Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) on Wednesday, Moharram 25, 1438H, published a book titled "Photo Atlas of Makkah & Holy Places" which was compiled and edited by Dr. Meraj Mirza, Dr. Abdullah Shawoosh and Mr. Mohamed Meraj Mirza.

UQU's President Dr. Bakry bin Maatouq Assas has given the project a green light for publish during a ceremony held at the King Abdulaziz chamber in Al-Abdiyah Campus. The event was attended by a number of vice-presidents, deans of colleges and officials.

Addressing the attendees, Dr. Assas asserted that this year's edition of the atlas is needed to save the history of Makkah and holy places using photos. The new book is part of the university's mission to play a role in scientific research and community service, he said, voicing pride about the UQU's successful studies made on Makkah and the holy places.

The president added the digital edition of atlas provides unique vision via a number of photographs and expressive drawings which were very rare in the past and now are available to depict a long chapter of history of the kingdom.

Dr. Assas added, the book gives reader an introductory explanation about the sacred places. He added the new version gives a new digital dimension for content in accordance with the noble mission of the university and the holy sites under special care and protection of the King, his Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince.

Dr. Assas expressed thanks to Vice-President for Business & Innovation Dr. Nabil bin Abdul Qader Koshak and the book's authors who played a key role in providing matchless content.

In the same context, Dr. Koshak said the new atlas edition is a live example of the scientific output and studies carried out by the UQU's students. He added this edition contained a wide range of documentary pictures and drawings depicting Makkah and holy places with explanatory captions and digital documentation of the main content.

Between its two covers, the 325-page atlas provides the reader with a chance to travel through time and between different places which are characterized to document the history of Makkah and the holy places, he said. It takes the reader behind nature and dives into the passion of the place and time, he added, noting this atlas is the best option to record the careful attention and development of the prosperous Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Koshak highlighted that the book is a concrete participation in the documenting process of chapter of history of Makkah and the holy places at the level of time, place and human beings.

Concurrently with the launch of "Wadi Makkah" mission, the University of Umm Al-Qura presents this piece of work to achieve its quest of bridging the gap between academic studies and application in producing knowledge products, Dr. Koshak said, saluting the kingdom's leadership, UQU's employees and students of the university. It is also meant to bridge the gap between knowledge gained by the creative people and graduates on one side and the enterprise skills and investments needed on the other side to break into labor markets, the vice-president added.

As well, the atlas brings universities (representing the academic and research activity) and the private sector (representing the commercial and industrial activity), he said, noting the university, through Wadi Makkah, provided a program for training, guidance and logistic support to take the skilled Saudi academics and youth from the level of knowledge to experience to later establish their own start-up, thereby laying the foundation of strong national knowledge-based economic community. Dr. Koshak praised Dr. Assas for his endless support and extended thanks to the authors of the book.

In there comments on this achievement, the authors said Muslims around the world have paid special attention to the Two Holy Mosques and sacred places since the dawn of Islam, especially after the expansion of Muslim state and the increase of challenges to visit Makkah. Since the sixth century AH, Muslims around the world portrayed images for the Holy Mosques to help pilgrims using the then reachable technical tools, the authors said. Later and throughout long time, many attempts were spotted as some people tries to draw pictures and images for explanation.

In 1297H/1880, the first catalog of photographs appeared before books and magazines get involved in presenting photographs about the city, they noted. Fortunately, the holy city of Makkah witnessed various stages of development early in the 14th century AH, the matter recorded by a number of pilgrims and residents, the authors said, adding 'this was almost rare'.

Since the start of today's prosperity era, they added, the photographic recording of history expanded and covered many projects and important events took place in Makkah, holy places and other cities. In previous editions, the atlas gave no details but portrayed the photographers, their work in addition to explanation of urban development.

As the time went on, attention to the character of the photographers evanesced and attention was gradually directed to the course of actions and developments, they noted.

The book comprises six chapters, the first two pictured Makkah from the eyes of Muslims and western painters. The third chapter addressed the "Early photos taken for Makkah", while the fourth one included 'Some photos for Makkah at the cusp of the 14th Hijri Century".

In the fifth chapter, atlas gives reader some pages about the "the Holy Mosque and Makkah in reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud". Meanwhile, the sixth chapter discussed "the Holy Mosque and Makkah in the reign of King Abdulaziz's ancestors. An appendix of images is attached to the atlas to tell a story about the development of photography.