Saudi youths construct historic market for Souq Okaz

In this file photo, people are seen outside the Souq Okaz theater in Taif. A giant market has been built for the latest session of the festival, with Saudi youths contributing a lot of effort to its completion. (SPA photo)
Updated 19 July 2019
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Saudi youths construct historic market for Souq Okaz

  • A total of 67 young men and women took part in the construction of the historic market area
  • Work was carried out with the assistance of 247 on-site workers of different nationalities

RIYADH: A group of Saudi youths has helped to build a giant market for the latest session of Souq Okaz, one of the most famous historical attractions of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula.

A total of 67 young men and women took part in the construction of the historic market area extending over 41,000 square meters, as part of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage’s (SCTH) drive to support youth employment and skills in the Kingdom.

The work, completed over 35 days at the 13th session of Souq Okaz, was carried out with the assistance of 247 on-site workers of different nationalities.

The team participated in various roles including art, engineering, design, carpentry and blacksmithing, plumbing and electrics.

Souk Okaz has 200 shops selling pottery, silverware, glassware, wall arts and historical manuscripts, as well as textiles, handicrafts and leather goods. The market also includes restaurants and cafes.

SCTH is working with partners to maintain and improve the services and facilities at Okaz Souq for the new season of unique events and programs.

 

 


Saudi Arabia welcomes US designation of Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organization

Updated 11 March 2026
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Saudi Arabia welcomes US designation of Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organization

  • Kingdom’s FM lauds decision by Secretary of State Marco Rubio
  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan says decision bolsters regional security

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has welcomed the US government’s decision to designate the Sudan branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

The minister expressed his support for the decision during a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a statement issued by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

During the call, Prince Farhan said the Kingdom supports Washington’s measures that strengthen regional stability and security.

Rubio issued a press statement on March 9 announcing that the Department of State was “designating the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and intends to designate the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective March 16, 2026.”

He also claimed, without providing evidence in the statement, that the “Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood uses unrestrained violence against civilians to undermine efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan and advance its violent Islamist ideology.

“Its fighters, many receiving training and other support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have conducted mass executions of civilians.”

He added that the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood’s Al-Baraa bin Malik Brigade was designated in September 2025 “for its role in Sudan’s brutal war.”