RIYADH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) is gearing up for this year’s Souq Okaz.
Major preparations have been completed to hold the popular festival in the same location: The ancient Souq Okaz in Taif. The 11th edition of the week-long event will open July 12 under the patronage of King Salman.
The organizing committee announced the festival’s events and activities. Earlier, addressing a press conference, Prince Sultan bin Salman, SCTH president and head of the festival’s supervisory committee, said Souq Okaz has significantly progress over past 10 years.
Archaeological discoveries by excavation teams indicate that site has seen civilizations dating back to the Stone Age, and that the souq was an important event in the history of the region before Islam. It was a cultural, social, economic and political gathering of Arabs during which the area’s language evolved, and not merely an opportunity for trade.
Souq Okaz was also a place for reconciliation, declaring of war, ending hostilities, adjudicating trade disputes and a place for announcing alliances between Arab tribes, researcher said.
SCTH gears up for Souq Okaz festival
SCTH gears up for Souq Okaz festival
New Saudi ambassador to UK presents credentials to Britain’s King Charles III
- The ambassador’s predecessor, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, returned to the Kingdom last year after being appointed as an advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to the UK Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz presented his credentials to Britain’s King Charles III at St. James’s Palace in London on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the British government and people.
King Charles III reciprocated by conveying his greetings and appreciation to the Saudi leadership, wishing the Kingdom and its people further progress and development.
The ambassador’s predecessor, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, returned to the Kingdom last year after being appointed as an advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2025.
