Wadi Fatimah is a seasonal watercourse located within the borders of the Makkah Province in the western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This natural tourist attraction in Makkah Province is formed during the rainy seasons in the Arabian Peninsula.
The valley spans over 210 km and is situated within the Makkah Province. It passes through the provinces of Taif, al-Jumum, and Jeddah, running from east to west. Its origin is at the upper Sarat close to Taif, and it ends at the Red Sea near the al-Khumra neighborhood in the south of Jeddah. The valley has an average slope of seven meters and is fed by two primary tributaries, Wadi Al-Shamiah and Wadi al-Sharibah. In 1985, the Kingdom made efforts to take advantage of this valley and proceeded to build the Wadi Fatimah Dam.
The Ruins of Fatimah Valley
Throughout history, Wadi Fatimah has been a witness to various eras that have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula. It was known in ancient times as Wadi Batin Mur or Mur al-Dhahran. It was renowned as one of the historical stations of the Hajj pilgrimage. The valley contains rock drawings and inscriptions in various languages dating back to pre-Islamic and early Islamic eras.
The History of Wadi Fatimah
After the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah and his subsequent conquering of Makkah, the valley gained historical significance. The Prophet stayed in a location known as al-Fath Mosque, where a mosque was later established. From this site, he went to Makkah. King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman al-Saud, the founder, also visited this place and helped establish a charitable endowment in his name called the King Abdulaziz Endowment. The endowment site is located near the mosque in al-Jumum Province.
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