Saudi heritage: Silent Thamud inscriptions speak of Hail’s ancient cultural legacy

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Artists from Hail are using thamudic to adorn the city’s landmarks including its gates, the regional airport, and King Fahd road. (Supplied)
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Artists from Hail are using thamudic to adorn the city’s landmarks including its gates, the regional airport, and King Fahd road. (Supplied)
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Artists from Hail are using thamudic to adorn the city’s landmarks including its gates, the regional airport, and King Fahd road. (Supplied)
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Artists from Hail are using thamudic to adorn the city’s landmarks including its gates, the regional airport, and King Fahd road. (Supplied)
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Artists from Hail are using thamudic to adorn the city’s landmarks including its gates, the regional airport, and King Fahd road. (Supplied)
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Updated 02 August 2022
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Saudi heritage: Silent Thamud inscriptions speak of Hail’s ancient cultural legacy

  • Richest and most diverse rock art in Saudi Arabia Contemporary artists adorning city with murals inspired by the past

MAKKAH: Ancient Thamudic inscriptions and drawings adorn almost every street and alleyway in Hail, a testament to the region’s ancient cultural legacy, which has been drawing increasing numbers of tourists to the area.

This cultural and diverse production of the Thamudic language is present in all services and products provided by different government sectors.

Saud Al-Ali, General supervisor of media and corporate communication at Hail municipality

This city in the north of the country has thousands of Thamudic inscriptions dating from 8th century BC to the 3rd century AD, highlighting in detail the social life of various communities. It is the richest and most diverse rock art found in Saudi Arabia, according to UNESCO.

Saud Al-Ali, the general supervisor of media and corporate communication at Hail municipality, told Arab News that the drawings and inscriptions have been incorporated into public spaces. “This cultural and diverse production of the Thamudic language is present in all services and products provided by different government sectors,” he said.

Artists from Hail are using Thamudic to adorn the city’s landmarks including its gates, the regional airport, and King Fahd Road.

FASTFACTS

• Hail has thousands of Thamudic inscriptions dating from 8th century BC to the 3rd century AD, highlighting in detail the social life of various communities.

• It is the richest and most diverse rock art found in Saudi Arabia, according to UNESCO.

• Several inscriptions can be also found in different places, ‘enriching this ever-renewed cultural diversity of a city deeply rooted in history.’

“Several inscriptions can be also found in different places, enriching this ever-renewed cultural diversity of a city deeply rooted in history,” he said. “Hail citizens and visitors were really impressed by these inscriptions that connect the present to the past.”

Al-Ali said that these artworks have strengthened the status of the city as a tourist destination, which has recently also been highlighted by the Dakar International Rally using it as part of its route.

Al-Ali said the late artist Youssef Al-Shugdali supervised many artworks in the city, and created a massive mural using some of these inscriptions to reflect his love for the area and its “welcoming spirit and hospitality.”

Al-Ali said the Umm Sinman mountain in Hail has many Thamudic inscriptions. “These murals, far from being silent, are expressive,” he said. It has inspired young people to learn the language, he added.

 


KSrelief providing ongoing medical care in Yemen

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KSrelief providing ongoing medical care in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief is providing ongoing cardiac surgery and catheterization for children and adults at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in Yemen’s Aden governorate.

The project runs until May 15, with 23 medical specialists participating in cooperation with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The medical team has already performed 35 cardiac catheterizations and eight open-heart surgeries, all of which were successful.

Meanwhile, KSrelief has completed another medical project which included 226 procedures for people with burns, deformities, and sports injuries.

This initiative took place from April 27 to May 5, 2024, in Yemen’s Aden governorate.

In addition, there were 1,026 individuals treated at the dermatology clinic, 2,317 at the family medicine clinic, and 587 at the dentistry clinic.

Training was also provided for 78 staffers in sports rehabilitation.


KSrelief to restore homes damaged in Aleppo earthquake

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KSrelief to restore homes damaged in Aleppo earthquake

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief signed a pact on Wednesday to restore the homes of families affected by the earthquake in Aleppo, Syria.

In collaboration with a civil society institution in Syria, this project aims to restore 743 homes to benefit over 4,500 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Renovations will include the provision of new water tanks and ventilation systems.

KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz signed the pact at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.


Saudi Armed Forces participate in military exercise in Turkiye

Updated 09 May 2024
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Saudi Armed Forces participate in military exercise in Turkiye

  • The field exercise phase of EFES 2024, which begins on Friday and continues until May 30, follows a command center phase that began on April 25 and ended on Wednesday

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are taking part in a multinational military exercise in the Turkish city of Izmir, the Kingdom’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

Upon arrival in Turkiye ahead of the field-exercise phase of EFES 2024, the Saudi units were greeted by the military attache at the Saudi embassy in Ankara, Commodore Adel Al-Kalthami, the director of the exercise from the Kingdom, Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Suhaimi, and officers from branches of the Armed Forces.

The exercise involves two main phases, the first of which was a command-center exercise at the Multinational War Center in Istanbul and the Joint Command Training Center in Izmir, which began on April 25 and concluded on Wednesday. The second phase, involving live-firing field exercises at Izmir’s Doganbey Firing and Exercise Area, begins on Friday and continues until May 30.

The head of the Saudi Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, said participation of the nation’s forces in the exercise reflects the care and support of the Saudi leadership for the development of their capabilities and the enhancement their organizational, training and armaments skills.

The exercise provides an opportunity for forces from participating nations to exchange skills, train together in the planning and coordination of joint operations in various environments, raise their combat efficiency, and enhance military cooperation, he added.

During the exercise the Saudi units and their counterparts from other countries will carry out many field maneuvers on land and sea, including sea-landing operations, search and rescue missions, and responses to threats posed by drones, using light arms loaded with live ammunition and other weaponry, Al-Balawi said.


Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to Brazilian president over flood victims

Updated 09 May 2024
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Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to Brazilian president over flood victims

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a message of condolences and sympathy to Brazilain President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following the floods that swept the state of Rio Grande do Sul that killed and injured several people and left a number missing, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
“We learned of the news of the floods that swept through the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south of the Federal Republic of Brazil, and the resulting deaths, injuries, and missing persons,” the king said.
He added: “We share Your Excellency’s pain of this tragedy, and we send to you, to the families of the deceased, and to your friendly people, our warmest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing that the missing will return safely and the injured a speedy recovery.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable to the Brazilian president.
Heavy rains and flooding in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul since last week also have left 128 people missing, authorities said. More than 230,000 have been displaced, and much of the region has been isolated by the floodwaters.
(With AP)


Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict during call

Updated 09 May 2024
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Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict during call

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday received a phone call from Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed several issues of common interest. 
They also discussed developments in the Ukrainian-Russian war and efforts to resolve the conflict.