Where to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day for an authentic experience

Where to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day for an authentic experience
Al-Balad also known as Historic Jeddah is one of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is an ideal spot for families and tourists looking to shop at the Al-Balad Bazaar, held in a special location in the heart of Historic Jeddah. (Supplied)
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Updated 21 February 2024
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Where to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day for an authentic experience

Where to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day for an authentic experience
  • From the historic avenues of Diriyah to the fare of Riyadh’s Najd Villages, visitors can celebrate local heritage
  • Discover Saudi Arabia’s hidden gems, showcasing the history and traditions of the Kingdom’s cities and regions

RIYADH: Every year on Feb. 22, Saudi Arabia celebrates the historical and cultural roots of the Kingdom through Founding Day, commemorating the establishment of the First Saudi State. What better way to celebrate Founding Day than by exploring the hidden gems that showcase the history and traditions of each city.

Bujairi Terrace and At-Turaif in Diriyah

Known as “The Jewel of the Kingdom,” Diriyah, the capital of the First Saudi State, dates back to the mid-ninth century.

Situated in Diriyah, Bujairi Terrace provides exceptional views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif.

Inspired by Najdi architecture to evoke images of the past, Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah is the ideal spot for celebrations, offering visitors a curated Michelin-star gastronomic experience and a variety of interactive activities and events.

Surrounded by mud-brick Najdi architecture, guests are treated to over 20 fine-dining restaurants featuring Saudi and international cuisine.




The prominent citadel of Salwa Palace, made from handmade mud bricks three centuries in the historic At-Turaif district, the first capital of the Saudi dynasty, was illuminated on Dec. 4 with a spectacular light display in celebration of its opening to the public. (Supplied)

Layali Diriyah

Returning for its second year and running until March 10, Layali Diriyah is an open-air heritage farm bridging local and contemporary dining experiences, making it an ideal location for celebrating Founding Day.

Surrounded by palm trees and twinkling lights, Layali Diriyah takes a modern twist on a traditional Najdi farm, transforming it into an entertainment hub featuring live musical performances and poetry shows.

Guests can also enjoy the beauty of the palm trees surrounding the farm while dining and experiencing a range of contemporary art by local and global artists.




Azeema, one of the restaurants at Layali Diriyah, offers traditional Saudi cuisine. (Supplied)

Najd Village, Riyadh

For those craving the authentic Saudi flavor in honor of Founding Day, Najd Village specializes in regional cuisine, with each dish highlighting the heritage of a specific region.

There are two Najd Villages operating in Riyadh: one is situated on Takhassoussi Road, and the other is on Abu Bakr Road. The restaurant serves a family-style menu of traditional dishes like jareesh or kasbah, accompanied by fish, chicken, lamb, and camel meat.

For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant offers a range of traditional desserts and snacks, including hininy, mrahif, and kleija.




Najd Village specializes in regional cuisine, with each dish highlighting the heritage of a specific region. (Supplied)

 

Ithra, Dhahran

A celebration of history through musical performances, educational exhibitions, and hands-on labs, Ithra, known as the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, offers a range of festivities to celebrate Founding Day.

The Ithra Museum is home to five galleries, featuring artworks and installations by local and international artists covering Middle Eastern Art, Saudi culture, Islamic art, the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula, and the Archive gallery.

Ithra also offers interactive classes and workshops in the Children’s Museum.

The state-of-the-art building includes a library, theater, cinema, ideas lab, and a variety of restaurants for dining.




The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Also known as Ithra) is a symbol of change and diversity in modern Saudi Arabia.  (Supplied) 

Al-Balad, Jeddah

Al-Balad, also known as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jeddah, is an ideal spot for families and tourists looking to explore the customs of the historical city.

Located in the heart of Historic Jeddah, Al-Balad Bazaar celebrates the traditions and culture of Jeddah by showcasing homemade products, traditional clothing, and handicrafts in over 30 commercial outlets.

The Bazaar is part of significant efforts made by the Historic Jeddah Program to revive Saudi cultural heritage and promote the city’s status as a premier tourist destination.

The year-long Al-Balad Bazaar supports the community by providing them with retail pop-up outlets to showcase their products to visitors.

Another not-to-be-missed event taking place in Jeddah is the “Balad Al-Fann” initiative, launched by the Historic Jeddah Program.

Running until March 9, the initiative includes four art exhibitions, music programs, theatrical performances, and many interactive events for children.




