In a gesture imbued with profound religious and national significance, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visited the Quba Mosque in Medina, where he performed the two-rak'ah prayer of greeting the mosque. This visit is part of His Highness's inspection tours and his direct interest in development projects in the holy cities, underscoring the utmost care that the Saudi leadership bestows upon historical Islamic sites.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was accompanied during the visit by a number of Their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Their Excellencies the Ministers, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah Region, His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Madinah Region, and His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Historical background and religious significance of Quba Mosque
The Quba Mosque holds a unique place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide, as it is the first mosque built in Islam. It was founded by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself upon his arrival in Medina after migrating from Mecca. The mosque is associated with great virtue, as it is mentioned in a hadith that praying in it is equivalent to the reward of performing Umrah, making it a major destination for visitors, pilgrims, and those performing Hajj to the city of the Prophet. Throughout history, the mosque has received the care of caliphs and sultans, culminating in the Saudi era, which has witnessed successive expansions and renovations to preserve its status and facilitate access for worshippers.
A historic expansion project reflecting a future vision
The Crown Prince’s visit is particularly significant as it coincides with the announcement of the “King Salman Project for the Expansion of Quba Mosque and the Development of its Surrounding Area,” the largest expansion in the mosque’s history. This ambitious project aims to increase the mosque’s capacity to 66,000 worshippers and expand its total area tenfold to 50,000 square meters. The project encompasses not only the expansion of the mosque building itself but also the complete development of the surrounding area, including the preservation of historical sites and their connection to pedestrian walkways, thus enriching the religious and cultural experience for visitors. This initiative reflects the Kingdom’s commitment, within the framework of Vision 2030, to serving Islam and Muslims and providing the best possible facilities for pilgrims.
The local and international impact of the visit
Domestically, the Crown Prince's visit sends a strong message of support for development projects in Medina and underscores the priority the Kingdom places on developing the infrastructure of religious sites. Regionally and internationally, it highlights the leading role of Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Islamic world and the custodian of its holiest sites. It also underscores the Kingdom's tremendous efforts to facilitate the journey of pilgrims and visitors, and to enhance Medina's status as a global center of cultural and religious influence, thus reinforcing its image as a modern spiritual destination that blends historical authenticity with future aspirations.
