- The Saudi Riwaq is a significant architectural achievement and symbol of Saudi Arabia's pride and history.
- The construction of the Saudi Riwaq was initiated by King Abdulaziz Al Saud to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque.
- The Saudi Riwaq is a continuation of the Abbasid Riwaq and consists of four floors, adorned with marble columns and domes. It has undergone expansions over the years, increasing the capacity of the Grand Mosque.
Makkah, May 29, 2024. The Saudi Riwaq is not only one of the numerous monumental achievements and sources of pride that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved throughout its history, but it is also one of Saudi architecture's most symbolic triumphs and a significant historical and contemporary step in the expansion of the Grand Mosque.With the number of pilgrims growing year after year, King Abdulaziz Al Saud saw the need to reconstruct the Saudi Riwaq with a new design and a modern enlargement of the Grand Mosque. He positioned it behind the Abbasid Riwaq, built by Mohammad Al-Mahdi between 161 and 169 AH, or 778 and 785 AD. Despite its construction hundreds of years ago, the Abbasid Riwaq still stands today. It is a representation of the Grand Mosque's construction, which has been going on for nearly 1,200 years. During this time, the Grand Mosque's buildings have undergone some restoration and renovation, but the structure's components, materials, and overall area have remained unchanged.Islamic architecture uses the term 'Riwaq' to refer to the space or corridor between two columns.
In addition to having arches that are either vertical or parallel to the wall of the Qiblah, it also features rows of columns that have crossing arches that face in a direction that is both vertical and parallel to the Qiblah. In linguistics, the term "Riwaq" refers to the space that encompasses anything.King Abdulaziz issued an edict in the year 1344 AH requiring the repair and restoration of the Grand Mosque, as well as initiating the planning process for the extension and the allocation of locations for the "Saudi Riwaq."The Grand Mosque with the utmost care and attention from the Saudi state throughout its glorious history. The massive projects and major expansions carried out over the years, starting from the era of the first Saudi state and continuing until the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and his sons, serve as evidence of this.
During the prosperous reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Grand Mosque underwent significant qualitative architectural adjustments and shifts, as evidenced by the enormous extensions. The construction of many buildings ranked among the largest in the world in terms of their size, area, and capacity. The "Saudi Riwaq" was one of these buildings. In addition, the Grand Mosque has been outfitted with cutting-edge support services and cutting-edge technologies, which have made it simpler for pilgrims to perform their rituals. During King Saud's reign, the Saudi Riwaq was constructed. King Saud made a historic announcement in 1375 AH, or 1955 AD, announcing the fulfillment of King Abdulaziz's ambition to extend the Grand Mosque. The construction of the Riwaq took place between the reigns of King Saud, King Faisal, and King Khalid between 1375/1396 AH and 1955/1976 AD, and its expansion has persisted until the present day.
The contemporary Saudi Riwaq is a continuation of the Abbasid Riwaq. It consists of four floors: the courtyard level, the ground floor, the first floor, and the mezzanine. It begins on the western side, where King Fahd commissioned a new addition to the Saudi Riwaq. Around 1,500 white marble-covered columns and domes built on the roofs of the corridors adorn this new addition. Under King Fahd's reign, the Grand Mosque expanded to approximately 365,000 square meters, accommodating approximately one million people if they chose to pray there. Following this growth, the Saudi Riwaq gained a new entrance known as the King Fahd Gate. TKing Abdullah began the expansion of the Riwaq region from the northern side, and King Salman completed it. uring its expansion, the Grand Mosque included an area of more than one million square meters, had the potential to accommodate about two million worshipers, and had a gate that bore the name of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
The monarchs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completed the construction of the Saudi Riwaq over several years. This allowed the Grand Mosque to expand its space from around 12,000 square meters to more than one million square meters, thereby increasing its capacity. It is a reflection of the special attention that Saudi leaders have paid to the architecture of the Two Holy Mosques since the establishment of the Saudi state, through King Abdulaziz and his sons, as well as the kings who followed him, whose interest in the architecture of the Two Holy Mosques was unprecedented in the history of Islam. The Saudi Riwaq has become a distinctive identity for the Grand Mosque of Makkah, and it has prevailed up until the present day.
The Saudi Riwaq, a construction landmark currently under construction, will be a first for the Holy City of Makkah and the Grand Mosque. With the intention of transforming the mosque into an architectural marvel and a majestic monument, the administration of the Kingdom was resolute in its plans to construct the mosque using the most superior designs and materials available. IExquisite chandeliers and columns adorned with marble and vivid colors illuminated the Riwaq. hite marble in a range of hues was used to cover the ceiling, which was bright and colorful. It was also connected to the Abbasid Riwaq, and the Saudi Riwaq is today comprised of a number of gates, the most well-known of which are the King Abdulaziz Gate, the Umrah Gate, and the Al-Fateh Gate.
