His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Madinah Development Authority, inaugurated the “Migration in the Footsteps of the Prophet, peace be upon him” exhibition. The opening ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah, and Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, along with a number of other officials.
This unique exhibition is organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an initiative of Saudi Aramco, in strategic partnership with the Madinah Region Development Authority and Milaf International, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund. The exhibition is symbolically located next to the Quba Mosque, the first mosque built in Islam, lending the experience a profound historical and spiritual dimension.
Historical background: The Prophet's migration as a civilizational turning point
The Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina (then Yathrib) in 622 CE is a pivotal event in Islamic history, not merely as a physical relocation, but as the starting point for the establishment of the first Islamic community and state. This migration followed years of persecution suffered by the Prophet Muhammad and his followers in Mecca, providing a safe haven for Muslims and marking the beginning of a new phase in the spread of Islam. It was not simply a journey of escape, but a foundational process built upon the values of brotherhood, planning, and patience, culminating in the "Constitution of Medina," which established the principles of coexistence among the diverse components of society. From this perspective, the exhibition gains its significance in showcasing this civilizational and human dimension of the event.
An interactive experience that tells the story of migration
The exhibition offers visitors a unique educational and interactive experience, showcasing the Hijra, a journey of nearly 400 kilometers over eight days. The content is designed in a contemporary style, grounded in rigorous scientific research conducted in collaboration with local and international experts and researchers to ensure the accuracy of the historical information. Visitors journey through 14 interactive stations, each highlighting a different aspect of the migration, from the secret planning in Mecca and the challenges along the way to the warm welcome in Medina and the establishment of the new community. The exhibition combines historical documentation with multimedia, including a documentary film that premiered at the 2023 Islamic Arts Biennale, a bilingual Arabic and English bibliography, and 53 artworks created by more than 70 artists from 20 countries.
The cultural and touristic importance of the exhibition
The organization of the “Hijra” exhibition in Madinah reinforces its position as a global cultural destination, in addition to its religious significance. The exhibition represents a valuable addition to the Kingdom’s cultural landscape and aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enrich the experience of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and provide cultural and intellectual content befitting the Kingdom’s Islamic history. Internationally, the exhibition serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, presenting the story of the Hijra and its universal human values, such as sacrifice, hope, and community building, to a diverse global audience. The exhibition is expected to attract a large number of visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad, contributing to the revitalization of cultural and religious tourism in the region.
