Qaryat Al-Faw, the first capital of the Kindite kingdom, witnessed the establishment of several ancient civilizations, with its plethora of tombs depicting their presence and passing.
There are three types of cemeteries that can be distinguished in Al-Faw. The first is located on the western edge of the city and consists of the collective family cemeteries that belonged to those of heightened political and social status in the city.
The tomb is 5 meters deep, 1 meter wide, and 6 meters long from north to south. There are holes on the eastern and western walls in which a person could put his legs to go into or out of the tomb.
In addition, there are four doors on the four sides. Three of these doors lead to caves carved in round shapes, while the western door leads to a built room tiled with white plaster and a lower room at the northern end which contains a pit containing valuable things belonging to the deceased.
The second type consists of the cemeteries of the noblemen, where the tomb consists of eastern and western rooms with a ditch in the middle that is three-and-a-half meters deep, with holes in the eastern and western sides for people to enter and exit the tomb.
The third type of cemeteries belonged to the common people of the various kingdoms. They are located to the northeast of the city, on the edge of the western valley in the plaster area that lies to the north of the market. The cemeteries are strikingly similar to Islamic cemeteries. These tombs are composed of an irregular and un-plastered ditch between 1 and 5 meters long and ends with a tomb closed with a small clay board, which is similar to those used in the village buildings. Excavators found several jars among the dead upon opening them.
Al-Faw is considered as one of the most important archeological sites in the Arabian Peninsula. It boasts special importance due to its geographic location as a commercial center and a crossroads for caravans loaded with minerals, grains and weavings.
It was a major transit point for the caravans coming from the kingdoms of Sheba, Ma’in, Qataban, Hadhramout and Himyar on their way to Najran, Al-Faw then to Al-Aflaj and Yamamah before heading east to the gulf and north to Mesopotamia and Syria.
The tombs can be found about 150 km from the headquarters of Wadi Al-Dawasir governorate from the southeast, specifically in the area where Wadi Al-Dawasir overlaps with the Tuwaiq Mountains in an area called “Al-Faw.”
ThePlace: Qaryat Al-Faw, the first capital of the kingdom of central Arabia
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ThePlace: Qaryat Al-Faw, the first capital of the kingdom of central Arabia
Saudi crown prince receives Italian PM in AlUla
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday.
Islamic leaders call for unity against extremism at Bangkok conference
RIYADH: Participants in Bangkok on Sunday at the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stressed Islam’s foundation in worshipping Allah and following the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, urging Muslims to promote moderation while contributing to progress.
In a final communique of the two-day event, which was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Thailand, participants called on scholars to uphold Islam’s tolerant values and address misinterpretations of religious discourse.
They highlighted the importance of following the path of the Prophet’s companions, combating extremism, and rejecting groups that misused religion for personal gain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Participants stressed the need to leverage modern media and technology to promote Islam, counter misinformation through research, and develop programs instilling Islamic values and tolerance in young people.
The conference focused on research papers by various scholars and aimed to strengthen communication among Islamic leaders and institutions to advance civilization.
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh on Saturday emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and uphold Islamic identity through solidarity and adherence to the truth.
He said that scholars had a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security issues facing the world.
Al-Asheikh added: “This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith.”
Umrah guests from 18 African nations visit Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
RIYADH: The third group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured several historical and religious sites in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
As part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the visit aimed to enrich the cultural experience of visitors and Umrah performers in the holy city.
The group, consisting of 250 pilgrims from 18 African countries, visited the Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.
At Quba Mosque, the guests performed prayers and were briefed on its facilities and the ongoing expansion projects designed to increase capacity and enhance services for worshippers.
The guests also learned about the mosque’s historical and religious significance as the first mosque built after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Madinah.
Additionally, they toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah, where they explored the technical and administrative departments and learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an and its translation into multiple languages.
The visit also showcased the complex’s efforts in recording Qur’anic recitations, interpreting its meanings, advancing Qur’anic sciences, and supporting Islamic research and studies.
The guests were introduced to the complex’s written and audio publications, which aim to spread Islamic teachings worldwide. At the end of the tour, representatives of the complex presented copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.
This third group is part of a larger initiative to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries this year. After their visit to Madinah, the guests will travel to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals.
Saudi project clears 840 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 840 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included 38 anti-tank mines, 800 unexploded ordnances and two explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 479,794 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Jouf’s camping sites highlight spring tourism
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has designated eight spring camping sites in areas of Jouf.
These, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday, are Rahiya, Hadib National Park, Al-Rasif, Al-Yatima, Al-Mahta, Al-Athath, Al-Adhra’, and Laijah National Park.
Popular for wilderness tourism, these sites attract visitors with natural landscapes, early spring blooms such as lavender and buttercup, as well as truffle hunting.
Camping in Jouf is a prominent social winter activity, fostering connections and celebrating the region’s vibrant post-rain spring landscapes, SPA reported.
Local wilderness enthusiast Bilal Al-Khalidi highlighted weekend camping as a cherished pastime, with groups traveling in adventure-ready vehicles and dividing tasks such as transporting tents and cooking equipment.
Once at the site, campers set up tents, prepare Saudi coffee and tea, hike, and collect wild aromatic plants, he said, adding that evenings are dedicated to dinner and overnight stays, while mornings begin with flatbread cooked over charcoal.
