Medina: The retractable umbrellas of the Prophet's Mosque provide a comfortable environment for worshippers and visitors in the plazas surrounding the mosque as part of the services provided to pilgrims during the Hajj season.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the umbrellas are among the most prominent engineering projects at the Prophet's Mosque. They were designed according to advanced structural standards to withstand varying climatic conditions while minimizing the impact of direct sunlight and creating a suitable environment for worship and movement through the mosque's corridors and plazas.
The project comprises 250 retractable umbrellas, each spanning 25.5 meters per side and rising to a height of approximately 22 meters. The umbrellas cover a total area exceeding 143,000 square meters and accommodate large numbers of worshippers during peak hours.
The umbrellas operate through automated systems that open in the morning and close before sunset. They are also equipped with integrated lighting systems and water misting fans that help cool the atmosphere across the outer plazas of the Prophet's Mosque.
High-quality engineering materials were used in their design, including fiberglass and carbon fiber, alongside Islamic ornamentation and gold-plated copper. These features reflect the architectural character of the Prophet's Mosque and highlight its Islamic aesthetic.
The umbrellas collectively accommodate more than 228,000 worshippers in the plazas surrounding the Prophet's Mosque as part of ongoing efforts to care for worshippers and visitors and provide services that enable them to perform acts of worship with ease and tranquility.