MAKKAH: Al-Nuzhah neighborhood center held a festival earlier this week to welcome pilgrims from different countries.
Muslims from Burkina Faso, Algeria and Pakistan attended the festival which included a short movie about Makkah and its historical role in hosting pilgrims.
Adel Hafez, the festival organizer, told Arab News that the pilgrims were able to learn about local culture through the event and recognize the historical value of Makkah’s cultural heritage.
Makkah is rich in historical scenes and full of events which have rich cultural significance, of which all pilgrims should be aware, Hafez said.
He pointed out that the relationship between pilgrims and Makkah as a city should not be only by performing the rituals but they should have access to Makkah’s cultural history.
“Whenever you look at Makkah, you will see historical resources and archaeological publications, museums, and archaeological culture,” Hafez added.
He said that they have dedicated this festival to present a brief overview of Makkah culture and heritage where they can focus on folklore.
“We showed them Makkah from the past and present to let them know how our ancestors lived and how they served pilgrims,” he pointed out.
“We showed them a movie that talks about different historical periods and how Makkah’s people had to help pilgrims, plus, the show explained all the efforts of the Saudi government accorded to pilgrims.”
The festival included a competition to recognize the voices of Al-Haram muezzins — people who call prayers — who had interacted among the arrivals from Pakistan, Burkina Faso and Algeria.
Khalid Mushtag, a Pakistani pilgrim, said: “We appreciate the fantastic show and learned a lot about Makkah’s culture. It also gave us an opportunity to have a cultural exchange which enriched everyone who came.”
Algerian, Pakistani and Burkina Faso pilgrims attend Makkah festival
Algerian, Pakistani and Burkina Faso pilgrims attend Makkah festival
Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition
- The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year
ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.
The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.
The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah’s combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the “expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla’s pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area.”
DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.
AlUla’s protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.
“Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies,” Dark Sky said.
Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.
With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.
The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
