AL MADINAH

Medina also known by its official name Al-Madinah is one of the three holiest cities mentioned in Islam. Chronologically speaking, Al-Madinah is the second most pious city in Islam, after Mecca and the third holiest city in Islam is Jerusalem. Its name also has an underlying meaning that translates into "the Radiant City, or "The city of Prophet" in English.

Al-Madinah is situated about 340 km north of the holy city "Makkah". The story of how the city got the attention is a distinct story of its own. Prophet Muhammad and his followers relocated from Mecca to the city of Medina after a plot to kill him were unveiled. The whole migration of the religious leader along with his followers is also known as "Hijra". This is also the same time when the Islamic calendar or the "Hijri Year" started the exact date of which is around 622 AD.

Since then the town of Al-Madina then known as Yathrib became famous. Al-Madinah is also known as the very same place from where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started the Muslim community. It is also the same place where his body is buried, and the tomb lies in the chief mosque of the city. The tomb where the Prophet is entombed is marked by a bright green-coloured dome.
 

• The city of Al-Madinah lies about 2,050 feet (625 meters) above sea level on a fertile oasis.
• Geographically, it is located in the Hejaz region on the western side of Saudi Arabia.
• The city is approximately 250 km (155 miles) east of the Red Sea and about 435 km (270 miles) from Mecca by road.
• Al-Madinah is considered a very religious city by the Islamic community; however, non-Muslims are now permitted to enter the city but are prohibited from entering the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi).
• Non-Muslims who wish to see the city can explore its various attractions but must respect the restrictions regarding entry into specific religious sites.
• The very first mosque in Islamic history, the Quba Mosque, is also present in the city. It is the first-ever place of worship for Muslims, and the Prophet Muhammad himself laid its first foundation stone.

The administration of Al-Madinah is managed under the Saudi Arabian government. The city is part of Al Madinah Province and governed by a mayor appointed by the King. 

The municipality oversees urban planning, infrastructure, and public services. Religious matters are handled by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. Security is managed by Saudi authorities, ensuring strict entry regulations for non-Muslims in religious areas. 

Healthcare, education, and transportation services are controlled by national ministries. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport connects the city globally. Economic activities include tourism, trade, and services related to Hajj and Umrah.

The economy of Al-Madinah is primarily driven by religious tourism, trade, and services. Millions of pilgrims visit the city every year for Hajj and Umrah, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport, and retail businesses. The Prophet’s Mosque and other religious sites contribute significantly to the local economy. The government has invested in infrastructure, including the Haramain High-Speed Railway, connecting Al-Madinah to Mecca and Jeddah.

Industrial and commercial activities are growing, with the Knowledge Economic City being a major project focused on business, education, and technology. Al-Madinah also has industrial zones that produce food, construction materials, and consumer goods. Agriculture plays a role in the economy, with date farming being the most prominent agricultural activity.

The city has a well-developed transport system, including Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, which facilitates tourism and business travel. Public services, including healthcare and education, are managed by national ministries. The government promotes private sector investments to create jobs and diversify the economy. The Vision 2030 plan includes initiatives to develop Al-Madinah’s economy further by expanding tourism, digital services, and business opportunities. The city’s GDP is estimated to be a significant contributor to the national economy, primarily due to religious tourism and trade activities.

Al-Madinah has a growing business environment with industries such as manufacturing, mining, tourism, and services. The city is home to several important companies that contribute to its economy. 

In manufacturing, companies like Najat Aayej Alhejaili Co. for Water Bottling and Nakheel Taiba Dates Foundation focus on bottled water and date production. The industrial sector also includes food processing, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, with over 350 factories operating in the region.

The energy sector plays a key role in Al-Madinah’s economy. Saudi Aramco, the national oil company, and Saudi Electricity Company provide energy services for businesses and residents. The mining industry is also expanding, with more companies investing in the extraction of valuable minerals, increasing job opportunities and business growth.

Tourism and hospitality are major contributors to the economy, especially with millions of religious visitors arriving every year. Leading hotels such as Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick Hotel and Madinah Hilton cater to pilgrims and tourists. The city has hundreds of hotels and guesthouses to accommodate visitors.

Trade is also an important part of Al-Madinah’s business activities. The city’s ports handle large amounts of imports and exports, making it a key trade centre in Saudi Arabia. The private sector employs a large workforce, with businesses in retail, construction, and transport providing jobs for both local and foreign workers. With ongoing investment in technology, infrastructure, and tourism, Al-Madinah continues to develop as a business-friendly city.

Al-Madinah's infrastructure is well-developed, supporting its residents and the influx of visitors each year. The city spans an area of approximately 589 square kilometers and is home to over 1.4 million people.

Transportation: The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Al-Madinah to Mecca, Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City, covering a distance of about 449 kilometers. This service reduces travel time between Mecca and Al-Madinah to approximately two hours. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport serves as the city's main air gateway, handling over 8 million passengers annually as of 2018. The airport is notable for being the first LEED Gold-certified commercial airport terminal in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Urban Development: The Rua Al Madinah project is a significant urban development initiative covering 1.5 square kilometers near the Prophet's Mosque. Aimed at enhancing the experience for visitors and residents, the project is expected to create approximately 93,000 jobs and contribute over $37 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP by 2030.

Utilities and Services: Al-Madinah boasts a robust infrastructure development index score of 66.7%. The city excels in urban mobility infrastructure with a score of 87.4% and street connectivity at 83.3%. Housing infrastructure is also strong, scoring 76.2%, with 100% of the population having access to electricity and sufficient living areas. However, access to improved sanitation stands at 57.8%, indicating areas for improvement.

Al-Madinah is actively integrating modern technology to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Central to this transformation is the Smart Madinah Program, which aims to develop a comprehensive smart city plan focusing on sectors like healthcare, tourism, environment, and transportation. A key component of this initiative is the Raseel Platform, a digital infrastructure designed to improve city services and infrastructure management. Built on open-source technologies, Raseel enhances collaboration among various city sectors and has been instrumental in reducing energy consumption by 30% through efficient asset and facility management.

In line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the Rua Al Madinah Project is underway to modernize urban infrastructure. Covering an area of 1.5 square kilometers near the Prophet's Mosque, this project aims to construct 47,000 hotel rooms by 2030, significantly boosting the city's capacity to accommodate visitors. Additionally, the project is expected to create approximately 93,000 jobs and contribute over $37 billion to the national GDP.

To facilitate efficient transportation, the Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Al-Madinah to Mecca, Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City. This 453-kilometer railway reduces travel time between Mecca and Al-Madinah to about two hours, operating at speeds up to 300 km/h. The city is also planning the Madinah Metro, a three-line system projected to span 95 kilometers, further enhancing urban mobility.