Jeddah Municipality, Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, is a governorate and the largest city in Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, and the country's second largest city after Riyadh, located along the Red Sea coast in the Hejaz region. Jeddah is the commercial center of the country. It is not known when Jeddah was founded, but Jeddah's prominence grew in 647 when the Caliph Uthman made it a travel hub serving Muslim travelers going to the holy city of Mecca for Islamic pilgrimage. Since those times, Jeddah has served as the gateway for millions of pilgrims who have arrived in Saudi Arabia, traditionally by sea and recently by air.

With a population of about 3,751,722 people as of 2022, Jeddah is the largest city in Mecca Province, the largest city in Hejaz, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia (after the capital Riyadh), and the ninth-largest in the Middle East. It also serves as the administrative centre of the OIC. Jeddah Islamic Port, on the Red Sea, is the thirty-sixth largest seaport in the world and the second-largest and second-busiest seaport in the Middle East (after Dubai's Port of JebelAli).

Jeddah is the principal gateway to Mecca Sharif, the holiest city in Islam, 65 kilometers (40 mi) to the east, while Medina, the second-holiest city, is 360 kilometers (220 mi) to the north. Economically, Jeddah is focusing on further developing capital investment in scientific and engineering leadership within Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Jeddah was ranked fourth in the Africa, MiddIe East and 'stan countries region in the Innovation Cities Index in 2009.

Jeddah is one of Saudi Arabia's primary resort cities and was named a Beta world city by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC). Given the city's close proximity to the Red Sea, fishing and seafood dominate the food culture unlike other parts of the country. In Arabic, the city motto is "Jeddah Ghair", which translates to "Jeddah is different".

Original Source : http://www.instagram.com/thesaudigate/  Foto : Sabudi & thesaudigate

The Corniche Commercial Center in Jeddah

Nestled in the heart of Jeddah's historic district, Corniche Commercial Center stands as a vibrant testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and bustling commercial scene. This beloved shopping hub, one of Jeddah’s earliest commercial centers, seamlessly blends traditional charm with modern shopping experiences, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists. With its diverse array of enticing stores, Corniche Commercial Center boasts an impressive selection of beauty and fashion products, including a delightful assortment of perfumes, cosmetics, and trendy accessories. The center is particularly noted for its affordable perfume shops, offering exquisite scents at economical prices. Enhancing its appeal, the center features a variety of ethnic restaurants, inviting visitors to indulge in delightful culinary experiences that reflect the region's rich cultural tapestry. The adjoining waterfront area presents scenic views and recreational opportunities, with a long promenade along the Red Sea coast perfect for walking and cycling. Families can enjoy numerous parks, playgrounds, and seating areas, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for relaxation and leisure. Despite some areas needing renovation and concerns regarding parking fees, the vibrant ambiance and friendly shop owners create an inviting environment. Corniche Commercial Center remains a highlight of Jeddah, offering a unique blend of shopping, dining, and cultural exploration that captures the essence of the city’s spirit.

Source : https://corniche-commercial-center.wheree.com/  Foto : Sabudi

The Red Sea, Jeddah

Within an eight-hour flight of roughly 80 percent of the planet’s population is an archipelago of pristine beaches, dormant volcanos, sweeping desert dunes, mountain canyons, historical cultural sites and 90 pristine islands dotting the Red Sea. These largely untouched gems, collectively known as The Red Sea, a destination, surrounded by the world's fourth-largest barrier reef system.  

The area, covering more than 28,000 square kilometers, will soon be open to tourism in an exciting — and environmentally responsible — new way. Consider it sustainability 2.0: The Red Sea destination aims to have a positive impact on the environment, society, and the economy. This means that about 75 percent of the islands will remain untouched, and nine will be designated as special conservation zones. Furthermore, single-use plastics will be banned, an on-site nursery will provide more than 25 million plants, and the entire destination will operate with zero waste to the landfill and zero carbon footprint. Visitation to The Red Sea destination will be capped at one million per year to ensure environmental enhancement targets are met, to push beyond conservation and explore innovative ways to regenerate the natural ecosystem.   

In addition to its commitment to the planet, The Red Sea destination is committed to its guests, offering unprecedented accessibility, not to mention world-class dining, adventure, and entertainment. Prepare to explore the unimaginable.

Original Source : https://www.visitsaudi.com/  

Foto : Sabudi & https://web.facebook.com/life.in.saudiarabia/

Hassan Enany Mosque, Jeddah

One of the most beautiful architectural wonders in the city, the Hassan Enany Mosque is an attraction point right at the corner of the Middle Corniche Park, next to the famous Jeddah fountain.

Inspired by the Byzantine Empire, minarets were taken from the church towers concept. The height allows for the call to prayer to reach further distances. The basic structure of a minaret includes a base, shaft and gallery, and also acts as a visual focal point for worshippers to see.

The dome in the Enany Mosque is not very circular, making the four vaults connected to make the dome more obvious. Furthermore, the outside of the dome is made of small golden tiles, another recurring concept in Islamic architecture.

Usually adorned with Qur’anic verses, calligraphy is a beautiful way to represent the words of Allah and act as a reminder to all those who enter the mosque. There are a bunch of calligraphic methods, but the one used in the Enany Mosque is the thuluth script.

Sources : https://instagram.com/masjids_around_world_

Foto : Sabudi & https://instagram.com/masjids_around_world_