Al-Balad also known as Historic Jeddah is one of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is an ideal spot for families and tourists looking to shop at the Al-Balad Bazaar, held in a special location in the heart of Historic Jeddah. (Supplied)

Tayebat Museum, Jeddah

Al-Tayebat International City of Science and Knowledge, located in Jeddah’s Al-Faisaliyah district, offers visitors a curated representation of Jeddah’s 2,500-year-old history through detailed walking tours showcasing the city’s architecture, Islamic heritage, and culture.

Highlighting an extraordinary range of exhibits, including museums and houses, Al-Tayebat is billed as a must-see location in Jeddah.

Bringing pre-Islamic and Islamic history to life across 300 rooms in 12 buildings, the museum includes the House of Saudi Arabian Heritage, the House of Islamic Heritage, the House of International Heritage, and the public heritage exhibition.


Saudi ambassador receives UN Special Envoy to Syria in Riyadh

Saudi ambassador receives UN Special Envoy to Syria in Riyadh
Updated 19 sec ago
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Saudi ambassador receives UN Special Envoy to Syria in Riyadh

Saudi ambassador receives UN Special Envoy to Syria in Riyadh

Saudi Ambassador to Syria Faisal Al-Mujfel received UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Planning and Development Aqeel Al-Ghamdi recently met Ambassador of Gabon to Saudi Arabia Ibrahim Membourou in Riyadh.

The two sides discussed relief and humanitarian issues, as well as prospects for humanitarian work in Gabon.


Dinner with strangers — the cure to loneliness in Riyadh?

Dinner with strangers — the cure to loneliness in Riyadh?
Updated 33 min 49 sec ago
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Dinner with strangers — the cure to loneliness in Riyadh?

Dinner with strangers — the cure to loneliness in Riyadh?
  • As the city grows, people are turning to novel ways to connect
  • Online platforms offer new opportunities to make friends


RIYADH: Every Wednesday, in one of Riyadh’s many restaurants, groups of strangers from all walks of life meet over dinner for the first time.

In an increasingly disconnected world, people are looking for new ways to cope with isolation and forge genuine relationships.

“I kept seeing Timeleft’s ads on social media and I thought expanding my social circle would be a great idea, as it never hurts to try new things from time to time,” Muhannad Zahra, an engineering student and freelance filmmaker and designer from Saint Kitts & Nevis, told Arab News.

He is referring to the app through which you book dinner with strangers who are selected via a personality quiz and criteria such as budget.

This new platform has gained popularity around the world as a way of linking like-minded individuals, either in their home city or while traveling.

Taiwanese tourist TaoFang Chang, who goes by the name Jessie and works remotely, decided to take a long trip to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Poland for the first time.

Landing at King Khalid International Airport, she was intrigued by the country in which she found herself.

“I was interested in all the countries in the Middle East, the culture and the religion, and what the people here think about marriage and relationships. On these trips, I’m not planning to go to a lot of attractions; I’m more interested to meet with the people,” she explained.

Timeleft is popular in Taiwan, she said, but she had never tried it.

“When I saw this was in Riyadh, I was so surprised. So for me it was good, because I downloaded Bumble and set my location to Riyadh, but I couldn’t find interesting people. I thought maybe Timeleft can give me an interesting surprise to meet some new people.”

On her first night in Riyadh, she dove headfirst into an event and met 10 people from six countries, including Saudi Arabia, India, Morocco, Yemen and St. Kitts & Nevis. 

She said: “Everyone around the world is dealing with this issue of loneliness because humans are social beings. In Taiwan, we have a lot of these kinds of applications, not just Timeleft … we don’t have time to make friends.

“In Asia, because we use Instagram where a lot of information comes to us and every day we see thousands of pieces of information from the internet, we think ‘everyone is different and happy, so why is it only me (who feels) unhappy or not good enough or not successful or (without) achievement?’ but of course it’s a mask. Everyone’s the same, just posting positive things. Everyone feels lonely.”

While the platform offers the chance to meet new people in a rapidly growing city, not everyone is convinced this novel concept is a cure for loneliness.

Muhannad Zahra said: “I don’t think it’s the best idea to make new friends online or through social media. I like old school, whether from work, relatives or coffee shops. Timeleft isn’t a guaranteed friend-making platform, nor is it a dating app. It just gives you a kickstart to meet people, then the rest of the effort is on you and your personality. It’s a bit more hectic this way as people are still opening up and not used to it.”

On signing up, users complete a personality quiz that is supposed to match you with other people who have compatible traits and interests. Some users said the results seemed to be based on age, rather than personality.

Other platforms, like Bumble BFF and BeFriend, allow users to swipe left or right on profiles that do or do not appeal to them based on images. But platforms like Timeleft purport to focus solely on personality. Users have no way of knowing who their dining companions will be aside from their nationality, revealed a day prior.

