WASHINGTON: One day each year the Washington diplomatic community hosts “Passport D.C.: Around the World Embassy Tour,” a hugely popular event where the public is welcomed into selected embassies to celebrate the world’s cultural diversity.
Recently more than 70 embassies from Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and the Americas opened their doors to hundreds of visitors to showcase their national cuisine, art, music, dance and fashion.
Because people are especially curious about the Kingdom, the Saudi Embassy consistently draws the largest crowds during this annual affair. This year, staff at the embassy offered visitors Saudi dance performances, samples of its coffee and dates, henna-painting demonstrations, and Arabic versions of a guest’s name rendered into frame-worthy calligraphy.
Visitors to the Saudi Embassy were also enlightened by a brief, broadcast-quality video that described the history, culture, and state-of-the-art infrastructure of the Kingdom.
Dozens of Saudi students attending colleges and university in the Washington area volunteered at the day-long event to answer questions from visitors. Saudi students were available to educate and inform visitors at each of the food and other stations.
Guests and the Saudi student “volunteer diplomats” agreed that the opportunity to explore, interact and share knowledge was rewarding. “It’s an amazing day. It’s so wonderful to see people learn about our culture,” said Turki Al-Abdullatif, an accounting student at the University of the District of Columbia. He said visitors ate dates, drank Saudi coffee, and tried on traditional Saudi clothing.
Al-Abdullatif said the embassy “open house” offered guests a chance to ask questions that they might have always thought about, such as whether he only wears a thobe when he goes out. His answer: “I wear it all the time, it’s part of me.”
Haifa Al-Shogiran, an international business major at Marymount University, said that many visitors had questions after watching the video documentary. “They were surprised to see snow in Tabuk,” she said. “They enjoyed learning about the pilgrimage, but some people were confused about Makkah and Madinah both being part of the pilgrims’ requirement for the Haj ... So, I think that they were glad that I was there to talk to them and explain it.”
Sara Abdullkarim, who majors in occupational therapy at Marymount University, said that her encounters with the embassy guests had a “tremendously positive impact” on her. “I’m really happy that people are open and interested to know about the things they see here, such as the mosques, our culture, the dancers and our flag,” she told Arab News.
“They were really happy when we wrote out their names in Arabic; many people didn’t know that we wrote from right to left. People were excited to wear Saudi clothes and pose for photographs in the Bedouin tent ... And they really loved our coffee and dates.
“The media has a certain perception of us,” Abdullkarim added, “but the visitors here were really open and interested in us — which made me really happy.”
Shams Al-Saby, who just received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore, said: “Most of the visitors wanted more information about Makkah, and they didn’t know anything about it, or our alphabet ... So this was an amazing opportunity to share our culture with them.”
Even the shemagh, or Saudi male headscarf, was a subject of frequent questions. “Not only did they ask about the shemagh, but they also wanted to know why the checks on it were red,” said Saud Al-Saleh, an electronic engineering major at George Mason University. “I like being able to change their stereotypes of us. I don’t like politics, but I’ve heard some hurtful comments since the start of the Republican presidential campaign, specifically Donald Trump’s comments about Muslims. So this was a good chance to change their stereotypes of us.”
Haifa Al-Shogiran added: “Yes, many of the visitors commented that they didn’t think we would be so friendly. They seemed surprised and pleased.”
Many of the visitors to the embassy spoke of how impressed they were with the food and photographs of Saudi landmarks on display, and that their encounters with the Saudi students made a deep impression.
One American, who identified himself as Joe, typified this point of view: “It’s great to have Saudi students here; they’re very open to answering our questions ... In the future, when we hear about Saudi Arabia in the news, we’ll balance what we hear with our good experiences here. It’s really a good thing to be open, and have folks who can talk to us frankly about what is going on in their country.”
American visitors get a taste of Saudi culture
American visitors get a taste of Saudi culture
Jadal Library: A cultural oasis in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province
- Ali Al-Herz turned his home into a library of over 37,000 books, offering visitors space where memory, philosophy, culture come alive
DHAHRAN: In the quiet village of Umm Al-Hamam, located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, a lifelong passion for books has been transformed into a cultural haven.
Ali Al-Herz, a bibliophile and literary archivist, has turned his home into Jadal Library, a treasure trove of over 37,000 books, more than 100,000 newspapers and magazines, and antiques, some dating back more than a century.
Yet Jadal is not just a library; it is much more than that. It is a museum to explore, a philosophical space to reflect, and a stand against forgetting important cultural stories.
Al-Herz told Arab News: “Since I was born I have been surrounded by my mother’s books. I grew up immersed in this passion to the point where it completely took hold of me; I became a bookworm.”
The spark that ignited it all was when Al-Herz encountered the epic “Sirat Antar” at age 13. “From that epic and through it, I began to look into other worlds,” he said.
This curiosity and fascination ultimately led Al-Herz to create one of Saudi Arabia's most unique initiatives.
The name “Jadal” means “debate” or “discussion” in Arabic, reflecting the library’s curious spirit. For Al-Herz, the goal is not just to preserve texts but also to preserve the idea of questioning and exploring ideas.
Al-Herz said: “I chose this name for the library because it is deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophical history and in our own Arab-Islamic cultural tradition, particularly in our religious heritage.”
The philosophical atmosphere fills three main halls — named after Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle — which welcome visitors into a curated world of reading and reflection.
Rare manuscripts, ancient texts, newspapers, and antiques have been carefully archived. Each piece is a whisper from the past speaking into the future.
Al-Herz explained: “Even my recent focus on buying books has mostly shifted toward rare editions and old prints, to create a harmony between heritage and modernity.”
