RIYADH: Young Saudi storytellers have taken audiences on a trip down memory lane to highlight the Kingdom’s most pivotal moments as part of the Rawi Diriyah competition.
The annual contest, hosted in partnership with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and the Ministry of Education, encourages students to learn about the history of the Kingdom and its ancient tradition of storytelling.
“This initiative offers a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural and social heritage of Diriyah and the Kingdom,” Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, said.
“It sheds light on significant historical events and the remarkable achievements of the imams and kings who helped to solidify the legacy of Saudi Arabia in the hearts and minds of people around the world, providing invaluable insights into the history of the Saudi state over the centuries,” he added.
More than 13,000 students took part in this year’s event, with the final held on Friday.
The 12 winners were each presented with an Exceed vehicle by Sanibel Modern Motors, the official sponsor of the competition this year.
Following months of intensive competition, 100 students had qualified for the final phases of the contest.
The 12 winners of the final each took to the stage in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif in a storytelling performance highlighting key moments in the Kingdom’s history.
Tamim Turki Al-Harthi, one of the youngest winners, spoke about his experience taking part in the closing ceremony.
“Honestly, I would like to thank the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and the Ministry of Education for the effort they put in. I am very happy,” he said.
“Frankly, there are many stories, but what made me choose the story of Faisal Tower, is that it’s a wonderful topic, first, and secondly, I liked to link the past and the present and how we used to build towers, but for protection, while now we build them for the economy and development of the country,” he told Arab News.
The stories told during the competition covered the era of the first Saudi State in 1727.
The Ministry of Education and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority worked closely with the students to offer accurate information about the Kingdom’s history.
“We targeted almost 2.5 million students from public education — middle and high school. About 190,000 participants shared about 30 stories,” Dr. Badran Al-Honaihen, the cultural and historical validation senior director at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, told Arab News.
He added that the three most shared stories were “I am Nora’s brother,” “As-Saif Al-Ajrab” and “The Story of the Prince.”
Al-Honaihen said: “These stories were shared by male and female students. The stories are great. This success wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership with the Education Ministry.
“The ministry gave us access to students and the full control of the operation, so we thank it and all the participants who supported this initiative.”
Some of the stories told during the competition emphasized the significance of the Year of Mercy, Thumamah bin Athal, Zarqa Al-Yamama, the Ardah dance and the Salwa Palace.
Young Saudi storytellers recount pivotal moments in Kingdom’s history
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Young Saudi storytellers recount pivotal moments in Kingdom’s history
- Rawi Diriyah competition sees students compete at UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif
- More than 13,000 students took part in this year’s event, with the final held on Friday
Threat to Kingdom’s security is ‘red line’ that will be ‘addressed and neutralized,’ Saudi envoy says
- Abdulaziz Alwasil tells UN Security Council the situation in southern Yemen is ‘a just cause with social and historic dimensions’ that can only be resolved through dialogue
- Recent military activity in the south was unilateral, resulting in an escalation that harms the interests of Yemeni people and undermines efforts to address issues in the south, he said
NEW YORK CITY: Any attempt to threaten Saudi Arabia’s national security is a “red line” and will be met with decisive action, the Kingdom’s ambassador to the UN told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Speaking during a meeting of the council to discuss Yemen, Abdulaziz Alwasil said the situation in the south of the country is “a just cause with social and historic dimensions” that can only be resolved through dialogue.
“We stress that any attempt to threaten our national security is a red line, and we will not hesitate to take the necessary actions and steps to address it and neutralize it,” he added.
Alwasil reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemeni President Rashad Al-Alimi, the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government in their efforts to achieve security, stability, development and peace while preserving national unity.
He said military activity by Southern Transitional Council forces in Hadramout and Al-Mahra on Dec. 2, 2025, was unilateral, did not have the approval of the Presidential Leadership Council, and was not carried out in coordination with the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.
It had resulted in an unjustified escalation that harmed the interests of the Yemeni people, undermined efforts to address the issues in the south, and ran counter to the coalition’s objectives, Alwasil added.
The Kingdom, working with its coalition partners, the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government, had moved to contain the situation by dispatching a military force to coordinate arrangements with the Southern Transitional Council in Aden, he said.
The aim was to ensure the return of the southern council’s forces to their previous positions outside of Hadramout and Al-Mahra, and the handover of camps to legitimate government forces and local authorities in line with agreed procedures, Alwasil added.
He expressed regret over the military operations that took place in Hadramout and Al-Mahra, close to Saudi Arabia’s southern border, which he said posed a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security, as well as the security of Yemen and regional stability. Such steps were extremely dangerous, he added, and contradicted the principles on which the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen had been founded.
Alwasil welcomed a prisoner and detainee exchange agreement signed in Muscat on Dec. 23, which he described as an important humanitarian measure to alleviate suffering and build confidence.
He praised Oman for hosting and sponsoring the consultations and supporting negotiations, and commended the efforts of UN’s special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, the International Committee of the Red Cross and all others that has played a part.
Regarding the political efforts to resolve the crisis, Alwasil said Saudi Arabia welcomed President Al-Alimi’s call for an inclusive conference in Riyadh to bring together all stakeholders to discuss just solutions to the situation in southern Yemen.
Preparations for the conference have begun, he added, in cooperation with the Yemeni government and southern representatives, reflecting the close ties between the two countries and their shared interests in stabilizing Yemen.
He urged all southern stakeholders to participate actively and constructively in the talks, to help find comprehensive and just solutions that meet the legitimate aspirations of the people of southern Yemen.
Alwasil called on all Yemeni forces and stakeholders to cooperate and intensify their efforts to reach a lasting political settlement that would ensure security and stability.
He described the southern issue as “a just cause with social and historic dimensions,” adding that “the only way to address it is through dialogue that leads to a comprehensive political solution” based on nationally and internationally agreed terms of reference.
