Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh has launched a groundbreaking environmental initiative to plant 100,000 seedlings across mosque courtyards in the Hail Region. The ambitious greening project, announced on October 27, 2025, marks a significant step in combining religious institutions with environmental sustainability goals.
Context and Background
The mosque courtyard planting initiative represents a strategic alignment between Saudi Arabia’s religious institutions and the Kingdom’s broader environmental objectives. Traditionally, mosque courtyards have served as important community gathering spaces, and their transformation into green spaces carries both practical and symbolic significance for local communities.
This initiative builds upon the Kingdom’s established track record of environmental preservation projects, particularly in urban areas where green spaces play a crucial role in improving quality of life and environmental sustainability.
Project Implementation
Under the direction of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, the initiative will systematically introduce native and adaptive plant species across mosque courtyards throughout the Hail Region and its governorates. The project demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to environmental stewardship while enhancing the aesthetic and functional aspects of religious spaces.
The selection of appropriate plant species and implementation methodology has been carefully planned to ensure sustainable growth with minimal water consumption, adhering to best practices in desert landscaping.
Environmental and Social Impact
This large-scale planting initiative serves multiple strategic objectives, including combating desertification, improving air quality, and creating more comfortable microclimate conditions for mosque visitors. The project also aims to raise environmental awareness among community members and demonstrate practical applications of sustainable development principles.
The transformation of mosque courtyards into green spaces will contribute to reducing the urban heat island effect while providing peaceful, natural environments for worship and community gathering.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The mosque greening initiative directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 environmental goals and the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to significantly increase vegetation cover across the Kingdom. By integrating environmental sustainability into religious infrastructure, the project exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to harmonizing traditional values with modern environmental stewardship, setting a replicable model for other regions to follow.