A Cultural Hub Safeguarding Islamic Heritage for 40 Years

The King Abdulaziz Public Library in Saudi Arabia has unveiled a major visual collection documenting the history of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Islamic holy sites. For over 40 years, the library has made preserving Arab-Islamic heritage a core strategic priority, positioning itself not merely as a repository but as a cultural hub providing historical context to researchers and the general public.

The library recently premiered the documentary "The Greatest Journey: Hajj to Mecca - In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta" in Riyadh. Featuring participation from over 2,000 people across 24 countries, this work uses the 14th-century traveler Ibn Battuta's pilgrimage to Mecca as its historical backdrop, capturing contemporary Hajj rituals and the Saudi government's holy site management efforts in IMAX ultra-high-definition format.

Globally Acclaimed Documentary Delivers Message of Peace

This 45-minute documentary has been screened in major cities including New York, Paris, London, Singapore, Jakarta, and Dubai, winning three awards at film festivals in Houston, Boston, and Paris. Translated into French, Russian, Turkish, English, and Arabic, it has conveyed the meaning of Hajj and messages of peace and tolerance to global audiences.

Capturing pilgrims' journeys to Mecca by air, sea, and land, the work bridges past and present while aligning with the cultural heritage preservation policies of Saudi Vision 2030. A library official stated, "Visually documenting and preserving the history of Islamic holy sites is our core mission."

365 Unpublished Historical Photos Recreate the Holy Sites' Past

Beyond the documentary, the library holds 365 unpublished photographs of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. These images, taken by Egyptian royal photographer Ahmed Pasha Halmi on King Farouk's orders, capture the period when King Abdulaziz entered Mecca and Medina. The library also possesses one of only three copies worldwide of Muhammad Sadiq Pasha's collection.

The library has published a 240-page book titled "Visual Records of the Holy Pilgrimage," documenting the work of Ahmed Mirza, India's first professional photographer to visit Mecca in 1907. The book traces the evolution of the holy sites through ancient maps, miniatures, and early photographs.

Recently added to the library's collection are 165 original photographs gathered by Brazilian photographer Umberto da Silveira during 12 years of traveling throughout Saudi Arabia. These records of historical Saudi locations before modernization are valued by researchers as precious primary sources.

Sustainable Cultural Heritage Strategy

The King Abdulaziz Library goes beyond simple preservation, enhancing research accessibility through regular material updates and digitization. Particularly during the Hajj season, the library exhibits historical materials and hosts public lectures, focusing on transmitting the cultural and religious significance of Islamic holy sites to future generations.

Aligned with the Saudi government's cultural heritage preservation policies, the library is expanding its role as a visual memory repository of Arab-Islamic history.