Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s Project Restores Al-Jami' Mosque In Duba, Enhancing Heritage And Capacity

The Al-Jami' Mosque in Duba, a historic site in the Tabuk Region, is undergoing restoration as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques. This initiative aims to highlight Saudi Arabia's Islamic heritage by revitalising significant sites and restoring their religious, cultural, and social roles through careful preservation.

The mosque has been a traditional gathering point for sailors arriving at Duba's port. It has been rebuilt four times throughout its history. Initially constructed with stone by a member of the Al-Urayni tribe, it was later reconstructed by Abdullah bin Salim, known as Al-Sanusi, in 1373 AH. Subsequent renovations were funded by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman and King Fahd bin Abdulaziz.

The current project will expand the mosque's area from 947.88 square meters to 972.23 square meters, increasing its capacity from 750 to 779 worshippers. Modern technologies and architectural interventions will be used to restore the mosque to its original design while preserving its historical identity.

Architectural elements reflecting the Red Sea region's style will be incorporated into the restoration. Natural materials such as stone, clay, and straw will be used, with wood enhancing windows and mashrabiyas on the building's facades. The region's vibrant trade history has facilitated access to diverse building materials like stones and wood.

Al-Jami' Mosque is one of 30 mosques being restored in the project's second phase across all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. This includes six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Aseer, two each in the Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, and Jazan, and one each in Northern Borders, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Qassim.

The second phase follows the successful completion of the first phase which restored 30 historic mosques across ten regions. The project balances traditional and modern construction standards to ensure sustainability while preserving heritage characteristics.

Strategic Objectives

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project has four strategic objectives: restoring historic mosques for worship; preserving their architectural authenticity; highlighting Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage; and enhancing their religious and cultural significance. The project aligns with Vision 2030 by integrating architectural heritage into modern mosque designs.

Saudi companies specialising in heritage restoration are carrying out this development work. The project aims to ensure that mosque components are sustainable while maintaining their historical features.

Prayers continue to be held at Al-Jami' Mosque today. The ongoing restoration efforts reflect a commitment to preserving Saudi Arabia’s rich Islamic history for future generations.

With inputs from SPA