The Ottoman Empire, striving to establish justice and order worldwide, left significant marks in the centuries during which it maintained its military, political, and social presence in the Hejaz region. Especially in its later years, the empire undertook initiatives that would leave a lasting impact.
The Ottoman Empire, encompassing a considerably vast scope of services, constructed works to meet vital needs for both the general population and pilgrims.
A customs administration was established for entry and exit at ports in the Arabian Peninsula, which has a coastline along the Red Sea, and maritime activities were reconstructed on a systematic basis.
The Hejaz Railway, extending all the way to Medina and inaugurated by Sultan Abdulhamid II, was a significant undertaking considering the conditions of the time, representing a substantial service.
Various improvements were implemented in Mecca and Medina to facilitate the easy access of city water networks to households.
The redesigned waterways and fountains were expanded to ensure the efficient and regular utilization of Zamzam water.
In order to mitigate the destructive impact of sporadic heavy rains in the sacred lands and prevent potential harm to the Kaaba and the Masjid al-Haram, the Ottoman Empire altered the pathways of rainwater and riverbeds.
With the onset of Ottoman rule, Mecca underwent a profound transformation, adhering to a physical plan and witnessing the construction of structures centered around the Sacred Sanctuary (Harem-i Şerif) with a focus on social and cultural qualities. This gave the city where Islam originated a completely different appearance.
Sultan Abdulhamid II personally conceived and established the Ayn-i Hamidi water supply, which significantly addressed the water needs extending from Jeddah to Mecca. However, recognizing the persistent challenges in the realm of water supply, the Ottoman Empire, under his leadership, introduced new water purification devices as part of a long-term project to alleviate these issues.
The region that most urgently required the technology for the purification of seawater, discovered in the 1850s, within the Ottoman geography was the Hejaz.
Following the initial efforts in 1894, a station was established in Jeddah to purify seawater. However, over time, the station proved insufficient to meet the demand, leading to numerous new initiatives for the construction of additional facilities.
The undertaken efforts successfully addressed a substantial need in the Hejaz and the sacred lands for an extended period. The Ottoman Empire's pioneering use of a recently discovered technology in the holy lands holds significant political and strategic implications.
