Source: arabnews.com

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has set up a special project to protect ancient Islamic sites particularly those linked to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the rightly guided caliphs, in Makkah and Madinah.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, head of the SCTA, said the project forms part of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to preserve the country’s Islamic heritage. The SCTA’s officials would study and document all such sites in the Kingdom, he said.

The SCTA would work with development agencies in Makkah and Madinah. It has already launched several projects to rehabilitate and develop sites in the two cities, with budgets set aside in the respective secretariats.

Prince Sultan said the SCTA is working on setting up five regional museums and two specialized museums, and rehabilitating six existing museums across a number of provinces.