‘Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques’ Pavilion at Umrah, Ziyarah Forum Enriches Senses
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has presented a unique experience during the second edition of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, taking visitors on a richly interactive journey from Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah in Madinah to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, through five dedicated booths, each representing one of the human senses.
The journey began with the hearing booth, which introduced visitors to the intricate sound system of the two holy mosques through a live display of imams’ loudspeakers and reverent audio clips of Quranic verses, supplications, and calls to prayer, all accessed via an iPad connected to headphones, enriching the auditory experience.
Next was the smell booth, where scents used in the two holy mosques, including oud oil, Taif rose perfume, and incense sticks, were showcased. The purification team led an interactive session that included a live demonstration of how these fragrances were blended for washing the Holy Kaaba.
The touch booth featured samples of carpets from the two holy mosques and illustrated their evolution. Visitors could also feel a piece of Thassos marble, known for its perpetual coolness, and examine tools and threads used in crafting the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa, with detailed explanations of the embroidery components made of silk and gold-plated silver.
In the sight booth, 3D models of key landmarks of the Two Holy Mosques were displayed, including the Black Stone, Maqam Ibrahim, the Prophet’s Mosque mihrab and pulpit, the Black Stone’s frame, and the Kaaba’s door lock. These were presented through artistic visual displays that captured visitors’ attention.
Finally, the tasting booth offered visitors Ajwa dates and Zamzam water. It also featured traditional tools once used for drinking and storing Zamzam water, along with a detailed model of the Zamzam well, showing its depth, water sources, and the method of transporting it to Madinah.
