MADINAH: The color green covered the city of Madinah in preparation for the Kingdom’s 87th National Day.
Public gardens were cleaned and readied to receive Saudis celebrating this great day.
Some governmental buildings, roads, streets, trees, bridges and even tunnels were decorated with green flags and lights. The story of delivering the city of Madinah to the founder, King Abdul Aziz bin Abdulrahman, is also in the spotlight.
On the occasion of the 87th Saudi National Day, which is celebrated everywhere in the Kingdom, a scholar specialized in Islamic history, Fouad Al-Maghamisi, told Arab News how Madinah was peacefully delivered to the founder king.
Months after the siege of Madinah had passed with only a few small clashes, some people began calling for negotiations and reconciliation. The leaders of the city gathered to find a solution to the crisis with the Saudis.
Some conditions were imposed. One of the most important was to negotiate with King Abdul Aziz and deliver the city of Madinah safe and ready, to one of his sons. They decided to let one of the city’s traders, Mustafa Abdulaal, a neutral man who had relations with traders from Qasim, carry out the mission. Abdulaal secretly left Madinah, and headed to King Abdul Aziz’s camp in Bahrah.
The conditions of Al-Sharif Shehat for delivering Madinah to King Abdul Aziz were to guarantee the safety of its residents; that they wouldn’t be punished for the clashes that had happened; and that Madinah would be delivered to one of the sons of King Abdul Aziz.
King Abdul Aziz accepted the conditions and gave an order to his son Prince Mohammed to head to Madinah with the messenger Abdulaal. Thus, Prince Mohammed arrived in Madinah on November 9, 1925, accompanied by his father’s household and 200 men.
Despite a last-minute hesitation, the leaders of Madinah gathered and decided to deliver the leadership of Madinah to Prince Mohammed. The leader Abdul Majid Pasha mandated one of his officers to speak with one of the Saudi force leaders and ask him to deliver an important message to Prince Mohammed.
However, Abdul Majid Pasha surprised everyone by showing up to see the prince personally and discuss the conditions. They decided to deliver Madinah to the prince the following morning. Everyone waited and longed for the new era of Prince Mohammed, the first prince of Madinah city.
Al-Maghamisi noted that, since that day, Madinah has become a modern city that advocates for development in all fields. The first step the prince took was to expand the Prophet’s Mosque, but the work of maintenance and rehabilitation was not finished until after he died. The expansion work was supervised by King Saud bin Abdul Aziz.
As for the administrative field, King Abdul Aziz appointed an advisory board and inspection commissions that had a big role in developing and regulating Madinah’s affairs back then.
Madinah has developed much since then and continues to witness many new developments — the construction of roads, serving pilgrims, establishment of the Madinah airport. The population has also grown in the city that became a main attraction for people seeking jobs, education and other services.
Madinah continued to be, in the ensuing years, an economically booming city with development projects continuing until the present, under the reign of King Salman.
Madinah prepares for KSA’s 87th National Day
Madinah prepares for KSA’s 87th National Day
Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale to open in January
- Over 30 artists explore cultural heritage through contemporary art
JEDDAH: The second Islamic Arts Biennale is set to open on Jan. 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the event will showcase a blend of timeless Islamic civilization treasures and contemporary artistic creations.
The biennale will offer visitors a journey through the artistic heritage of Islam, engaging the senses, intellect, and creativity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Featuring contributions from over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia and beyond, the artworks will be displayed in both indoor and outdoor spaces until May 25.
Saudi artist Muhannad Shono will curate contemporary art, supported by associate curators Joanna Chevalier and Amina Diab.
Shono, along with artistic directors Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, has tasked the artists with creating new works that complement historical Islamic artifacts.
The biennale’s theme, “And All That Is In-Between,” captures the essence of contemporary artworks, transcending simplistic notions to foster collective understanding, imagination, and interpretation.
