People of Al-Wajh look to Dakar rally to put city on map

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General view of a Team Overdrive Toyota vehicle in action during stage one. (Reuters)
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General view of a Team Overdrive Toyota vehicle in action during stage one. (Reuters)
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Geely Auto Shell Lubricant Cooper Tires, driven by China's Wei Han and Min Liao in action during stage one . (Reuters)
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Residents of Al-Wajh hope the Dakar Rally 2020 will attract investors and boost tourism. (Arab News)
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Residents of Al-Wajh hope the Dakar Rally 2020 will attract investors and boost tourism. (Arab News)
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Residents of Al-Wajh hope the Dakar Rally 2020 will attract investors and boost tourism. (Arab News)
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Updated 07 January 2020
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People of Al-Wajh look to Dakar rally to put city on map

  • Residents hope for boost in terms of investment, tourism

Al-WAJH: Residents of Al-Wajh are hopeful that the Dakar Rally 2020, which began on Sunday, will attract investors to the coastal Saudi city.

Some residents have expressed delight at seeing big names of the annual sporting event in their city.

Receptionist Talal Al-Aradi said he has started to see new guests coming to Al-Wajh and asking about the rally.

“It’s apparent that this international event has given our small city the attention it deserves. Many Saudis may know little about Al-Wajh, but with the rally going through it, it will become famous enough and it will be a tourist destination,” he told Arab News.

Abdullah Al-Balawi, who has just returned to his city after finishing an English-language course in the UK, said he is optimistic that Al-Wajh will soon be an important destination on the Saudi tourism map.

“The annual long-distance off-road racing event will for sure add a lot to Saudi Arabia. It will shed light on the country’s most beautiful places, beginning from Jeddah to the finishing line at Qiddiya. The people of Al-Wajh are so lucky that their city is part of this big sports event,” he told Arab News.

Sultan Al-Maslamani, a chemistry student at Tabuk University who is spending his vacation with his family in Al-Wajh, said he is excited to see international motorists going through his place of birth, which many of his friends have heard little about.

“Like many of my friends, I don’t have a full idea about the rules of the race and the categories of the vehicles. However, the people here have started to talk about the event and the motorists taking part in it,” he told Arab News.

“The name of the Saudi driver, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who we wish good luck, has become more popular than ever.”

Al-Maslamani said the young people of Al-Wajh are ambitious, and this event may inspire some of them to become famous rally drivers. 

But he expressed hope that seeing the competitors driving aggressively will not negatively affect young drivers on the city’s streets.

“They have to understand that safety is a priority to the rally drivers, who’ve been professionally trained on such off-road activities,” he said.

“Moreover, these professional motorists are using trucks or motorbikes that are purpose-built and heavily modified to meet the toughest driving conditions on inhospitable terrain.”

The rally began in Jeddah and will end in Qiddiya on Jan. 17. In the past year, Saudi Arabia has increasingly opened its doors to international tourism and world-class sports and entertainment events, as part of its efforts to diversify the nation’s economy.


Historic exhibit in Makkah spotlights Prophet Muhammad’s journey

Hira Cultural District in Makkah is alive with activities as part of the Hira Winter events.
Updated 9 sec ago
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Historic exhibit in Makkah spotlights Prophet Muhammad’s journey

  • At the heart of these events is the Revelation Exhibition, which tells the powerful story of the honorable prophets, from Adam to Prophet Muhammad

RIYADH: The Hira Cultural District in Makkah is alive with activities as part of the Hira Winter events, coinciding with the mid-year vacation.

A variety of attractions and services are being offered to visitors until Jan. 10, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

At the heart of these events is the Revelation Exhibition, which tells the powerful story of the honorable prophets, from Adam to Prophet Muhammad.

The exhibition focuses on the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad, immersing visitors in the pivotal moment of his life, the SPA added.

Guests can explore the revelation story, the Cave of Hira and learn about Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the Mother of Believers, and the angel Gabriel through interactive museum displays.

Using cutting-edge technology like interactive screens and realistic simulations, the exhibition offers an immersive experience for visitors.

Historical artifacts are also on display, including a photocopy of the Qur’an attributed to Uthman bin Affan, one of the oldest surviving mushafs, highlighting Muslims’ dedication to preserving the holy book.

