Meda'in Saleh

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Meda'in Saleh (or Madain Saleh) (Arabic: مدائن صالح "Cities of Saleh/Shelah"), also called Al-Hijr ("rocky place"), is an ancient city located in northern Hejaz (modern day Saudi Arabia), around 22 km from the red-cliffed wadi town of Al-`Ula (Arabic: العلا). In ancient times the city was inhabited by Thamudis and Nabateans and was known as Hegra.

Some of the inscriptions found in the area date back to the 1st millennium BC. However, all the remaining architectural elements are dated to the period of the Thamudis and Nabatean civilizations, between the second century BC and the second century AD.^[1]

1 The Qur'an
2 Tourism
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] The Qur'an

Within Saudi society it is considered a cursed place due to the surah in the Qur'an titled Al-Hijr.

15:80	Walaqad kaththaba ashabu alhijri almursaleena	The Companions of the Rocky Tract also rejected the messengers:
15.081	Waataynahum ayatina fakanoo AAanha muAArideena	We sent them Our Signs, but they persisted in turning away from them.
15.082	Wakanoo yanhitoona mina aljibali buyootan amineena	Out of the mountains did they hew (their) edifices, (feeling themselves) secure.
15.083	Faakhathat-humu alssayhatu musbiheena	But the (mighty) Blast seized them of a morning,
15.084	Fama aghna AAanhum ma kanoo yaksiboona	And of no avail to them was all that they did (with such art and care)!

(translation by Yusuf Ali)^[2]

As a result of these verses, many well-meaning Saudis will discourage the casual Muslim or non-Muslim visitor, despite the government's official encouragement of tourism. This will amaze the western visitor on witnessing the quality of the archeological site.

[edit] Tourism

Meda'in Saleh is now one of the little known tourist jewels of Saudi Arabia. It is considered second only to the famous Petra in Jordan in terms of Nabataean architectural remains. Nabatae.net states "It has 131 tombs spread out over 13.4 kilometers than take several hours to visit with a guide. The city proper (h)as a siq, walls, towers, water conduits, and cisterns."^[3]

A tourist visa to Saudi Arabia is required. These are usually only given to pre-arranged tour groups. Although individuals working in the kingdom have little more to do on arrival, than to obtain an official permit from the Al-`Ula police office with a fee of about 100SR.