JAKARTA – Madinah, Islam’s second holiest city and a spiritual destination for millions of hajj and umrah pilgrims worldwide including from Indonesia, has now earned international recognition in the health sector. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially renewed Madinah’s accreditation as a “Healthy City” after the city achieved high scores in WHO’s rigorous assessment criteria.

According to Arab News, the accreditation certificate was presented during an official ceremony on Thursday (July 30, 2025). Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al Jalalel presented the certificate to Prince Salman bin Sultan, Governor of the Madinah Region.

Commitment to Public Welfare

Prince Salman emphasized that this achievement reflects the Saudi government’s serious commitment to building a city oriented toward community well-being. He described Madinah’s urban transformation as a concrete example of the Kingdom’s dedication to Vision 2030—Saudi Arabia’s ambitious program to build a sustainable and humane future.

With this accomplishment, Madinah officially becomes the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, following Jeddah. The accreditation also strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional leader in developing healthy, modern, and resident-friendly cities.

Strict WHO Standards Met

According to WHO guidelines, the “Healthy City” designation is only awarded to cities capable of meeting 80 strict criteria, ranging from the presence of urban parks and adequate pedestrian pathways to robust primary healthcare facilities and health education programs in schools.

Beyond Madinah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia now boasts 16 cities recognized as healthy cities by WHO. Several include Taif, Tabuk, Ad-Diriyah, Unaizah, Jalajel, Al-Mandaq, Al-Jumum, Riyadh Al-Khubra, and Sharurah, as reported by Leaders MENA.

Significance for Pilgrims

The healthy city certification holds particular significance for the millions of Muslim pilgrims who visit Madinah annually. The enhanced health infrastructure, improved urban planning, and comprehensive healthcare facilities ensure safer and more comfortable experiences for worshippers from around the globe.

This recognition aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to modernize its holy cities while preserving their spiritual significance. The Kingdom has been implementing extensive urban development projects to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims while maintaining high standards of public health and safety.

The achievement represents a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey toward creating world-class urban centers that balance religious heritage with contemporary health and wellness standards, positioning the Kingdom as a model for other nations seeking to develop healthy, sustainable cities.

Original Article:

Detik.com. (2025, November 20). Madinah Raih Predikat ‘Kota Sehat’ dari WHO, Perkuat Visi 2030 Saudi. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.detik.com/hikmah/haji-dan-umrah/d-8040823/madinah-raih-predikat-kota-sehat-dari-who-perkuat-visi-2030-saudi/amp