Zahra’s first experience was at an Italian restaurant in Riyadh. He said: “There are some significant differences in personality from one person to another. For me, it wasn’t difficult to get along with them.

“As I joined multiple dinners, I noticed a pattern where 30 percent of users are introverts, 50 percent just moved to Riyadh and want to make new connections, and 20 percent join for no reason and no goal, and they don’t seem interested during the dinner as well.”

Ali Bin Salman met Zahra at his second Timeleft experience. The two found they connected on several levels and ended up on the same table at their next booking.

“I never have high hopes when meeting new people so as to not get disappointed later. But out of the 20 people that I met, I feel like three friendships will live on for a while,” Zahra said.

Bin Salman was born in Saudi Arabia but lived in Yemen and Egypt for six years. He was keen to re-explore the social scene on his return, leading him to check out Timeleft.

Describing the difficulty of moving to Riyadh, he said: “It’s not completely lonely, but it’s hard to meet people, especially in reality. It feels so artificial and the people are distant in a way. The ads were everywhere in Egypt, and when I came back here I tried it for the first time.”

Each Wednesday usually sees two dinner tables hosted at the chosen restaurant. At 8pm, when guests are expected to arrive, a game is unlocked consisting of ice-breaker questions such as “What is your secret talent?” or “Where is the strangest place you have visited?” It gives those attending a chance to get to know each other on a deeper level.

But the thrill of dining with strangers has its downside as well. It is up to users to build on the initial connection themselves.

Bin Salman said: “It does take effort, potentially, and you might feel like you’re not building into something. With friendships, you start as strangers, and then you build something, and then you become close friends. But if you keep going a lot (to different dinners), you will not build friendships. You will just build acquaintances at best.” 


Saudi libraries to get upgrade including public theatres

Saudi libraries to get upgrade including public theatres
Updated 22 January 2025
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Saudi libraries to get upgrade including public theatres

Saudi libraries to get upgrade including public theatres
  • Libraries Commission is transforming the Kingdom’s libraries after the launch of a national growth strategy in 2021
  • One aspect of the strategy includes a sorting and inventory project for information resources - other amenities will include training rooms and event halls

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s libraries are getting a major overhaul that will include the building of public theatres and other cultural amenities.

The Libraries Commission is transforming the Kingdom’s libraries after the launch of a national growth strategy in 2021, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

One aspect of the strategy includes a sorting and inventory project for information resources. Other amenities will include training rooms and event halls.

Carried out under the leadership of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the minister of culture, the libraries development initiative is part of a five-year plan for 153 libraries throughout the Kingdom.

The inventory project involves migrating information resources to digital systems to better facilitate their preservation, retrieval, and use.

Speaking at a press conference at the King Fahd National Library in 2021, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asem, chief executive officer of the Libraries Commission, said that initiatives will include hosting events and activities to enrich knowledge, improve reading habits, and raise literacy levels.

These activities will include information literacy workshops, games for children and young adults, national youth competitions, and launching a national libraries day.

“The strategy includes multiple initiatives serving the sector, partners, and the general community, believing in the pivotal role of libraries in achieving the Ministry of Culture’s goals based on the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 as cultural, participatory, and development platforms that strive to develop capacities and businesses, as well as ensure continuous education, innovation, and workforce development, ensuring international cooperation and exchange of knowledge,” he said at the time.

In addition to working with experts and specialists, the commission conducted research on 27 countries’ library systems for guidance on what strategic pillars, objectives, initiatives, and key performance indicators to look out for.

Al-Asem added that the public libraries development strategy aimed to improve regulations and standards through financing and investment, as well as employee skill training.

It also hopes to improve community participation and will launch awareness campaigns on information literacy and public library services.


MENA over-60s most at risk of NCDs, researchers say ahead of anti-aging conference

MENA over-60s most at risk of NCDs, researchers say ahead of anti-aging conference
Updated 22 January 2025
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MENA over-60s most at risk of NCDs, researchers say ahead of anti-aging conference

MENA over-60s most at risk of NCDs, researchers say ahead of anti-aging conference
  • Findings were highlighted at an event ahead of the group’s Global Healthspan 2025 summit in Riyadh
  • Event will bring together an international crowd of academics, scientists and stockholders in the global healthspan space

RIYADH: The MENA population is most at risk for noncommunicable diseases for those over 60 years, according to research by the Saudi anti-aging organization Hevolution Foundation.

Noncommunicable diseases include cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, which represent up to one-third of the disease burden in the region.

