Historical miniature paintings depict Holy Mosques before expansion

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Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (REUTERS file photo)
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Updated 12 February 2024
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Historical miniature paintings depict Holy Mosques before expansion

  • Murshid said that black and white as well as colored drawings of the Two Holy Mosques reveal many architectural elements featured in Islamic architecture, namely the Kaaba, minarets, domes, interior space, pulpits, lanterns, Maqam Ibrahim, arches, doors

MAKKAH: Throughout Islamic history, art has played a pivotal role in capturing cultural development and marking important moments in time.

The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings owned by Omar Murshid, a Saudi enthusiast in Islamic civilization and arts, offer a glimpse into the past, before the expansions of the sites.

Murshid said that the paintings in his possession showcase the evolution of Islamic architecture — in tandem with the emergence of Islamic statehood — and its contribution to civilization and artistic imagination.




The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings offer a glimpse in to the past, before the expansions of the sites. (Supplied)

Speaking about the diversity of the art forms of the time, he said: “When talking about arts, namely Islamic arts, we talk about wide and various types of art, including drawings, decorations, Arabic calligraphy, interwoven geometric decorations, sword hilts, shields, ornaments, walls of mosques, domes and even graphics coupled with texts. Paper making — a widespread process in the Abbasid era — had a positive impact on arts and calligraphy.”

Noting some of the prominent artists of the past, he added: “Yahya Al-Wasiti was a painter who excelled in these arts and whose name was prominently featured in the Islamic heritage in the mid-13th century. Other books including miniature paintings were also featured after Kalila wa-Dimna, namely the book of songs by Abu Al-Faraj Al-Isfahani.”

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• The historic artworks also feature residential houses and city walls, surrounded by geographical elements of mountains and palm trees.

• Arabic calligraphy and Qur’anic verses are also featured in some paintings.

Miniature paintings are pictures drawn and decorated on paper in different sizes, Murshid said. These paintings reveal the literary, scientific, social, or architectural context of the period. There are various schools of miniature paintings, including the Baghdadi, Mongol-Timurid and Mamluk schools.




The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings offer a glimpse in to the past, before the expansions of the sites. (Supplied)

Some miniature paintings, he added, document “the architectural and civilizational aspects of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah through pilgrims who performed their Hajj and Umrah rituals and visited the Prophet’s Mosque.”

Murshid said that black and white as well as colored drawings of the Two Holy Mosques reveal many architectural elements featured in Islamic architecture, namely the Kaaba, minarets, domes, interior space, pulpits, lanterns, Maqam Ibrahim, arches, doors and more.

The works also feature residential houses and city walls, surrounded by geographical elements of mountains and palm trees. Arabic calligraphy and Qur’anic verses are also featured in some.

Murshid said that miniature paintings are “works of art characterized by the abundance of details, beautiful decorations, and finely outlined shapes showing the aspects of life, religious rituals and architecture of the Two Holy Mosques from an Islamic point of view.”

 


Islamic coalition launches training program in Comoros

Updated 6 sec ago
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Islamic coalition launches training program in Comoros

  • Organized by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, the initiative is part of the organization’s broader intellectual strategy
  • Comoros Defense Minister Youssoufa Mohamed Ali reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the coalition in combating extremism and eradicating terrorism

RIYADH: A new training program, “Building the Capacity of Imams and Preachers,” has been launched in Moroni, Comoros, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Organized by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, the initiative is part of the organization’s broader intellectual strategy.

Comoros Defense Minister Youssoufa Mohamed Ali reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the coalition in combating extremism and eradicating terrorism.

He highlighted the coalition’s key role, particularly its focus on intellectual engagement, and said the program’s launch was a significant step forward.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi, the coalition’s secretary-general from Saudi Arabia, said the initiative was part of a wider effort involving 15 strategic programs across four areas — intellectual development, media, counter-terrorism financing and military operations.

Recently, the coalition held specialized training on combating terrorist financing in Bamako, Mali. The program aimed to strengthen national capacity to counter terrorist financing and money laundering.


