Saudi tourism chief visits Souq Okaz, praises equestrian shows

Prince Sultan toured the festival and watched the live equestrian shows organized by Al-Jaid Equestrian Center. (SPA)
Updated 12 July 2018
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Saudi tourism chief visits Souq Okaz, praises equestrian shows

  • Prince Sultan praised the role of equestrian activities in the festival, including the Okaz Equestrian School, which is overseen by an elite group of specialists and has welcomed a large number of visitors

JEDDAH: The president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Prince Sultan bin Salman, visited Souq Okaz festival in Taif, accompanied by the UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al-Nahyan and a number of senior officials.

Prince Sultan toured the festival and watched the live equestrian shows organized by Al-Jaid Equestrian Center, with the participation of 23 elite riders.

He praised the role of equestrian activities in the festival, including the Okaz Equestrian School, which is overseen by an elite group of specialists and has welcomed a large number of visitors.

The general supervisor of the Okaz Equestrian School, Mutlaq Al-Jaid, said: “We are very proud of our success in Souq Okaz over the years and we will continue to provide a novel range of unique shows during this great national festival, which has become a tourist attraction in the Kingdom in general and in Taif in particular. 


Scouts record 45,000 volunteer hours serving pilgrims at Grand Mosque in Ramadan

Updated 05 March 2026
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Scouts record 45,000 volunteer hours serving pilgrims at Grand Mosque in Ramadan

  • Volunteers guide pilgrims, organize prayers areas, distribute water
  • 600 young men and women scouts will work until end of Ramadan

RIYADH: Volunteers participating in the Umrah service camp supervised by the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association at the Grand Mosque in Makkah have contributed over 45,000 hours during the first half of Ramadan.

Six-hundred young men and women scouts, representing various teams across the Kingdom, participated in the camp’s activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

They helped to guide pilgrims, organize prayer areas, support security and service personnel, care for children, and provide water and fragrances in the Grand Mosque and its courtyards.

The scouts supported the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques and the public security sectors.

Three-hundred scouts participated in guidance and orientation with 22,500 hours, while 180 scouts assisted with public security services for 13,500 hours.

Sixty scouts who participated in the organization of prayer areas recorded 4,500 volunteer hours.

Additionally, 30 scouts participated in the Little Pilgrim Initiative, which focuses on caring for the children of pilgrims while their parents perform Umrah, contributing 2,250 hours.

In support services, 15 scouts participated in the water distribution initiative, contributing 675 hours.

Another 15 scouts contributed to the fragrance distribution initiative in the corridors and courtyards of the Grand Mosque, achieving 1,125 hours.

Camp leader Ziyad Qadir said the services of the scouts would continue until the end of Ramadan. He said the camps develop a sense of social responsibility and national belonging among young people.