JEDDAH: The auspicious festival of Eid Al-Fitr, one of the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar that marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramadan, is being celebrated with full religious fervor and gaiety all across the Kingdom.
Millions of Muslims attended the congregational Eid prayer in various mosques and special prayer grounds for the blessed occasion (Eidgah) on Friday morning after the Shawwal moon was sighted on Thursday evening.
In Makkah, the Eid prayer was performed at the Grand Mosque and led by Imam Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid.
King Salman performed Eid Al-Fitr prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. More than a million worshipers performed Eid Al-Fitr prayer at the Prophet’s Holy Mosque in Madinah, where the prayer was attended by Prince Faisal bin Salman, Governor of Madinah region.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar attended the prayer at Prince Turki bin Abdullah Mosque and congratulated the people on the auspicious occasion.
In the prayer performed in various regions and attended by respective governors of the regions with senior officials, the preachers in their sermon congratulated Muslims on the blessed occasion of the Eid Al-Fitr, praying to Allah Almighty to accept their fasting, prayers, charity and good deeds, wishing them many happy returns with the good outcomes and blessings.
After the prayer in designated mosques and at special grounds, people met with each other with a great zeal greeting them a happy and very blessed Eid.
In Riyadh, besides the designated mosques, special arrangements were made to conduct prayers in dozens of open spaces in Suleimaniyah, Deerah and Manfouha districts with separate arrangements for women by placing improvised partitions for their privacy.
The week-long festivity, with the culmination of the fasting month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid holidays, has ushered in the most festive celebration in the Islamic calendar as families organizw get together meetings and feasts, and offer presents and delicacies.
A comprehensive civil and security arrangements are in place for the annual festival to be enjoyed amid colorful celebrations with utmost public safety.
The Riyadh Governorate, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawah and Guidance and the Riyadh municipality have made elaborate arrangements for the occasion, including entertainment and fun programs for children and families to enjoy the holiday.
The capital have been decked by the municipal staffs with special decorative arrangements, including flags and banners bearing “Eid Saeed” on main roads in the city greeting passers by.
Riyadh municipality, in collaboration with a number of official and non-official bodies, has made an elaborate decorative arrangement offering colorful celebrations that include miscellaneous folklore performances and a variety of activities for children.
Asides from the banners and flags, many roads have also been decorated with special colorful lighting arrangements to celebrate the annual festivity.
The municipality has selected three locations, which is distributed geographically across the capital for fireworks programs, which will start daily at 9:15 p.m. local time throughout the Eid holiday.
One of these sites that has unfailingly attracted a huge number of residents and visitors over the years is the sprawling King Abdullah Park in the Malaz District, where dazzling and colorful fireworks are displayed before midnight during Eid, in addition to light and dancing fountain shows holding hundreds of spectators spellbound.
Al-Jazera district in the capital has set up an events site, which is a heritage village that will show the manifestations of Eid in the past and some activities in cooperation with the coin museum and 60 heritage booths for families to explore. The event runs from 7:15 pm to 12:00 midnight local time.
Moreover, Riyadh municipality made elaborate arrangement for street art activities at the King Fahd Library square with a variety of activities for families, light and sound programs in the garden area, as well as a number of activities for youth,including shows at Dirab park.
Furthermore, there will be a carnival march at the Prince Turki Alawwal after evening prayer and will include a march of solidarity with soldiers, folklore bands and classic cars.
King Abdullah Park in Malaz district will also host a range of folklore activities on the big stage in the park starting from 7:15 pm, whereas King Abdulaziz Historical Center Theater will host a variety of programs, shows and plays for the family.
These special arrangements have been made as a goodwill gesture to share joy with the residents and visitors, on this very blessed and pious occasion.
These celebrations will also include activities for people with special needs. To enjoy the holiday, residents have several plans, including watching the FIFA 2018 World Cup, which started Thursday with the opening match played between the Kingdom and Russia.
Some families went to Makkah and Madinah to spend their holiday in the two holy cities.
Speaking to Arab News, Mohammed Faizi, who works with a hospitality group said: “We are heading to the holy cities of Madinah, Makkah, and the resort city of Taif to spend some time with my family as my office is closed, so we will enjoy this leisure period.”
Eid Al-Fitr marked with religious fervor as Riyadh dresses up for celebrations
Eid Al-Fitr marked with religious fervor as Riyadh dresses up for celebrations
- Millions of Muslims attended the congregational Eid prayer in various mosques and special prayer grounds for the blessed occasion
- The week-long festivity has ushered in the most festive celebration in the Islamic calendar
Ancient terrace farming technique shapes Asir’s agricultural heritage
- Together, the thumalah and mughayyid systems stand as a testament to early innovation sustaining life in one of Saudi Arabia’s most challenging landscapes
RIYADH: For centuries, the people of Saudi Arabia’s Asir region have cultivated food on steep mountain slopes using stone terracing systems.
They began with the construction of stone retaining walls known locally as “thamayil,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Each individual wall, called “thumalah,” is anchored into bedrock and can rise two to six meters in height.
They serve as critical infrastructure for mountain agriculture by creating level growing surfaces on otherwise impossible terrain.
“The thumalah represents a stone containment system designed to capture sloping mountain terrain,” Ahmed Al-Bariqi, an architectural heritage researcher, said in an interview with the SPA. “After building the stone barrier, the enclosed space is filled with a mixture of clay, soil and rocks to create a flat, arable surface suitable for both farming and habitation.”
