24 SAUDI UROLOGICAL CONFERENCE

Gateway of The Two Holy Mosques

Jeddah, is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea. It is the major urban center in western Saudi Arabia, the largest in the Western Province, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city Riyadh. It is considered as the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is the principal gateway to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam. Unlike other Saudi Arabian cities, Jeddah retains its warm temperature in winter, but in Summer, temperatures are considered very hot. Rain in Jeddah is rare, which usually falls in December.

Historical Importance

There are two explanations for the etymology of the name 'Jeddah'. One is that name means "seashore", since Jeddah is located along the Red Sea coast and is Saudi Arabia's most important commercial port. The more common account is that the name is derived from jaddah, the Arabic word for "grandmother". According to eastern folk belief, the tomb of Eve, considered the grandmother of humanity, is located in Jeddah.

the Muslim caliph Othman ibn Affan turned it into a port for Muslim pilgrims making the required hajj to Mecca.

Sights in Jeddah

Jeddah’s wall and its old gates:

This was built by Hussain Al-Kurdi, one of the Mmlukes Princes to fortify the Red Sea from attacks by the Portuguese.

The wall had 2 main gates, one against Mecca and the second was against the Red Sea’s side. Then 6 new gates were established, the most famous were named, Bab Mecca, Bab Al-Magharba and Bab Shareef. The wall got removed due to the city expansion, maintaining the gates names which are still used by Jeddah’s citizens.

Old Jeddah:

the inner wall's territory was divided into several districts, named according to their geographical location or their historical fame. Most importantly are:

Harat Al-Mathloum

(District of the Oppressed):

It was named after Abdulkareem Albarzanji, who was killed by the Ottoman’s government.

Al- Balad:

Is the oldest district in Jeddah where Al-Baia Square and Jeddah’s Museum are located.

Al- Rowais District:

The Amaro’s Palace –built 150 years ago- is located in this district.

Khozam Palace:

It has been the historic Palace over the decades. It settles in the middle of Jeddah. It was the first in many aspects. It was the first place where the first and the most important Saudi convention for oil exploration and extraction was held. It was the first cement-constructed building in Jeddah.

Modern Jeddah:

Jeddah has grown rapidly over the last two decades of the twentieth century, making it the hub for finance and business in Saudi Arabia and a major port for the export of goods and the import of non-oil domestic needs. The multiplicity of nationalities of the pilgrims and the oil wealth had the greatest impact on the diversity of cultures in Jeddah, which is considered the most traditionally-tolerated city in Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah’s Fountain:

It is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest fountain in the world. It is located in Al-Hamra district and It is a tourism attraction point. The fountain is characterized by its attractive colours radiating from it at night. The 4000 square meters of water remain in the air continuously forming foggy halo. The water is being pushed strongly by three giant pumps at a speed of 320 km per hour and at an altitude of 261 meters in a spectacular geometric design of water.

Jeddah’s Cornish:

Jeddah’s Cornish was given the care of Jeddah’s municipality for its tourism importance. Many luxurious hotels and modern mosques were established. The Cornish includes many restaurants and services as well as centres for Coast Guard and Civil Defence. The city has several popular private beaches, including Durrat Al-Arus, and too many others resorts.