Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, has issued directives to renovate 130 historical mosques in various regions of the Kingdom.

This will be implemented within the framework of the Program for Reconstruction of Historical Mosques under the supervision of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) in partnership with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Crown Prince’s support comes within the “Muhammad Bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques.”

In the first phase, a total of 30 mosques from 10 regions across the Kingdom will be renovated at a total cost of more than SR50 million.

The project also gives priority to developing heritage and historical sites throughout the Kingdom.

Many of these mosques are located in heritage villages, most of which are in an abandoned state.

The Program for the Reconstruction of Historical Mosques is considered as one of the several programs adopted by Prince Sultan Bin Salman, president of SCTH and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Turath Heritage Foundation.

The 30 historical mosques, which will undergo renovation in the first phase, have a total capacity to accommodate 4,000 worshippers.

As part of their renovation, architectural design and criteria and standards for renovation will be worked out soon.

The Saudi government is giving utmost importance to the renovation of historical mosques. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman launched a program for reconstruction and renovation of historical mosques in Diriyah, and Historical Area in Jeddah.

Several emirs of provinces, businessmen and philanthropists also came forward to support the program.