The King Abdulaziz Public Library has highlighted a collection of rare photographs taken 90 years ago at Jeddah Islamic Port, including its gates and coastlines, in 1936. It has also revealed another collection of photographs taken in 1947 and 1972 of the historic port. These photographs represent an important historical visual record, highlighting the significant global role of Jeddah Islamic Port, located on the Red Sea along the western coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today, the port is one of the world’s leading ports, achieving major advances in container handling, loading and unloading, and transshipment. It has evolved from an old port receiving ships carrying pilgrims and Umrah performers bound for Makkah into a global port with international coordinates and connectivity and a significant international presence. Its vital importance has been particularly evident during international crises, as it serves as a major international economic gateway, making it one of the world’s most important ports.

The photographs highlight the large numbers of passengers arriving at Jeddah Port and show large steamships carrying visitors to the Kingdom and to Makkah to perform Hajj. They also show some female pilgrims leaving through the “Jeddah Engine Gate” after arriving at Jeddah Islamic Port. These photographs date back to 1936.

Other photographs show a warehouse near Jeddah Port and workers at the port beside one of the ships. They also depict groups of pilgrims aboard their boats in Jeddah Port, as well as others aboard their ship before reaching the port.

The photographs taken at the port during the 1930s and 1940s take us, through visual memory, back to a variety of historical scenes, transforming them into a tangible form of inspired imagination through which to appreciate the aesthetics of the place and its features. They also illustrate the major historical role of Jeddah Port, where activity has continued uninterrupted since its establishment during the reign of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan in 26 AH (646 CE). The Caliph designated it as the port of Makkah, replacing the old port of Al-Shuaiba. Since then, it has remained a principal gateway for receiving pilgrims from all over the world.

The photographs focus on the port and on travelers and passengers arriving in Jeddah from different nationalities and linguistic backgrounds. In an enlarged panoramic view of the port, we can observe the diverse activities taking place there in 1947, as well as scenes reflecting the daily life of ordinary citizens and a number of vehicles at the port. Among the photographs is a commemorative image of engineer Mr. Mohammed Helmi, the photographer of the Two Holy Mosques, standing with a number of passengers who had arrived at Jeddah Port. Another photograph shows members of the Egyptian honorary delegation while they were in the Kingdom to perform Hajj in 1936. Yet another shows a group of figures wearing different types of attire, ranging from traditional thobes to formal suits, standing in front of one of the ships docked at the port. These scenes highlight the diverse presence of visitors from different countries who came for pilgrimage, Hajj, or Umrah.

Following the development and reopening of Jeddah Islamic Port in 1972, the photographs captured a large number of scenes, including King Faisal, may Allah have mercy on him, speaking with Sheikh Mohammed Omar Tawfiq, Minister of Transport. Other photographs show King Faisal unveiling the commemorative plaque after his arrival and the playing of the national anthem. Another image captures him delivering a speech during the opening ceremony, with a number of princes seated to his right. The photographs also show guests attending the opening ceremony of the Islamic Port and several ships decorated for the occasion docked at the port.

It is worth noting that the strategic location of Jeddah Islamic Port makes it one of the world’s most important ports. Situated along major global shipping routes, it serves as a link between three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is regarded as the leading port on the Red Sea coast for international maritime trade and the transshipment of containers and goods.