Saudi Gazette report
MADINAH – The renovation and maintenance works of the “Qibli Wall” (the southern wall facing Makkah) in the Prophet’s Mosque here has been completed. The works included all its heritage decorations, a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report said.
Initially, all the wooden shelves and cupboards covering the wall were removed. Then the old heritage decoration works were restored at their original locations with precision and according to the highest artistic standards. This is with the aim of preserving the historic and artistic value of one of the components of the mosque’s heritage and history.
This is in line with the state’s policy since the era of late King Abdulaziz (May Allah have mercy on his soul) until the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, in preserving the components of the heritage and history of the Prophet’s Mosque, by keeping everything in its original place, except for the necessity to carry out maintenance and renovation works.
The project was carried out by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and Madinah Development Authority, with the participation of relevant Saudi specialists.
The rehabilitation and renovation works of the Qibli Wall in the Prophet’s Mosque was carried out on an area that was 72.56 m long and 2.55 m high.
The works comprised renovation and restoration of the decoration components, including a total of 2,100 tiles with glazed decorative frames of various sizes which beautified the wall at the Qiblah.
This is in addition to the restoration and rehabilitation of 126 sq. m. – the total area of all the marble surfaces covering the Qibli Corridor (Al-Riwaaq Al-Qibli).
The Riwaaq Al-Qibli also includes the Mihrab (prayer niche) of Othman Ibn Affan (May Allah be pleased with him), and the “door” (Khokhah) leading to the prayer areas of the Prophet’s Mosque from the chamber of the mother of the believers Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with her), as this constitutes a heritage discovery in decoration and Islamic architecture.
