Historic Jeddah nominated for ‘Most Desirable City’ award

The nomination is seen as recognition from the travel community, underscoring Al-Balad's status as a world-class heritage destination. (File/AFP)
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Updated 12 September 2023
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Historic Jeddah nominated for ‘Most Desirable City’ award

  • Al-Balad’s selection reflects global recognition as a world-class heritage destination

JEDDAH: Jeddah’s historical district, Al-Balad, often referred to as the heart and soul of the city, has been nominated in the “Most Desirable City — Rest of World” category for the Wanderlust Travel Award.

With a history spanning over two decades, the award serves as a beacon within the travel industry, celebrating and acknowledging the pinnacle of travel experiences and destinations across the globe.

It encompasses a diverse array of categories, recognizing excellence in various sectors, including tourist destinations, tour operators, and aviation companies, among others.

Al-Balad, an ancient district established in the 7th century, holds immense historical significance in the city of Jeddah. This neighborhood earned the distinguished honor of being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014, a testament to its rich cultural heritage and architectural treasures.

Al-Balad’s nomination for this coveted award underscores its position as a world-class heritage destination, rich in history and cultural significance.

This historic district boasts a mesmerizing blend of architectural wonders, traditional markets, and a unique ambiance that transports visitors back in time. Its labyrinthine alleys, centuries-old coral stone buildings, and iconic gates tell a tale of the city's heritage and its connection to the Red Sea.

The Wanderlust Travel Award nomination is a resounding testament to the global travel community’s recognition of Al-Balad’s exceptional charm and historical importance. It showcases the dedicated efforts made to preserve this invaluable piece of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage, while also ensuring its accessibility and appeal to modern travelers.

In 2022, Saudi Arabia was awarded the bronze award for the “Most Desirable Emerging Destination” in the Wanderlust Travel Awards. This recognition serves as a testament to the remarkable transformation and growing popularity of this historically significant and visually stunning region.

The Kingdom holds immense historical and cultural significance, with a rich heritage that spans thousands of years. In recent years, the country has undergone a remarkable transformation and has emerged as a highly sought-after destination for travelers.

Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a travel destination is further enhanced by its inclusion of UNESCO World Heritage Sites beyond Al-Balad. These sites, such as the At-Turaif District in Diriyah, the Rock Art in Hail, and the Al-Hijr archaeological site in AlUla, add to the country’s cultural and historical allure.

Travel enthusiasts and aficionados now have the opportunity to vote and show their support for Al-Balad. The voting period extends until Oct. 18, allowing people from all around the world to contribute to the acknowledgment of Al-Balad’s timeless allure.

To vote, visit the voting link: 

https://wanderlustmagazine.typeform.com/to/cH26XO02?typeform-source=wand...


More than 12m people visit Riyadh Season

Updated 3 sec ago
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More than 12m people visit Riyadh Season

  • The opening of the Courchevel Zone in Boulevard World has allowed visitors to enjoy a unique winter experience

RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said that more than 12 million people have attended Riyadh Season so far this year.

The diverse range of offerings at Riyadh Season, which began in October and lasts to March 2025, continues to captivate audiences.

Recent additions, including The Groves and Souq Al-Awaleen, have further enhanced the visitor experience.

The opening of the Courchevel Zone in Boulevard World has allowed visitors to enjoy a unique winter experience.

The anticipated Boxing Week, featuring the historic rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, attracted a significant global audience, adding a thrilling dimension to the season.

A collaborative effort with SAUDIA Group led to the recent launch of the Boulevard Runway zone, which offers a unique blend of aviation and entertainment.

 


Saudi Arabic Language Academy launches comprehensive media glossary to standardize Arabic terminology

Updated 21 December 2024
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Saudi Arabic Language Academy launches comprehensive media glossary to standardize Arabic terminology

  • Initiative seeks to provide reliable reference for researchers, journalists, and media professionals

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, in collaboration with the Ministry of Media, has unveiled a comprehensive glossary of media terms aimed at standardizing and clarifying media-related terminology, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to SPA, the initiative seeks to provide a reliable reference for researchers, journalists, and media professionals, enhancing studies related to both traditional and digital media as well as other associated fields. It is also part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to transform the media sector and promote a unified approach to media terminology.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, explained that the academy prioritizes the creation of digital dictionaries to support scientific research and enhance local production at both individual and institutional levels.

