Ramadan in Qatif showcases Saudi small town spirit

Ramadan in Qatif showcases Saudi small town spirit
File photo of Qatif’s corniche. (Source: @ahmedelq)
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Updated 17 March 2025
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Ramadan in Qatif showcases Saudi small town spirit

Ramadan in Qatif showcases Saudi small town spirit
  • Festive gatherings typical of tight-knit community
  • Locals enjoy spirituality, family gatherings in holy month

RIYADH: Locals in Qatif practice Ramadan traditions by reconnecting with relatives, keeping the community spirit of small Saudi towns alive.

Like other regions of the Kingdom during Ramadan, families and friends gather to scope for the best markets, cafes and restaurants as Qatif’s days turn into nights.

But for many locals, Ramadan is about staying in and reconnecting with relatives in the tight-knit locale.

Dana Al-Awamy, a university student from Qatif, told Arab News that her Ramadan routine “feels like a celebration because everyone is fasting together and breaking their fast together.

“The food we eat is always the same so it is kind of ritualistic ... my favorite part about Ramadan is the community and feeling the spiritual connection to God.”

Having lived abroad, Al-Awamy had a foreign concept of Ramadan, but coming back home has given her the chance to immerse herself in the holy month, surrounded by the warmth of her family.

During the month, Al-Awamy honors her late grandmother, who was the heart of past celebrations.

“She was an amazing chef and it was her that would cook most of the food and make specific dishes only in Ramadan.

“I miss that now. I really believe because of that, it made me enjoy Ramadan as a kid and grow to love it even more as an adult,” she said.

Sara Al-Awami shares her treasured moments with family, highlighting that the holy month brings a beautiful balance of spirituality, family and community, making it her favorite time of the year.

“We have a daily walk before iftar, which has become a small but meaningful tradition. The evenings are filled with gatherings, game nights, and, of course, enjoying all the delicious food,” she said.

“I also love wearing traditional clothing during Ramadan — it adds to the festive and cultural spirit of the month. And while I’d love to say I help with the cooking, my real specialty is showing up just in time for iftar ... especially for dessert.”

“One of my favorite things about Ramadan is the strong sense of community and generosity that fills the month.”

Having lived in different places, Al-Awami realized that while there may be slight cultural differences, Ramadan is celebrated in a very similar way in countries across the Gulf.

“The essence of the month is always about family, loved ones and coming together. The Eastern Province, like many other regions, is full of vibrant Ramadan traditions — whether it’s the communal iftars, the traditional fashion, the late-night outings, or the spiritual gatherings,” she said.

“But overall, across the Gulf, the core of Ramadan remains the same: A time of faith, family and generosity.”

Having spent many years celebrating Ramadan abroad and alone, she has come to appreciate the time spent with family even more.

“Nothing compares to the warmth of breaking your fast with loved ones, the conversations that last late into the night and the shared traditions that make this month so special,” she said.

“Now, I cherish these moments even more because I know what it’s like to experience Ramadan without them.

“Whether in the Eastern Province, Kuwait, London, or the US, what makes Ramadan truly meaningful is the connection — with family, with the community and with faith.”


Grand Mosque in Makkah furnished with 33,000 Saudi-made luxury carpets for Ramadan

Grand Mosque in Makkah furnished with 33,000 Saudi-made luxury carpets for Ramadan
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Grand Mosque in Makkah furnished with 33,000 Saudi-made luxury carpets for Ramadan

Grand Mosque in Makkah furnished with 33,000 Saudi-made luxury carpets for Ramadan
  • High-quality carpets are known for their durability and designed to handle heavy foot traffic 
  • Carpets are used on Fridays and during the month of Ramadan

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have furnished the Grand Mosque in Makkah with thousands of luxury carpets during the holy month of Ramadan.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said that the 33,000 luxury carpets were made in Saudi Arabia, and known for their high quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and durability.

The carpets, each measuring 1.2 meters by 4 meters or 1.2 meters by 3 meters, are used on Fridays, during the month of Ramadan, and in other peak seasons, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Carpets are 1.6 cm thick and able to cope with heavy foot traffic, the SPA added.

