Fahreddin Pasha archive reveals treasure of holy lands images

Rare archival photographs of Islam’s holy sites have surfaced from the collection of Ottoman commander Fahreddin Pasha, known as the “Desert Tiger” for the defense of Medina, offering new visual records from the early 20th century.

Ottoman commander Fahreddin Pasha was welcomed at Medina station with ceremonies as rebels launched a major offensive in the Hejaz in June 1916, capturing Jeddah, Mecca and Taif within months due to Mecca Governor Galib Pasha’s lack of precautions.

A rare archival photograph from Medina shows madrasah teachers and students gathered in the holy city.

Sharif Ali Haydar, Fahreddin Pasha and Basri Pasha attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a wireless telegraph station in Medina, according to archival records.

An archival photograph from Ottoman commander Fahreddin Pasha’s collection shows Turkish troops manning an artillery position near Medina during World War I.

An archival photograph shows Medina Guard Basri Pasha meeting officials of the Guard Organization and local notables at the Cemiyet-i Hayriye-i Islamiye during his farewell visit before leaving the city.

Construction of the Hejaz railway was started in 1900 and it reached al-Madina al-Munawwara on Sept. 1, 1908. The last stop was Medina Station, which was 1 kilometer away from al-Haram al-Sharif.

Medine istasyonu

An archival record shows a major flood striking the Awwali and Quba areas of Medina, Jan. 5, 1918, during World War I.

An archival photograph from World War I shows the Ottoman Medina Guard Regiment stationed in the city.

An archival photograph from Ottoman commander Fahreddin Pasha’s collection shows the Mahmudiye Madrasah and Library in Medina.

Ottoman troops conduct live fire training on Mount Cehennem (Jabal Ayr), or the Mountain of Hell, in Medina during World War I, an archival image shows.

A rare archival photograph of Jannat al Baqi Cemetery in Medina has emerged from the collection of Ottoman commander Fahreddin Pasha, offering a historical glimpse of the holy site in what is now Saudi Arabia.

An archival photograph from Ottoman commander Fahreddin Pasha’s collection shows the mihrab of the Hamza Mosque near Medina, offering a rare early 20th century view of the holy city’s religious heritage in what is now Saudi Arabia.

A newly surfaced archival photograph of the Quba Mosque in Medina offers a rare early 20th century glimpse of one of Islam’s oldest and most revered mosques in what is now Saudi Arabia.

A rare World War I era photograph of the Al Ula region near Medina has surfaced from the archive of Ottoman commander Fahreddin Pasha.