The chronicle of how Saudi Arabia’s ancient capital Diriyah was transformed

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Updated 22 February 2023
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The chronicle of how Saudi Arabia’s ancient capital Diriyah was transformed

  • The groundwork was laid in 1727 for a quiet town to emerge as a thriving city in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula
  • Settlers flocked to the new state, sparking huge growth in commerce, agriculture, education and architecture

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ancient capital, once a small and sleepy town, saw a significant movement that shook up its community, transforming it into a thriving and vibrant city in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. It was 1727, the year that changed everything.

Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes, and was once the home of the Saudi Royal Family.

In a town with a small population, historians estimate about 70 houses were built at the time before the establishment of the First Saudi State, which indicates the population did not exceed several hundred in the early 18th century AD.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

The First Saudi State saw a flourishing of activity in the area. New settlers from across the region flocked to the new state, sparking huge growth in commerce, agriculture, education and architecture.

“During Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz’s reign, the First Saudi State witnessed great prosperity, as its influence extended to to most parts of the Arabian Peninsula; from the Levant and Iraq to Yemen and Oman, and from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea, with stabilized security and prosperity enjoyed by its citizens in the Arabian Peninsula,” Dr. Badran Al-Honaihen, an expert in the Saudi history, told Arab News.

“The state’s resources increased as a result of that great unity under economic diversification.”

Many factors contributed to the improvement in the quality of life in Diriyah, from its strategic location at the crossroads of ancient trading routes to its lush lands suitable for farming and the diverse markets that sparked economic growth in the region.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

The city was divided into five central districts; Ghasibah, At-Tarafiyyah, Al-Murayih, Al-Qusairen and At-Turaif, which became the center of power soon after the move from Ghasibah to At-Tarafiyyah due to population growth. Each of the districts had a distinctive character and unification was achieved through community outreach and support from the ruling family.

“At-Turaif district witnessed a great architectural renaissance, represented by the building of palaces, public residences, mosques and walls,” Al-Honaihen said.

“Among the most famous architectural renaissances are Salwa Palace, which was the seat of government during the First Saudi State, the palace of Imam Abdullah bin Saud, and the palaces of Prince Saad bin Saud, Prince Omar bin Saud, and Prince Mishari bin Saud,” he said.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

With time, the city’s community diversified and became a hub for students, farmers, traders and people seeking secure livelihoods, bringing much-needed skills to expand the city, and creating a strong demand for building materials and a workforce.

The majority of Diriyah’s population was made up of workers and families occupied in farming, which was the main source of economic growth for the area. Farming was broken down into different categories; those that owned farms, those that looked over others’ lands.

With time, Diriyah changed from an agricultural to a financier community as its economy transformed into a monetary economy and led to the emergence of professionals and specialists operating to meet the needs of local consumption, Al-Honaihen said.

In the Najd region, hospitality was embedded in the culture very early on, and families across the city welcomed travelers and guests, a tradition still upheld to this day. Members of the upper classes, or perhaps a town prince, were hosted in guest houses suitable for their status, with all their needs provided for by the community, a sign of prosperity.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

As a growing capital, the city’s market, also known as Souq Al-Mawsim, was the center of commercial activity. Located in Wadi Hanifa between the At-Turaif district and Al-Bujairi district, it was named due to the variety of goods brought in from across the land, attracting locals and visitors alike.

Historian ibn Bishr described it as a place where the hustle and bustle was evident “as far as the eye can see, in which you only hear the sound of peoples’ movement buying and selling from the shops and saying, I sold and I bought.”

“The market not only represented a commercial movement but it also became a place for education. Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz had a daily lesson that he held at sunrise, and many of the Diriyah’s inhabitants gathered to attend his lessons. During the summer, they used to gather near the eastern shops, and in the winter, near the western shops,” Al-Honaihen said.




Located near Wadi Hanifa and home to the Bani Hanifa tribe, Diriyah became a cultural hub and pitstop for major ancient pilgrimage and trade routes. (SUPPLIED)

Education became a pillar of the city as Islamic studies and calligraphy, reading, writing and other subjects schools were established in the At-Turaif district. Education was a focus for leaders at the time, who provided students, educators and scholars with housing from the state treasury or from endowments. This notion has transcended time and is still a pillar today.

