Canal of Zubaidah

The Canal of Zubaidah (Arabic: , romanized: 'Ain Zubaida), also anglicized as the Canal of Zubaydah, is a system of covered aqueducts (qanat) outside of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that historically provided water to hajj pilgrims. Built under the direction of Abbasid queen Zubaidah bint Ja'far, the canal was completed in the early 9th century and allowed water to be transported from two wadis—Wadi Hunayn and, later, Wadi Numan—to Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Although requiring regular repairs, the system continued to function for over a thousand years, carrying up to 40,000 cubic metres (1,400,000 cu ft) of water per day. In 1974, amid high levels of water pumping and urban expansion, the system was rendered defunct. In the 21st century, efforts have been undertaken to preserve and revitalize the canal.

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