picnic rules

  • Updates aim to protect the environment, vegetation, and wildlife while encouraging ecotourism through public excursions and outdoor activities
  • Visitors can access the reserve daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with prior authorization via the authority’s website

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has updated entry and picnic regulations for the Al-Suman and Al-Dahna areas within the location. 

The updates aim to protect the environment, vegetation, and wildlife while encouraging ecotourism through public excursions and outdoor activities.

Visitors can access the reserve daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with prior authorization via the authority’s website, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. 

Permit requests must be submitted at least two days in advance and include visitor details, companion information, vehicle type, and a commitment to follow environmental rules. 

Registered residents of administrative centers within the reserve are exempt from this requirement, the SPA added. 

The authority stressed the importance of complying with regulations, including bans on hunting, wood gathering, open fires, driving over vegetation, littering, noise, visual pollution, and any other harmful activities. 

These measures aim to limit environmental damage, especially in ecologically rich areas showing notable recovery in recent years. 

The update aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for royal reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to protect recent environmental gains and promote wildlife and plant growth in thriving basins and meadows.


How Saudi child life specialists are supporting young patients

Updated 23 June 2025
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How Saudi child life specialists are supporting young patients

  • Emerging field focuses on welfare of children undergoing medical treatment
  • Specialists aim to reduce anxiety by using play, educating patients

RIYADH: When a 9-year-old boy recovering from a kidney transplant refused to turn on the lights or speak to anyone, a child life specialist entered his room and comforted him by playing in the dark. Weeks later, she watched him take his first steps to recovery, both physically and emotionally.

Raghad Al-Salamah, among the first Saudis to work in the child life field, said the genre plays an important role in preparing children and families for the experience of hospitalization.

She told Arab News: “The main focus of child life is helping families and children cope with their hospitalization and cope with their negative experiences.”

Child life specialists provide support tailored to the child’s age and emotional needs, aiming to reduce anxiety through preparation and play-based methods.

Their work includes explaining medical procedures in ways children can understand while creating a more supportive environment in clinical settings.

Al-Salamah said that, over time, the effect of child life services becomes visible in how children approach their treatment.

She said: “I see the impact during hospitalization: I see that in their eyes, I see how they are, how excited they are I’m here, and how they are coping with their illness … And how they are taking their medication, going through their procedure.

“Sometimes they are doing some procedure with no sedation. So, I really see the impact in the eyes of children and their families.”

Al-Salamah added that some families and healthcare providers still confused the role of child life specialists with other professions in the hospital.

She added: “Some of the families, and healthcare providers, don’t understand what child life is and what it’s doing, so they always mix us up with a play therapist or with a social worker or even with a psychologist.”

Child life specialist Raghad Al-Salamah from Abdulrahman’s Oasis speaks with Arab News. (Screengrab)

She explained how specialists work to educate children about the treatment they will receive, helping them cope with any difficulties. 

A study titled “Reducing Anesthesia and Healthcare Cost Through Utilization of Child Life Specialists in Pediatric Radiation Oncology” found that the presence of certified child life specialists reduced the need for anesthesia by 16 percent among children undergoing radiotherapy.

Another study, “Benefits of a Family-Centered Approach to Pediatric Induction of Anesthesia,” found that when a family-centered model including child life specialists was used, the need for sedation before procedures dropped from 41 percent to 13 percent.

Al-Salamah said she was drawn to the field to prioritize children’s experience in healthcare, adding: “I always was concerned, and had questions regarding the child who had the diagnosis and would live his life with the diagnosis.

“I was always focusing on educating the children and preparing them for their diagnosis and what they would be going through while they were here in the hospital.”

Expanding the role of child life specialists, Al-Salamah said, could strengthen the overall hospital experience for patients and healthcare teams.

“Most hospitals need to begin integrating child life specialists into their programs,” she said. “It has an impact not only on the children, but also on their families and the healthcare teams. It helps everyone in the hospital.”

While child life remains relatively new in Saudi Arabia, the field is gradually being integrated into pediatric care.

Fadi Munshi, executive director of Abdulrahman’s Oasis, the child life foundation in the Kingdom, said that at the early stages of implementation, many people, including healthcare staff, were unfamiliar with its role.

Munshi told Arab News: “We had to raise awareness and explain how emotional and psychological safety support can make a big difference in a child’s healing.”

Munshi said the response from institutions had been encouraging, and added: “Today, two main hospitals have child life teams, and staff often say they cannot imagine going back. Doctors, nurses and families all notice how children are more relaxed and cooperative during procedures.

“Their experience during the hospital stay is more positive, which eventually helps everyone in the healthcare system.”

He said some hospitals had already made significant progress in implementing these services, while others were continuing to build awareness and training capacity.

“We hope that every hospital in the future (can have these services) and this is one of our main goals: that every single child in Saudi Arabia in every hospital can have this care in the future,” Munshi said.

He added that many families had reported improvements in how their children handled their treatment, and said: “Families often tell us their child is less afraid, more comfortable. They ask specifically for the child life team to be present during some stressful painful procedures.”

Fahd Al-Thunayan, the chairman of Abdulrahman’s Oasis, said child life services played a vital role in improving hospital environments for young patients.

He told Arab News: “Everyone knows the fear and anxiety that comes with entering a hospital — how much more (is it) for a child who doesn’t understand many things?”

Child life specialists help create a more humane treatment environment, he said, using various methods to ease pain and provide emotional support.

He added: “The result is a child who is more comfortable, cooperative and less stressed, which reflects positively on faster recovery and better quality of life in the hospital.”

Al-Thunayan said the foundation continues to support efforts aimed at expanding access to the services across the Kingdom, and added: “We aspire for every hospitalized child to have access to child life specialists who support them psychologically and socially, just as they are treated physically.”