One of the authority’s missions is to provide services and attend to the needs of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

The authority announced this week that it provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah during the first half of Ramadan, a time of worship for Muslims who fast from sunrise to sunset.


Riyadh Municipality to host cultural tent event

Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis.
Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis.
Updated 18 March 2025
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Riyadh Municipality to host cultural tent event

Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis.
  • Cultural tent celebrates the diversity of the cultural and artistic scene in the Kingdom, allowing visitors to interact with literature, arts and heritage

RIYADH: Riyadh Municipality will host a cultural tent event with family-friendly activities on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tahlia Oasis, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event will include activities for families, including a children’s face-painting corner, and attendees will be able to join PlayStation League competitions that offer challenges suitable for different age groups.

Live cooking shows will allow visitors to learn about the diversity of Saudi cuisine, and local entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to display their products in local stores.

Additionally, the cultural tent will exhibit books, pictures and manuscripts about Riyadh’s heritage.

The cultural tent celebrates the diversity of the cultural and artistic scene in the Kingdom, allowing visitors to interact with literature, arts and heritage.

The event is part of efforts by Riyadh Municipality to improve quality of life for residents in the Saudi capital, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Everyone is welcome to attend the events, which run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza

Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 25
Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 25
Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza

Palestinians react at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 25
  • Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned and denounced renewed violence in Gaza after Israel unleashed its most intense strikes overnight since a ceasefire was established two months ago.

The health ministry in Gaza said more than 400 people were killed after the strikes that took place during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to Israeli killing, violence, and destruction, and the protection of Palestinian civilians.

Saudi Arabia also said it was important that the international community fulfilled its responsibilities by intervening immediately to put an end to Israeli crimes and stop the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people.

Gaza’s health ministry said the bodies of 413 people had been received by the territory’s hospitals, adding “a number of victims are still under the rubble.”


Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis

Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis
Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis

Saudi cabinet urges immediate international action to end Gaza humanitarian crisis
  • This cabinet also strong condemned the resumption of Israeli occupation forces' attacks on the Gaza

The Saudi Council of Ministers on Tuesday, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasized the urgent need for the international community to take immediate action to halt these atrocities and put an end to the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people.

This came following the strong condemnation of the resumption of Israeli occupation forces' attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The cabinet continued to follow up on developments in the Arab, regional, and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom’s firm positions on these matters and affirming its ongoing support for efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region and globally.

During the session, the crown prince briefed the cabinet on the contents of two phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.


Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site.
Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site.
Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi-Chinese team discovers ancient treasures at Al-Sirrain

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site.
  • Excavation uncovers artifacts, city layout from historic port city on Maritime Silk Road

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has completed the third season of the archaeological excavation at the Al-Sirrain site in Al-Lith governorate, Makkah region.

The project was carried out in collaboration with China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration as part of a bilateral agreement to exchange expertise in archaeological excavation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It coincides with the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025, which features joint cultural initiatives. The goal is to strengthen cultural exchange and highlight historical ties between the two civilizations through the Silk Road.

The collaboration reflects Saudi Arabia and China’s commitment to supporting historical research and documenting shared heritage, the SPA reported.

The excavation aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the site by studying residential areas, city planning and connections to other urban centers. It also sought to document structural features, including parts of the city wall, towers and gates.

Researchers uncovered various artifacts, including pottery, stone vessels, decorative items, a gold dinar from the mid-second Hijri century and Chinese porcelain. Gravestones with unique carvings were also found.

The survey identified key architectural features, including wall foundations and gravestones, highlighting the site’s significance along the Maritime Silk Road.

The port city thrived until the late third Hijri century, reaching its peak in the fifth and sixth Hijri centuries. It remains one of the largest archaeological sites on the Red Sea coast, according to the SPA.

The Heritage Commission is committed to preserving antiquities and advancing archaeological research across the Kingdom, the SPA added.

It also aims to expand cooperation with local and international partners in line with Vision 2030, promoting culture and ensuring the sustainability of heritage for future generations.