Guests of Umrah program visit cultural district in Makkah

The visitors expressed their appreciation of the exhibition’s content and the Kingdom’s efforts. (SPA)
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Updated 13 January 2024
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Guests of Umrah program visit cultural district in Makkah

  • The tour was part of a cultural program prepared by the ministry to enhance the experience of visitors and pilgrims

RIYADH: Beneficiaries of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, which is supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, recently had the opportunity to visit the Hira Cultural District in Makkah.

The tour was part of a cultural program prepared by the ministry to enhance the experience of visitors and pilgrims during their stay in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The guests visited the Revelation Exhibition, which features models of the Cave of Hira and a film telling the story of Prophet Muhammad’s revelation.

The visitors expressed their appreciation of the exhibition’s content and the Kingdom’s efforts to enrich the religious and cultural experience of visitors.

Some guests had the opportunity to visit the Kiswa Factory of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah’s King Abdulaziz Complex where they observed the manufacturing stages of the kiswa, gaining firsthand insight into the process while also taking part in weaving the fabric for the new covering of the Kaaba.

The pilgrims also performed Friday Prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. They expressed their appreciation and gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the excellent services provided to them and commended the exceptional services they received in Makkah after completing their Umrah rituals and visiting the holy sites.

This group of 250 pilgrims is the 15th to participate in the program initiated by King Salman. It included visitors from Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Hong Kong, Japan, Brunei, Thailand, South Korea, Cambodia, and Mongolia.


Crown prince sponsors launch of world-class Arabic calligraphy center in Madinah

Updated 23 December 2025
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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.