Why Saudi Arabia systematically demolished centuries of early Islamic history in Mecca and Medina

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For over two centuries, Saudi authorities have razed historical sites associated with the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Driven by a strict Wahhabi interpretation that views the veneration of tombs and shrines as idolatry, this ongoing cultural deletion has accelerated alongside massive luxury developments and pilgrimage infrastructure expansion.

The systematic removal of early Islamic heritage began with the rise of the First Saudi State. In the early 1800s, Wahhabi forces captured Mecca and Medina, destroying mausoleums and shrines they deemed heretical. This included the leveling of the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery in Medina, which housed the remains of Muhammad’s family and companions. These actions sparked widespread outrage, eventually leading to the Ottoman–Saudi war of 1811–1818. Following the Saudi defeat, Ottoman forces reclaimed the region and spent decades restoring the sacred sites with elaborate architecture.

The destruction resumed in the 20th century. On April 21, 1925, the mausoleums at Al-Baqi were leveled once more, and markers identifying the graves of Muhammad’s descendants were removed. This policy of erasure has continued under the modern Saudi state, often justified by government-appointed scholars who argue that such structures encourage shirk, or idolatry. Sites ranging from the house of Muhammad’s first wife, Khadijah, to the birthplace of his son Ibrahim have been paved over or repurposed to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

In recent decades, the demolition has merged with rapid commercialization. As the annual hajj draws millions, authorities have razed residential areas to build luxury hotels, shopping centers, and massive service facilities. Critics argue that this convergence of Wahhabi state policy and capital investment creates a unique form of cultural deletion. While the expansion of the Masjid al-Haram and the Prophet's Mosque is necessary to accommodate pilgrims, the loss of historical markers—such as the site of the first Islamic school or the home where Muhammad was born—has sparked debate over whether economic growth and religious orthodoxy are erasing the physical history of Islam’s founding.

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