The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its tireless efforts to preserve Islamic and architectural heritage. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques is a cornerstone in maintaining the Kingdom's architectural identity. In the latest achievement of this pioneering national project, the development and restoration of the historic Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in the Najran region has been completed, restoring it as a vibrant religious and cultural landmark, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great importance on heritage sites.

Historical importance and strategic location in Najran

The Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque occupies a prominent place in the heart of Thar Governorate in the Najran region of southern Saudi Arabia. It is the oldest mosque in the area and one of its most prominent heritage landmarks, located in the old town west of the governorate. Its paramount importance lies in being the only mosque in the surrounding area where Friday prayers are held, making it a focal point for the residents of the village and neighboring villages, and a vital center that brings together the people of the region.

Historically, this mosque was not just a place for performing religious rites, but played a pivotal social role; it served as a “mini-parliament” and a cultural school where meetings were held to discuss daily life matters, resolve disputes, and reconcile differences, reflecting the deep social cohesion that has characterized local communities in Najran over the decades.

Development details: Combining authenticity with modernity

The mosque underwent a comprehensive and meticulous renovation as part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman project, focusing on enhancing its functionality while strictly preserving its authentic architectural character. Originally built in the local Najran architectural style, the mosque covers an area of ​​approximately 130 square meters. Its construction is distinguished by the use of concrete blocks, while its roof consists of wooden beams topped with wooden panels and a concrete layer, vividly embodying the simplicity of traditional architecture.

The recent renovation work included the following:

• Increasing capacity: The mosque's capacity has increased from 57 worshippers to about 118 worshippers.
• Functional additions: Development of the prayer house, the mosque courtyard, and the retreat, in addition to the creation of a special prayer room for women.
• Service facilities: Equipped with modern toilets and ablution areas designated for men and women.

National context: Prince Mohammed bin Salman's project to develop historical mosques

The development of the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque comes within the broader context of Prince Mohammed bin Salman's project, which covers all 13 regions of the Kingdom. This strategic project aims to rehabilitate and restore 130 historical mosques in several phases, ensuring the preservation of these historical landmarks for future generations. The project is based on four strategic objectives:

1. Rehabilitating historical mosques for worship and prayer.
2. Restoring the architectural authenticity of mosques in accordance with their local environments.
3. Highlighting the cultural dimension of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
4. Enhancing the religious and cultural status of historical mosques.

The project is keen to rely on Saudi companies specializing in heritage buildings, and to involve Saudi engineers to ensure the preservation of the authentic architectural identity, while applying standards that ensure the sustainability of buildings and the integration of modern technologies without compromising the historical character.

In a move aimed at establishing a culture of prevention before treatment, the Al-Ula Health Zone launched a unique campaign under the slogan "Check Your Health," which comes as part of ongoing efforts to promote health awareness and encourage all members of the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle through preventive checkups and early detection. The launch took place in the presence of the Deputy Governor of Al-Ula Governorate, Mr. Talal Al-Faqeer, the Director of Prince Abdulmohsen Hospital in Al-Ula Governorate, Dr. Bayan Al-Ahmadi, along with a number of representatives from government agencies and local residents.

A complete package of medical tests

The initiative, targeting a wide segment including residents, visitors, and tourists in the governorate, offers a golden opportunity to check on health through 10 essential preventative tests. These tests are important because of their ability to diagnose chronic diseases in their early stages, facilitating proactive and effective management. The approved list of tests includes:

• Good cholesterol (HDL) test.
• Measuring blood pressure.
• Measuring heart rate.
• Blood oxygen saturation level.
• Calculating Body Mass Index (BMI).
• Fasting blood sugar test.
• Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test.
• Total fat analysis.
• Testing for harmful cholesterol (LDL).
• Triglyceride test.

Promoting public health and keeping pace with Vision 2030

This campaign aligns with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses heavily on public health and disease prevention rather than simply treating existing conditions. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are global health challenges, so making these screenings readily available contributes to improving the overall health indicators of Saudi society.

The campaign also gains special importance as it coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, when dietary habits and sleep patterns change, making it an ideal opportunity for beneficiaries to visit primary health care centers and review their vital signs, to ensure a healthy and safe fast.

The modern care model and the role of the family physician

The "Check Your Health" initiative falls under the modern Saudi healthcare model centered on the "family physician" in primary care centers. This model aims to facilitate access to high-quality and efficient healthcare services for beneficiaries and promote continuity of care and follow-up. By connecting individuals with a family physician and well-equipped primary care centers, the prevalence of chronic diseases and their complications is reduced, positively impacting quality of life.

Al-Ula, as a global and historical tourist destination, is an ideal model for implementing such initiatives that serve both visitors and residents, confirming that tourism development goes hand in hand with health and social development.