MAKKAH — In recent years, the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, who visit the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, have experienced enriching cultural encounters that accompany their "journey of a lifetime" to the holy cities in a unique and emotionally enhancing way. In this context, various entities have organized exhibitions revolving around the two holy mosques, showcasing mainly the history of the Kaaba and its coverings, the Prophet's biography, and the architecture of the Holy Mosques. Spreading over an area of 1200 square meters, these exhibitions showcase unique interior and exterior designs of the mosques' architecture, as well as various aspects that pique the curiosity of Muslims, reconnecting them to the landmarks of the early Islamic era. Under the slogan "Landmarks of the Kaaba," the executive plan of the Doyof Al-Rahman Program 2021-2025 aims to enrich the experience of the pilgrims of the Grand Mosque by providing cultural and artistic doses consistent with the sacred rituals, through a series of museums and centers that add an exceptional flavor to the pilgrims' journey, touching their passion and enriching their experiences. One of the latest museum options is the one organized by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. The second edition of the exhibition is being held at the Third Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, after a previous version was held during last Ramadan. The exhibition offers an interactive experience that gives visitors a sense of actually being inside the heart of the Kaaba and viewing its interior and exterior parts very close, as well as models of the Grand Mosque through three-dimensional forms. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies were used to create historical scenes of important moments in the history of the holiest places on earth since their construction by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (may God be pleased with them), passing through the expansions and renovations the holy mosques have witnessed over the ages. It also showcases rare artifacts and ancient coverings of the Kaaba, as well as the original stones used in its construction, along with the tools and construction techniques used throughout history, alongside rare photographs of the mosque and its surroundings. The holy cities have not settled for temporary exhibitions, as Makkah boasts a wide range of permanent museums such as the "Peace Be Upon You, O Prophet" Museum, which houses about 1,500 artifacts dating back to the Prophetic era. The Umm Al-Qura Museum in the King Abdulaziz Palace in Aziziyah exhibits pieces from various Islamic eras, and the Clock Tower Museum on the tower's highest point on 4 floors, displays a collection of tools used in the tower's construction, as well as various devices used by humans to determine sunrise, sunset, the direction of the Qibla, and the movement of the earth, alongside a complete exhibition on eclipses and astronomical observation, as well as a scientific center housing cosmic research and studies. In contrast to the "Peace Be Upon You, O Prophet" Museum, which began construction in 2019, the Dar Al Madinah Museum specializes in the history of the Madinah city and its civil and architectural heritage, and the Madinah Monuments Museum, which displays archaeological pieces from the history of the city. There are also the Qur'an Museum, which uses modern techniques to introduce and teach people the meanings of the Qur'an, and the Beautiful Names of Allah Museum, among others.
