In the middle of the Manfouha neighborhood, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of Riyadh, Al-Qibli Mosque is located and its age dates back to more than 300 years. It was built in the year 1100 AH, then the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud ordered it to be rebuilt in the year 1364 AD, and it is the closest mosque to the emirate’s palace.
The mosque is considered one of the mosques included in Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s project for the development of historical mosques in its second phase. While it will reach 804.32 square meters after development, in the Najdi style, which uses clay construction techniques and the employment of natural materials, and is known for its ability to deal with the local environment and the hot desert climate. The formation of Najd style elements reflects the requirements of the local culture.
The mosque is in the middle of Al-Manfuha district
Najd style
And at a time when the capacity of the Al-Qibli Mosque reaches 440 worshipers after the completion of its maintenance work; The challenge for the development work in this type of mosques built in the Najdi style; It is represented in the scarcity of the wooden component around the mosque, but the project provided the required quality of wood, and the operations required to complete its preparation in the correct manner, such as the straightening and veneering stages in which the wood sap is disposed of so as not to be damaged, and then treated to prevent damage to it by insects.
According to the workers on the Prince Mohammed bin Salman project for the development of historical mosques, measurements of the parts to be developed are taken and prepared on site before they are supplied to the mosque. While wood is traditionally decorated using a sharp material to draw shapes, in a step through which the project seeks to revive the architectural traditions of historical mosques, and to enhance public awareness of the need to take care of them and the importance of preserving them with the progress of time.
From inside the mosque
Prince Mohammed bin Salman project
Al-Qibli Mosque is part of Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s project to develop historical mosques in its second phase, which included 30 mosques in all 13 regions of the Kingdom, with 6 mosques in the Riyadh region, 5 mosques in the Makkah region, 4 mosques in the Medina region, and 3 mosques in the Asir region. And two mosques in the eastern region, and the same in each of Al-Jawf and Jizan, and one mosque in each of the northern borders, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Al-Qassim.
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman project for the development of historic mosques works to achieve a balance between ancient and modern building standards in a way that gives the components of mosques an appropriate degree of sustainability, and integrates the effects of development with a set of heritage and historical characteristics. While the process of its development is being carried out by Saudi companies specialized in heritage buildings and with experience in their field, with the importance of involving Saudi engineers to ensure the preservation of the authentic urban identity of each mosque since its establishment.
Historic Mosques Development Project
It is noteworthy that the launch of the second phase of the Historic Mosques Development Project came after the completion of the first phase, which was launched at the beginning of the project in the year 2018 AD, as it included the rehabilitation and restoration of 30 historical mosques in 10 regions.
The project stems from 4 strategic objectives, summed up in rehabilitating historical mosques for worship and prayer, restoring the architectural authenticity of historical mosques, highlighting the civilized dimension of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and strengthening the religious and cultural status of historical mosques, and contributes to highlighting the cultural and civilizational dimension of the Kingdom that Vision 2030 focuses on by preserving The original urban characteristics and their use in developing the design of modern mosques.
