Al-Fath Mosque Renovation Under Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Historic Mosques Initiative

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historic Mosques has started renovation works at Al-Fath Mosque in Al-Jumum Governorate, Makkah Region. This forms part of the project’s second phase, which focuses on restoring historic houses of worship while keeping their architectural character and supporting their religious, cultural, and social roles within local communities.

Under this phase, Al-Fath Mosque will retain its historic identity while meeting present-day needs. The project plans to align the building’s design with the traditional architectural style of Saudi Arabia’s western region, ensuring that worshippers gain improved facilities without losing visual links to the area’s long-standing Islamic heritage.

The redevelopment includes a measured expansion of the mosque’s footprint and capacity. The building area is planned to increase from 455.77 square metres to 553.5 square metres. This adjustment will allow the number of worshippers to rise from 218 to 333, supporting higher attendance during busy prayer times and religious occasions.

As part of its wider second phase, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historic Mosques is working on 30 mosques across all 13 regions of the Kingdom. Al-Fath Mosque is one of five mosques included in Makkah Region, highlighting the importance given to historical sites linked with early Islamic events.

The distribution of the 30 mosques reflects a Kingdom-wide scope. There are six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, and three in Aseer. Two mosques are located in each of Eastern Region, Al-Jouf, and Jazan, while Northern Borders, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Qassim each have one mosque included.

Located approximately 260 metres from the Makkah-Madinah highway, Al-Fath Mosque sits close to a major route for travellers and pilgrims. This strategic position means the renovation is expected to benefit residents, visitors, and those passing between the two holy cities, offering a restored place for prayer and reflection.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historic Mosques, Al-Fath Mosque and heritage

Al-Fath Mosque carries strong historical significance in Islamic tradition. Historical accounts state that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed at this location during the year of the Conquest of Makkah. Over the centuries, however, the site experienced periods of neglect and deterioration, leading to repeated rebuilding efforts.

The mosque has been reconstructed several times to address damage and changing needs. A major rebuilding took place in 1398 AH (1978 CE). Later, in 1419 AH (1998 CE), the mosque underwent restoration and expansion, which included adding a dedicated women’s prayer area and installing several supporting facilities for worshippers.

The current renovation will use natural materials characteristic of architecture in the western region. Designers plan to employ brick, basalt stone, gypsum, and wood to mirror traditional construction methods. The project will feature Rawashin and Mashrabiyas, which are projected wooden windows and balconies, crafted from high-quality wood to reflect the local architectural identity.

Across the first two phases, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Developing Historic Mosques has already completed renovation works on nearly 60 mosques. The initiative aims to balance preservation of traditional heritage with modern sustainability standards, ensuring that restored mosques are efficient, durable, and suitable for long-term community use.

Specialised Saudi companies and engineers with experience in heritage buildings are being engaged for these projects. Their role is to maintain the unique architectural identity of each mosque while applying technical knowledge. This approach supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural depth and civilisational history through protected historic sites.

With inputs from SPA