Rawashin: Cultural Windows between Mecca’s Past and Present

In the main streets of the central area of ​​Mecca, the holiest city of Muslims, windows called Rawashin and Hijazi doors, decorated with Islamic architecture, still offer a fascinating view of the Masjid al-Haram.

This architectural design reflects Makkah’s identity and a culture that is still etched in the minds of the city’s residents, who hold it as a reminder of the past and the historical richness of the holy city.

Architect Talal Samarkandi told Arab News that these wooden windows in old buildings in Makkah and Jeddah improve the passage of sunlight and fresh air.

He said that Rawashin architecture has its roots in the heritage of Hijazi period, which was built with rare wooden tools brought from India, Indonesia and Sudan.

Samar Qandi added: ‘This great heritage of architecture has been beautifully presented on these doors, windows, roofs and pilasters.’

‘People of this era believed that a home was defined by its doors and thus ensured that their doors and windows were beautiful and a great example of decoration.’

He added that wood was used for environmental purposes as wood is an efficient heat sink. These wooden artefacts were not only for beauty but were also used for keeping the building cool and for ventilation.

In the main streets of the central area of ​​Makkah, decorated with Islamic architecture, windows called Ruashin and Hijazi doors still offer a fascinating view of Masjid al-Haram.

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According to Samar Qandi, the ravishin was also used for another purpose and that was as a veil for women. With these netted stands, mothers could keep an eye on their children playing in the streets.

He further said that these windows and doors also served as the ‘social media’ platforms of the era, through which he got a chance to interact with the people around him.

Apart from this, these ornamental windows were also used as trade portals where people could buy goods from the streets using baskets and ropes.

They enhance the rich heritage and architectural charm of Makkah and are a new tourist attraction for visitors from different cultural backgrounds.