JEDDAH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage’s (SCTH) Asir office has added records of 19 new archaeological sites to the National Antiquities Register.
SCTH official Mohammed Al-Umrah said the number of sites listed in the National Antiquities Register through their office in Bisha during this year has increased to 214.
The new sites belong to the pre-Islamic and early Islam eras and were found in three provinces including Bisha, Tathlith, and Balqarn.
In a bid to end reliance on oil, the Kingdom is investing in tourism, aiming to increase spending by Saudis at home instead of on holidays abroad.
Encouraging visits to local places of beauty or interest is a key Vision 2030 goal and the Kingdom has some world-class sites, some in remote areas, which are all but unknown outside the Kingdom.
On Friday, a group of Italian architects toured one of the most fascinating heritage villages in Saudi Arabia — Rijal Alma.
The village, set to be transformed into a major tourist attraction, is an architectural delight located in the province of Asir in the south of the country.
The architects, who were given a tour by Rijal Alma Mayor Saeed bin Ali Al-Hafiz, were informed about the architectural techniques developed by locals and the materials used.
The structures, which use stones and clay and often multi-floored, are distinctive, especially the white-framed windows.
The group also explored a number of public buildings, including schools and municipal premises, as well as heritage sites.
The Italians are currently taking part in an architectural exhibition in the region.
Rijal Alma won the Prince Sultan bin Salman Award for Urban Heritage in 2007, and was submitted for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year.
The SCTH’s efforts to register heritage and archaeological sites to the Urban Heritage list fall under the Kingdom’s Cultural Heritage Care program that includes a system of projects and programs to develop, highlight and preserve national heritage sites.
The residents’ initiatives to preserve their village are driven by an awareness of its history, culture, nature and moderate climate.
The towns along the Red Sea coast and the southern highlands contain some fine buildings in their historic old quarters.
Meanwhile, an SCTH delegation, headed by Abdulaziz bin Hasan Al-Hasan, visited Wadi Al-Dawasir governorate and met with governor Abdullah bin Suleiman Al-Mubarak and members of the region’s Tourism Development Committee to discuss ways of developing tourist areas.
The meeting tackled completing the development of the archaeological village of Al-Faw (Qaryat Al-Faw) and re-exploring archaeological sites, to include them in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites.
They also discussed mechanism of identifying and supporting tourism and heritage activities, developing desert sites for touristic purposes, and encouraging the private sector to contribute to the investment of these sites areas.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority adds 19 new heritage sites to antiquities register
Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority adds 19 new heritage sites to antiquities register
- The new sites belong to the pre-Islamic and early Islam eras and were found in three provinces including Bisha, Tathlith, and Balqarn
- The number of sites listed in the National Antiquities Register through SCTH office in Bisha during this year has increased to 214
Saudi project clears 935 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam cleared 935 mines in Yemen in one week from May 4 to May 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, the project’s specialist teams destroyed 876 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 47 anti-tank mines, seven anti-personnel mines and five improvised explosive devices.
The explosives, planted by the Houthi militia across Yemen, posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
A total of 440,067 mines have been cleared since the start of the initiative in 2018, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines, according to the Project Masam website.
Masam teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Saudi minister attends G20 judicial meeting in Brazil
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani took part in the G20 Summit of Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from May 12-14.
Discussions focused on integrating technology, particularly AI, in justice systems, and exploring innovative technologies used by G20 courts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The summit discussed promoting citizenship and social inclusion, climate litigation and sustainable development, and digital transformation to enhance judicial efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Family Affairs Council delegation, led by its secretary-general, Dr. Maimoonah Al-Khalil, took part in the Women’s Empowerment Working Group meeting of the G20 in Brazil from May 14-15.
The first day’s session was titled “Equality, Economic Independence and the Care Economy,” while the second session focused on “Equality and Confronting Violence and Discrimination against Women.”
The meeting will conclude on the second day with the topic “Equality and Climate Justice.”
The Family Affairs Council represents Saudi Arabia in the G20, focusing on women’s empowerment.
The Women’s Empowerment Working Group, initiated under the Indian presidency in 2023, began its work under the Brazilian presidency this year.
Saudi Arabia continues Makkah Route Initiative
- Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, Initiative involves dedicated team to receive travelers
- Includes special buses to transport pilgrims comfortably on journey through Makkah and Madinah
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, continues to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from international airports in their own countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, set up to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom, involves close cooperation between the ministry and various partner agencies.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team to receive the travelers and includes special buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Services include biometrics, Hajj visas and electronic luggage coding.
Saudi Arabia continues Makkah Route Initiative
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, continues to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from international airports in their own countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, set up to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom, involves close cooperation between the ministry and various partner agencies.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team to receive the travelers and includes special buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Services include biometrics, Hajj visas and electronic luggage coding.
18 health centers in Madinah to serve Hajj pilgrims
MADINAH: Madinah’s health department has prepared 18 hospitals and medical centers for this year’s Hajj.
The facilities have over 20,000 staff members, advanced medical equipment, laboratories, blood banks, vaccines, and emergency care services, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
