Under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, the city of Jeddah witnessed the honoring of His Excellency Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), with the Cultural Excellence Award within the “Makkah Excellence Award” in its seventeenth session for the year 2025. His Excellency received the award on behalf of the Governor of the region from His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, in recognition of the pioneering cultural and historical project “Following in His Footsteps”.
Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh expressed his deep gratitude for this honor, writing on his official X account: “Today I was honored to receive a precious and priceless award from my country, in the name of the holiest of places.” He dedicated this achievement to the wise leadership of the Kingdom, saying: “This award, after God’s grace, I dedicate to my master, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, from whom I learned precision and mastery of work, and to His Royal Highness, our inspiring leader and architect of the Vision, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (may God protect him), for his support, encouragement, and generous trust in me.”.
The “Following in His Footsteps” Project: A Historical Revival Using Modern Technologies
The “Following in His Footsteps” project is a unique cultural and historical experience that aims to recreate and recreate the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijra), the pivotal event in Islamic history when he and his companion Abu Bakr (may God be pleased with him) moved from Mecca to Medina. The project utilizes cutting-edge interactive technologies and multimedia to enable visitors, especially younger generations of Muslims worldwide, to trace the historical journey and experience its profound spiritual and historical significance, thus strengthening their connection to the life of their Prophet.
Historical context and importance of the Makkah Excellence Award
The Makkah Excellence Award was established by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal to honor creative efforts and outstanding work that contribute to the development of the region's people and its infrastructure. The award is granted to individuals and institutions across various fields, including humanitarian, economic, cultural, and urban excellence, serving as an incentive for innovation and raising the standard of services and projects in the holiest place on earth. The win by the "On His Footsteps" project in the Cultural Excellence category underscores the importance of initiatives that document and present Islamic history in an innovative and contemporary manner.
Expected impact and dimensions within Vision 2030
This recognition is particularly significant as it aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on enriching the experience of pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, and on strengthening the cultural and tourism sectors. The "Following in His Footsteps" project is expected to have a major positive impact both locally and internationally. Locally, it contributes to enhancing Saudi cultural and historical content, while internationally, it offers the Islamic world a high-quality cultural product that narrates one of the most important chapters of the Prophet's biography, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as the beating heart of the Islamic world and a leading center for preserving its heritage and presenting it to the world in its most splendid form.
