Highlights on History 2
Centuries passed and many factors led to the deterioration and decline of the Arab and the Islamic world, their cultures faded but did not vanish completely. These cultures shifted away from the cities of their origin and moved to other far cities. The Arabian Peninsula still remained the lodestone of Islamic culture, and this was emphasized by the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is based on the religion of Islam.
A map of the Earth by an unknown Arab geographer [Full size]
A map of the Earth by Al-Shareef Al-Idrisi, died 560 H-1164 A.D. [Full size]
The reconquest of Riyadh by King Abdul Aziz (may his soul rest in peace) and the unification of the greater part of the Arab Peninsula drew the attention of the whole Islamic world, and restored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to its high rank among other countries. The sons of King Abdul Aziz (may his soul rest in peace) spared no effort to build the entity of the Kingdom during the succeeding decades.
The Kingdom became the focus of world attention and also concerned itself with the affairs of Muslims all over the world. It considers the services to the Two Holy Mosques as a serious commitment and a first priority.
King Abdul Aziz (may his soul rest in peace) knew well that, when he took over the government, Saudi Arabia would become a hub to the Muslims of the world, and that the service of Muslims should be the top priority of the new rule. That was not restricted only to the service of pilgrims and visitors and maintenance of the Two Holy Mosques, but also included the general care of the affairs and worries of Muslims everywhere. This concern included the service of the Two Holy Mosques and their sacred rituals as well as looking after the affairs of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and visitors coming from all directions.
The Divisions of the Arabian Peninsula (Prior to the Mohammadan Mission) [Full size]
The culmination of attention towards the Two Holy Mosques has clearly been demonstrated during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz (may Allah protect him). Attentiveness and care was and is one of his foremost priorities. This has been demonstrated by the great extension of Al-Masjid Al-Haram and the Holy Mosque of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), crowned by the special diligence he gave to the restoration of the Holy Ka'bah, in glorification, grandeur and dignity. We beseech Allah, the Almighty, to make this restored, historic position to the Arabian Peninsula a starting point for the reinstatement of general Islamic leadership in all parts of the world to what it was during the Golden Age of Islam. This is not a difficult matter for Allah, the Supreme.
