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
Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market
- The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares
- Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant
RIYADH: Madinah has solidified its position as the Kingdom’s largest producer of organic aromatic plants, contributing 78 tonnes — 26.4 percent of the national total of 296 tonnes.
This reflects the region’s strong agricultural productivity and its key role in medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce detailed the national landscape, showing Qassim as the second-largest producer with 15.9 percent, followed by Riyadh with 14.9 percent and Jazan with 14.7 percent.
Together, these four regions account for approximately 72 percent of the Kingdom’s total organic medicinal and aromatic plant production, the SPA reported.
The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares, followed by Qassim with 36, Riyadh with 35, and Jazan with 34 hectares — underscoring strong regional competition in the sector.
Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant, valued for its strong aroma and distinctive flavor, according to the SPA.
Its cultivation is deeply rooted in the region’s agricultural heritage and presents attractive investment opportunities at various scales.
Other aromatic plants grown in Madinah include basil, henna, and moringa.
The report also highlighted broader investment opportunities within the aromatic plant production sector.
Saudi FM heads high-level economic delegation on visit to Damascus
- Prince Faisal is scheduled to meet with President of the Syrian Republic Ahmad Al-Sharaa
- The high-level economic delegation includes Saudi officials from the ministries of finance and investment
DAMASCUS: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Damascus on Saturday with an economic delegation on a visit to discuss ways to support Syria’s war-ravaged economy, authorities said.
The high-level economic delegation, which includes Saudi officials from the ministries of finance and investment, will hold a consultation session with their Syrian counterparts.
Syria and Saudi Arabia had previously discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in the financial sectors.
Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important regional supporters of Syria’s new authorities, who took over after ousting longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war.
On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that paves the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani welcomed Prince Faisal, who is “heading a high-level delegation,” on arrival at Damascus airport, a Syria foreign ministry statement said.
The pair were scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon.
A Saudi foreign ministry statement said Prince Faisal would meet with interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and “the high-level economic delegation” would hold talks with Syrian officials about ways of cooperating “that contribute to supporting Syria’s economy and strengthen institution building.”
In February, Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia in his first trip abroad as president.
Last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another key backer of the new authorities, announced they would settle Syria’s debt to the World Bank totaling roughly $15 million.
Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the United States, will pave the way for support from the international community.
Years of war and sanctions have battered the country’s economy, infrastructure and industry.
A recent United Nations Development Programme report estimated Syria’s “lost GDP” during the 2011-2024 war to be around $800 billion.
Prince Faisal first visited Syria’s new authorities in January.
Kingdom extends aid to global communities
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact, providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,155 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Baidoa district, Bay region, benefiting 6,930 people.
KSrelief also signed an agreement with the International Wars and Disaster Victims’ Protection Association to operate the third phase of the dialysis center at Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, benefiting 665 individuals.
In Yemen, the agency distributed 3,471 food packages to the neediest groups in Al-Madinah district, Marib governorate, benefiting 24,297 people.
KSrelief signed an agreement with a civil society organization to distribute 800 tonnes of dates in Chad. The $2 million initiative aims to support vulnerable families across several regions and is expected to benefit about 500,000 people.
The agency implemented the two-week Saudi Noor program in Burkina Faso to combat blindness and related diseases. KSrelief’s medical team examined 8,000 individuals, distributed 2,000 eyeglasses, provided medication to 3,886 patients, and performed 800 surgeries as part of the initiative.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,438 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 107 countries, in partnership with more than 318 organizations.
Kingdom arrests 12,129 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 12,129 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 7,127 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,441 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,561 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,197 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 63 percent were Ethiopian, 34 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 90 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 18 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia elected vice-chair of WHO executive board
- Elected chairman of the Executive Board was Australia
- The board's new officials will hold office until mid-2028
GENEVA: Saudi Arabia was elected on Friday as vice chair of the World Health Organization’s executive board for the 2025–2028 term.
The election was held during the board’s first meeting of its 57th session in Geneva following the conclusion of the 78th session of the World Health Assembly.
Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the session was led by Rakan Khalid Bin Dohaish, Ministry of Health undersecretary for international cooperation, who stood on behalf of Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel, SPA reported.
Composed of 34 members representing various member states, the WHO executive board is responsible for implementing the resolutions and recommendations of the World Health Assembly — the supreme decision-making body of WHO. The executive board oversees priority health programs and policies at both regional and international levels.
Elected chairman of the executive board was Australia, represented by Blair Comley, secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Also elected to the board’s three other vice chair positions were Norway, Togo and Thailand.
A statement by the Saudi delegation, quoted by SPA, said that the Kingdom’s election to the WHO executive board underscores “the growing international confidence in the Kingdom’s leadership and its significant role in advancing global public health.”
Saudi Arabia has previously reaffirmed its commitment to support WHO in addressing health challenges.
According to WHO, Saudi Arabia has since 2018 consistently supported the organization, contributing more than $385 million to global health initiatives and emergency-related operations in various countries including the occupied Palestinian territory, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Iraq, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
