Maintenance of 800 mosques in Medina at a cost of 61 million riyals

In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to mosques and serving pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques, His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, inaugurated a package of new projects dedicated to the maintenance and operation of mosques in the Madinah region. This took place during his official visit to the region, where His Excellency reviewed the needs of the mosques to ensure their readiness to receive worshippers and visitors.

Project details and scope of coverage

The projects launched included maintenance, cleaning, and operation contracts for approximately 800 mosques and prayer halls, at a total cost of 61 million riyals. These new contracts have contributed to a significant improvement in service levels, with mosque maintenance coverage in the region rising to 91%, an indicator reflecting the Ministry's commitment to providing comprehensive services to all neighborhoods and governorates.

The contracts included five major projects covering a wide geographical area, including mosques in Al-Ula Governorate, Al-Ais and Yanbu Governorates, in addition to Medina, as part of a strategic plan aimed at sustaining the efficiency of the ministry’s buildings and facilities.

Preserving historical landmarks and Islamic heritage

Maintenance work was not limited to modern mosques; the ministry also paid special attention to historical mosques that form part of Islamic heritage and are destinations for visitors within religious pilgrimage programs. Among the most prominent landmarks covered by the contracts are:

• The Mosque of the Two Qiblas: which witnessed the change of the Qibla from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Grand Mosque.
• Sayyid al-Shuhada Mosque: Located in the historic Uhud area, which witnessed the immortal battle.
• The Trench Mosque: associated with the Battle of the Confederates.

The attention given to these landmarks is in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program, which seeks to enrich the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors, by preparing historical sites and providing means of comfort and tranquility in them.

Supporting leadership and developing institutional work

In a statement on this occasion, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership – may God support them – represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince, for the generous support provided to the mosques sector. He affirmed that the Ministry is working according to the highest standards of quality and safety to translate this support into tangible benefits for worshippers.

On the sidelines of the visit, His Excellency held an extensive meeting with the ministry's undersecretaries and department directors in the ministry's branch in Madinah and its governorates. The meeting focused on the importance of governance, developing maintenance and operational mechanisms, and the necessity of effective coordination between departments to enhance performance efficiency. He emphasized the importance of field inspection visits to ensure the continued quality of services provided in mosques.