JEDDAH: Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Makkah governor, said that the 911 unified security operations center in the Makkah region is considered a qualitative security leap, not only in Makkah, but also in the Kingdom as a whole.
He added that the center will have a major impact, particularly during the Haj season, as it will be able to protect the security of the pilgrims and provide them with better services.
Upon his visit to the center Monday morning, Prince Al-Faisal expressed appreciation and pride of the “colleagues at the Interior Ministry, particularly in this center as it will be dealing with Haj and Umrah pilgrims all year long.”
Al-Faisal expressed his congratulations and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the Kingdom’s developments in all sectors.
“I salute my leader, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for the comprehensive developments the Kingdom has witnessed since its establishment, including the security sector,” he said adding that the Ministry of Interior is witnessing a major development under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif.
Al-Faisal added that the Interior Ministry and Prince Mohammed bin Naif became role models for the world in combating terrorism and in different security fields. “I’m very glad to see this security project that developed from an idea to transfer services from Mina to outside to be a unified national center for security operations.”
Al-Faisal congratulated the Saudi citizens, wherever they are, and told them that “this country was and is still a pioneer in all fields, particularly in security.”
Prince Al-Faisal was given a tour of the center and he listened to a full briefing by the head of the national center, Abdul Rahman Al-Saleh, on the center’s initiatives including the latest technologies, and its role in crises and disasters.
911 unified security operations center helps protect pilgrims
911 unified security operations center helps protect pilgrims
History lives in stone in AlUla’s ancient city of Dadan
ALULA: The ancient city of Dadan is “one of the most significant historical discoveries in AlUla governorate and a key landmark reflecting the depth of human history in northwest Arabia,” according to an article published by the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.
Dadan served as the capital of the Kingdom of Dadan and later of the Kingdom of Lihyan, from the late ninth century to the early first century B.C., the report stated.
Among the site’s most striking features are tombs carved into red rock cliff faces. Some are distinguished by rectangular facades crowned with lion carvings, a symbol often associated with power. “These structures reflect a sophisticated level of artistic and architectural skill, highlighting the advanced craftsmanship of the region’s ancient inhabitants,” the SPA wrote.
Constructed primarily from local stone, the city developed into an important hub for agriculture and trade. Its strategic position along the Incense Route — one of the most vital trade routes in the ancient world — enabled Dadan to flourish economically while facilitating cultural exchange.
Merchants, travelers and envoys passing through the city contributed to the circulation of goods and ideas across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.
Archeological excavations at Dadan are ongoing, with teams of specialists conducting “systematic research in successive scientific phases to uncover additional structures, inscriptions and artifacts that may further clarify the city’s historical role and daily life,” according to the SPA.
AlUla’s recorded history spans more than 7,000 years of human presence. Discoveries at Dadan — including inscriptions and written records — continue to reshape understanding of the region’s social, economic and political development, “reinforcing AlUla’s status as an open-air archive of ancient civilization,” the SPA concluded.
