Mosques have a special place in the hearts of Muslims, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. They spend more time in them than at any other time during the year.
Ukash Mosque is well known not only in Saudi Arabia, but also in the Muslim world. It was built in 1784. It is the second oldest mosque in Jeddah’s modern history. The oldest is the Uthman bin Affan mosque.
It is located downtown surrounded by two marketplaces.
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Shanqeeti is the 60-year-old imam of the mosque and has fulfilled the duties of this post for 35 years.
He told Arab News that the mosque was built during Ottoman rule, with the official deed issued two years after construction. It was also registered at the Turkish Ministry of Awqaf (endowments) and Muslim Affairs.
The mosque was built by Ukash Abazah, a Turkish citizen who was born and lived in Jeddah. Now the Hazazi family is in charge of running the mosque and providing all the necessary services. They are well known in Jeddah and are considered the heirs of the mosque’s estate. The mosque is officially regulated by the Saudi Ministry of Muslim Affairs and Awqaf.
In the old days, it used to be the sea gate of Jeddah because it is near the entry to the port. Visitors and official guests of the state arriving at the port would pray at the mosque.
He said that the mosque was completely renovated six years ago, using state-of-the-art designs based on Islamic architectural patterns.
It can accommodate more than 1,200 worshippers. There is a special section for women. It also has an extensive library of Muslim books.
Many members of the Saudi royal family prayed in the mosque at various times. The scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi prayed there too. The popular Qur’an reciter, the late Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdus Samad, spent many nights reciting the Qur’an publicly at the mosque.
The mosque has a special place in the hearts of many citizens of Jeddah. Muhammad Al-Jad'ani, who lives in Jeddah, says that when he prays in the mosque, he feels filled with spiritual feelings and peace, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. “I make it a point to always come here in Ramadan to do the evening prayers,” he said.
229-year-old mosque shines in heart of downtown Jeddah
229-year-old mosque shines in heart of downtown Jeddah
Abu Shamikh’s journey from street vendor to Saudi tourism icon
- Food truck owner overcame dire personal struggles to achieve viral stardom
- Farhan Al-Anzi entertains tourists with English renditions of ancient traditions
MAKKAH: Through the window of his food truck in Tabuk, northern Saudi Arabia, Farhan Al-Anzi, known affectionately as Abu Shamikh, greets visitors with a warmth that embodies the essence of traditional Arabian hospitality.
His infectious cheer resonates with domestic and international tourists, and he has gained global recognition through a viral video on TikTok.
For Al-Anzi, tourism is a calling, a chance to showcase Saudi Arabia’s generosity in its most authentic form.
He performs Al-Hajini and Al-Mashoub traditional poetry originating from the ancient Nabataean kingdom, which is now northern Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
The performances are in English, which creates novel moments of cross-cultural connection.
Tourists find themselves joining in, matching his rhythm and enthusiasm, proving that music and art are universal languages that bridge cultures.
Al-Anzi’s transformation from a sidewalk merchant in Tabuk to an ambassador of Saudi hospitality speaks to a universal truth: that triumph often emerges from life’s greatest challenges.
A simple man with spontaneous humor, his story carries inspiring details about struggle, patience and giving.
“I started with just a tea cart on the sidewalks of Tabuk,” Al-Anzi told Arab News, reminiscing about his modest beginnings. “As more tourists started coming — locals, Gulf visitors and Europeans — we expanded to a food truck.”
However, his path to success was far from smooth. A series of severe health challenges, including multiple strokes and heart complications, left him bedridden for years.
During this period, his wife battled kidney failure, placing tremendous pressure on the family. “It was the darkest time of my life,” Al-Anzi recalled. “My children had to juggle between caring for both parents while keeping our business alive.”
The family’s resilience during this period proved crucial. After recovering, Al-Anzi returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose.
He introduced an innovative initiative: every Friday, his truck, aptly named “Our Sweet Days,” provides free services to those in need, including people with special needs, cancer patients, and the elderly.
His food truck began attracting a wide range of customers, from which he picked up invaluable and unexpected skills.
“I used to interact with university students from the tourism college, who taught me the basics of promotion and dealing with foreign visitors. I learned simple English words and started using them while providing services, and the results were amazing,” he said.
