Madinah governor inaugurates Al-Safiyyah Museum and Park

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The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah. (SPA)
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The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah. (SPA)
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The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah. (SPA)
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Updated 19 March 2024
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Madinah governor inaugurates Al-Safiyyah Museum and Park

RIYADH: Prince Salman bin Sultan, Madinah governor and chairman of the Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA), inaugurated the Al-Safiyyah Museum & Park in the presence of Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah and deputy chairman of the authority.

The project was built on an area exceeding 4,400 square meters in the southern central area, to enrich and deepen the cultural experience of the visitors at the Prophet’s Mosque.

During the opening ceremony, Prince Salman bin Sultan was briefed on the Al-Safiyyah Museum & Park’s facilities. He viewed the cultural garden and waterways and listened to an explanation about the exhibition and museum area, in addition to the areas of shops, restaurants, cafes and other recreational services.

He inspected the Story of Creation Museum, which offers an integrated presentation on the story of creation from the beginning of the universe using audiovisual technologies, through the stories of the prophets and messengers. The museum relies on the narrative cognition that visitors experience inside the museum. Prince bin Sultan also saw a range of museum exhibits and rare collections.

The ceremony began with the playing of the royal anthem and the reciting of verses from the Holy Qur’an, then the attendees watched an introductory film about the Al-Safiyyah Museum & Park’s project. Following that, Fahad Albulihshi, CEO of the authority, delivered the opening speech, in which he emphasized that the project is one of the distinctive development projects that will contribute to enriching and deepening the cultural and knowledge experience of visitors to the Prophet's Mosque. It will improve the residents of Madinah’s quality of life, as part of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, thus showing the civilized image that the Saudi government reflects in serving the two holy mosques and their visitors.

Albulihshi indicated that the Al-Safiyyah Museum & Park represents a new source of civilization and knowledge and a distinctive mark in the history of Madinah. The land was developed in partnership with the private sector, to make it an attractive tourist destination enhanced with cultural, recreational and commercial elements for the visitors to the Prophet's Mosque, in an environment inspired by Madinah’s urban identity.

At the end of the opening ceremony, Madinah gov. received a commemorative gift on this occasion; a Qur'anic panel written in Thuluth script dating to more than 130 years.

The Al-Safiyyah Museum & Park comes within the framework of the efforts of the Madinah Region Development Authority, in complementarity with Samaya Investment and its partners in the private sector, to enrich and deepen the cultural and religious experience of the visitors to the Prophet's Mosque. This comes as part of the projects to rehabilitate and activate Islamic history sites and destinations, to provide exceptional services and enhance their historical dimension and cultural value, in accordance with the highest standards, thus reflecting the aspirations of the leadership within the objectives of the ambitious Saudi vision.


Saudi Arabia launches key projects at World Defense Show in Riyadh

Updated 09 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia launches key projects at World Defense Show in Riyadh

  • Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveils initiatives
  • New firms set up and deals inked at event running to Feb. 12  

RIYADH: Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveiled new initiatives and signed several agreements on the opening of the third World Defense Show in Riyadh on Sunday.

Prince Khalid opened the show on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, the five-day event will run until Feb. 12, showcasing the Kingdom’s rapid strides toward strategic independence and technological leadership in the defense sector.

The 2026 edition features a purpose-built venue with a 2,700-meter runway for live air and land demonstrations, underscoring the show’s status as a premier global defense event.

The GAMI’s Gov. Ahmad Al-Ohali said the show reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to localizing over 50 percent of military spending in line with Vision 2030, and fostering an integrated ecosystem where government bodies and international partners collaborate on innovation.

 

The event brings together official delegations, government entities, and leading international companies specializing in the defense and security sectors. (SPA)

Strategic agreements and major launches

At the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Group pavilion, Prince Khalid launched several key initiatives.

  • New entities: The inauguration of the SAMI Land Co., SAMI Autonomous Co., and the SAMI Land Industrial Complex.
  • Supply chain: The unveiling of the SAMI Local Content Program and the HEET Program.
  • International cooperation: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development on advanced military research.
  • Defense deals: The minister signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia.
Defense Minister Prince Khalid signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia. (SPA)

 

Technological debuts and innovations

The show is also serving as a launchpad for cutting-edge security technologies across various government sectors.

  • AI-Powered Lucid Gravity: Public Security debuted its advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion.

The vehicle integrates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and specialized security equipment designed to accelerate emergency response times and support field operations.

Public Security’s advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle is displayed at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion. (SPA)

By leveraging predictive intelligence and advanced command-and-control systems, the Lucid Gravity exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to protecting the Kingdom.

  • Smart helmet: Also at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion, the General Directorate of Civil Defense unveiled its smart helmet.

Designed to revolutionize public safety and emergency response, the helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations.

The device serves as a mobile command node, delivering live video feeds directly to command-and-control centers. By enabling real-time data analysis and faster decision-making, the helmet reduces response times and enhances personnel safety in high-risk environments.

 

The smart helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations. (SPA)

 

  • Border security: The General Directorate of the Border Guard showcased an integrated security system featuring radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure.

It also functions as an early warning system for critical facilities and border areas and is fully integrated with command-and-control systems.

 

Border Guard's ntegrated security system features radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure. (SPA)
  • Counter-terrorism: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition presented a comprehensive framework integrating intellectual, media, and military domains to combat extremism and terror financing.

    Visitors were briefed on specialized programs designed to raise the readiness of national personnel and foster sustainable institutional cooperation among member states to combat extremism.

    On the event’s opening day, the pavilion hosted high-level delegations, including ministers, military leaders, and ambassadors who reviewed and praised the coalition’s pivotal role in coordinating local and international security efforts.

    A view of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition pavilion. (SPA)
  • Meteorology: The National Center for Meteorology displayed advanced weather systems essential for ensuring the safety of the event’s air shows and military operations.

    At its dedicated pavilion, the NCM is showcasing its latest advanced meteorological technologies and systems. These solutions serve both the military and civilian sectors, providing accurate data to support beneficiary entities’ operational processes.

World Defense Show CEO Andrew Pearcey said that participation is expected to surpass previous records, reflecting the event’s growing importance on the international stage.

NCM's latest meteorological technologies and systems serve both the military and civilian sectors