RIYADH: The UAE has launched the hashtag #together_forever to celebrate the Saudi National Day.
Emiratis are using the hashtag on social media to express brotherly feelings toward Saudis and commend strong bilateral ties.
The official Emirati news agency WAM published a video on its Twitter account titled: “The UAE and KSA: A Model for Brotherly Relations.”
The video highlights Emirati participation in Saudi National Day celebrations, including raising the Saudi flag on the control tower at Abu Dhabi Airport, receiving Saudi travelers with flowers and gifts, and Dubai Airport issuing a special seal with the Kingdom’s logo.
Dubai’s police force has also taken part in the celebrations by putting the hashtag on patrol cars and on its social media accounts.
Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Marri, Dubai’s police chief, praised the strong bilateral relations and congratulated the Saudi people and leadership on this occasion.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, used the hashtag in tweets on his official Twitter account, with a photo of him with King Salman.
“The happiness of the Kingdom on its National Day is the happiness of the UAE and its people,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.
UAE launches #together_forever for Saudi National Day
UAE launches #together_forever for Saudi National Day
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.