Local historians believe At-Turaif Mosque was once the place where seminars were led by the country’s scholars and taught religion and calligraphy to students.

For hundreds of years, ancient trade routes went through the city, mainly from the southwest, passing through Najran, moving north into Al-Yamamah, reaching Daumat Al-Jandal, and then east to Iraq and west to Hijaz.

Though it required a difficult and perilous journey to reach it, Al-Honaihen said that “Diriyah’s geographical location is distinguished as a location at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and pilgrimage convoys that contributed to the enhancement of trade movement in the Arabian Peninsula,” and provided safe sanctuary for the weary.


Healthier and greener nation is focus of Environment Week 2025

Updated 21 April 2025
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Healthier and greener nation is focus of Environment Week 2025

  • Aim to raise public awareness among school children
  • ‘Our Environment is a Treasure,’ is the theme this year

RIYADH: The organizers of Saudi Arabia’s Environment Week are aiming to increase public engagement to secure a thriving and greener future for the country.

The event began on Sunday and was attended by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir.

Reema Obaid, one of the participants, told Arab News: “We are here at the environmental awareness initiative, which is raising awareness about our environment for a healthier and greener environment.”

Obaid explained that children can gather at her booth to plant seeds or cuttings. Then they can either take their plants with them or donate them to national parks in the Kingdom.

Another activity is “Green Leader,” under the nation’s Environment Fund. It is a green bus symbolizing the country’s sustainability journey from the past to the present.

Weed Al-Balawi, a participant in the initiative, said they designed it to “deliver major concepts regarding sustainability, resource conservation, ancestral heritage, and technology in environmental conservation.”

The aim was to ensure a “simple and enjoyable way to benefit the target group, which is the age group from primary to intermediate school,” said Al-Balawi.

She said the education stations at the event were created for the public to experience how people used sustainable practices in the past on a daily basis to coexist with nature and biodiversity.

The final station at the event showed current practices, which includes how people are now using technology to protect the environment, said Al-Balawi.

One of the examples displayed was the camel’s watering place, where people would dig a small well for the animals next to the one they used for drinking.

This ancient technique was used to prevent diseases spreading from animals to humans, and to reduce the amount of wasted water.

The theme of this year’s event is “Our Environment is a Treasure” and will be held until April 26.

A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor progress and guide policy.

There were 13 agreements signed between the ministry’s entities and the private sector to improve collaboration in environmental projects.


Unusual ecosystem found deep below Red Sea coral reef

Updated 21 April 2025
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Unusual ecosystem found deep below Red Sea coral reef

  • Study by KAUST and National Center for Wildlife
  • Marine animals thriving in low oxygen, high acidity

RIYADH: Marine scientists have found creatures thriving in deep waters of the Red Sea under seemingly unfavorable conditions of low oxygen levels and high acidity.

The unusual ecosystem was found in Difat Farasan near the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

It was reported in the science journal PNAS Nexus by a team of scientists from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the National Center for Wildlife, KAUST said in a press statement posted on its website.

Also known as the Farasan Bank, Difat Farasan is located below the third-largest coral reef system in the world and biggest in the Red Sea.

Despite the low oxygen and high acidity, corals, fish and other animals were found to be thriving.

“Several of the creatures showed unexpected coping strategies to the extreme environment. Fish swam slower, and corals were healthy in conditions that normally prevent the calcification of their skeletons,” said the statement.

The study explained that calcification was “necessary for coral growth and survival.”

KAUST research scientist Dr. Shannon Klein, who led the study, said: “The ability for these animals to live in warm, oxygen-depleted zones suggests they have an unusual ability to reduce how much oxygen they use to sustain life.

“This discovery highlights the need for greater marine exploration of deeper layers (of) tropical coastal areas, as they may hold unexpected ecosystems.”

The study also noted that while coral reefs usually exist in shallow waters, depressions of more than 200 meters deep were found throughout the Farasan Bank coral reef system. 

“Considering that oxygen depletion in the sea is one consequence of rising temperatures, greater study of how these creatures exist there may help us understand how marine life can withstand the challenges of climate change,” the study stated.

Dr. Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said: “This research highlights the significance of the Red Sea as a natural laboratory for studying marine resilience.

“Discovering ecosystems that thrive in extreme conditions expands our understanding of how marine life adapts and reinforces the need for continued exploration and conservation of these unique habitats.”