The findings were highlighted at an event ahead of the group’s Global Healthspan 2025 summit in Riyadh, which runs from Feb. 5-6, with more than 70 sessions and in excess of 100 speakers expected.

The event will bring together an international crowd of academics, scientists and stockholders in the global healthspan space, organizers said.

According to research, Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of NCDs in the Gulf, with a prevalence of 32.15 percent responsible for 73 percent of all deaths.

With the number of people over 60 in Saudi Arabia set to double by 2050, the Kingdom is employing cutting-edge research in aging biology.

Boasting more than SR1.5 billion ($400 million) in research grants and early-stage biotech investments, the Riyadh-based organization is a philanthropic funder of geroscience, an area of research dedicated to advancing the human healthspan — extending the age at which a person remains healthy.

The organization says that while the average lifespan in Saudi Arabia is about 74 years, the average healthspan is 64 — indicating a decade-long gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy — and many are living the final years of their lives in poor health.

During the summit, Hevolution will announce the launch of the Saudi Biotech Pitchfest, to showcase the Kingdom’s rapidly growing biotech sector. Twelve Saudi biotech companies, from startups to more established enterprises, will present their innovative solutions aimed at addressing the challenges of aging.

The competition will feature 10-minute pitches, which will be judged by a distinguished panel that includes Prince Khalid bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al-Saud, founder and CEO, KBW Ventures; Abdulrahman Alolayan, CEO of BetaLab; Dr. William Greene, CIO of Hevolution Foundation; and Dr. Christoph Westphal, co-founder of Longwood Fund.

Hevolution will also launch the second round of its grants program in Saudi Arabia, with 14 new awardees for 2025.

This round saw a 20 percent increase in eligible submissions, underscoring the growing interest in the field.

The grantees represent leading institutions across Saudi Arabia, including KAIMRC, Al-Maarefa University, Fakeeh College, University of Tabuk, KAUST, KSU, and Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University.

The foundation also plans to announce a two-year grant program to create the first cohort of age researchers in Saudi Arabia.


Saudi Arabia announces new national policy to eliminate forced labor

Saudi Arabia announces new national policy to eliminate forced labor
Updated 22 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia announces new national policy to eliminate forced labor

Saudi Arabia announces new national policy to eliminate forced labor
  • Osama Ghanem Alobaidy: This policy adopted by the Kingdom will ensure the protection of persons living or working in the Kingdom and create a safe working environment
  • Sattam Alharbi: It demonstrates our collective commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone living and working in our country, ensuring their rights are protected

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced its National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced.

“This policy adopted by the Kingdom will ensure the protection of persons living or working in the Kingdom and create a safe working environment,” Osama Ghanem Alobaidy, adviser and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News.

In 2021, Saudi Arabia, became the first GCC country to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, bringing it in line with international standards to eliminate forced labor.

“This shows the Kingdom’s commitment to improve and protect the rights of individuals living or working in the Kingdom,” Alobaidy said.

The newly introduced policy aims to eliminate forced labor through prevention and protection measures.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, it will also strengthen national, regional and international coordination to integrate better efforts to combat forced labor.

Deputy Minister for Control and Development of the Work Environment Sattam Alharbi said: “The introduction of the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor is an important milestone for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“It demonstrates our collective commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone living and working in our country, ensuring their rights are protected,” Alharbi said.

“The introduction of the national policy also builds on our ongoing work to safeguard employees’ rights, in collaboration with global and local partners.”

The national policy also includes victim-focused initiatives that will enhance care, support and access to justice.

It will support the implementation of measures to provide legal, social and economic support for forced labor victims, aiding their recovery and protecting against the risk of re-victimization.

This new policy is not the first of its kind for the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has been implementing multiple measures to protect the rights of its workforce.

“The Kingdom already has a set of laws, rules and regulations addressing this matter even before the adoption of this policy,” Alobaidy said.

In October of 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Insurance Authority launched an insurance service that would cover unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private-sector defaults.

Alobaidy highlighted the multiple laws that the Kingdom has put in place to protect the workforce: “The law on trafficking of persons and the labor laws for example and regulations prohibit any forms of forced labor.”

Elaborating on Saudi Arabia’s decision to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, the professor said: “It is also commendable that the Kingdom took the lead among GCC countries in ratifying the protocol to the forced labor convention to eliminate forced labor.”

“The Kingdom’s adoption of this policy is welcome news to persons working or living in the Kingdom since it will ensure greater protection of their rights,” he said.

“This will enhance the work environment in the Kingdom in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives,” Alobaidy said.