ThePlace: Saudi Arabia’s Najran famous for largest rock inscriptions

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Photo/Saudi Press Agency
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Photo/Saudi Press Agency
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Photo/Saudi Press Agency
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Updated 21 February 2022
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ThePlace: Saudi Arabia’s Najran famous for largest rock inscriptions

  • The texts vary between poetic verses, Qur’anic verses, preaching phrases, prayers, names of people and other inscriptions written in Musnad, Nabataean, and Kufi scripts

Archaeological discoveries and rock inscriptions in Najran created during the early age of Islam are important historical sources to document social life during that time. In addition, they contain evidence of human heritage from thousands of years ago, and are tangible proof of the authenticity of Islamic civilization and the spread of its precious heritage.
In a field tour in the city of Najran, the Saudi Press Agency recorded many ancient archaeological inscriptions and drawings, some of which date back to the early first Hijri century, in the mountains of Al-Zarwaa Al-Darib, Qarn Al-Zaafaran and Al-Markab. The texts vary between poetic verses, Qur’anic verses, preaching phrases, prayers, names of people and other inscriptions written in Musnad, Nabataean, and Kufi scripts. They also demonstrate the civilizational and historical depth of the region during the three centuries that preceded Islam.
The Saudi Heritage Authority is keen to continue its fieldwork to record antiquities and archaeological inscriptions in the region. Almost 200 archaeological and historical sites have been registered in Najran, and excavations are continuing to uncover sites, inscriptions and drawings.


Saudi Arabia expresses regret over damage to Qatar’s embassy building in Ukraine

Updated 10 January 2026
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Saudi Arabia expresses regret over damage to Qatar’s embassy building in Ukraine

  • Qatar said that its embassy in the Ukrainian capital was damaged during Russian strikes the night before but that its staff were unharmed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has expressed regret over damages sustained by the building of Qatar’s embassy in the Ukrainian capital during a Russian attack. 

Qatar said that its embassy in the Ukrainian capital was damaged during Russian strikes the night before but that its staff were unharmed.

The Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement shared on X that the kingdom “expresses its profound regret over the damage sustained by the embassy building of the fraternal State of Qatar due to shelling in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.” 

Saudi Arabia also “renews its supporting position for diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis by peaceful means,” it added. 

The ministry also affirmed the need to provide protection for members of diplomatic missions, and their premises, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.