On Tuesday, Duh al-Hijjah 26, 1437H, the UQU President and Head of the Advisory Board of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Chair for Makkah Historical Studies, Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas,  launched the third group of publications of the chair: 7 books including 41 researches conducted by 50 researchers. Held at the Dr. Assas’s office, and in concurrence with Ba-Sharheel hall at the University Studies Campus for Girls, the event was attended by the Vice-dean of the College of Shari’ah, Dr. Talal Al-Barakati, number of researchers, and from the Girls Campus, the Dean of University Studies, Dr. Hala Al-Amoudi.

The ceremony began with Dr. Assas’s speech in which he blessed the glory of the country on the occasion of the Saudi National Day, and shed light on the scientific renaissance at the universities, the role of the researchers in research fields, the role of the chair in documenting the history of Makkah, the attention given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to history, historians and sciences, and the development and generosity granted to the university in his blessed era.

In addition, Dr. Assas praised the diverse, fruitful research production of the chair, and its significant contribution to the cultural events. He also lauded the role of the Chair Supervisor, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sharif, and the researchers from inside and outside the university, especially the role of the female Saudi researcher in the scientific renaissance of our country, and stressed on the importance of the role of the chair in serving Makkah’s history. 

On his part, Dr. Al-Sharif, presented the chair’s achievements and its published books. This was followed by the speech of the male researchers which was given by the Head of the Department of History, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Salmi, and the speech of the female researchers which was given by the deputy head of the Department of History, Dr. Hayat Al-Rashidi.

The published books came as follows:

“Pilgrims and Hajj Guides”: The book includes the 35 researches of the “Pilgrims and Hajj Guides” seminar that was held by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Chair at UQU in collaboration with Makkah Al-Mukarramah Emirate and the Ministry of Hajj, on Safar 22-23, 1435H. The researches were conducted by 36 researchers and published in 3 volumes. Dr. Al-Sharif mentioned that this book is the first of its kind as it documents the history of Hajj guides across the ages till our prosperous Saudi era, in accordance with the academic systematic research documentation. The diverse researches were mainly addressing the overall topics of the seminar, such as: the concept of Hajj guides, its historical origin and its development over centuries especially in the Saudi flourishing era that witnessed its organization, development, and transformation from individuals to institutions that are capable of offering the best services to the pilgrims. In addition, the book tackled the role of the Hajj Guides, their selection criteria, eligibility criteria, responsibilities, Tawaf families and institutions, the attention of the Saudi government to Hajj Guides, their news in travelers’ books, historical documents about them, and the economic, social and cultural impact of the Hajj Guides on the Makki society.

“The Holy Sites Across the Ages: A Historical Study”: The book was recently published by the chair, and it was written by a research team of 9 researchers: Dr. Amira bent Ali Wasfi Maddah (Primary Researcher), Dr. Lamiaa bent Ahmad Shafie, Dr. Awatef bent Muhammad Nawab, Dr. Hayat bent Munawer Al-Rashidi, and the Assistant Researchers: Dr. Sahar Da’da’, Dr. Jihan Al-Rajihi, Ms. Iman Al-Ousaimi, Ms. Samar Al-Ahmadi, Ms. Tahani Al-Harbi, and Engineer. Marwan Ameen Fatani.

Dr. Al-Sharif stated that the book is a research project adopted by the chair and it is the first of its kind, as it documents the history of the Holy Sites across the ages in a brief and inclusive way, and is considered a nucleus for deeper and more detailed books. He also added that the book addressed the history, characterization, and limitations of the Holy Sites since before Islam till the modern era, and their political conditions, events, the impact of the trials on their security, their scientific and cultural conditions, Da’wah, preaching and guidance, architectural and urban aspects, as well as the environmental and economic aspects in the seasons of Hajj.

Besides, the book tackled the great development occurred to the Holy Sites in the prosperous Saudi era after the increasingly rise of the number of pilgrims, the care it received from the kings and their great service projects, such as: development of the Jamarat bridge project, establishment of fireproof tents, roads, transportations, communication, sites train, construction and expansion of mosques, the modern butchery project, utilities, health services, water, electricity, sanitation, hygiene, charity work, food provision, and security efforts, which collectively contributed to offering the pilgrims a safe, easy Hajj experience.

“Makkah Al-Mukarramah during the period 1277-1334H: A Historical Study” for Dr. Areej bent Mashal Al-Qathami: The book addresses the last phase of the Ottoman rule in Hijaz which has witnessed number of significant international events, such as: the Arab revolution that ended the Ottoman rule in Hijaz, the Ashraf’s politics in governing Makkah and their relations with the Hijazi tribes, the competition between the Makki princes and the Ottoman rulers over the power, the Ottoman politics and its impact on the conditions, the impact of Sultan Abdulhameed II on the course of events, and the new federal policy in governing Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

Over and above, the book covers the diversity of the social fabric of the inhabitants of Makkah and its impact on their norms and traditions, the role of the emergence of journalism in raising the awareness of the Makki community, the impact of the relations on the cultural and scientific mobilization at that period, the economic conditions, and the main architectural constructions and reforms in Makkah at that phase.

Noteworthy, Dr. Al-Sharif mentioned that the UQU President has honored the researchers that conducted these studies, among whom were:

Dr. Sheikha bent Saleh Shuaib, the author of “The Prince Faisal Public Prosecution in Hijaz in the Era of King Abdulaziz 1344-1373H”.

Dr. Ibrahim bin Atiyat Allah Al-Salmi, the author of “Royal Decrees and Orders in the Protection of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Holy Mosques: A Documentary Study”.

Mr. Muhammad bin Hussein Al-Harithy, the author of “Hijazi Seaports from the Prophet’s Mission till the End of the Mamluk Era 923H: A Historical Study”.

Dr. Jihan Ibrahim Abdulraheem Shar Ali, the author of “Craftsmanship in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in the Saudi Era”.

The Chair Supervisor praised the generous support of the university administration, represented by Dr. Assas, and the administration of King Abdulaziz, represented by, HE the Counselor at the Royal Court, and the Commissioned Secretary-General, Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Samari. And then he highlighted the main research achievements of the chair which are: A scientific conference on pilgrims and Hajj guides, a seminar for the Dutch historian Arnaud Frolic on the writings of Snouk on Makkah Al-Mukarramah, a training course on history narration, a scientific trip to Makkah’s historical landmarks, a permanent exhibition for the historical photographs of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, participation in number of cultural events, conducting 70 scientific researches of which 20 books, 35 researches were published in 48,000 volumes, and the rest of the studies are yet to be published.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the UQU President honored the researchers that participated in the Chair’s research production.