Giant Retractable Umbrellas at Prophet’s Mosque Provide Shade and Comfort for Millions of Worshippers
Islamabad: The 250 giant automated umbrellas installed in the courtyards of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi stand as a remarkable blend of modern engineering and Islamic architecture, providing comfort and shade to millions of worshippers and visitors each year.
The state-of-the-art robotic umbrellas open in approximately three minutes each morning, expanding like giant canopies to cover nearly 143,000 square meters of the mosque’s outer courtyards. The shaded area can accommodate more than 228,000 worshippers at a time, protecting them from the intense heat of Madinah.
Designed with advanced heat-resistant fabric, the umbrellas also feature hundreds of water-misting fans mounted on their supporting columns. The cooling system releases a fine mist that helps reduce the surrounding temperature by 8 to 14 degrees Celsius, creating a more comfortable environment for visitors.
The umbrellas are considered one of the most significant architectural and engineering features of the Prophet’s Mosque, enhancing the experience of pilgrims and worshippers while preserving the beauty and serenity of one of Islam’s holiest sites.
