Hejaz Railway Construction Begins

The Hejaz Railway was built to link Damascus with Medina, with a branch toward Mecca that was never completed. Construction began in 1900 CE under Sultan Abdul Hamid II, who funded much of it through donations from Muslims around the world. The line reached Medina in 1908. Its purpose was to move troops and pilgrims more quickly. Parts of the line were later attacked during the Arab Revolt.