KAUST Assistant Prof. Froukje van der Zwan, Associate Prof. Francesca Benzoni and KAUST Ibn Sina Distinguished Prof. Carlos Duarte also contributed to the study.


Saudi Arabia’s fight to protect liver health

Protecting liver health means preventing long-term complications and improving the quality of life for millions. (SPA)
Updated 20 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s fight to protect liver health

  • ‘Take care of your liver now, and it will take care of you for life,’ deputy minister for population health tells Arab News
  • Saudi Ministry of Health focuses on measures to tackle liver disease

JEDDAH: The liver plays a central role in keeping our bodies healthy. It filters toxins, supports digestion, stores energy and essential nutrients, and helps the body fight infections.

The major concern with liver diseases, however, is that they are often silent killers. The progression is very gradual, and most patients experience no symptoms, leaving them unaware of their condition. This makes awareness and early detection vital.

This is a national health priority for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, which is focusing on preventive care.

Dr. Abdullah Assiri, Deputy Minister for Population Health at the Saudi MOH. (Supplied)

Protecting liver health means preventing long-term complications and improving the quality of life for millions, contributing to the ministry’s targets to improve healthy life expectancy, in line with Vision 2030’s goal of creating a vibrant society.

In an exclusive interview following World Liver Day on Saturday, Dr. Abdullah Assiri, the deputy minister for population health, said that viral hepatitis — especially hepatitis B and C — has been a long-standing concern and is responsible for many cases of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

He said: “In Saudi Arabia, the hepatitis C virus has caused the most cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, and liver transplants.”

Hepatitis is essentially an inflammation of the liver caused by different viruses — types A, B, C, D, and E — each differing in how they spread, how severe they become, and how they are prevented.

Assiri added: “The challenge with hepatitis is that up to 95 percent of people living with the infection globally are unaware they have it, because the illness can remain silent for years.

“In terms of early warning signs, these can be quite vague, including fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or mild jaundice, but there are often no symptoms at all until the disease is advanced.”

Assiri explained that the main reason why liver conditions go undiagnosed until the later stages is that the liver is a remarkably resilient organ.

It continues to function well, even when partially damaged. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms like swelling, jaundice, or digestive issues appear, the disease may have already progressed to cirrhosis or liver failure.

He said: “Late detection can lead to serious consequences, including irreversible scarring of the liver, liver cancer, and life-threatening complications.

“That’s why we strongly recommend that people, especially those with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or a family history of liver disease, undergo regular check-ups and screenings.”

Lifestyle is everything when it comes to liver health. Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking all put extra pressure on the liver.

Though alcohol-related liver disease is less prevalent in the Kingdom, other lifestyle factors, like unhealthy eating habits, along with viral hepatitis, play a larger role.

He said: “The good news is that the liver has an exceptional capacity to heal if given the right care. Even early-stage damage can often be reversed through lifestyle changes. I have personally witnessed patients transform their health by adopting better habits.”

As a medical professional Assiri always recommends lifestyle changes centered around four key pillars: nutrition, sleep, relaxation, and exercise. These are all vital to maintaining a healthy liver, as are hepatitis vaccinations.

At the national level the Ministry of Health is tackling liver diseases through policies that focus on prevention, early detection, infection-control practices in healthcare, and effective treatment.

Assiri said: “A major milestone in the national strategy was the introduction of direct acting antiviral medications in 2014, which marked the beginning of an ambitious nationwide effort to eliminate hepatitis C.

“Data shows that a comprehensive program combining targeted screening, aggressive treatment of around 8,000 patients per year, and strengthened prevention strategies could see this disease eliminated in Saudi Arabia by 2030 — or even earlier.

“Eliminating hepatitis C would save an estimated 3,000 Saudi lives and SR10 billion ($2.6 billion) in healthcare costs.

“Importantly, this elimination program also enables broader screening initiatives for other ‘silent killer’ diseases such as hepatitis B, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia — allowing us to implement early preventive health interventions on a national scale.”

He added: “Our progress has been substantial. We met our 80 percent treatment coverage targets in 2023, are on track to reduce mortality by 65 percent by 2025, aim to diagnose 90 percent of cases by 2026, and are working to reduce new hepatitis C infections by 80 percent by 2030.”

These metrics reflect a robust public health response, and demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to leading by example in regional disease control efforts.