He emphasized that such efforts aim to build a unified database providing researchers and specialists with access to accurate sources, in addition to digital linguistic data to support developers and programmers of technical applications, whether linguistic or non-linguistic.

Al-Washmi also highlighted the academy’s past achievements in producing specialized dictionaries in partnership with various government ministries and agencies. He noted that the media terminology glossary was launched in alignment with the significant transformations taking place in the media sector, offering a crucial linguistic resource to help understand these transformations and the evolving concepts within the field.

The glossary covers a broad range of terms related to traditional media — such as print journalism, radio, and television — as well as digital media, social media, live broadcasting, podcasts, online journalism, digital marketing, contemporary media platforms, audiovisual media vocabulary, and technical terms in the media field. It also addresses emerging concepts in new media.

Containing approximately 800 entries, the glossary provides each term’s Arabic equivalent, its grammatical category, the type of entry, its meanings, and English translations.


Tariq Abdulhakim Museum to mark 1st anniversary with celebrations

Updated 21 December 2024
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Tariq Abdulhakim Museum to mark 1st anniversary with celebrations

  • The two-day celebration will be held under the slogan “A Melody Between Heritage and the Future”

RIYADH: The Tariq Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district will host events and activities to commemorate its first anniversary from Dec. 27

The two-day celebration will be held under the slogan “A Melody Between Heritage and the Future.”

It will highlight the museum’s most significant milestones since its establishment and its contributions to showcasing Saudi musical heritage while fostering national identity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Events include live musical performances, guided tours within the museum, theatrical activities and a light show projected onto the museum’s facade.

The Tariq Abdulhakim Museum, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses a collection of the artist’s personal belongings, musical compositions and audiovisual materials.

It also features a music research center, providing researchers with access to an extensive music archive, with the aim of preserving intangible cultural heritage.


KSrelief provides food aid in Syria and Yemen

Updated 21 December 2024
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KSrelief provides food aid in Syria and Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian agency KSrelief has distributed food aid in several parts of Syria and Yemen.
KSrelief has recently handed out 724 food packages and 724 hygiene kits in Syria’s Sarmada and Idlib, assisting 4,344 people. The distribution is part of the second phase of a project providing aid to those affected by the earthquake in northern Syria.
The project aims to distribute 134,950 food parcels and 134,950 hygiene kits in Idlib, Aleppo, the northern countryside of Raqqa and the northwestern countryside of Hasakah, benefiting 809,700 people from displaced families affected by the earthquake.
Last week, KSrelief distributed 450 food packages in Al-Mansoura District of Yemen’s Aden Governorate, reaching 3,150 people. 

KSrelief distributes food aid in Yemen

In Lebanon, KSrelief also continued providing healthcare services in Arsal, throughout November, supporting both Syrian refugees and the host community. 
The Saudi agency treated 10,815 patients, offering 20,691 services, including clinic visits, pharmacy services, laboratory tests, nursing care and mental-health support.

 


Saudi Arabia condemns Magdeburg attack, expresses condolences to victims

Updated 21 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia condemns Magdeburg attack, expresses condolences to victims

  • Saudi Arabia also reiterated its firm stance against all forms of violence
  • The Muslim World League similarly condemned the attack

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned the attack on a bustling Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg, Germany, where a car plowed into the crowd on Friday evening and killing at least two people and injuring over 60 others.
The driver was arrested at the scene shortly after the incident.

 


The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday, expressed its condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government, wishing those injured a swift recovery.

Saudi Arabia also reiterated its firm stance against all forms of violence.

A Saudi source told Reuters that Saudi Arabia had warned German authorities about the attacker after he posted extremist views on his personal X account that threatened peace and security.

The Muslim World League similarly condemned the attack, with the group reaffirming its stance against violence and all forms of terrorism.

In a statement, it also expressed ‘solidarity, heartfelt condolences, and sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured, as well as to the German community.’