Hijrah: Walking the path of Prophet Muhammad on the migration’s 1,400-year anniversary

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Updated 07 August 2022
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Hijrah: Walking the path of Prophet Muhammad on the migration’s 1,400-year anniversary

  • The story of the great event has been one of the region’s most continuous narratives

DHAHRAN: For the last 1,400 years, the story of the great migration that Prophet Muhammad undertook has been one of the region’s most continuous narratives, a tale that has been fondly repeated by Muslims for centuries.

To mark the occasion, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran is celebrating the Islamic new year with a new exhibition called Hijrah: In the Footsteps of the Prophet.

While the actual Hijrah is arguably the most important historical event in Islam, this journey from the past remains relevant to this day because of migration and forcible movement.

Many people have had to move from one land to another to escape conflict or find greater freedom. Many have settled in a land that was not their own and establish a new community.

The journey the prophet took between Makkah and Madinah shaped the beginning of Islam and was the launch of a civilization that now includes 1.5 billion Muslims globally.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The journey the Prophet took between Makkah and Madinah shaped the beginning of Islam and was the launch of a civilization that now includes 1.5 billion Muslims globally.

• The 400-kilometer distance between the two holy cities in those eight days has created an immeasurable impact on the social, political, and economic landscape of the Arab Peninsula.

• The significance of the Hijrah can be defined as the transition from the practice of Islam as an act of worship to a way of life, and the Ithra exhibition presents that journey to modern audiences.

The 400-kilometer distance between the two holy cities in those eight days has created an immeasurable impact on the social, political, and economic landscape of the Arab Peninsula.

The significance of the Hijrah can be defined as the transition from the practice of Islam as an act of worship to a way of life, and the Ithra exhibition presents that journey to modern audiences.

On the exhibition’s opening night last month, curator Dr. Idries Trevathan offered tours with tidbits and anecdotes to bring the story of the prophet’s journey to life.

He was particularly excited to share insights with non-Muslim visitors to educate and inform them of what the experience was like.

A nasheed that the Ansar chanted for the prophet upon his entrance into Madinah was recited by vocalists in Arabic, English, Urdu, and Indonesian.

Trevathan has been with Ithra over the last eight years and is its expert on Islamic art history. He studied at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts and built the center’s Islamic art collection from the ground up.

Historical artifacts and contemporary pieces help to breathe life into an event that took place centuries ago.

Featuring about 70 academics and artists from 20 countries, the inclusive and immersive experience celebrates the journey itself and also commemorates the occasion of the 1444 Hijri New Year.

“This is a very special exhibition because it's three years in the making—we started just before the COVID-19 pandemic. What's been extraordinary about this journey for us is that we were able to bring extraordinary minds together,” Trevathan told Arab News.

This exhibition exemplifies Ithra’s wider mission to tell the world’s defining stories through art, heritage, culture, and research.

Abdullah Al-Rashid, Ithra director

“We started by working closely with Dr. Abdullah Alkadi, who's considered the authority on the Hijrah route, the exact Hijrah route that they took. What's amazing about his work is that he's corrected all previous narrations or previous research on the Hijrah route. When we did some background research, we realized that, despite its importance, no one has ever attempted to do an exhibition on the Hijrah.”

Among the must-see installations are a recreation of the spiderweb, the caves, and even a life-sized replica of the camel upon which the prophet rode into Madinah.

Documentaries and videos are spread throughout the exhibition, with accompanying Arabic and English audio, recounting the route based on narrations.

Using language, poetry, and recordings of the call to prayer, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to be transported to the holy lands. Many things on display are being shown publicly for the first time.

“The Hijrah route is inaccessible by car. You literally have to walk it. It goes through meandering little valleys, and it's very rocky. I think a lot of you when you think of Hijrah abroad, people outside Saudi Arabia think of the sand dunes. It's not. It's mountainous and it's a really difficult terrain,” added Trevathan.

Dr. Abdullah Hussein Alkadi, professor of urban and regional planning at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, is considered an expert for his groundbreaking research on the travel routes that the prophet and his companions took.

The Hijrah route is inaccessible by car. You literally have to walk it. It goes through meandering little valleys, and it’s very rocky.

Dr. Idries Trevathan, Curator

His books are among the most valued in the field, and Trevathan was adamant about including the works of his academic hero. He was thrilled when Alkadi agreed to be part of the project.

“My life has been determined by my quest to study and experience not only the exact route the prophet and his companions took across the desert but also the wider story, life, and legacy of this journey,” Alkadi said.

“It has been a journey that has occupied me for some 40 years and, with this exhibition, we are presenting new research, methodologies, and findings based on extensive fieldwork that will redefine perspectives on this historic migration. The relevance of this story is just as strong today; it serves to demonstrate and remind us of the reasons why people choose to move from one place to another and asserts the right to practice your beliefs.”

The exhibition is presented in collaboration with the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, the House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah, the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries in Madinah, and Turquoise Mountain, a Prince of Wales charity supporting arts and heritage in the Middle East.

Contributors to the exhibition include internationally renowned Saudi artists, well-known photographers, scholars, academics, such as the president of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, which is the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the US, and the Turquoise Mountain Institute of Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul.

“As one of the most detailed studies ever of the history and topography of the Hijrah, this exhibition exemplifies Ithra’s wider mission to tell the world’s defining stories through art, heritage, culture, and research,” said Ithra director Abdullah Al-Rashid.

“This exhibition represents significant advances in academic research around the history of Islam while its focus on the human story surrounding the journey and our shared human values will also promote greater understanding, empathy, and tolerance.”