But Jadal is not stuck in nostalgia, as every two weeks Al-Herz holds a literary gathering. The event brings back a tradition that was once important in the intellectual life of Arabs.
It is an environment where writers, scholars, and thinkers gather over Arabic coffee to exchange ideas in a vibrant atmosphere.
And in a time when people seek instant information online, Al-Herz still uses traditional methods. “There is an ongoing struggle between two generations,” he observed. “Victory will ultimately go to this latter generation once my generation becomes extinct. Paper libraries will then be transformed into museums.”
Perhaps he is right; but for now, in the heart of Qatif’s countryside, Jadal Library lives on, and it is a place where ink, memory, debate, and heritage continue to shape the cultural soul of the Kingdom.
Saudi envoy leads maritime safety talks in London
- Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization recently made history by chairing the 51st advisory committee meetings of the International Mobile Satellite Organization in London.
Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee, creating a milestone for both the Kingdom and the Arab world in maritime governance, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
His role also reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in international maritime organizations and commitment to advancing maritime communication and safety systems.
Al-Junaidi managed the sessions and acted as a neutral facilitator, helping member states reach consensus on key issues, including oversight of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, implementation of Long Range Tracking and Safety standards and audit reviews for satellite communication providers.
He also led discussions on proposed maritime safety regulation amendments, monitored the organization’s strategic direction to ensure alignment with IMO standards and submitted the committee’s recommendations to the General Assembly.
The 51st session took place at the IMO headquarters in London, with representatives from 44 countries engaging in in-depth discussions on key maritime challenges.
Madinah records 82% satisfaction rate in quality of life, survey says
- Rise of 16% over previous finding
RIYADH: As part of its push to enhance livability under Vision 2030, Madinah has recorded an 82 percent satisfaction rate in the quality of life, marking a 16 percent rise over the previous finding, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.
The new findings, released by the Madinah municipality, reflect significant public approval of recent improvements to parks, public services and infrastructure.
More than 75,220 citizens and residents participated in the survey, according to the SPA.
Driven by smart lighting, safe pedestrian pathways and improved public facades, satisfaction with the urban landscape rose to 78 percent — an 18 percent increase.
Road quality satisfaction jumped to 62 percent, up 27 percent, following enhancements in road design and lighting systems.
General cleanliness ranked among top-performing areas, with satisfaction reaching 81 percent.
Neighborhood cleanliness stood at 71 percent, while satisfaction with environmental sanitation rose to 61 percent, a 28 percent increase, fueled by improved pest control, rainwater drainage, and faster municipal response times.
The survey also showed 69 percent satisfaction with waste management, specifically the handling of construction and demolition debris.
Some 71 percent of residents expressed satisfaction with direct municipal services, and 64 percent with indirect services, supported by the region’s smart service portal and digital assistant.
Public amenities recorded a satisfaction rate of 68 percent after the municipality added more than 14 new parks and expanded green space per capita to 2.1 sq. meters.
Community engagement also featured in the survey, with 68 percent of residents satisfied with their role in shaping local decisions through open forums and channels of direct communication.
The municipality said the results underscored its commitment to transparency and resident-focused development, and will be used as a reference point for future initiatives aimed at raising the quality of life across the region.
The municipality has undertaken efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure and tourism appeal.
Madinah ranked 88th globally on Euromonitor International’s 2024 index of the world’s top 100 city destinations, and was seventh globally on the Tourism Performance Index.
Saudi forces foil several drug smuggling attempts
- Preliminary legal procedures were completed in all cases, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities
JEDDAH: Saudi authorities have made numerous drug-related arrests throughout the Kingdom recently, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a Yemeni resident in Jeddah for attempting to sell 194,000 amphetamine pills.
Security patrols in Jazan thwarted two smuggling attempts involving 213 kg of qat in Al-Aridah governorate, while in Fifa governorate, 51 kg of qat were seized.
Border Guard patrols in Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector arrested seven Yemenis for smuggling 140 kg of qat.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, patrols foiled an attempt to smuggle 19 kg of hashish and arrested three Ethiopians with 75 kg of qat.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed in all cases, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
Authorities urged the public to report drug activity by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere. Reports can also be submitted confidentially via email to 995@gdnc.gov.sa or by calling 995.
Departing pilgrims praise Saudi hospitality, organization during Hajj
- As well as taking their personal memories of a well-organized Hajj, each of the departing pilgrims is given a copy of the Holy Qur’an as a gift from King Salman
RIYADH: Saudi authorities at the Halat Ammar border crossing in the Tabuk region have been saying their goodbyes to departing Hajj pilgrims from around the world.
The farewell process reflects Saudi Arabia’s coordinated efforts to serve pilgrims under the supervision of Tabuk Gov. Prince Fahd bin Sultan.
Government and service agencies have been working professionally to ensure procedures are completed smoothly and pilgrims have access to any necessary, health and guidance services, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
As well as taking their personal memories of a well-organized Hajj, each of the departing pilgrims is given a copy of the Holy Qur’an as a gift from King Salman.
Many commented on how well managed the Hajj had been and expressed their gratitude to the officials and organizers at the Two Holy Mosques and other holy sites.
Egyptian Mostafa Allam said: “We did not expect such organization and coordination at every stage, from reception to farewell.”
Kawthar Mohamed, also from Egypt, said: “Everyone treats us kindly, with constant smiles and good service.”
Mohammed Ibrahim Abdulrahman, a pilgrim from Jordan, said: “We felt as though we were among our own family. Thanks to the Kingdom, its government and people for their generosity and care.”
Palestinian Issa Abdulwahab said: “Not for a moment did it feel like a departure, but rather a farewell filled with love and appreciation.”