Local builders adapted to their surroundings, often reinforcing these structures with juniper and sidr tree trunks, as well as massive stones to withstand the pressure of heavy seasonal rains.
Water management is equally sophisticated. The “mughayyid” regulates irrigation and controls flooding by channeling water flow between terraced fields.
“Ancient builders displayed remarkable engineering precision in the mughayyid’s construction,” Al-Bariqi has said in his book “Antiquities and Heritage in Bariq Governorate.”
He added: “Square or elongated stones formed the base structure, while carefully polished flat stones were placed at the top, precisely leveled to allow water to flow at calculated rates between terraces.”
Positioned at strategic elevations, the mughayyid retains optimal water volumes while preventing destructive flooding that could compromise the entire terrace system.
These terraces do more than support agriculture. According to Dr. Ghaithan bin Jurais of King Khalid University, they reflect a deep-rooted civilization in Asir dating back thousands of years.
“These structures preserve soil resources, establish clear property boundaries between neighboring farms, and historically served as recognized markers of family and tribal land ownership,” he said.
Together, the thumalah and mughayyid systems stand as a testament to early innovation sustaining life in one of Saudi Arabia’s most challenging landscapes.
Saudi, British foreign ministers discuss regional and international developments
- Two ministers also discussed Saudi-UK relations
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday spoke with his British counterpart David Lammy, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two ministers discussed Saudi-UK relations, as well as regional and international developments and the efforts being made in this regard, SPA added.
The call came on the same day as Prince Faisal's meeting with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah.
Crown prince holds phone calls with King of Bahrain, Emir of Kuwait
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the calls, the crown prince reviewed relations between the Kingdom and Bahrain and Kuwait, SPA added.
They also discussed a number of issues of common interest.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan welcome India-Pakistan ceasefire, urge dialogue
- Kingdom commends both parties for prudence, self-restraint amid heightened tensions
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday welcomed the US-mediated ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, expressing hope that the development will pave the way for restoring security and stability in the region.
In an official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom commended both parties for their prudence and self-restraint amid heightened tensions, and reiterated its support for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.
Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of adhering to the principles of good neighborliness in a manner that promotes peace and prosperity for both countries and their peoples.
The ceasefire announcement came on Saturday after both Islamabad and New Delhi confirmed the agreement following a period of escalated hostilities.
The de-escalation followed US-mediated talks late on Friday night, with President Donald Trump stating that Washington had played a key role in brokering the understanding between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the ceasefire agreement, describing it as a key step toward enhancing regional stability, the Jordan News Agency reported.
Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah emphasized the importance of resolving crises through diplomatic channels and reiterated Jordan’s support for peaceful efforts based on the principles of good neighborliness.
He praised both sides for promoting dialogue and exercising restraint.
Jeddah festival celebrates Korean culture
- Event strengthens ties through heritage, fun
JEDDAH: The Korean Culture Festival, which was organized by the Consulate General of South Korea, has been held at the Korean International School in Jeddah.
This year’s theme, “Enjoy Korea,” drew around 500 guests to celebrate Korean heritage, culture, and the growing friendship between Saudi Arabia and Korea.
Held annually, the festival is part of the consulate’s efforts to foster cultural exchange and strengthen ties between the two nations.
The event was inaugurated by Consul General Woo Hong-koo, who spoke of the long-standing relationship between South Korea and Saudi Arabia.
He said: “This event provides a valuable opportunity to deepen residents’ interest in Korea. As the world’s 12th largest economy, Korea’s growth has been significantly supported by its long-standing cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
“Through events like this, we hope to inspire more people to explore Korea, a country that warmly welcomes all with its rich culture, dynamic traditions, and the global phenomenon of K-pop.”
One of the festival’s highlights was a pansori concert — a traditional Korean musical storytelling performance — by Chae Soo-jung, the chairman of the World Pansori Association, who traveled from South Korea to participate.
Guests explored various cultural activities, including a kimbap (Korean sushi) cooking class, traditional Korean calligraphy, and a hanbok experience, at which those attending could try on traditional attire.
A new addition this year was the virtual reality corner, offering immersive simulations of modern South Korea.
Han SangJun, principal of the Korean International School, highlighted the festival’s significance, saying: “Beyond showcasing Korean culture and tradition, this festival plays a vital role in building people-to-people connections and fostering mutual respect between our communities.
“It’s especially meaningful to see so many Saudi families and young people actively engage with Korean students, learn through hands-on activities, and create lasting memories. These interactions lay the groundwork for deeper educational and cultural collaboration in the future.”
A highlight was the involvement of Korean school students, who led an interactive segment on traditional games. These included ddakji (a paper-flipping game), gonggi (played with small stones), jegichagi (a Korean version of hacky sack), and biseokchigi (a stone-striking game). The activities encouraged participation from attendees of all ages.
Yeong Na, a representative of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a government-affiliated organization promoting Korean identity and heritage, attended the festival, and said: “Our goal is to foster a deeper understanding of Korea’s historical journey and national values.
“By participating in events like this we hope to build meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and inspire greater interest in Korea’s past, present, and future.”
Ahmed Fatani, a university student, said: “I have always been a fan of K-pop, but this event showed me a whole new side of Korea. I had seen some of the traditional games but watching them live and trying them myself was amazing.
“The calligraphy and hands-on activities were also really memorable. It made me want to learn more about Korean history and hopefully visit the country one day.”