His breakthrough moment came unexpectedly. A video of him entertaining an American tourist at AlUla’s Elephant Rock, wearing traditional attire and singing, went viral on TikTok.
This exposure transformed his food truck into a must-visit destination, earning a spot on international tourism maps.
For Abu Shamikh, success is a mission to serve the nation. “What I do is part of our ancient Saudi culture.
“We aim to present a bright image of our traditions through generosity and hospitality, and this is part of our beloved Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to make Saudi Arabia a global tourist destination.”
With Saudi Arabia preparing to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, he hopes to play an even larger role in showcasing Saudi culture to the world.
Manga Productions, Koei Tecmo unveil new Dynasty Warriors game in Riyadh
- AAA-rated game will be published across MENA on Jan. 17
- Arabic version follows later this year, says Essam Bukhary
RIYADH: Manga Productions celebrated the launch of Dynasty Warriors: Origins at an event here recently.
The AAA-rated game, developed by Koei Tecmo Games, will be published by Manga Productions across the Middle East and North Africa on Jan. 17. An Arabic-language version is expected in the second quarter of the year.
The event marks the first visit to Saudi Arabia of series producer Oba Masatomo and the development team behind Dynasty Warriors: Origins.
The event attracted content creators and key figures from the entertainment industry. And attendees were able to experience game demos and participate in a panel discussion with the development team.
In an interview with Arab News, Masatomo said: “I heard from the staff at Manga Productions when we visited Diriyah yesterday that there were many comments from local Saudi people expressing their love and excitement for the franchise and the game Dynasty Warriors: Origins.
“It’s wonderful to hear that so many fans in Saudi Arabia, as well as across the Middle East and North Africa, are eagerly anticipating this game. We are grateful to Manga Productions for their wholehearted support in localizing the game to provide a greater experience for players in Saudi Arabia.”
Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said: “This partnership is a strategic step toward empowering Saudi youth in the gaming industry and fostering regional and global expansion.
“We aim to provide a unique experience to our partners in the Middle East and North Africa, contributing to the development of the creative content ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.”
Masatomo added: “Achieving success with globally recognized titles requires acceptance not just in Western markets but also in emerging regions like MENA.
“The Dynasty Warriors series is vital to our company, and it is significant that Dynasty Warriors: Origins represents our first event in Saudi Arabia and our initial localization into Arabic.
“We felt the enthusiasm from both media and fans, reinforcing the value of our efforts. We hope to use this title as a springboard to further elevate our initiatives with Manga Productions and continue creating compelling titles for everyone to enjoy.”
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with Manga Productions collaborating with Koei Tecmo Games to localize the game for Arabic-speaking audiences.
Saudi deputy foreign minister holds talks with Turkish officials in Ankara
- The Kingdom’s Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr attended the meetings
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji visited Ankara on Wednesday and met with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and his counterparts Burhanettin Duran and Nuh Yilmaz.
Al-Khuraiji addressed relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye during his meetings, attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr.
The Saudi deputy minister also held political consultations between the Saudi and Turkish foreign ministries in Ankara with Yilmaz, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi minister of Islamic affairs receives Malaysian counterpart in Jeddah
- Ministers address various topics, especially those concerning Islamic affairs
- Malaysian minister praises Saudi efforts to serve Muslims, holy sites in Makkah and Madinah
JEDDAH: Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Saudi minister of Islamic affairs, met with his Malaysian counterpart, Dato Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar, in his office in Jeddah on Wednesday.
The ministers addressed various topics during the meeting, especially those concerning Islamic affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They discussed the Kingdom’s role in promoting moderate Islam based on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, SPA added.
Bin Mukhtar praised the Kingdom’s efforts to serve Muslims worldwide and the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.
He added that the memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia significantly benefited the Malaysian Muslim community through Qur’anic programs and the visits of imams to the Two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom.
KSrelief’s 11th aid plane lands at Damascus airport
- KSrelief dispatched dozens of aid trucks and planes after collapse of Assad regime
RIYADH: The 11th Saudi relief plane landed at Damascus International Airport in Syria on Wednesday as part of a humanitarian airlift launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
After the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime early in December, KSrelief has sent dozens of trucks and planes loaded with food, shelter, and medical supplies to meet the urgent basic needs of Syrians.
