Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor: DOWN MEMORY LANE: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

Sunday, 19 April 2026

DOWN MEMORY LANE: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

Jeddah in Saudi Arabia often called the "Bride of the Red Sea", the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia and its principal commercial hub. Located in the western coast, is serves as the primary gateway for millions of pilgrims traveling to the holy city of Mecca and Medina. Jeddah's roots trace back to ancient times when it served as a crucial port for traders and pilgrims.

Key Highlights & Landmarks

Al-Balad (Historic Jeddah): This UNESCO World Heritage site is the city's old heart, famous for its 7th-century roots and traditional coral-stone houses with intricate wooden balconies called rawashin.
King Fahd’s Fountain: The tallest water fountain in the world, shooting saltwater up to 312 metres into the air.
The Corniche: A 30km waterfront promenade featuring public art, parks, restaurants, and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the fastest street circuit in Formula 1.
Al-Rahma Mosque: Often called the Floating Mosque or Masjid al-Sayyidah Fatimah, it is built on stilts over the Red Sea and appears to float during high tide. It was built in 1985.
Jeddah Tower: Currently under construction and expected to be the world's tallest building (over 1km high) once completed. As for April 2026, the Jeddah Tower has officially surpassed the 100th-floor mark, reaching a height of approximately 402 meters.

Ar-Rahmah Mosque

Jeddah Tower

THE RED SEA

Wikipedia: The Red Sea Destination

A vital global waterway and a centerpiece of Saudia Arabia'a future tourism. Strategically separating Africa and Asia, it is home of one of the world's most resilient and diverse marine ecosystems.

The red Sea is the world's fourth-largest barrier reef system, hosts over 1,200 fish species and 300 types of coral.

JEDDAH AIRPORT

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is the primary gateway to Saudi Arabia's western region and the main entry point for pilgrims traveling to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Located 19 km north of Jeddah, it is the busiest airport in the Kingdom.

The Hajj Terminal is an architectural landmark famous for its tent-like fiberglass roof, can accommodate up to 80,000 pilgrims at once and operates seasonally for Hajj and Umrah traffic.

Airport in Jeddah during 2012 (Umrah) and 2017 (Hajj)

Upon arrival at Jeddah on 2017 (during Hajj)

Jeddah Airport - Awaiting Flight to Malaysia after Hajj 2017.

Jeddah most commonly translates from Arabic as "Grandmother" (Jaddah), according to local folk belief and tradition, the city is the burial place of Eve, considered the "grandmother of Humanity". The Tomb of Eve was a well-known archaelogical site in the city's historic district before being sealed in the 20th century.