Rare Documents and Photographs Illuminate the Kingdom’s Legacy
Visitors to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 are being treated to a remarkable collection of Saudi Arabia’s historical treasures — from early oil diplomacy and architectural restoration to photographic journeys through the desert. The showcased works offer rare glimpses into the Kingdom’s evolving identity, spanning religion, politics, infrastructure, and exploration.
Restoration of the Sacred Mosque and Holy Kaaba
One of the standout exhibits features a luxurious volume chronicling the mid-20th-century restoration of Masjid al-Haram and the Holy Kaaba. The book includes a foreword by former Saudi Finance Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abalkhail and is illustrated with powerful black-and-white images by celebrated African photojournalist Mohamed Amin.
Amin was among the first photographers granted access to document the Hajj pilgrimage and the sacred mosques in Makkah and Madinah. Over a three-year period in the 1970s, he traveled across the Kingdom by camel, helicopter, and foot, capturing expansive views of sacred architecture and urban transformation.
Oil Diplomacy and the Roots of OPEC
Another historic collection includes confidential documents from the First and Third Arab Petroleum Congresses, including in-house Aramco reports. The 1959 congress in Cairo is especially significant: it saw the introduction of the idea that would lead to the creation of OPEC.
According to the dealer’s notes, it was during this event that journalist Wanda Jablonski introduced Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Tariki to Venezuela’s Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo. Their secretive Maadi Pact ultimately led to the 1960 Baghdad Conference and the official birth of OPEC. The documents span from 1956 to 1961 and shed light on a pivotal era in global oil politics.
Hejaz Railway: A Forgotten Legacy Revisited
A unique photographic and documentary archive details the first post-war attempt to reconstruct the historic Hejaz Railway, which once connected Damascus to Madinah. The last full-length train journey occurred in 1925, and later efforts were halted due to flooding and political conflict.
The collection includes unpublished photos and original reports by the International Resources Engineering and Exploration Group, awarded the redesign contract in 1956. It particularly focuses on Mada’in Salih and Khur Himar, and features meetings with local rulers in AlUla and Tabuk.
Magic Lantern Slides of Philby and Holt’s Journey
Among the rarest items is a set of 23 magic lantern slides documenting the 1922 expedition by British intelligence officer Harry St John Bridger Philby and engineer Alec Horace Edward Litton Holt. The duo journeyed 600 miles across Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf province during a time of rising tensions between the nascent Saudi state and the Hashemites.
The slides, likely used during their 1923 presentation at the Royal Geographic Society in London, depict desert scenes, Ford cars and aircraft in Jidd, and Philby and Holt in traditional Arab attire. These visual records capture a unique moment in early Saudi-British relations and geographic exploration.
Aramco’s Vintage Educational Outreach
Also on display is a colorful promotional pack from Aramco’s educational outreach in the 1960s and 1970s. Intended to attract American students and graduates, the posters showcased Saudi architecture, historical figures, and the country’s burgeoning oil industry. Featuring icons like T.E. Lawrence and early Saudi engineers, the materials aimed to bridge cultural and industrial gaps between the Kingdom and the West.
A Window Into Saudi Arabia’s Past
These displays offer more than a look at Saudi Arabia’s historical milestones—they tell a story of transformation, ambition, and global influence. Whether through religious reverence, oil diplomacy, or desert exploration, each artifact at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair adds a vivid chapter to the rich tapestry of the Kingdom’s history.
Categories: Culture & Heritage, Middle East, Exhibitions & Events, History, Books & Publishing
Tags: Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi Book Fair, Holy Kaaba restoration, Mohamed Amin, OPEC history, Hejaz Railway, Philby, Aramco, historical archives, Middle East heritage
