Makkah exhibition showcases rare artifacts

The Two Holy Mosques’ Architecture Exhibition in Makkah gives visitors a unique opportunity to grab a glimpse at rare artifacts, inscriptions and photos in addition to the architectural features of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. It also showcases rare manuscript copies of the Holy Qur’an and a number of calligraphic inscriptions related to Islamic history through the ages. The exhibition venue, which features an exquisite Islamic architectural design matching the architecture of the Two Holy Mosques, was set up on a total area of 1200 sq. meters near the kiswa (the black cloth covering the Kaaba) factory in the Umm Al-Joud district on the old Makkah-Jeddah road. Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, Mohsen Al-Sulami, director of the exhibition, said the facility, opened 13 years ago, consists of seven halls. The reception hall houses two magnificent replicas of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque as well as their old and new pictures. An old staircase of the Holy Kaaba that dates back to 1240H was exhibited in the middle of the Grand Mosque hall. The Kaaba hall showcased models of the kiswa through centuries, as well as artifacts of the Kaaba, including its door and a pillar that dates back to 65H. The hall of photographs include collection of rare pictures donated to the exhibition by the late Crown Prince Sultan, including rare pictures of Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites taken by the famous Egyptian photographer Sadeq Beg in 1297 and 1298H. Al-Sulami said the manuscripts hall contains a rare manuscript copy of the Qur’an that dates back to the period of the third Caliph Othman bin Affan while the hall for the Prophet’s Mosque showcases several historic pieces including the Othmani pulpit and replica of the Prophet’s Mosque. The hall of Zamzam exhibits include parts of the old opening of Zamzam well, and the first clock installed in the Grand Mosque in 1352H during the period of King Abdul Aziz. Al-Sulami said an average 1,000 people visit the exhibition a day and the total number of visitors till date exceeded 1.9 million. The exhibition is open to visitors during Ramadan from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. From : Arabnews