Experts have called on the government to protect various ancient sites and mosques in Makkah because of their religious and historical importance.

Talal Al-Sharif, an Islamic antiquities expert, said the buildings include mosques built during the Ummayyad period and the house of Khadeeja, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

This site is thought to be on the square close to the Marwa hillock.

He said the area where the house stood should be protected as an archaeological site and not used as a prayer area of the Grand Mosque. He said it was important for it to have an entrance, and identified as the home of the Prophet (pbuh).
Al-Sharif said the protection of these mosques would help preserve the country’s Islamic history. He said researchers have identified several sites of major archeological importance in Makkah. He said various agencies have started to preserve these sites, including the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.

He said the Al-Jinn Mosque was modernized under Saudi rule. He said the Al-Baiah Mosque still exists and goes back to the time of Abu Jaafer Al-Mansour, and Abbasid rule. It was modernized with extensions during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods.

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ISLAMIC HERITAGE: Al-Jinn Mosque, also known as Masjid Al-Haras, is among one of Makkah’s historical sites.