Darb Zubaydah: Reviving the legendary Hajj route from Iraq to Makkah

Saudi Gazette reportRAFHA — Stretching over 1,400 kilometers from town of Kufa in Iraq to the holy metropolis of Makkah, Darb Zubaydah is among the most vital historic routes within the Arabian Peninsula.As soon as a lifeline for pilgrims and merchants alike, this historic path winds by the northern reaches of Saudi Arabia, working parallel to the Northern Border Area’s Rafha Governorate—its first Saudi waypoint.Darb Zubaydah is greater than a relic of the previous; it’s a placing instance of the engineering brilliance that characterised early Islamic civilization.What started as a commerce hall advanced into a vital pilgrimage route throughout the Abbasid Caliphate, reaching its peak prominence within the early Islamic period.Named after Zubaydah bint Jaafar, spouse of Caliph Harun Al-Rashid, who famously financed a lot of its infrastructure, the street grew to become recognized for its fastidiously deliberate stations, relaxation stops, and water assortment programs.Huge stone reservoirs and ponds had been constructed at strategic intervals to retailer rainwater, providing aid to pilgrims braving the cruel desert terrain.These waypoints not solely ensured water availability but additionally served as shelters and provide hubs.To information vacationers throughout the huge and sometimes treacherous desert, a sequence of stone markers—often known as almanar or flags—had been erected.These conical towers, produced from stacked stones, stood prominently alongside the route, particularly close to water sources and crossroads.The space between every main station was usually round 24 kilometers (12 Islamic miles), with a guiding flag positioned halfway between stops, offering orientation and reassurance within the open wilderness.In sandy areas, the street was paved with stones to supply traction and stability, stopping the slipping of caravans and animals. Key stations similar to Al-Qaa, Zubala, Al-Shihayat, Fayd, Al-Ajfar, and Al-Qa’iya grew to become important facilities of relaxation and resupply. They provided meals, water, shelter, and even medical care, remodeling the desert journey right into a extra humane and manageable pilgrimage.Right this moment, Darb Zubaydah is receiving renewed consideration as a part of Saudi Arabia’s Imaginative and prescient 2030, which emphasizes the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Nationwide heritage our bodies are working to doc, restore, and revive the trail’s key landmarks. These efforts intention to rework the traditional route right into a residing museum of Islamic historical past and architectural ingenuity, whereas additionally encouraging heritage tourism and enriching the Kingdom’s cultural panorama.With each marker restored and each stone relay introduced again to life, Darb Zubaydah provides a tangible connection to the previous—a permanent image of devotion, civilization, and the spirit of service that when guided thousands and thousands on their sacred journey.

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