The artworks, inspired by themes including space, time, and light, provide insight into preserving and nurturing culture by exploring the evolving landscape of Saudi Arabia.
The new art pieces will be displayed alongside historical artifacts, including religious relics, maps, and jewelry, in five indoor halls and various outdoor spaces beneath the Hajj Terminal canopy.
The works, also inspired by the concept of the garden in Islamic civilization, blend nature and traditional design while addressing contemporary environmental and social issues.
The Islamic Arts Biennale will be organized into seven sections — Al-Bidaya (the beginning), Al-Madar (the orbit), Al-Muqtani (homage), Al-Mathala (the canopy), Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and Al-Musalla (the prayer hall) — spread across various galleries and outdoor areas, covering 100,000 square meters of dedicated exhibition space.
Saudi ambassador presents credentials to Ukraine’s president
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Ukraine, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Barakah, presented his credentials to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at a ceremony held in the capital, Kyiv.
Ambassador Al-Barakah conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to President Zelensky along with their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the government and people of Ukraine.
Saudi artist crafts Madinah’s culture in resin
RIYADH: Resin art, a crafting technique using the liquid form of the substance to create 3D objects or glossy coatings, has gained widespread popularity. When mixed with a hardener, resin solidifies, forming a glass-like finish.
Elyan Al-Aufi, a citizen from Madinah and a visual arts graduate of Taibah University, has significantly contributed to the medium, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Her pieces reflect Madinah’s culture, incorporating local elements including Madani script, roses, mint and basil.
Travelers to Madinah and the Prophet's Mosque often purchase her art as souvenirs, including keychains, jewelry, wall clocks, decorative pieces, and prayer beads, the SPA reported.
Resin art is versatile, used to create accessories and jewelry — such as necklaces, rings and earrings — via special molds. It is also key to paintings made with pouring techniques, producing distinctive results.
Resin is popular in household items including tables and trays, often featuring natural elements such as flowers or wood. It also used to preserve memorabilia and natural objects including leaves, photos and other items.
With its glass-like transparency and glossy finish, resin art allows creative use of colors, dyes, and natural elements such as flowers and shells. It produces durable, timeless pieces.
Saudi Arabia honors Qur’an contest winners in Nepal
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs recently honored winners of a Qur’an memorization competition in Nepal, involving more than 750 contestants and with 18 winners in four categories for boys and girls.
The competition, supervised by the Saudi Embassy in Kathmandu and coordinated with Nepal’s Muslim Commission, concluded with awards presented by the ministry’s undersecretary, Awad Al-Anzi.
Saudi Ambassador to Nepal Saad Nasser Abu Haimed and Nepal’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Dev Raj Ghimire attended the ceremony, alongside Islamic leaders, diplomats and parliamentarians.
The event featured Qur’an recitations by contestants and highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to promote the Qur’an globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Anzi reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to Islam’s values of justice, mercy and kindness and emphasized its longstanding support for Qur’an-related initiatives, including competitions and free distribution through the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah.
Abu Haimed praised the competition as part of Saudi Arabia’s dedication to the Qur’an and congratulated the winners.
Participants expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s support of Islam and encouragement of Qur’an memorization and recitation.
Qassim craftsmen shine at Security Oasis exhibition
RIYADH: The Qassim municipality pavilion at the Ministry of Interior’s Security Oasis exhibition, held alongside the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, impressed visitors with a stunning display of wooden sculptures.
The intricate works show the region’s cultural heritage and the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Characterized by exquisite detail, the sculptures demonstrate the remarkable skill of Qassim’s craftsmen in transforming wood into captivating art that blends authenticity and creativity.
The display reflects the strong support provided by the municipality and the Heritage Commission to local artisans, according to the SPA.
By fostering this talent, the region promotes a thriving creative environment and ensures Qassim’s heritage reaches a wider audience through events such as this festival.
The exhibition runs in Al-Sayahid, northeast of Riyadh, until Dec. 31.
