The Prophet’s Mosque, a significant Islamic monument, is home to numerous historical landmarks that have been preserved and maintained throughout various Islamic eras. This care has notably developed during the Saudi era, with the kings of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since its unification, focusing on the architecture and development of the Prophet’s Mosque to facilitate the ritual performance for worshipers and visitors.
One of the mosque’s notable features is its doors, which hold a special significance. Currently, 100 doors are distributed harmoniously around the mosque from its four sides, expansions, and roof. These doors are operated by 280 employees who work 24 hours a day during the month of Ramadan.
During the expansions commissioned by the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, seven wide entrances were constructed, with three on the northern side and two on each of the eastern and western sides. Each entrance contains seven doors, two of which are spaced apart, with five doors between them. The width of each door is three meters, its height is six meters, and its thickness is more than 13 centimeters. The weight of each door is 1.25 tons.
These doors can be opened and closed with one hand due to their flexible handles. They were made using over 1,600 cubic meters of teak wood and contain more than 1,500 gilded, engraved pieces, forming the name “Mohammed, Messenger of Allah” in a circular mold.
The doors were crafted by mixing gilded copper in France and using the best types of teak wood collected in America. In Barcelona, Spain, the teak was dried for a period not exceeding five months, then cut with saws equipped with a laser feature, and the copper pieces were cast. Afterward, the copper was polished, coated with gold, and attached to the doors. The doors were fixed using the old interlocking method without the use of nails.
These distinctive doors signify the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continuous care for the Prophet’s Mosque and the ongoing effort to enhance its architecture. They provide a conducive environment for its visitors to perform their worship with ease and reassurance. This commitment to preserving and enhancing the Prophet’s Mosque is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s dedication to its Islamic heritage.
Photo credit: Saudi Press Agency
