In a major cultural and civilizational celebration witnessed by the city of Jeddah, and under the patronage of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, honored the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, by awarding him the Cultural Excellence Award within the branches of the “Makkah Excellence Award” in its seventeenth session for the year 2025. This honor came as a well-deserved recognition for the “On His Footsteps” project, which is considered one of the most prominent qualitative initiatives that combines historical documentation and modern technologies.
The "Following in His Footsteps" Project: Reviving Islamic Heritage with a Modern Vision
The awarding of this prestigious prize to the "Following in His Footsteps" project is a culmination of significant efforts in documenting and recreating the historical route taken by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companion Abu Bakr (may God be pleased with him) during their migration from Mecca to Medina. The project is not merely a documentary work; it represents a visual and intellectual experience aimed at commemorating this momentous event that changed the course of history. It does so by enabling Muslims and those interested in Islamic history to trace the precise geographical and spatial landmarks of the route, focusing on the historical aspects and lessons learned from the first year of the migration.
Dedicating this achievement to the wise leadership
Commenting on this honor, Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh expressed his immense pride and honor at receiving an award bearing the name of Mecca, the holiest place on earth, and presented by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, whom he described as a man of politics, administration, and literature, and his close associate, Prince Saud bin Mishaal. Al-Sheikh dedicated this achievement to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, affirming that he drew inspiration from the King's meticulousness and dedication to his work.
Al-Sheikh also expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince, saying, in the context of discussing the primary supporter of successes: “I dedicate this victory to His Royal Highness, our inspiring leader and the architect of the Vision, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (may God protect him), for his support, encouragement, and generous trust in me.” He emphasized that all the achievements realized in the Kingdom today are a result of the empowerment and unlimited support from this great leadership, which has placed the Kingdom among the ranks of developed nations in all fields.
The importance of the Makkah Excellence Award and its cultural role
The Makkah Excellence Award derives its significance from being a key driver of development in the region. Since its inception, it has aimed to encourage outstanding work and exceptional effort, whether individual or collective. The award works to instill Islamic principles in professional ethics and work excellence, and to showcase the cultural creativity of the people of the Makkah region. It also actively promotes the use of modern technologies in development, raising performance and quality standards, and developing human resources. This is clearly embodied in the "Following in His Footsteps" project, which combines historical authenticity with innovative presentation.
This recognition reflects the growing interest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the culture and heritage sectors, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which aims to enrich the experience of visitors, pilgrims and Umrah performers, and to promote Islamic and national identity through quality projects that immortalize Islamic history and present it to the world in a distinctive civilized manner.