The exhibition also showcases ancient stone inscriptions with Qur’anic verses, reflecting Muslim efforts to safeguard sacred texts.

The district also offers a unique shopping experience, with handicrafts and traditional products. It is located near the Cave of Hira and the iconic Jabal Al-Nour.


Oud, sandalwood planting initiative launched in Madinah

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan has launched a project to cultivate agarwood and sandalwood trees across the region. (SPA)
Updated 12 min 2 sec ago
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Oud, sandalwood planting initiative launched in Madinah

  • Project aims to cultivate environmentally and economically valuable tree species like coffee and sandalwood

RIYADH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan has launched a project to cultivate agarwood and sandalwood trees across the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event was attended by Dhafer Al-Fahad, CEO of the Jazan Mountainous Development Authority, and featured a presentation highlighting the authority’s work, achievements, and partnerships.

Prince Salman emphasized the initiative’s strategic role in promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the region’s vegetation.

The project aims to cultivate environmentally and economically valuable tree species like coffee and sandalwood, support the local economy, and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation in the Madinah region, aligning with the environmental goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.

The green initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March 2021, plans to plant 450 million trees by 2030 and rehabilitate 8 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, which would cut about 200 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year.


Saudi cabinet praises results of Syrian delegation talks in Riyadh

Updated 33 min 5 sec ago
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Saudi cabinet praises results of Syrian delegation talks in Riyadh

The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, praised on Tuesday the outcomes of recent talks held between senior Saudi officials and a high-ranking delegation from Syria's new administration.

The cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting Syria's security and stability, as well as continuing its humanitarian and relief assistance to the Syrian people.

In a statement following the session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari highlighted the Kingdom's rejection and condemnation of Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's stance on international law and humanitarian principles.

Domestically, the cabinet reviewed the progress of development programs aimed at enhancing services for citizens and diversifying the economy, alongside updates on various agenda topics, including those coordinated with the Shura Council and other government bodies.


New deal to provide disability support in Yemen

Updated 07 January 2025
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New deal to provide disability support in Yemen

RIYADH: The Children with Disability Association and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen signed a cooperation agreement to support Yemenis with disabilities and improve the skills of workers in the field.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman and chairman of the association, and Mohammed Al-Jaber, the program’s general supervisor, signed the agreement in Riyadh.

Prince Sultan said that the memorandum builds on the association’s efforts to address disability-related challenges.

It aims to provide advisory services for launching medical rehabilitation centers for people with different disabilities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Prince Sultan acknowledged King Salman’s support for the association, which has helped it expand services across the Kingdom.

The agreement also aims to share expertise, promote partnerships and organize activities to improve community integration for children with disabilities, the SPA reported.

The collaboration is part of the program’s broader efforts to support individuals with disabilities and other groups in Yemen.


Hail’s traditional doors and carvings draw crowds to Handicrafts Festival

Updated 07 January 2025
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Hail’s traditional doors and carvings draw crowds to Handicrafts Festival

  • The pavilion also features Islamic plaster engravings inspired by the local environment

RIYADH: Visitors from across the region and beyond are being drawn to the wooden doors and gypsum carvings pavilion at the Handicrafts Festival in Hail, all keen to see the craftsmanship behind the traditional works.

Inspired by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” the festival celebrates the rich heritage of such skills and highlights their cultural and economic significance.

Craftsman Abdullah Al-Khazam explained that creating wooden doors and carvings, including those of old Hail houses made from tamarisk and other woods, demanded exceptional skill and attention to detail.

The difference between Najdi doors made with three beams while Hail doors are crafted with four (SPA)

He highlighted the difference the difference between Najdi doors, made with three beams, and Hail doors, which are crafted with four, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The pavilion also features Islamic plaster engravings inspired by the local environment, a hallmark of Najdi architecture used to adorn buildings, entrances, and majlis, or council rooms.

Replicas of traditional engravings from historical Hail majlis are on display, with many visitors expressing an interest in acquiring the pieces to decorate their own homes.

Also on display are drawings and engravings from ancient clay houses, including Qur’anic verses, sayings, decorative patterns, and depictions of trees and plants.

The festival takes place at Qishlah Palace in Hail until Jan. 9.