October 25, 2025
Web desk
Riyadh: The Saudi government has announced plans to introduce a cable-car system by 2025 to facilitate pilgrim access to the Cave of Hira, the historic site where Islam’s prophet received his first revelation, located on Jabal al‑Noor near Mecca.
The cable-car will link the base of Jabal al-Noor to the cave, which sits at about 634 metres above sea level and roughly four kilometres from the Grand Mosque. The goal is to ease access for visitors, as previously the steep climb and rugged terrain made reaching the site difficult.
The project forms part of a broader development plan in the region that also includes the creation of the Hira Cultural District and the opening of three new museums in Jabal Omar by the same target year. Officials say the initiative is designed both to improve the visitor experience and to preserve the significance of the site.
In a statement, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah underscored that Jabal al-Noor and the Cave of Hira hold deep heritage value in Islam. The mountain’s shape often likened to a camel’s hump and its rugged approach have long made the cave a symbol of spiritual ascension as well as physical effort
