UQU President and Head of the Advisory Panel of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Chair for Historic Makkah Studies Dr Bakri bin Ma'tooq Assas held a meeting at his office in Abidyeha-based University City with UQU Vice-President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr Thamer Bin Hemdan Al Harbi and Dean of Scientific Research Deanship Dr Abdul Rahman Al Ahdal and professor Abdullah Bin Hussein Al Sharif. The meeting discussed achievements of the Chair during the past period and its work mechanisms in the coming period ahead of being forwarded to the Chair's advisory panel for approval with a view to resuming the Chair's activity and renewing its tenure.
UQU President and Head of the Advisory Panel of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Chair for Historic Makkah Studies Dr Bakri bin Ma'tooq Assas hailed support of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz for the Chair, which contributed in highlighting the Saudi efforts in serving Hajj pilgrims and maintaining the Holy Mosque and holy sites through ages. He pointed out that the Chair's scientific research is available for students of postgraduate studies in Islamic history and its ages.
UQU President underlined that the Chair has made major achievements in scientific research and tracking the history of the Holy Mosque and holy sites. As King Salman Bin Abdulaziz attaches a great importance to history, the Chair's Advisory Panel was keen on drafting a future plan to contribute in the success of the Chair's scientific research in the coming period equal to what has been achieved since its foundation. He hailed the Chair's achievements, voicing hope that its researches, which have helped document the history of Makkah and its civilization through ages, will enrich the Arabic library.
For his part, the Chair professor, Dr Abdullah Al Sharif, said the Chair and its achievements reflect the care of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz of history and heritage, particularly the history of the Holy Mosque and National History given the Chair is a distinguished scientific chair in research and scientific enrichment. He said the Chair has so far produced 21 books that included 55 researches in addition to a number of books and researches that will be published soon. He underlined keenness of the Advisory Panel on drafting a future plan for the Chair in the coming period.  He said the Chair has helped in issuing a number of valuable books, including a book about efforts of King Abdulaziz Bin Abdul Rahman - May Allah have mercy on his soul - in maintaining security in the Hijaz and Prince Faisal's representation in the Hijaz in the era of King Abdulaziz, the humanitarian work in Makkah during the era of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, the royal decrees for the care of Makkah and holy sites in the Saudi era and the history of the holy sites through ages, a book on serving the pilgrims and a book about the social life in Makkah in the era of King Abdulaziz, which won King Abdulaziz Book Prize for this year. 
The establishment of the Chair was launched by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz in 1432H in partnership between Umm Al Qura University and King Salman Foundation for Research and Archives. The advisory panel is chaired by UQU President Dr. Bakri bin Ma'took Assas. Its members include Fahd bin Abdullah Al Samari, adviser at the Royal Court, UQU Vice-President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Thamer bin Hemdan Al Harbi, Sheikh Saud bin Ibrahim Al Shuraim, Dean of the Scientific Research Deanship Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Ahdal, Dean of College of Shariah 'Islamic Law' and Islamic Studies Dr. Ghazi bin Murshed Al Otaibi and Vice-Dean of Scientific Research for Scientific Chairs Dr. Abdul Wahab bin Abdullah Al Raseni and Chair professor Dr. Abdullah bin Hussein Al Sharif.