Jeddah’s Old Town: Al Balad (البلد), Jaddah (جدة) and the Grandmother Story
Halal Travel Pal Traveller Series continues and today it takes us to Jeddah in SaudiArabia.
One of our members and a passionate traveller Syed Suhail Ahmed Qadri recently visited Old Jeddah and shared reflections worth sharing more widely.
Al-Balad (البلد) means “The Town” in Arabic. In hashtagJeddah, it refers specifically to the old historic centre. For centuries, Al-Balad served as the main Red Sea port for pilgrims travelling to Makkah. Traders from Arabia, Africa, India and the wider Ottoman world passed through its markets. Today, the district is being restored and positioned as a major cultural tourism destination. It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking through Al-Balad, the coral stone buildings with their wooden balconies immediately stand out. Among them is Al-Shafi’i Mosque, regarded as one of the oldest mosques in Jeddah, with roots going back many centuries.
The commercial spirit of the area is still alive. The traditional gold souq remains a major draw, with rows of jewellery shops reflecting Jeddah’s long standing trading culture. Close by, the food markets sell spices, nuts, dates and local produce at reasonable prices. These markets are not staged for tourists. They are part of daily life and give visitors a real sense of the city’s trading heritage.
There are also historic buildings connected to early 20th century trade links between Jeddah and Indian merchants. There were strong commercial ties with Gujarati traders during the early Saudi period. While individual building stories are not always widely documented, the Indian merchant influence in Jeddah’s commercial history is well established.
Another topic that often raises curiosity is the site historically associated with the Tomb of Hawwa, believed by some to be the grave of Eve, mother of humanity. There has long been a location in Jeddah linked to this belief. However, there is a difference of opinion among scholars and historians. The site was levelled in 1928 and later sealed and concreted to prevent veneration.
There is also a popular explanation that the name Jeddah comes from the Arabic word جَدّة pronounced Jaddah, meaning grandmother. This has led to the symbolic link with Hawwa as the “grandmother” of humanity. Linguists debate the true origin of the city’s name, so this remains a traditional narrative.
Al Balad today blends history, faith, trade and architecture in one compact district. It is not just a preserved old town. It is the foundation of Jeddah’s identity.
Have you explored Al-Balad (البلد) recently? If you appreciate travel insights that balance history, faith and facts, follow this Traveller Series and share your experience in the comments.
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