An exhibition in Makkah is displaying six historic marble tiles from the 19th century that once adorned the halls of the Grand Mosque. These marble tiles, dating back to 1881 CE (1299 AH), feature elegant Arabic calligraphy and exceptional craftsmanship, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Details of the Tiles
The inscriptions on the tiles bear the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, and four of the Prophet’s companions: Abu Bakr Al-Siddique, Omar bin Al-Khattab, Othman bin Affan, and Ali bin Abi Talib. The tiles are part of the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture, which also displays other historical artifacts from Islam’s two holiest sites.
Preservation and Exhibition
These artifacts once adorned the corridors of the Holy Mosque in Makkah and have been carefully preserved as part of efforts to maintain the integrity of historic items. The exhibition has been visited by researchers and others interested in the history of Islamic architecture, the SPA reported.
Other Artifacts on Display
Other items on display include rare original collections of manuscripts and architectural elements from the history of the two holy mosques. The 1,200 square meter exhibition takes visitors through various stages of development, from the era of the Prophet Muhammad through successive Islamic periods to the modern Saudi era.
Significance and Visitor Numbers
The exhibition shows how various reconstruction and expansion projects have accommodated the growing number of pilgrims and Umrah performers over the years, which exceeded 1.7 million during the peak Hajj season this year. The preservation of the tiles demonstrates the interest of the Saudi authorities in preserving the historical heritage of Islam and making it available to successive generations through exhibitions and dedicated visitor areas.