The exhibition will run at Ithra for nine months. It will then move on to other parts of the Kingdom. It will also head overseas.


Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

  • The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy
  • He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds

RIYADH: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir headed Saudi Arabia’s delegation participating in the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy. He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds.

The Kingdom’s ambassador to Italy Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz also attended the mass.


Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

Updated 18 May 2025
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Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

  • Project management leaders gather in Riyadh to discuss best practices in alignment with Vision 2030
  • More than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom working on range of construction projects

RIYADH: Project management is “one of the most important drivers of national trust,” Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail told a conference in Riyadh on Sunday.

Saudi Vision 2030 was created to paint a prosperous future that will reinvent the economic, social, and developmental reality of the Kingdom, Al-Hogail added.

Project management plays a pivotal role at the governmental level by improving the execution and quality control of numerous projects, in full alignment with national goals and targets, he said.

The fourth Global Project Management Forum, with Arab News as a media partner, began its first day of discussions with more than 120 speakers.

The event brings together experts for workshops and dialogue on the best practices in the industry, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s rapid development under Vision 2030.

“Today, we are witnessing accelerating changes and rising challenges … at the heart of (the solutions) is project management to reshape our spaces, meet the needs of the people, and enhance overall sustainability,” said Al-Hogail.

“At the housing and municipality sector, we design projects to meet the dreams of households.”

According to the minister, more than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom are working on a wide range of construction projects.

“This kind of momentum cannot be achieved without project management, which starts with the people and their focus on the conscious planning, flexibility in execution, and ability to adapt to new changes.”

Project management has become smarter, he said, with a strong ability to predict and plan sustainably, and with the potential to help build a strong nation with a diversified economy.

The two-day forum will feature 50 strategic and technical sessions, and include more than 40 exhibitors. A total of 60 agreements will be signed to develop partnerships between entities.


Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Russia to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Sunday.

In a separate meeting, Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petrenko, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

During the meetings, all sides discussed bilateral relations as well as prominent developments in regional and international arenas.


Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Updated 18 May 2025
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Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

  • Cultural objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in focus at three-day event

RIYADH: In recognition of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Riyadh hosted, a cultural event under the theme: “The future of museums in rapidly changing societies.”

The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission, ran from May 15 to 17 and highlighted the role of museums in social change, innovation and youth engagement.

The program included workshops, debates, performances and interactive activities, all aligned with the cultural goals of Vision 2030.

A special session took place with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, president of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums.

During this open discussion, Princess Haifa emphasized the importance of considering the specific situation of museums depending on their location and level of development. While some institutions demonstrate real dynamism, others are struggling to keep up.

“The efforts to modernize and renovate certain museums are clear. However, other museums face challenges in trying to catch up,” she said.

She stressed the need to revise the legislative framework and encourage private investment to support growth in the sector:

“Our museum system is currently being reviewed, and legislation is needed that encourages investment. Supporting the creation of museums in smaller buildings helps to facilitate funding.”

Regarding the frequent criticisms of so-called “traditional” museums, she offered a more nuanced view.

“There are traditional museums that are changing and remain popular, which proves they still serve the public. Sometimes, traditional museums fail to attract the public, even more so than innovative museums.”

She also referred to the significant transformations underway in the Kingdom, supported by a government body dedicated to the museum sector.

“We are in the midst of a radical transformation with a body entirely dedicated to museums, that supports positive change and offers opportunities for progress.”

As the longstanding head of the Saudi ICOM committee, Princess Haifa reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia is actively involved in international dialogue and decision-making:

“This year, we participated in the revision of a code of ethics established in previous years to recognize what constitutes a museum. We are currently translating certain museological references into Arabic.”

Human resources were another key focus of her speech. She identified several obstacles, especially language barriers and the lack of specialized training.

“The first challenge is the language factor. Frankly, we must acknowledge these issues, particularly the importance of the English language,

“We absolutely need specialized schools, partnerships with universities, training opportunities in our field, and specializations such as museum management and exhibition security.”

Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, welcoming ongoing partnerships with Saudi universities — particularly in the Eastern Province — and the creation of new professional qualifications.

“This is a diploma that is about to become a master’s degree. Museums are not merely storage spaces; they were designed to be places of restoration and rehabilitation. Today, they have become vital centers offering programs for all segments of society.”

In the context of cultural and social transformation, the ongoing reflection on the role of museums in Saudi society reflects a clear ambition: to transform museums into vibrant, inclusive and forward-looking institutions.

Reporting to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Museums Commission is a public body whose mission is to develop, modernize, and supervise museums throughout the Kingdom, whether public or private.

It supports the creation of new museums, promotes heritage, encourages innovation — particularly in the digital space — and fosters cultural education.


Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
Updated 18 May 2025
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Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

  • The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah
  • The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj

RIYADH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, Weqaa, performed two experiments at holy sites near Makkah before the start of Hajj season this year.

The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah, where a group of experts conducted surveillance, control and evaluation of locust populations.

The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj.

This involved a team from Weqaa, in collaboration with other agencies, activating an emergency response plan and carrying out investigations and containment measures.

Ghalib Al-Saedi, director of Weqaa in the Makkah region, said that the experiments were carried out to enhance field readiness, improve response efficiency and assess interagency coordination, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Hajj draws millions of pilgrims to Makkah every year, increasing health risks and requiring high-quality public health services to prevent disease outbreaks, manage emergencies and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The experiments were conducted in partnership with organizations in the Makkah region, including the Makkah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.