JEDDAH: Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed bin Abdul Aziz will inaugurate the 2020 Dakar Rally on Saturday, in the presence of Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of the General Sports Authority.
The Kingdom will host the 2020 Dakar Rally — one of the world’s most difficult desert rallies — held for the first time in Asia after a 30-year domination by Africa and South America.
The race will start in Jeddah, head north through the Red Sea Project and NEOM, and move toward Hail on the road leading to Riyadh.
The motorists will then continue west toward the middle of the Kingdom’s desert, before going back and heading east to Al-Ahsa. Then, they will enter the Empty Quarter right before the finish line in Qiddiya, a total distance exceeding 7,500 km in the country’s vast desert.
Jeddah governor to inaugurate 2020 Dakar Rally
https://arab.news/mzr34
Jeddah governor to inaugurate 2020 Dakar Rally
- The race will start in Jeddah and end in Qiddiya
- The total distance of the race will exceed 7,500 km in the country’s vast desert
Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah
- The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz
RIYADH: A new center for Arabic calligraphy under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially opened in Madinah on Monday.
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah region.
He was joined by Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, touring the new facility’s exhibition spaces and receiving briefings on cultural programming and the center’s achievements.
They also viewed collections highlighting Arabic calligraphy’s artistic and historical importance.
Speaking at the opening, Prince Badr said: “From this land of enlightenment and scholarship, we proudly launch a global platform dedicated to Arabic calligraphy as an invaluable cultural asset.”
He went on to credit the crown prince’s “generous and boundless support” for the cultural sector.
The minister said that the center demonstrated to the world the legacy of Arabic calligraphy while underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural identity and heritage.
According to Prince Badr, the facility represents an ambitious vision to elevate Arabic calligraphy as both a universal communication tool and an integral element of Arab heritage, art, architecture and design.
The center further aims to enhance the Kingdom’s cultural identity and strengthen its international presence, targeting calligraphers, emerging talents, visual artists, Islamic arts researchers, educational and cultural institutions, as well as art and heritage enthusiasts worldwide.
It will deliver specialized programs including research and archival services, calligraphy instruction, academic grants, a permanent museum, touring exhibitions, an international calligraphy association and a business incubator supporting calligraphy enterprises.
Additional offerings feature artist residency programs, expert-led workshops, and standardized curriculum development, complemented by international educational partnerships aimed at heritage conservation and expanding global appreciation for this time-honored art form.
The center’s establishment in Madinah carries particular significance, given the city’s historical role as the cradle of Arabic calligraphy and its association with transcribing the Qur’an and preserving Islamic knowledge.