MWL chief, UK speaker hold talks on social unity, countering hate speech

MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa meets with UK House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in London.
Updated 1 min 39 sec ago
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MWL chief, UK speaker hold talks on social unity, countering hate speech

  • Two officials highlighted importance of combating hate speech, discrimination and exclusion — especially when stemming from influential legal or institutional sources

LONDON: Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa met UK House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in London.

They discussed the foundations of social cohesion in religiously and ethnically diverse societies, highlighting mutual respect and the need for legislation that protects national unity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The two officials highlighted the importance of combating hate speech, discrimination and exclusion — especially when stemming from influential legal or institutional sources.

Al-Issa said that the vast majority of Muslims in Britain show strong religious and national awareness. He added that discordant voices are isolated cases that reflect individual views, not the values of Islam.

Separately, the UK parliament hosted Al-Issa for a side meeting at its London headquarters, organized by several members of parliament and attended by the speaker.

Talks focused on enhancing integration and harmony in British society, fighting extremism and hatred, and showcasing the league’s efforts to build bridges between civilizations and promote mutual understanding.


Chinese pianist to mentor young Saudi musicians

Updated 19 min 56 sec ago
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Chinese pianist to mentor young Saudi musicians

  • Set to take place at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh, the month-long program begins on June 29 and will host more than 30 students
  • Program represents a major step in transforming music education in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Music Commission has launched the Kingdom’s first summer piano program, in collaboration with renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Set to take place at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh, the month-long program begins on June 29 and will host more than 30 students from across Saudi Arabia.

It aims to enhance participants’ technical and artistic skills through a comprehensive curriculum, including individual lessons, group classes, hands-on training, and live interactive sessions — all led by distinguished academics and music professionals.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of the commission, said: “This initiative marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of music education in the Kingdom. By partnering with world-class international educators we are not only nurturing the next generation of Saudi talent but also expanding the horizons of our cultural ambitions.”

The program represents a major step in transforming music education in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the commission’s vision to enrich artistic learning and build a strong national talent ecosystem, the SPA added.


Jouf’s historic wells tell timeless stories 

Updated 51 min 37 sec ago
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Jouf’s historic wells tell timeless stories 

  • Historical water sources, once vital for survival, were built using natural, locally sourced materials at no financial cost
  • Salma’s Well in Sakaka stands out as an educational site for young people

RIYADH: In the heart of the Jouf region, the timeless craft of stone building and the use of palm trunks and fronds have revitalized its ancient wells. 

These historical water sources, once vital for survival, were built using natural, locally sourced materials at no financial cost, a Saudi Press Agency report said recently. 

Among them, Salma’s Well in Sakaka stands out as an educational site for young people. It showcases traditional extraction methods and how locals secured drinking water and irrigated their farms.

Heritage expert Ahmed Al-Arfaj said that the wells are made of sandstone, palm trunks, and fronds. Each features key elements: a water distribution channel, a collection basin, and a circular stone to control water flow. 

Essential tools at the wellhead include a rope and pulley, once used to raise and lower a water bucket. Historically, locals used livestock — such as camels and cows — to extract water, with animals pulling the rope.

This practice changed in the 1980s with the introduction of generators, which made the process more efficient, the SPA reported. 

Today, Salma’s Well stands as a vibrant symbol of Jouf’s heritage, drawing visitors eager to explore the stories of these ancient wells and experience the region’s rich history.


Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire between Iran and Israel

Updated 24 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire between Iran and Israel

  • Kingdom thanks US President Donald Trump for helping to make the deal

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran on Tuesday morning.

In a statement on X, the ministry affirmed its position of wanting a de-escalation after 11 days of war and thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts in making the deal.

“The Kingdom looks forward to the coming period witnessing a commitment from all parties to calm down and refrain from using force or threatening to use it,” read the statement.

Saudi Arabia hopes “this agreement will contribute to restoring security and stability to the region and sparing it the risks of continued escalation.”

The ministry said the Kingdom wants to reiterate its “firm position in supporting the adoption of dialogue and diplomatic means as a means to resolve regional disputes and conflicts.”

This should be “based on the principle of respecting the sovereignty of states and consolidating security, stability, prosperity and progress in the region and the world.”