In addition to this, Saudi Arabia continues to be a leader in medical innovation and research in the field. For example, the world’s first robotic left liver lobe transplant was performed here, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to world-class liver care.

The ministry has several initiatives underway. One of the key programs is premarital screening, which tests couples for hepatitis B and C to reduce the risk of transmission and ensure early intervention.

Additionally, it is expanding community screening drives, especially for high-risk groups, and enhancing access to affordable treatment for hepatitis C. In collaboration with health centers, the ministry continues to promote hepatitis vaccinations for adults who may have missed earlier immunization.

Assiri said: “Take care of your liver now, and it will take care of you for life. The liver is the largest and one of the most vital organs in the human body, yet it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves because symptoms of disease can be silent.

“I urge everyone to lead a more active life: eat healthier, stay hydrated, sleep, and get regular check-ups, especially if you have risk factors like diabetes or obesity.

“Get vaccinated, and remember that small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference for your liver and your overall health.”

 


Saudi deputy minister receives French official

Waleed Elkhereiji (R) and Olivier Cadec, in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Updated 20 April 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives French official

  • They discussed prominent developments on the regional and international front and efforts made in this regard

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received vice chairman of the foreign affairs, defense and armed forces committee of the French Senate and chairman of the France-GCC Friendship Group, Olivier Cadec, in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X on Sunday.

They also discussed prominent developments on the regional and international front and efforts made in this regard.

France’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Patrick Maisonnave, was among the officials present at the meeting.

 


Environmental Week highlights Saudi Arabia’s sustainability vision

Updated 20 April 2025
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Environmental Week highlights Saudi Arabia’s sustainability vision

  • New national index aims to monitor Kingdom’s environmental health, guide policy decisions

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched Saudi Environment Week on Sunday, themed “Our Environment is a Treasure,” to showcase the Kingdom’s efforts in ecosystem protection and sustainable development.

A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor environmental progress and guide policy.

The event, inaugurated by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli in Riyadh, brings together government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and local communities to promote eco-friendly practices and collective responsibility.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir also attended, with the event featuring environmental presentations, agreement signings, and children’s performances to encourage positive environmental behavior.

Activities include nationwide exhibitions, workshops on biodiversity and renewable energy, and forums for green innovations.

The new index, which Al-Fadhli described as essential for informed decision-making, will track environmental metrics like air quality, water conservation, and biodiversity.

It aims to align national development with ecological priorities, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable growth.

Al-Fadhli stressed the Kingdom’s leadership in sustainability, prioritizing natural resource protection and societal responsibility. He said that the index ensures accountability and progress as the country builds a greener future.

Al-Fadhli toured the exhibition, featuring sections on vegetation cover, desertification control, biodiversity, waste management, meteorology, and environmental compliance.

The exhibition also includes workshops highlighting Saudi Arabia’s role in fostering environmental cooperation, raising awareness, encouraging private sector investments in sustainable projects, and advancing technology.

The ministry emphasized that the newly introduced index serves as a nationwide monitoring tool, developed in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme.

It is designed to align with government bodies, environmental organizations, and national centers, ensuring cohesion with Saudi Arabia’s ecological priorities.

Key goals include evaluating environmental health, identifying change drivers, and establishing an early detection system for sustainability challenges and progress.

By tracking progress toward environmental targets, the ministry noted that the index identifies gaps for urgent action, enabling data-driven policy adjustments.

Phase 1 focuses on five core areas linked to the National Environment Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030: wildlife conservation, green space expansion, waste management efficiency, pollution levels in air, soil, and water, and weather forecasting accuracy.

Phase 2 will address emerging priorities, such as climate change metrics, reflecting their importance in long-term environmental planning.

The ministry stressed that the index will provide policymakers with actionable insights, driving improvements in ecological resilience, public health, and quality of life for Saudi citizens.

The National Fisheries Development Center has joined the celebrations of Saudi Environment Week.

Riyadh Al-Fageeh, director general of the center, said: “Our participation highlights the importance of preserving the environment, raising awareness, and strengthening quality of life goals. We aim to emphasize the role of institutions and individuals in maintaining ecological balance, aligned with Vision 2030.”

He added: “Saudi Environment Week reaffirms the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting natural resources and leading regional efforts in sustainability. We encourage all citizens and residents to actively participate and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.”