A trip to ancient Hajj gateway

As pilgrims from across the Muslim world have been congregating in the holy city of Makkah, many of them will try to explore some of the historical sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Their most desired destinations are Madinah and also Taif and Jeddah before or after completing the rituals of Hajj that takes place between the 8th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of Arabic lunar calendar. The corresponding Gregorian date varies year to year. This year, in 2025, Hajj is going to take place between June 4 and June 9 in the Gregorian calendar (subject to moon sighting). This year, the day of Arafat will fall on June 5, followed by Eid al-Adha on June 6, according to Saudi authorities.

This year, around two million pilgrims are likely to perform Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory once in a lifetime for all those Muslims who can physically, mentally and financially afford to perform. Most pilgrims arrive in the KSA by air. Others come by road and only a few by ship. Gone are the days when pilgrims would have no option but to take a long and troublesome journey from different parts of the world. They came by caravan of camels and horses and by ships.  Most of those who used to come by ship landed in Jeddah, the port city of KSA.

One of the key transit points for the pilgrims was Al-Balad, also renowned as the Jeddah historic district. Pilgrims arriving at Jeddah port pass through the old town, which was a pathway of welcome and hospitality before heading to their ultimate spiritual destination. Record shows that the historic district, Al-Balad, was established in the seventh century as a major port where goods and merchandise from the Indian Ocean trade route, such as spices, fabrics, perfumes and precious metals, used to arrive.

A hundred years ago in December 1925, King Abdul Aziz entered Jeddah and unified it with the rest of the country.  Thus, Hejaz  merged with Nejd and the KSA emerged as a new country headed by Abul Aziz. During his stay in Balad, many historical events took placed.

Today, Al-Balad is one of the greatest tourist attractions in KSA. This scribe took a trip to the historical site along with a walk with a group of media people from Bangladesh and Pakistan during the last week of February. Guided by Emad Kashmiri, while walking through the alleys and streets of Al Balad, it feels like stepping back in time. The intricate wooden verandas and the coral-stone buildings create such an ambience that is unmatched. In some parts, it feels like that time has stopped there.

Emad describes the historical background of the old city, and also how the buildings, streets, cafes and public places are restored to provide a taste of time that dates back to more than a century.

"Walking through Al-Balad is like stepping into a beautifully illustrated history book, where every alleyway tells a story," says Emad, the CEO of Hamza Camel Tours, who organised the familiarisation tour under the auspices of Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).

He adds: "For travellers and history enthusiasts alike, Al-Balad offers an immersive experience, an opportunity to step into the rich past of the Arabian Peninsula while witnessing the nation's bold vision for the future."

Bab Makkah, the historic gateway at the entrance to the district, welcomes generations of Hajj pilgrims who pass on their way to the holy city.

Al Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the distinctive features of Jeddah's historic architectures is the rawasheen- the elaborate patterned wooden-window frames found in old buildings that maximise natural light-and-air flow. Rooted in Hijazi architectural heritage, these wooden verandas or balconies were originally designed to provide shade and privacy while allowing air to circulate.

We also entered Beit Nassif, now a museum, which stands as a significant landmark in Al-Balad. It is closely linked to King Abdulaziz Al Saud who resided and handled government matters here following his arrival in Jeddah in 1924 - 1925. Beit Nassif is one of the pioneering houses in the architectural style of the district.

Relaxing at a cafe to sip Arabian coffee was also an interesting experience. And surely the souq or various shops attracting thousands of visitors daily. 

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