RIYADH: Cities across Saudi Arabia are set to host the largest traditional cultural show simulating human struggle since the founding of the Saudi state and the development it has gained throughout its luminous history full of achievements.
The show, which will be held from Feb. 22 to 24 to commemorate Founding Day, will present visitors with a cultural celebration of traditional Saudi garments and costumes, and the aroma of traditional Saudi coffee, as the Kingdom’s history unfolds before their eyes, organizers said.
King Salman had issued a royal decree designating Feb. 22 as Founding Day, to recognize the foundation of the First Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Mohammed bin Saud.
In the era of the Saudi state, Diriyah was a meeting point for Hajj and trade caravans coming from outside the Arabian Peninsula, and the area has been renowned since the pre-Islamic era for its different markets that vary in terms of tradition and heritage and in the number of pilgrims, a statement on Saudi Press Agency said on Saturday.
It includes a simulation of the movement of the well-known commercial markets throughout the Kingdom, especially the “Nejnaj, a place where ancient flea markets burst to life.”
The Nejnaj event was divided into five regions (central, eastern, northern, western, and southern), and each region has a gate that includes a mini-art exhibition consisting of old photos from each region showing its ancient heritage and history during the Saudi state. Each region will have actors and narrators telling real stories from the founding period.
The night sky will also light up with a fireworks and drone show on Thursday.
A virtual historical exhibition will be held on Tuesday, whereby students participated by submitting a picture, painting, or a form of expressive writing defining the Founding Day and the historical depth of the Kingdom.
The exhibition is the first and largest virtual exhibition in the world in terms of space, participants and global competition,” SPA reported, adding that it will be managed through a control panel for each participant on the Saudi virtual reality system VRSA, which is the latest global smart Saudi 3D interactive technology in the world.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a large musical show will be held in Riyadh that will take audiences back to the first days of the Kingdom up until the current time, and highlights the establishment and unification stages of the Kingdom. It also shows its transition to modern life, while preserving the language, religion, customs, traditions and social relations.
The “Founding Day Operetta” aims to celebrate the founder and other historical icons throughout three centuries in a musical led by Mohammed Abdo, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, Rashed Al-Fares, Majed Al-Mohandes, and Dalia.
It was composed by Saham, Nasser Al-Saleh and Nawaf Abdullah, and written by Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsin, Mohammed Al-Anizi, Naif Saqer, Najla Al-Mahya and Ahmed Alawi.
Saudi Arabia to hold a number of events over three days to celebrate the first Founding Day
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Saudi Arabia to hold a number of events over three days to celebrate the first Founding Day
Saudi authorities arrest 16,161 illegals in one week
- A total of 10,575 people were arrested for violations of residency laws
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 16,161 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 10,575 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,726 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,860 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 967 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 57 percent were Ethiopian, 39 percent Yemeni, and 4 percent were of other nationalities. A further 22 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Islamic ministry launches healing initiative at Senegal hospital
- The Saudi delegation visited patients and distributed gifts
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, represented by the religious attache at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Senegal, recently launched the “Your Healing Is Our Hope” program at Fann University Hospital in Dakar.
The event was attended by Sheikh Awad bin Sabti Al-Anazi, the ministry's acting undersecretary, and Saad bin Abdullah Al-Nifaie, Saudi ambassador to Senegal, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Following the launch, the Saudi delegation visited patients and distributed gifts.
Dr. Khadija Sar, director of the Fann University Hospital, expressed gratitude for the initiative, and praised King Salman’s global humanitarian efforts.
The Saudi delegation also met with the board of trustees of the Islamic Higher Institute in Senegal.
During the meeting, Al-Anazi highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and Muslims, including establishing the Higher Islamic Institute.
The board discussed agenda items and made recommendations.
Makkah police bust fake Hajj campaign promoters, warn public of online scams
- The campaign falsely promised accommodation, transportation, and securing a sacrifice for pilgrims
RIYADH: Makkah police have arrested two Egyptian residents for promoting a fraudulent Hajj campaign through social media, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The campaign falsely promised accommodation, transportation, and securing a sacrifice for pilgrims.
Authorities apprehended the individuals, took legal action, and referred them to the Public Prosecution, SPA reported.
The Directorate of Public Security urges citizens and residents to remain vigilant and avoid responding to suspicious online advertisements.
These ads may offer services such as performing Hajj on behalf of others, securing and distributing sacrifices, selling Hajj bracelets, or providing transportation.
These scams often involve fictitious entities and individuals whose sole purpose is to deceive and defraud potential pilgrims, the SPA said.
Authorities warn that individuals caught engaging in such fraudulent activities will be penalized by the law.
To ensure a safe and legitimate Hajj experience, the Directorate of Public Security asks citizens and residents to comply with official Hajj regulations and instructions.
It also advises people to report suspected violations by calling the designated numbers: 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, and 999 in all other regions of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi foreign minister discusses Gaza situation with US secretary of state
- The two officials also discussed US president Joe Biden’s three-phase proposal to end the Gaza war
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday morning.
The two discussed the situation in Gaza and the exchange deal proposed by US president Joe Biden.
During the call, the minister expressed Saudi Arabia’s support for all efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces and the provision of urgent aid to civilians.
سمو وزير الخارجية الأمير #فيصل_بن_فرحان @FaisalbinFarhan يتلقى اتصالاً هاتفياً من معالي وزير خارجية الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية السيد أنتوني بلينكن pic.twitter.com/FH8ti6lr52
— وزارة الخارجية (@KSAMOFA) June 1, 2024
The US president on Friday detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the grinding, nearly 8-month-old Middle East war.
Biden said the first phase of the proposed deal would would last for six weeks and would include a “full and complete ceasefire,” a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.
The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.
– with AP
Makkah Route Initiative provides services to pilgrims from Morocco and Pakistan
RIYADH: The Makkah Route initiative operating at airports in Morocco and Pakistan benefited many pilgrims preparing for Hajj this year, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
The stations are located in Casablanca Mohammed V International in Morocco and Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan.
The initiative aims to provide services to pilgrims by assisting with their entry procedures into the Kingdom from the airports of their respective countries.
Saudi Arabia in 2019 launched the Makkah Route Initiative to help Hajj pilgrims from seven countries — Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye and Ivory Coast — with their visa, customs and passport requirements.
The government program issues visas electronically and collects biometric data, carrying out all travel procedures at the airports of the countries of departure, including ensuring that pilgrims have a clean bill of health. Baggage is coded and sorted to meet the transport and accommodation arrangements while pilgrims are in the Kingdom.
