Prince Khaled Al Faisal, Emir of Makkah and advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on Wednesday, Rabei' Al Thani 13, gave the green light for publishing a digital edition of the "Photo Atlas of Makkah and Holy Places" by Umm Al-Qura University (UQU).

The launching ceremony was held at the Emir office in Emirate of Makkah Province and attended by President the university Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas, Vice-presidents and editors of the Atlas.

Dr. Assas underscored important support by King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Naif, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Al Faisal who pay special care for the UQU's programs. He asserted that this year's edition of the atlas is needed to save the history of Makkah and holy places in 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 about 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 and now are available to depict a long chapter of history of the kingdom.

He added the new version gave a new digital dimension for its content in accordance with the noble mission of the university.

In the same context, he noted that the atlas provides a list of drawn images and photographs that tells the story of the Holy Mosque and Holy Places in Makkah since 1297H/1880. In a chronicle order, it covered projects and important events took place in Makkah and Holy Places.

In previous editions, the atlas gave no details but portrayed photographers, their work in addition to explanation of urban development, Dr. Assas noted, hailing efforts exerted by Vice-President for Business & Innovation Dr. Nabil bin Abdul Qader Koshak and the Atlas Authors and Editors who spared to efforts to provide reliable content and knowledge products.

In the same context, Dr. Koshak said the new atlas edition is a living 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 gives the reader a chance to travel through time and between different places characterized to document the history of Makkah and the holy places, he said.

It takes the reader behind nature and make dive into the passion to the place and time, he added, adding 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 concrete participation to document a chapter of history of Makkah and holy places at the level of time, place and human being. He voiced thanks to the authors Dr. Meraj Mirza, Dr. Abdullah Shawoosh and Mr. Mohamed Meraj Mirza.

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

In the fifth chapter, the atlas gives reader some pages about the "the Holy Mosque and Makkah in the 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 tell a story about the development of photography.